Frequently Asked Questions
How do I join the Honors Program?
Are there Honors scholarships?
There are grants for travel and research for which you can apply in February of junior year. There are not Honors scholarships for general tuition.
What is Scholars Day?
Sponsored by the Honors Program, Scholars Day is held each year on an afternoon in April. All Ouachita students are invited to participate, individually or in teams, by presenting their best research, papers and performances to the whole campus. Often, these poster presentations and papers have been presented at national conferences off campus as well, so Scholars Day enables the whole academic community to experience the award-winning work of its students. Parents and friends from off campus are most welcome to attend!
Honors Tiger Day is also a part of Scholars Day. If you're a prospective student who would like to know more, contact Ouachita's Office of Admissions.
Freshman Year
Students use their freshman year to find their niche at Ouachita. Freshman Honors opportunities are both academic and social, headlined by events such as the Black and Gold Reception and our Honors Fall Retreat, and the select invitations to breakfasts with visiting lecturers.
- Enroll in the Honors section of three CORE classes (these may be taken at any time during your time at Ouachita).
- Enjoy the fall retreat and make new friends.
- Get involved in Alpha Tau.
If you can't take Honors Connections during your first semester, it might be possible to enroll in your second semester. Contact Dr. Pemberton to learn more.
Sophomore Year
Your sophomore year is a time of growth and curiosity in the program. You will enjoy taking two seminars covering interdisciplinary subjects that you would never find in a traditional catalog. These classes are taught by the most engaging and knowledgeable professors on campus.
- Two Honors seminars of your choice (1 credit hour each).
Junior Year
As an active member of the Honors community at Ouachita, you'll find that your junior year is full of exciting possibilities. You will build on your love of learning by studying a topic of your choice one-on-one with your chosen professor. In the spring, you can apply for travel grants for research. We have sent students to all seven continents!
- Complete a 1-hour directed study.
- Apply for grants to travel worldwide and do research.
Senior Year
As a culmination of your hard work and scholarship, you will work on a senior thesis throughout your last year at Ouachita. Usually, this thesis may be based on your directed study, but, again, it covers a topic of your choice. You will submit your completed work to be bound and published, and then present at Scholars Day.
- Write and present a senior thesis or project (4 credit hours).
- Receive Honors recognition at Commencement.
