Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, the Wilkes Honors College is a selective public college and part of the Florida state university
system (we are part of Florida Atlantic University). Students will receive an education comparable to that of a small private liberal arts college but for a small fraction of the cost.

In honors programs or at most other Honors Colleges, students take a limited number of honors courses or seminars, with the majority of their courses being the same as the courses taken by non-honors students. At the Wilkes Honors College, our students take a full curriculum of honors courses designed for them.
Also, at most other Honors Colleges, faculty teach only one or a few of their courses as honors courses, while the majority of their teaching is in their regular department. At the Wilkes Honors College, the Honors College faculty are housed full-time in the Honors College. This allows our students and faculty to form mentoring relationships and a sense of community that lasts throughout the students' undergraduate careers.
At the same time, our students and faculty are able to take advantage of the resources of Florida Atlantic, a large and expanding public university with a wealth of opportunities.

Our students place into outstanding graduate and professional schools. Wilkes Honors College graduates have gone on to law school, medical school, and graduate programs in areas such as chemistry, English, mathematics, neuroscience, psychology, and political science: a selected list is available online. Other students have gone directly to work for businesses such as banks and top investment firms, the healthcare industry, nonprofits, or government agencies.

Yes. Students may earn credits for AP and IB examinations as specified in the Florida Atlantic University catalog. In most cases credit is given for a score of 3 or above though for some examinations, such as history, a score of 4 or 5 is required. We will accept up to 45 credits for accelerated work done prior to entering the Wilkes Honors College. Advanced Placement credits may be counted towards Honors Core requirements. Students arriving with 30 credits will be eligible for sophomore standing.

The Wilkes Honors College awards credit based on scores achieved on IB Diploma program examinations. Students who have not been awarded the IB Diploma will be awarded 6 credit-hours in the subject areas of each IB higher level examination on which they scored 5 or above. Students with a score of 4 on subject areas will receive 3 credit-hours. Students who have been awarded the IB Diploma will be awarded up to 30 credit hours. For further details please consult the IB section of our website. 

GPA is based on a core weighted GPA. For example, only non-elective courses (English, mathematics, science and social sciences) will be included in the calculation.

Yes.

Yes. Transfer students admitted to the Wilkes Honors College typically have a cumulative college GPA of 3.5 or higher. Detailed information on applying as a transfer student is in the Transfer Students section on How to Apply.

The Wilkes Honors College provides excellent preparation for medical school. Admission to medical school requires a strong academic record, a competitive MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) score and the completion of certain prerequisite courses (it does not require any particular major). The Honors College offers these courses as well as assistance with MCAT preparation and the application process. This also applies to students who intend to enter other health professions such as dentistry, optometry, pharmacy, and veterinary medicine.

In addition, students considering careers in law receive outstanding preparation at the Wilkes Honors College. Again, no particular major is required for admission to law school. Law schools require strong analytical and writing skills, an outstanding academic record, and a competitive LSAT (Law School Admission Test) score. The Honors College's emphasis on writing and critical thinking provides students with the skills law schools seek. Additionally, advisors provide information about law schools and assist with the application process. The Wilkes Honors College also has exciting pathway programs for those wishing to pursue careers in teaching, engineering, business and more.

The Wilkes Honors College provides opportunities for intramural sports on the Jupiter campus. There are additional opportunities to compete in collegiate sports on the Boca Raton campus.

We offer a number of sports including basketball, flag football, softball, soccer, tennis, ultimate frisbee, and volleyball. We have a fitness center on the Jupiter campus and easy access to gym facilities, in addition to the many options available on the Boca campus.

The Wilkes Honors College has approximately 600 students. The John D. MacArthur Campus is shared by the Honors College and other Florida Atlantic colleges, and has around 1,000 students.

Students receive a B.A. or B.S. in Liberal Arts and Sciences or Biological and Physical Sciences. Our concentrations are the functional equivalent of majors. A student who concentrates in philosophy will receive a B.A. in Liberal Arts and Sciences with a concentration in philosophy, rather than a B.A. in philosophy. The requirements for a concentration are similar to the requirements for a major.

The Wilkes Honors College has chosen to award degrees with concentrations rather than in majors to allow students to develop innovative and interdisciplinary focuses of study that go beyond traditional majors. The Honors College offers the same traditional courses of study available at most other undergraduate institutions, and for students who choose one of these areas (such as biology, English, philosophy, political science, psychology) a concentration will be the same as a major. The requirements for the concentration will be as rigorous and demanding as the requirements for a major. But the use of concentrations rather than majors opens the door for students to explore programs of study otherwise unavailable at many colleges confined only to majors.
Students graduating with a B.A. or B.S. in Liberal Arts and Sciences or Biological and Physical Sciences with a concentration will be just as prepared for graduate or professional school as students graduating with a B.A. or B.S. in a major.

Yes, living on campus is required for the first two years at the Wilkes Honors College. We have a wonderful close-knit residential community, where lifelong friendships are formed. Our students enjoy individual bedrooms within suites or spacious double rooms. Please visit Florida Atlantic Jupiter Housing for additional details.