First Year in UHP

Your first semester on campus, especially those first six weeks, are the most important to your undergraduate success. You've worked hard to get here, so you want to be prepared because you're not just acclimating to college life; you're ideally developing many new friendships, exploring opportunities, and establishing the habits that lead to long-term success for your goals. 

It's not uncommon that honors students start the year concerned about their time commitments. Students in UHP may assume they'll spend a lot of time taking more difficult classes or be responsible for numerous commitments. However, the University Honors Program only requires one one-credit hour class and one advising appointment in your first semester. After that, the honors experiences you choose should be related to goals you already have for yourself or work seamlessly into your other responsibilities like satisfying your general education requirements or be related to other clubs, organizations, creative ventures, or leadership opportunities. You'll then spend no more than several hours a year updating your learning portfolio and completing reflections.

Incoming first-year students receive their invitations between late January and early April. For Fall 2025, most students were emailed on February 3, 2025 if they were invited. Students automatically confirm with the UHP when they confirm with the University of Cincinnati. Once confirmed, there's nothing else you need to do until Bearcats Bound Orientation. Focus on all the necessary next steps: financial aid, housing, and registering for orientation. 

At Bearcats Bound Orientation, you will have the opportunity to attend an honors pre-session. During this pre-session, you will meet other incoming honors students and current student leaders! Then we'll share a few checklist items you want to tackle before you arrive in August.

• Enroll in HNRS1010: Gateway to University Honors 
  
• Consider taking an honors seminar if you have room in your schedule
• Sign up to take part in our UHP First-Year Welcome Event
• Connect with your honors advisor
• Get inspired by other current students’ learning portfolios

This is the only required class for students to participate in University Honors. It's only one credit hour and students must take it in their first semester in the program. It's an introduction to the program requirements and benefits that help UHP students maximize their opportunities. Your college advisor will help you register over the summer. 

Build community with your peers and students leaders as you jump-start your year to explore and learn more depth about the opportunities you care most about. You'll connect specifically with fellow students in your Gateway class and get connected with a peer mentor who will be a resource to you as you navigate the first six weeks fo the fall semester.

The Welcome Event Kick-off is scheduled for Thursday, August 21 from 12:30-3:30. All participants wil receive a UHP t-shirt and receive light appetizers and refreshments.

We still have room in some of our honors seminars this fall. If you have room in your schedule and need to satisfy a Breath of Knowledge class, why not take an honors seminar that also counts as an honors experience? Some of the options may only be offered once or not again for several years, so if you see a class and have the availability, don't hesitate to register now. Discuss this option with your college advisor when you register this fall.

Ready to jump right in and be a campus leader, representing the University Honors Program across campus and at various admissions events? Apply to be a first-year ambassador to get an accelerated introduction to University Honors as well as support to develop important leadership and communication skills. 

You will be required to attend UHP Ambassador retreat from 9am-4:30pm on Saturday, August 23 and complete our onboarding/training series by October. Otherwise, time commitments are flexible to your schedule.