Kansas Honors Program

FAQ

What is the difference between the Kansas Honors Program and the KU Honors Program?
There has been some confusion regarding the Kansas Honors Program and the similarly named KU Honors Program. The Kansas Honors Program, our program, recognizes the academic achievements of the top 10% of graduating Kansas high school seniors (regardless of where, and if, they plan to attend college). The KU Honors Program gives participating students access to special advising, priority enrollment and honors courses.

If I am not planning to attend the University of Kansas or am not a KU fan, should I still attend the program?
Absolutely! The Kansas Honors Programs are designed to recognize outstanding high school seniors regardless of where or if they decide to attend college. The program is NOT a KU recruiting event.

How are students selected?
Since the program’s inception in 1971, we had determined the top 10% using un-weighted GPA. Today most schools use weighted GPAs and many schools have a class rank in place. As of February 2009, in an effort to update the program, we started allowing each high school to select their academic top 10% based on the criteria they use to determine their best and brightest students.

I missed the RSVP deadline. May I still attend?
Yes! Please contact Michelle Miles (785-864-4760) at the KU Alumni Association to make the necessary arrangements.

What do I need to do if I lost my RSVP card?
Please mail your check for dinner to the address listed on your invitation along with the following information:
Students – name, high school, county, city, state, ZIP and number of guests attending
Alumni – name(s), county, address, city, state, ZIP, e-mail, amount of contribution, number attending dinner and dinner payment amount

There was no RSVP information in my invitation, do I need to RSVP?
You are most likely invited to one of our reception programs so there is no need to RSVP. We only require an RSVP to the dinner programs.

Are there restrictions on who can attend as a guest and how many guests each student can bring?
There are no restrictions on who can attend as a guest. You may bring immediate family, cousins, friends, etc. There is not a limit on the number of guests who can attend. For a dinner program, the student’s meal is free and all additional guests must pay the dinner price listed in the invitation. For reception programs, there will be plenty of room to accommodate all guests.

If I cannot attend, will I still receive the award and dictionary?
Certainly! At most programs, when a student cannot attend, we will send the dictionary and award home with the administrator from their high school. Otherwise, we might send it with one of our local volunteers or mail it to the student.

How long does the program last?
Most programs do not exceed 1.5 hours. For the dinner programs, we start with dinner, hear from the featured speaker, present the dictionaries to the seniors and finish with a musical performance from KU student musicians. For receptions, we begin with the featured speaker, present the dictionaries to the seniors, enjoy a musical performance from KU student musicians and finish with a cookies and punch (or similar) reception.

What happens in the event of inclement weather?
If there is inclement weather in your area, our local volunteers will make a decision as to whether the program will be canceled. If you believe your program might be canceled, please call the KU Alumni Association at 785-864-4760 to confirm. At times the weather might be OK in your area, but not in Lawrence. In these rare instances, the representatives from KU will not be able to travel to your program, and our local volunteers will be there to host the event. Depending on a few factors, a canceled event may be rescheduled or we will work with our local volunteers and your high school to get your dictionary and award to you.

Is there a video or photographs of the program that I can view/purchase?
We do not record the programs or take professional photographs. We will sometimes take a few snapshots or have photographs sent to us, which we post on our Web site. We encourage you and your guests to take photos at the event.

Who can I contact regarding my special needs?
Please contact Michelle Miles (785-864-4760) at the KU Alumni Association to make the necessary arrangements.

Will there be an article in my local newspaper about the program?
The KU Alumni Association works with the University of Kansas media relations staff to send press releases to your local newspaper. Each newspaper makes its own decisions regarding potential coverage of the event or publication of the scholars’ names. Please contact your local newspaper for more information.

What is the Woodward Scholarship and how do I apply?
Kansas Honor Scholars attending the University of Kansas are automatically considered for the Woodward Scholarship. It is NOT necessary to apply for the scholarship. You are automatically eligible if your application to the University of Kansas is received by the Office of Admissions and Scholarships by December 1. Two Kansas Honor Scholars will be selected by a committee to receive the award totaling $4,000 for each scholarship. This four-year stipend will be distributed in $500 installments for each semester at KU.

How can I contribute to the Kansas Honors Program?
If you would like to contribute to the Kansas Honors Program you may do so online here, or you may mail a check to the KU Alumni Association, Attn: Michelle Miles, 1266 Oread Ave, Lawrence, KS 66045. Please include the following information with your check: name(s), county (county you want the donation applied to), address, city, state, ZIP, e-mail and amount of contribution.

Still have questions?
Please contact Michelle Miles (785-864-4760) at the KU Alumni Association for any questions we haven’t answered for you. Thanks!

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