Many students want to go to a school that would make their dream of being a doctor, a lawyer, a teacher, an architect come true.  Miami Dade College’s Honors program is such a school.

Many Miami High alumni are very proud to be in this program that gives them so many great opportunities.  Class of 2017 graduate Juan Rivera, a current student in the program, says, “At first, I was not too informed about the Honors program at MDC. Most people said things like, “Oh it’s good,” but I had never considered it. I had done 3 semesters of dual enrollment at MDC while at Miami High, but I never researched the Honors program because I didn’t see myself at MDC. After being a Posse Finalist, I was emotionally confused about where to go for college. I had my mind set on one school and one school only.”

That changed when Juan’s CAP counselor motivated him to do research on MDC Honors. Juan said, “I found out that they offer a rigorous academic program and a full scholarship that covers tuition, plus a stipend ($1100) which is always a plus. I saw it as a new challenge, and that motivated me the most to apply.”

The main reason he decided to attend, however, was because he considered it as a program that would open many doors after getting his 2-year degree. He said, “I read stories about students transferring to prestigious schools after the Honors program and how they were able to excel in their life endeavors. So, I decided that this was the journey I wanted to follow.”

Miami High alumna Karol Orellana knew Miami Dade Honors was the right choice for her because, “the workload challenges me and I know it’s going to help me when I transfer to other universities.”

Ana Matta, another Miami High grad in the program, said, “Miami Dade Honors was the best choice for me because I didn’t feel 100% ready to enter a university away from Miami, but with the Honors program, I am adjusting to what college is all about. The people I have met have also made my time at college an overall great experience.”

The Honors Program at MDC is a really difficult program to get in to, and there are a lot of requirements that students must meet in order to be accepted. According to the MDC Honors website, “You must submit a Miami Dade College application before you can apply to The Honors College. Only first time in college applicants are eligible. This means that at the time of application, the applicant has not earned any college credit except for dual enrollment.” The minimum preferred GPA is a 3.7 either weighted or unweighted. Also, if students have a GPA Below 3.7, they must have an SAT score of 1270 total or an ACT of 26 composite. The only difference in the requirements based on the campus students apply to is that if your first or second choice is the Interamerican Campus, you have to do an essay in Spanish. Two personal statements and two essays are required in the application, and students have to submit two recommendation letters.

MDC Honors students admit that the program can be challenging. Juan Rivera said, “Most people believe that MDC is a college where they give meaningless degrees to anyone who attends—I must say this is wrong, especially at the Honors College. As Honors students, more is demanded from us. We carry bigger course loads, extra assignments for Honors credits, and leadership duties within the campus, so time management becomes key. We also must keep at least a 3.5 GPA and are not allowed to drop or withdraw from classes.”

For Karol Orellana, the most challenging thing about being an honors student is trying to balance her time to dedicate enough for each of her classes.  She said, “It’s not like high school that in some classes, as long as you show you up, you’ll get the credit. In my case, I have to read ahead for several classes, study on my own, attend tutoring sessions, etc.”

Miami Dade Honors is a place that makes students the priority. According to their website, “We build a culture of excellence by recruiting high-achieving students that have the determination and ability to excel in rich, challenging academic programs.”  They focus on:

*exploring exemplary and creative activities and instructional models that enhance learning;

*inspiring a global perspective with the help of renowned civic leaders and renowned figures in the art, science, business and academic fields;

*building leadership skills through discussion, seminars and travel opportunities.