HNR 120 - Engaging for Transfer Success

This course guides honors students in identifying, reflecting upon, and documenting their honors-specific and overall community college achievements for future transfer, scholarship, and employment opportunities. Through an in-depth exploration of the higher education landscape, students will learn practical steps to build competitive applications to four-year colleges and universities. Topics include understanding admissions processes and requirements, financial responsibilities, scholarship opportunities, post-transfer navigation, and effective strategies for showcasing honors work. Students will also develop personal portfolios that highlight their unique experiences and accomplishments. This course is especially beneficial for those applying to selective institutions, schools, or programs. Enrollment requires good academic standing and active participation in the Honors Program.

 
English Prerequisite(s): None
Math Prerequisite(s): None
Course Corequisite(s): None
Academic Program Prerequisite: None
Consent to Enroll in Course: Department Consent Required
Dual Enrollment Allowed?: Yes
Number of Times Course can be taken for credit: 1
Programs Where This Course is a Requirement:
None

1. Identify distinctive Honors Program activities and explain how they shape future academic and professional trajectories.
2. Reflect on personal, academic, and professional experiences to identify strengths and areas for development that enhance competitiveness for transfer, scholarships, and careers.
3. Explain how high-impact experiences meet the expectations of selective institutions or career opportunities.
4. Develop strong written, oral, and visual communication skills to effectively showcase honors achievements in applications, interviews, and professional networking.
5. Create a personal portfolio that highlights honors coursework, projects, leadership roles, and reflections, demonstrating readiness for transfer, scholarships, and future career opportunities.

1. Introduction
   1. Introduction to the Class, Honors Program, and Faculty
   2. The Higher Education Landscape and the Honors Student
2. Systems of Higher Education
   1. Myths and Misconceptions of the Transfer Experience
   2. Types of Transfer Institutions
   3. Research and Discovery: Tools and Trends
   4. Exploring Long-term Academic Possibilities
3. Financial Responsibilities
   1. Budget Realities Beyond the Community College
   2. Scholarships for Transfer and Honors Students
4. Exploring Majors and Careers 
   1. Degrees, Majors, Minors, Careers  
   2. Panel Discussion
   3. The Intersection of Interest and Degree
5. The Transfer Process Action Steps
   1. Discovering Resources at Both Ends of the Transfer Experience
   2. Timelines for Transfer
6. The Transfer Experience
   1. Honors Alumni/Student Panel
   2. Connecting with Recruiters and Mentors
   3. Engagement Across Campuses: Honors to Honors
7. Applications
   1. Refining Your Writing Skills 
   2. Enhancing Your Application 
   3. Building Your etNwork 
8. Leveraging College Experiences 
   1. Extracurricular and Cocurricular Opportunities
   2. Workshops and High-impact Practices
   3. The ePortfolio: Connecting Honors Experiences
9. Next Steps: Now What?
   1. Your Academic Journey
   2. Creating a Smooth Transition

Classroom discussion: 15-25%

Classroom demonstrations/problems: 15-25%

Facilitated group discussion: 5-10%

 
Mandatory Course Components:
None.
Equivalent Courses:
None

ePortfolio Rubric