Getting accepted into the University is exciting news for students, but there may be something more for a few chosen ones.

Every year, at the time of admission, a handful of freshmen are given the opportunity to join the James Scholars program. Named after Edmund James, fourth president of the University of Illinois, the James Scholars program is an honors sequence for undergraduate students.

For incoming freshman, eligibility as a James Scholar is based upon their college application. High school
GPA, rank in graduating class and ACT scores are among factors taken into consideration. Additionally, each individual college at the University has its own specific requirements.

If students were not eligible to be a James Scholar their freshman year, they may apply their second semester to be considered for the following school year. Below is a list of requirements and benefits of entering the James Scholar program for different colleges:

College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences

Admission requirements

1. Cumulative GPA: 3.5+

Benefits

1. Priority registration
2. Designation as a James Scholar on transcripts
3. Recognition at graduation
4. More individualized interactions with professors and advisors
5. Co-curricular activities like the James Scholar Activities and Communications Team and two writing competitions each year
6. Opportunity to conduct individual research in specific areas of interest and have research findings published in I-ACES, the college’s online research journal
7. Scholarships and grants to assist with tuition and funding expenses for study abroad and undergraduate research projects

College of Applied Health Sciences

Admission requirements

1. Cumulative GPA: 3.5+
2. Must complete 14 graded credit hours a semester
3. Final grade of B- or above with in-class honors designation

Benefits

1. Priority registration
2. Designation as a James Scholar on transcripts
3. Recognition at graduation
4. More individualized interactions with professors and advisors

Gies College of Business

Admission requirements

1. Cumulative GPA: 3.5+
2. No application, but first year students to finish in the top 10% of their class are invited

Benefits

1. Priority registration
2. Designation as a James Scholar on transcripts
3. Recognition at graduation
4. Associate Director of Honors and/or Assistant Dean for Advising as your academic advisor
5. Job shadow experiences for freshmen and sophomores

College of Education

Admission requirements

1. Cumulative GPA: 3.5+
2. Final grade of B- or above in class with honors designation

Benefits

1. Priority registration
2. Designation as a James Scholar on transcripts
3. Eligibility for special James Scholar honor cord recognition at the College of Education commencement ceremony in May
4. More individualized interactions with professors and advisors

College of Engineering

Admission requirements

1. Cumulative GPA: 3.5+
2. Electrical and Computer Engineering majors must take ECE 200. Computer Science majors must take two additional CS 400-level courses in addition to those required for graduation. The requirement may also be satisfied using a minor.

Benefits

1. Priority registration
2. Designation as a James Scholar on transcripts
3. Recognition at graduation
4. More individualized interactions with professors and advisors
5. Access to honors-only courses

College of Fine and Applied Arts

Admission requirements

1. Cumulative GPA: 3.3+

Benefits

1. Priority registration
2. Designation as a James Scholar on transcripts
3. Recognition at graduation
4. More individualized interactions with professors and advisors
5. Opportunity to apply for funds to conduct research or complete projects

Division of General Studies

Admission Requirements

1. Cumulative GPA: 3.8+

Benefits

1. Priority registration
2. Designation as a James Scholar on transcripts
3. More individualized interactions with professors and advisors

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Admission requirements

1. Cumulative GPA: 3.7+

Benefits

1. Priority registration
2. Designation as a James Scholar on transcripts
3. Recognition at graduation
4. More individualized interactions with professors and advisors

College of Media

Admission requirements

1. Cumulative GPA: 3.5+

Benefits

1. Priority registration
2. Designation as a James Scholar on transcripts
3. Recognition at graduation
4. More individualized interactions with professors and advisors

School of Social Work

Admission requirements

1. Cumulative GPA: 3.6+
2. Benefits

Priority registration

1. Designation as a James Scholar on transcripts
2. Recognition at graduation
3. More individualized interactions with professors and advisors
4. Opportunity to conduct individual research projects

The program isn’t offered in these colleges

Since the James Scholar program is an undergraduate honors program, it is not offered in some colleges.

1. Graduate College
2. School of Labor and Employment Relations
3. College of Law
4. Carle Illinois College of Medicine
5. School of Information Sciences
6. College of Veterinary Medicine

Getting accepted into the program is the easy part; it’s maintaining one’s status as a James Scholar that keeps students on their toes. Much like the criteria for admission into the program, each college at the University requires James Scholars to a maintain a minimum GPA. Failure to satisfy the requirements typically results in the student being removed from the honors program.

In addition to GPA requirements, James Scholars are required to complete an honors activity. Since there’s no specifically stipulated activity, students have a certain degree of freedom to choose. For one, students may complete an Honors Learning Credit Agreement (HCLA) wherein they collaborate with professors from a particular course that they’re taking. They agree to complete honors assignments for which they receive honors credit, which will mark an “H” on the transcript.

Other options include taking Campus Honors Program (CHP) courses, participating in undergraduate research seminars or even completing a course activity that goes beyond the scope of the course. Given the broad range of aforementioned alternatives, consulting with an advisor may reveal other opportunities that not only satisfy the requirement but are better suited for a particular student.

So, what now? Is it even worth being a James Scholar? Aside from early registration and a “lofty” title on the resume, the program may have little to offer for students. In its defense, even though the requirements might seem overwhelming, there’s help in the form of professors and advisors for those who ask for it.

Completing the requirements provides students with exposure to unique experiences that they otherwise might not have tried. As for GPA, the goal is to keep it as high as possible.

Essentially, the James Scholar program encourages students to work harder. It’s a great resource for students who need a little guidance and motivation. It is up to you to decide if you are up for it.

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