How to Design Your Own Path

Design thinking and prototyping aren't just for product development. We used the same principles when we created the Honors Program, and you'll do the same on your pathway. Learn. Do. Reflect. Challenge assumptions. Take advantage of available resources, and identify areas of need. Build on the things that work. Move away from the things that don't work as well, or figure out an improvement.

Our Honors Program is designed to help you achieve your goals, learn more about what interests you (and discover what doesn't!), and develop the honors abilities that are so valued by our graduates and their employers.

Tailor your honors experience to your unique life and learning goals. Get away from the standard degree flowchart and use your own experiences, your own interests, and your own aspirations to make an honors program that is perfectly "you."

Steps to consider

A student receiving a check for winning a competition

1. Think about your area of focus


Where do you want to make an impact? What interests you? You can focus on undergraduate research, starting a business, leadership, and more. Or choose multiple areas of focus to develop a broader personal portfolio—the choice is yours.

Areas of focus include, but are not limited to:

More about areas of focus

Students engaged in a blindfolded obstacle course

2. Learn about program components


Enough structure to make sense; enough freedom to make it your own. Learn about the building blocks of the Honors Program.

Program components are:

More about program components

 
 Students on a waterfall

3. Enhance your path


Add more prestige to your path through the Grand Challenge Scholars program. Add life experience through international or domestic travel.

 

More about path enhancements

Graduates in honors medals

4. Plan your timeline


We've designed the Honors Program to work with your schedule and not delay graduation. Learn more about the order of components and see sample timelines.

 

See sample timelines

 

Alumni spotlight

"I did a Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship at Mayo Clinic this summer. So during the day, I would be going to the lab, and in the evening, I was volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House."

Learn about Elise's path, where she combined research and service learning

Elise Cheny-Makens
Elise Cheney-Makens '19