I’m able to get much more involved in my honors courses—and, overall, I think I’m learning a lot more at SDSU than I would have elsewhere. - Amber Curtis

Amber Curtis says that San Diego State’s Honors Program set SDSU apart from the University of California campuses vying to recruit her from her Oakland-area high school. The specialized curriculum and programs offer Amber, Class of 2007, a small- college feeling within a large university environment.

"I’m able to get much more involved in my honors courses—and, overall, I think I’m learning a lot more at SDSU than I would have elsewhere. There is always a lively discussion because there are only 30 students in our classes, which isn’t possible in most general education sections. My honors classes are taught by professors rather than teaching assistants, and I earned an SDSU Provost Scholarship, which made college more affordable."

A math major who aspires to be a college professor, Amber graduated high school sixth in her class, and spent many community service hours tutoring middle-school students in math. "SDSU’s Honors Program was the right choice for me," she said. "College life can be so overwhelming on a large campus, so I appreciate the camaraderie of a small group of students with common goals. We’ve created our own place. We have our own study room where we hash out ideas, help each other study and share opinions. I don’t think I could get an education like this anywhere else."

The Honors Program was redesigned in 2002 into a seminar-style, interdisciplinary learning opportunity for high achieving students, to help recruit the best and the brightest to SDSU. With only 60 students are accepted to the program each academic year, academic requirements for this prestigious program are rigorous. Applicants need a 3.7 GPA to apply and must maintain a 3.5 GPA average. Fifty percent of honors students receive scholarships, for both merit and financial reasons. The Provost Scholarships are merit scholarships awarded to select the honors students. Making this prestigious financial award available to more worthy students will allow us to expand the Honors Program.

"These scholarships help SDSU attract higher achieving students and promote diversity on campus," said Geoffrey Chase, dean of undergraduate studies. "Our goal is to increase the number of honors students who can take advantage of this college-within-the-university and its more personalized education. We need to find ways to assist these students, and help them reach their goals. Our long-term plan is to establish an honors college, which will enroll 150 students each year and have its own faculty. We’re hoping the community will share our goals.