Frequently asked questions for current Scholars Program students
Will I graduate with honors?
Students with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher graduate with the distinction of President's Honors. Students with a cumulative GPA of 3.25 to 3.49 graduate with the distinction of All-University Honors. After the degree is awarded, the honors distinction is placed on the student's transcript. If you graduate with a cumulative GPA of 3.24 or lower, you will not receive the distinction of honors at graduation.
Are GPAs rounded up?
No, GPAs are not rounded up for ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ Scholars.
What activities are approved for my Scholars 3 and 4 requirements?
The Scholars 3 requirement is intended to give the student an experiential learning experience. Internships, study abroad, a clinical experience, or a substantial role in a musical or theatrical production would satisfy the requirements. The activity should encompass at least 30 hours of time committed to the activity. In fact, many students' degrees may already embed an experiential learning activity in their program.
The Scholars 4 requirement is a culminating project that demonstrates the student's breadth and depth of mastery of the field. Oftentimes, this may include a capstone course, thesis, senior project, or independent study.
Read a detailed list of approved Scholars 3 and 4 activities here.
Can I delay taking a requirement for the Scholars Program?
Yes, after your first semester at Binghamton, you can delay taking a Scholars requirement if you find that you are going through a difficult time or need to reduce your course load. Students must seek permission from the Executive Director and should do this before the end of the add/drop period.
Does my enrollment in the FRI program satisfy my Scholars 3 requirement?
No, not automatically. Your enrollment in the FRI program in and of itself does not satisfy the SCHL 3 requirement. The research course you take during the third semester of FRI will, however. You must still register for SCHL 327 in the same semester of FRI and submit your pre and post applications on B-engaged.
If I'm an SOM student, do I need to take SCHL 227?
No, Scholars in the School of Management can substitute MGMT 350 for SCHL 227.
How do I know if I am getting my priority registration (otherwise known as ghost credits)?
When you receive your time ticket for registration, you should verify that you are receiving your priority registration by taking the number of credits you have passed and/or transferred in and adding 24 credits. Classes currently in progress for which you have not yet received a grade will not be counted. Then, check the time ticket table to make sure you are registering at a time that a student with that number of credit hours would be registering. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to the program staff to inquire further.
I need career advice and/or experience. Who should I talk to?
The Scholars Program has a designated career consultant who can help with a wide range of career-related issues such as choosing a major, securing an internship, resume reviews, and mock interviews. You are also welcome to talk with the Scholars Program staff.
I'm not sure what to major in. Who should I talk to?
Program staff, undergraduate advisors, academic advising, and the Fleishman Center are all great places to start. Still not sure? Stop by the Scholars Program Office.
I want to transfer into a different school or college at Binghamton. How do I do that? And, how do I declare a double degree?
Scholars in good academic standing are granted the privilege or choosing any major in any school or college at Binghamton. To take advantage of this guarantee, Scholars must apply no later than March 10 of their first year. If a major is not chosen by March 10 of the first year, then Scholars go into an application pool with all other applicants to the desired program, with no guarantee of admission to the desired major. Scholars should speak with an academic advisor as soon as possible to discuss their decision. The process is different for each school. More information on those particulars can be found on our Guaranteed Choice of Any Major webpage.
I would like to overload. How do I do that?
The Scholars Program does not have the authority to grant you permission to overload, even with Scholars classes. The process to petition to overload is different for each school. More detailed information on each school's process can be found on the Overloading website page.
Can I register for classes that conflict or are offered at the same time?
Students can register for two concurrent classes if they only overlap by a few minutes and they have permission from the instructors. For more information and a course conflict form, visit our Conflicts website page.
I'd like to drop a major. How do I do that?
To drop a major, students should formally request to do so with their department's undergraduate director. For a list of Harpur College undergraduate directors, please click here. If you are pursuing a double degree and have decided to drop one of those, please contact Student Records and Registrar Services.
How do I apply for the Scholars $3,500 Award?
Award criteria and application directors can be found on the Scholars Program website.
I'm really struggling and may need to withdraw for the semester. What should I do?
Students should reach out to the Dean of Students office as soon as possible. Students should also inform the Executive Director of the Scholars Program. If you have on-campus housing, you will also want to reach out to the Office of Residential Life as soon as possible. Students are strongly encouraged to speak to a financial aid counselor. The required forms and more information can be found in the Office of Student Records and Registrar Services.
I am struggling academically. Will I get kicked out of the program?
Scholars who are unable to maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.25 are on Scholars Probation. Students on Scholars Probation will need to meet with the program staff to ensure that they are receiving the resources they need to be successful at the University. It can take a student more than one semester to bring their GPA back up, but as long as you are progressing, you are not likely to be dismissed from the program. However, in order to graduate with honors and to be eligible for the Scholars Award, students must be in good standing in the program.
How can I find a professional mentor?
Over winter break of the first year, Scholars will receive an emailed invitation to select a professional mentor from a wide-ranging list of professionals across campus. Professional mentors can help you choose a major, think through career paths, and help you find connections to research opportunities across campus and beyond. Professional mentors are friendly people who can help you connect to the wider Binghamton community beyond campus as well. If you are having any concerns about this, please stop by the Scholars Office to discuss your options.
Where can I find the Council Constitution?
The Scholars Council is a democratically elected group of students who oversee programming opportunities for Scholars. They also nurture and support the Scholars Learning ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ in Newing College. The Scholars Council is guided by a .
I would like to apply to be a Guthrie intern. How do I do that?
The Guthrie Scholars Premedical Internship is a full-time, credit-bearing, unpaid internship at Guthrie Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre, PA. The Scholars Program sends between one and four students there each semester. An announcement for a new cycle of applications will be posted on the Scholars listserv, usually in January and August of each year. Scholars submit application materials and are interviewed and selected by Guthrie staff. More details on all aspects of this program can be found on the Guthrie Internship website page.
I'm a new student. How can I find a Scholar roommate?
When you create a housing portal profile, you should indicate that you are a "Binghamton University Scholar". Only Scholars will be able to select rooms in the Scholars Learning ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ. While on rare circumstances we allow non-Scholars to room with Scholars, this is generally discouraged and dependent on space available. To inquire about bringing in a non-Scholar roommate, you must seek approval from the Executive Director.
I want to return to the Scholars Learning ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ next year. How do I do that?
First, sign the housing license agreement. Next, you will need to form a group in the Res Life portal. You will be able to select a room with your roommate/group when the housing selection process opens online. For more information, contact the Office of Residential Life.
I just got a notice that I was displaced from housing. What does this mean?
As Residential Life prepares bed stock for the incoming class of first-year students, all Scholars are "displaced" from their rooms. Do not worry. This does not mean you are being evicted. You will be able to select a room in Scholars' housing for next year. In fact, you may even be able to select the room that you are currently residing in if you do desire.
I hope to graduate this semester. What should I do?
Submit your Application for Degree and notify the Commencement Office. If you plan to participate in Commencement ceremonies early, you must petition to walk. You will also need to notify the Scholars Program Office via email so that they can ensure your name is printed in the Commencement program and that you have a medallion and cords to wear with your cap and gown. Finally, please complete an Application for Completion of Scholars Program Requirements form on B-engaged.
I am excited to graduate! What can I expect?
Congratulations! It's a very exciting time. Traditionally, the Scholars Program has hosted a banquet for graduates each year. The President also hosts a celebration in honor of the spring graduates (as well as fall graduates, should they choose to return for the spring festivities). You will receive a certificate commemorating your honors level signed by the President in the mail after your degree has posted. Your honors notation will be added to your transcript at that time as well.
How can I stay in touch after I graduate?
We love hearing from our Scholar alums! The best way to stay in touch with the program is to join the Scholars Linked-In group and our new Scholars Alumni Affinity group. The Office of Alumni Relations will be in touch regarding official communications, publications, and homecoming events. Send us an email from time to time or just stop by the Scholars Program Office.