All First Year Students are required to attend a mandatory two day University Orientation prior to their first semester of attendance. This Orientation program is vital because it shows students the benefits, requirements and possibilities of University life. During this session, students will learn about financial aid, academic requirements for the college of their major, the wealth of student organizations available and much more. Students who have also been admitted to the Honors College will also have their Orientation to Honors during the University session. Admitted students must attend all Honors College presentations during their Orientation to ensure they are fully admitted to the College and receive the appropriate benefits.
HOW DO I SIGN UP?
All fully admitted students must pay a $200.00 Admissions deposit to be eligible to sign up for an Orientation. This deposit can be paid at the following website: http://usfweb2.usf.edu/admissions/deposit.htm
To sign up for one of the mandatory Orientation sessions, go to http://usfweb2.usf.edu/orientation/main.asp#. As an Honors College student you will be directed to those sessions that have open seats specifically for Honors students. Choose the session that best meets your needs, complete all online forms and submit the required Orientation fee.
Upon completion of this stage, you will be linked to an Honors College form that we need prior to your coming to Orientation. This information will ensure that your first semester schedule is appropriate.
You will receive a confirmation in the mail from the Office of Orientation and an email confirmation from the Honors College.
WHAT DO I DO NOW?
At this point you are all set for your Orientation. Just follow the instructions that you get from the Office of Orientation and make sure you arrive on time for your scheduled two day session. Plan to stay on campus for the entire 2 day session.
Between the time you sign up for Orientation and you actually attend your scheduled session, the University (Honors College) will register you in a preliminary schedule based on your credits earned, level of preparation and major of choice. We strongly encourage you to leave the schedule alone until you come to Orientation. We have chosen an appropriate schedule and course load for you and cannot guarantee that we can recreate it if you change it in any way.
WHAT HAPPENS AT ORIENTATION?
At Orientation you will attend a series of meetings to prepare you for University life. Do not panic! Much of what you hear will sound like a foreign language. We call it University-eze and we in Honors will be there to help translate and make it work for you. You will see the staff and students mentors of Honors no less than three times during the two day session. These times are:
Mandatory Information Session – Early evening of the first day
General Information about Honors College, opportunity to meet
staff and Honors Mentors and ask any questions. Parents welcome!
Mandatory College Info Session – Morning of second day
Specific information on academic requirements, how your credits fit
and what you can expect for the afternoon advising session.
Parents again welcome and more questions can be answered.
You will be given a copy of your preliminary schedule.
Mandatory Advising Session – Afternoon of second day
Actual advising done in small groups with Honors Mentors
who will help you finalize your schedule. Sorry! No room for
parents!
Note: All these sessions are mandatory for admitted Honors College students. You will not be able to finalize your Honors admission without attending all three of these sessions.
Honors Mentors for 2008
Siulyn Aguirre
Major(s): Psychology
Home Town: Tampa, FL
Best Thing about Honors:
The relationships you form with peer students and the staff. You never feel "lost" because someone is always there to help you along the way.
Best Thing about USF:
The ability to get hands on experience in your major prior to your graduation.
Most exciting moment of college (so far):
Working in Orientations last summer.
Payal Arora
Major(s): Biomedical Sciences
Home Town: Palm Harbor, FL
Best Thing about Honors:
The supportive staff that is always guiding you in the right direction and providing students with all the resources we need to achieve our goals.
Best Thing about USF:
The endless opportunities available to students -- you just have to seek them out!
Most exciting moment of college (so far):
Move-In day of my first semester at USF. I felt like I could finally settle into my new community.
Abby Bennett
Major(s): Communication Sciences/Disorders. Minor in Psychology.
Home Town: Tarpon Springs, FL
Best Thing about Honors:
Small, varied and interesting courses. The professors, advisors, and the Dean all really care about your education, success, and having fun.
Best Thing about USF:
The diversity. USF Attracts people from different backgrounds, ehtnicities, and cultures.
Most exciting moment of college (so far):
Preparing for a week abroad to Costa Rica with the Honors College. This will be my first time abroad needing a passport, so I am very excited.
Aly Collins
Major(s): Advertising with a Minor in Psychology.
Home Town: Chicago, IL
Best Thing about Honors:
I would really say the community we have here. I've met my best friends through Honors, taken some of the best classes here, and just all around loved the events.
Best Thing about USF:
How active our campus and city are! You can easily find something to do every night of the week.
Most exciting moment of college (so far):
Being part of the Day of Silence. It's an all day silent protest the PRIDE Alliance puts on in April.
Mia Faucher
Major(s): Journalism & Sociology
Home Town: Rohnert Park, CA
Best Thing about Honors:
Its emphasis on learning from discussion and open and honest exchange with one's peer.
Best Thing about USF:
Our incrediBULL school pride!
Most exciting moment of college (so far):
I get a thrill every time I get to walk around campus or Tampa and run into someone I know from class or have made a connection with in some way or another.
Ana Garcia
Major(s): International Business
Home Town: Medellin, Colombia
Best Thing about Honors:
The Honors classes, they are smaller than regular ones and with very interesting topics.
Best Thing about USF:
The diversity of the campus.
Most exciting moment of college (so far):
When I went to study abroad in France for a semester.
Javier Gonzalez
Major(s): Biomedical Sciences
Home Town: Levittown, Puerto Rico
Best Thing about Honors:
Small, interesting and engaging classes...and priorty registration!
Best Thing about USF:
It's big on research, especially undergraduate research. There's a lot of research opportunities for students, which can be really helpful for science majors and just an enriching experience overall.
Most exciting moment of college (so far):
Being at the football game where # 18 USF beat # 5 West Virginia Univ (Go Bulls!)
Rebecca Killik
Major(s): Psychology
Home Town: Brandon, FL
Best Thing about Honors:
The staff treats you like an equal, intelligent member of society.
Best Thing about USF:
Our campus is one of the prettiest campuses in Florida. We don't have beaches, but I believe that the University has done a wonderful job at making our school beautiful.
Most exciting moment of college (so far):
When I had just moved into the dorms. I just kept sighing and realizing that, "this is it, I'm finally here!"
Joshua Kowzan
Major(s): Industrial Engineering and Management Systems
Home Town: Tampa, FL
Best Thing about Honors:
Entertaining classes.
Best Thing about USF:
H.O.T. Band!
Most exciting moment of college (so far):
H.O.T. trip to El Paso, TX
Sabrina McCormick
Major(s): Communication Sciences & Disorders for Speech, Language, & Hearing.
Home Town: Interlachen, FL
Best Thing about Honors:
The Dean of the Honors College, Dr. Silverman, is awesome and actually knows you by first name.
Best Thing about USF:
All the resources available to help students on campus including: Student Health Services, Career Center, Counseling Center, RED, Computer Services, Student Disability Services, and the SAFE Team.
Most exciting moment of college (so far):
The realization that the major I had been working on for three semesters was not for me, and the discovery of the major that was.
Robin Medicus
Major(s): Biology
Home Town: St. Pete, FL
Best Thing about Honors:
Great professors, fun events, and priority scheduling!
Best Thing about USF:
Our diversity! I love getting to know new and different people, and this is THE place to do it!
Most exciting moment of college (so far):
One night, my friends and I impulsively decided, at 2 am, to drive to Daytona Beach and watch the sun rise. Well, since time was rather limited, we just hopped onto I-75 (without checking a map). A few hours later, we found ourselves in Valdosta, Georgia! We had a real southern breakfast at a diner, looked around the city, and then headed back home.
Erin Monahan
Major(s): Psychology & English
Home Town: Tampa, FL
Best Thing about Honors:
I love that there are smaller, more personal classes filled with interesting people.
Best Thing about USF:
It's a beautiful campus that offers so many excellent programs and organizations.
Most exciting moment of college (so far):
Playing with USF's H.O.T. band at the USF vs. Auburn game this football season.
Sean Motta
Major(s): Mechanical Engineering & Business Administration Minor: Physics
Home Town: Madeira Beach, FL
Best Thing about Honors:
An unbelievable staff that is willing to do almost anything to ensure you have the best college career possible.
Best Thing about USF:
The diversity of our student population, and the ability to interact with dedicated and enthusiastic students through the Honors College.
Most exciting moment of college (so far):
Staffing the USF Engineering EXPO for 2008, and the opportunity to spend a second summer as an Honors Peer Mentor.
Elizabeth Pitts
Major(s): Biomedical Sciences with a minor in Public Health and Biomedical Physics
Home Town: Hartford, Ct.
Best Thing about Honors:
I love that we get to register really early before everyone else. We almost never have problems getting into the classes that we need. Honors also has great advisors and awesome support for anything you need.
Best Thing about USF:
The amount of opportunities not only for having fun, but also for growing as a person and finding something that you enjoy.
Most exciting moment of college (so far):
When I was inducted into the USF Ambassadors. The USF Ambassadors are a link between the students and the alumni as the "Face of the University". It is a fantastic group of people who have truly become a second family to me.
Ralph Reid
Major(s): Biology & Political Science
Home Town: Satellite Beach, FL
Best Thing about Honors:
The amazing advisors who are always willing to give you a hand or offer you advice, the Honors College scholarship, and priority registration!
Best Thing about USF:
USF Athletics (Go BULLS!), Research opportunities, Greek life, and the MANY student organizations which suit any interest you might have.
Most exciting moment of college (so far):
Winning first place in my category at the '07 Undergraduate Research Symposium!
Rose Rezaei
Major(s): Mass Communications & Public Relations
Home Town: Starke, FL
Best Thing about Honors:
Personalized attention. The Honors College is great about giving you individual guidance, encouragement, and direction.
Best Thing about USF:
Diversity. I love going to a University that values students who represent different countries, backgrounds, and ideologies.
Most exciting moment of college (so far):
The day I became a USF Ambassador. USF Ambassadors is an organization that bridges the communication gap between alumni, the community, and USF. Through Ambassadors, I have been involved in exciting activities, honed my leadership skills, and made lasting friendships.
Jennifer Robbins
Major(s):
Home Town:
Best Thing about Honors:
Best Thing about USF:
Most exciting moment of college (so far):
Richard Slama
Major(s): Biomedical Sciences
Home Town: Naples, FL
Best Thing about Honors:
The Honors College aims above the mark to provide its students with the best possible opportunities. As an Honors student, you are not just another number, but a part of a family that is there to support and guide you through your college career.
Best Thing about USF:
No matter what your major, USF has the resources to help you succeed, with state of the art research labs and hospitals right on campus.
Most exciting moment of college (so far):
Being able to truly discover myself and get a firm grasp on exactly what I want in my future.
Vanessa Taylor
Major(s): Theater Performance
Home Town: Joplin, Missouri
Best Thing about Honors:
The classes are interesting and the staff is extremely helpful, open, and friendly; they are always there to listen.
Best Thing about USF:
The campus is gorgeous and the student body is so diverse; you get to know so many different types of people.
Most exciting moment of college (so far):
The most exciting moment was being cast in my first main stage production, The Taming of the Shrew.
Joshua Walker
Major(s): Professional and Technical Writing
Home Town: Ormond Beach, FL
Best Thing about Honors:
Early registration and the courses.
Best Thing about USF:
The campus.
Most exciting moment of college (so far):
Working with the Student Government Election Rules Commission and on Election Day the power went out on campus.
Alexandra Wayson
Major(s): English Literature
Home Town: Winnemucca, NV
Best Thing about Honors:
All the exciting opportunities offered through the Honors College. Early Registration!
Best Thing about USF:
The great sense of community in the University.
Most exciting moment of college (so far):
Finding out I was accepted to be an Honors Mentor! Also, finishing my last final exam of my first semester.
Kaitlin Wilson
Major(s): Religious Studies
Home Town: Birmingham, AL
Best Thing about Honors:
I like the small class sizes and challenging courses.
Best Thing about USF:
It is a large school so there are many opportunities to explore whatever you are interested in.
Most exciting moment of college (so far):
I love choosing new classes each semester and learning new things!
