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Welcome to our awesome new website!

As you may have noticed, the LAS website is sporting a new look.

The makeover was driven by a need to improve accessibility and web standards support. But the site was also overdue for some re-organization, cleaning, and a fresh look to tie it all together.

We encourage you to explore the site. If you find any broken links or other issues we may have missed, please let us know. We will be continually refining the site, adding new features and functionality. We are making every effort to ensure the site meets the needs of our current and future students, our alumni, our faculty and staff, and all other friends of the college.

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The website was developed by the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, with the design by the LAS Office of Communications and Marketing and implementation by ATLAS Web Services.

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Types of Programs « Honors Programs « Students « College of Liberal Arts & Sciences « University of Illinois

Students

Types of Honors Programs

James Scholars Honors Program

As the official honors program of the college, the Edmund J. James Scholar Honors Program challenges academically gifted students to develop their potential and achieve the college's highest academic recognition. As a James Scholar, you will:

  • Broaden your course work, be involved in original research, and work one-on-one with researchers.
  • Enjoy benefits like early enrollment, honors sections, information on scholarships and fellowships, and recognition at graduation.
  • Be part of a campus community committed to helping you realize your potential-academically and as a future leader.

Only the top 10-15 percent of incoming freshmen are invited to be James Scholars. Other students may apply to the program if they have a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher.

More information on the James Scholar program

Robert W. Rogers Merit Scholars Program

The Robert W. Rogers Scholars program offers financial support to a maximum of 12 entering freshmen who have distinguished themselves through outstanding academic achievement during their high school years. Rogers Scholars who maintain a GPA of 3.5 through their freshman year and remain in LAS, will have their scholarship renewed for the sophomore year.

Cohn Scholars Program in the Humanities

Open to a maximum of 12 freshmen majoring in one of the LAS humanities fields of study, the Cohn Scholars Program offers intellectual opportunities and financial support. In recognition of their commitment to humanistic study and to serious pursuit of higher learning, Cohn Scholars are invited to participate in a special first-year program that offers individual academic opportunity and acquaints them with the resources of the University. Students are expected to maintain a high level of academic performance.

The program provides individual grants of $1,000 to be used for tuition, fees, and other educational expenditures, and consists of the following elements:

  • Individual, full-credit tutorial course with a faculty mentor in a field of interest
  • Seminar meetings, usually three per semester
  • Tours of such facilities as the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, the Krannert Art Museum, and the Spurlock Museum.
  • Special library privileges such as tours and stacks passes
  • Social gatherings and emphasis on small group cohesiveness

Students are selected by a faculty committee on the basis of an application (with written statement of academic goals and interests), high school rank, and performance on the ACT or SAT. The program is supported chiefly by the Clarence and Pauline Cohn Memorial Fund and by other college gift funds.

Departmental Honors Programs

Several departmental honors programs enable juniors and seniors to pursue special learning experiences within their major field of study. The requirements for these programs vary, but they all dovetail with those of the James Scholar Program so that students may work towards both honors. Special honors programs are currently available in biology, English, history, mathematics, psychology, specialized curricula, LAS/business, and LAS/engineering. See the appropriate advisor for details.