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    Honors Symposium

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    Honors Symposium
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    Honors Symposium
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    Honors Symposium

Honors Symposium is a two-week academic program on the Searcy campus designed to challenge, encourage, and uplift high school students who are now in their junior year (students graduating in the class of 2025).

Honors Symposium is a life-changing journey where students from all across the nation come together for the purpose of growing spiritually and academically. This is accomplished by daily engagement with our finest university professors and mentoring with some of our top university student counselors. Students learn about the world in which we live and how each of us fits into the world as Christians. This goal is achieved through stimulating academic classes and fun activities designed to develop group bonding and sharing. We intend to enrich the spirit and expand the mind of each student participant in Honors Symposium.

In previous years, students from more than 40 states and six foreign countries have attended the Honors Symposium.


2024 DATES

We will begin accepting applications for the 2024 program around the second weekend of September.

  • Session A: June 21 - July 5 (Update 2/21/2024: Session A is at full capacity. Applicants may be placed on a waiting list, but cannot be guaranteed Session A acceptance.)
  • Session B: June 28 - July 12
  • Session C: July 5 - July 19 
  • Session D: July 12 - July 26 


UNIVERSITY CREDIT

Three hours of university credit (HNRS 1000) are awarded to all who successfully complete the program. The course content is designed to appeal to students of both the humanities and the sciences. This credit may be transferable to the college or university of the participant's choice, with that institution determining how, or if, to apply the credit. At Harding, credits earned in HNRS 1000 may be applied to one of the following liberal arts courses:

  • English 2010 or 2020 (World Literature I or II)
  • History 1010 or 1020 (American History to 1877 or American History since 1877),
  • History 2100 or 2110 (Western Civilization to 1500 or Western Civilization since 1500)
  • Art 1010 (Art Appreciation)
  • Music 1010 (Music Appreciation)
  • Theater 1010 (Theatre Appreciation)


In previous years, students from more than 40 states and six foreign countries have attended the Honors Symposium.

Admissions Requirements

Begin the application process at any point. Your application will be built as items are received until it is complete.

  • Junior standing with completion of 12 solid units
  • Minimum composite score of ACT 21 or SAT 1060 (ERW+M) or PSAT 1100 (ERW+M), or CLT score of 67.  
  • Minimum cumulative high school GPA of 3.0 (on a 4-point scale) 
  • Completed application (see required items below)

Items needed for a complete application: 

  • Online application available below

 

  • Recent photograph of yourself
  • A current OFFICIAL High School transcript (minimum of 12 completed credits and a 3.0 cumulative grade point average on a 4.0 scale.
    • Your school guidance counselor may send the transcript to admissions@harding.edu, with a copy to symposium@harding.edu, or an official sealed transcript may be mailed to:
      Harding University Undergraduate Admissions
      HU 12255
      Searcy, AR 72149-5615
  • Official ACT or SAT test scores submitted by testing agency directly to Harding (minimum requirement is composite ACT 21 or SAT 1060 ERW+M), the CLT (minimum score 67), or a copy of an official PSAT report (minimum score is 1100 ERW+M). The PSAT will be used for Symposium admission only, and will not apply to incoming freshmen. *In early April, we will review applications of students who scored a 20 or 19 on the ACT or equivalent on SAT or CLT but have otherwise completed their application and met all other requirements.
  • Immunization record showing receipt of 2 MMR vaccinations on or after first birthday (State law requirement)
  • $250 deposit* (check or credit card)

All items listed are required prior to review of the application and acceptance to a session.


*Deposit is applied toward the total cost of $895 and does not secure a spot in a session. Students not accepted to the program will be refunded the deposit. Students who have a change in plans may be refunded the deposit until March 11, 2024.

You may submit by email symposium@harding.edu or mail to:

Harding University Honors Symposium
HU 10782
Searcy, AR  72149

Can't remember what items you still need to submit? Call us at 501-279-5272 or email symposium@harding.edu

Payment Details

Deposit of $250.00 is required. Refunds will be processed for students who are not accepted to the Honors Symposium, and for accepted students who must change their summer plans. The refund deadline for accepted students is March 11, 2024. Final payments are due Friday, May 24, 2024.

Payment Method Options

  • If paying by credit card follow this link.
  • If paying by check please make it payable to Harding University and mail it to the address below:
    Harding University
    Honors Symposium
    HU 10782
    Searcy, AR 72149-5615


Arrival

Flying to Honors Symposium? Download the required Flight Arrangements (pdf).

Registration will be held from 2:00 - 4:00 PM on Friday in the lobby of the American Heritage Center on the Harding University campus. The GPS address is 915 E Market Ave, Searcy AR.  There will be directional signs to assist you once on campus. We look forward to seeing you on your arrival day in the Heritage lobby. Click here to view the Registration Map (pdf).

Application

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Information for Guardian/Student

The information and forms below will be emailed to all students and guardians in May.  

Release, insurance, and medical forms must be submitted no later than one week prior to the beginning of the session.  The forms may be mailed to Box 10782, Searcy AR  72149, or emailed to symposium@harding.edu

Course Information (enrolled students)

Students will be expected to review the following assignments and information prior to arrival at the Honors Symposium.  

Information Request

We welcome your inquiry! Please email symposium@harding.edu or call 501-279-5272. We will be glad to assist you!

Typical Schedule

The first day consists of registration, a reception time for parents to visit with the faculty, a dinner for students and faculty, followed by orientation sessions.

The schedule of activities typically begin around 9 or 10 AM each day.  Your day will include lectures, discussion groups, interactive classes on a variety of topics relating to the central theme and much more. Evenings are filled with fun activities to give you an opportunity to relax and socialize.

Saturdays are full days as well with relaxed time constraints, and Sundays include worship time together.

The Honors Symposium sessions conclude after breakfast on your closing Friday. Students must depart campus by 10:00 AM.

All in all you are about to embark on a magnificent learning experience, which will allow you development in many areas.

Contact Us

Honors Symposium is hosted by the Honors College

501-279-5272

symposium@harding.edu

Fax: 501-279-4016

Mailing address:
Harding University
Honors Symposium
HU 10782
Searcy, AR 72149-5615