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Honors Program

Living, Learning, and Serving

The Hilbert Honors Program is a community that provides an intellectual learning experience for Hilbert’s top students in a challenging setting that fosters excellence.

Honors students explore new knowledge through honors-related coursework, colloquium experiences and community service. These opportunities help the students grow intellectually and socially.  Through their involvement in Honors, students are asked to think for themselves and to have a positive impact on the world around them.  Frequently our greatest challenges and our greatest triumphs come when we push ourselves to make the most of our abilities and talents.  The Honors Program at Hilbert is designed to do just that.

Students fulfill Honors credit requirements by doing advanced work in some of their classes or taking Honors-designated classes.  The Honors projects allow the student to work one-on-one with a faculty member, benefiting from that faculty member’s expertise and mentoring.

In addition, students in the program receive several benefits, including a yearly scholarship, priority registration, access to the Honors lounge, and educational travel opportunities.

Participating in Hilbert’s Honors Program shows that you are motivated, well-prepared, and self-reliant.  Honors on your degree says that you can succeed in the challenges that you face, because you already have a proven track record of success.

Apply to the Honors Program

New students are invited to apply to the Honors Program based on their high school or college GPA. A high school average of 90 or higher is required. Current students can apply using our Honors Program PDF application along with the other required materials.

Apply as a New Student
Apply as a Current Student

Hear From Our Students

  • A Hilbert pattern graphic background.
    The Hilbert College Honors program allows me to explore my academic interests with personally tailored projects, building on my strengths. On top of this, the Honors classes help students expand their perception of the world around them through community service opportunities and in-class assignments focused on different cultures worldwide.
    Steven, Class of 2023

Travel Opportunities

Honors students have the opportunity to participate in educational travel opportunities in a variety of ways.  Students have traveled to conferences to present their academic work, they’ve participated in service trips both in the United States and abroad, and they have an opportunity to travel through the HON 330 class. Previous travel destinations have included California, South Carolina, Italy, Ireland, and Spain.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

There are some Honors classes, but the program also allows you to enroll in regular classes and fulfill honors credit requirements by doing advanced work, or “in lieu of” projects, designed by the professors teaching your classes.

There are approximately 80 students in the program out of about 1,000 students at Hilbert.

You must maintain a minimum 3.5 grade point average, maintain full-time status, and complete the necessary community service. You must also show satisfactory progress toward the completion of honors-related coursework.

If your GPA falls below the required 3.5, you will be placed on probation in the Honors Program and given an opportunity to bring your GPA up to 3.5. Once that happens, you will be removed from probation.

There are several benefits to being an honors student, including personal advisement and one-on-one interaction with faculty, priority registration for all your classes, access to a private lounge with computers, and a renewable scholarship.

Special housing is not available for honors students. However, honors students have access to a private lounge area with computers for studying and to work on projects.

Acceptance into the Honors Program is not automatic. You must submit an application, a one- to three-page self-assessment narrative, and a letter of recommendation from a professor, teacher or person who is familiar with your leadership qualities. If you are a new student, you must apply to Hilbert before or at the same time as applying to the Honors Program.

You will receive priority registration for all your classes.

The type of community service work varies. Some students work for nationally recognized organizations, such as Hospice, Big Brothers/Big Sisters or Habitat for Humanity. Others get involved in local service projects at hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, libraries, homeless shelters, or places of worship.  Hilbert College offers a wide array of volunteer opportunities that you can participate in.

As a Hilbert honors student, you will have access to educational opportunities designed to foster your long-term intellectual and personal growth. Your participation will enhance your potential on-the-job and at the graduate school level.

You can enter the program later but you must apply when you have 60 or fewer credits.

Transfer students are eligible for the program but must meet the eligibility requirements as do first-year students.

Successful completion of the honors program will be indicated on your Hilbert diploma and transcript.

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