Letters & Science Honors Program Kick-Off

Fall 2025

Welcome to the College of Letters & Science Honors Program!

September 23, 2025

Today's Program

Program Benefits & Experiences

Discover the advantages of being in the Honors Program and what constitutes an "Honors experience"

Opportunities Beyond Campus

Learn about UCEAP, UCDC, and research opportunities available to honors students

Requirements & Recognition

Understanding program requirements, the Academic Engagement Award, and different types of honors recognition

We'll conclude with information about Honors Advising Hours and how to get assistance throughout your academic journey.

Please welcome Assistant Dean Scott Kassner

Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities

An inquiry, investigation, or pursuit conducted by an undergraduate student that makes an original, intellectual, or creative contribution to a discipline, area, question, challenge, or theme

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Why do Research?

• Learn to collaborate with peers and faculty
• Learn issues, methods, and applying concepts
• Sharpen problem-solving, reading, writing and speaking skills
• Grow as a critical, analytical and independent thinker
• Build your resume

What are your research options?

Assist a faculty member or graduate student on an existing project

Design and conduct an independent project, under the supervision of an advisor or as part of a team

Work on a project that merges your own interests with those of a faculty member or graduate student

Undergraduate Research Initiatives

Undergraduate Research Initiatives

FRAP

• Faculty Research Assistance Program
• Get involved as early as first year
• Earn academic credit while serving as a research assistant
• Start building a professional relationship with professors

URCA Grant

• Undergraduate Research & Creative Activities Grant
• Up to $750 towards independent research and/or creative activities
• Funds cover expenses, including research-related domestic travel
• To qualify, a student must meet general requirements and submit a complete application by the deadline

Showcase Opportunities

• Look up what research your Fall Quarter professors are involved in
• Find a professor who is doing research that interests you - go and meet with them to discuss it
• Think about how you can do research that relates to what you’re already doing
• Go to office hours

How to get started

Anita Stahl, PhD

Program Director, URCA

anita@ucsb.edu

urca@ltsc.ucsb.edu

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Let’s stay in touch!

Join us on Shoreline to hear about upcoming workshops and events!

Get More Information!

Honors Same-Day Advising Hours

Zoom Room

• Wednesdays, 9:30-11:30 AM (Beginning Oct. 8th)

• Fridays, 9:00-11:30 AM (Beginning Oct. 9th)

General Questions

Use QLess to "Get in Line" for advising services

Email Contact

honorsmail@ltsc.ucsb.edu

We're here to help you succeed!

JT

@ucsbeap

YOU CAN STUDY ABROAD!

College of Letters & Science Honors Program

Why Study Abroad?

• Invest in your future!�
• Diversify & strengthen your academic experience�
• Acquire or improve foreign language skills

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• Earn UC units

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• Take major/minor/GE courses

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JT

@ucsbeap

College of Letters & Science Honors Program

Program Options

• 160+ programs in 40+ countries�
• Terms: Year, Fall, Winter, Spring, & Summer�
• Courses in English OR foreign language

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• Eligibility� All programs available for juniors� Some programs available for sophomores

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College of Letters & Science Honors Program

Career Opportunities

• Research & internships

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• Foreign language skills

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• Expand your network

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Lola M., EAP Jordan

Interned at the Arab Institute for Security Studies

College of Letters & Science Honors Program

Some Year programs cost less than staying at UCSB�

Use your financial aid & scholarships!

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@ucsbeap

College of Letters & Science Honors Program

Learn More!

Getting Started Presentation�Thursday, Oct. 2�4:00 – 5:00pm�IV Theater

Now recruiting for summer/fall/year �2026-27 programs

Info meetings�Oct-Dec�

Application open dates�Summer/Fall/Year - Nov�Winter/Spring - April

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Application deadlines�Nov - March

Visit us:

UCSB EAP Office (QLess)�SAASB 2201 � (by the Coral Tree Cafe)

@ucsbeap

Register here

M-R 9:30am-4:00pm�F 10:00am-2:00pm

eap.ucsb.edu

College of Letters & Science Honors Program

UCDC

UC Sacramento�

@Capitalinternships

capitalinternships.ucsb.edu

College of Letters & Science Honors Program

Program Features

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• Live in D.C.
• Take UC courses
• Intern for academic credit
• Professional Development + Networking
• Hands on experience
• Financial Aid applies!

@UCSBCapitalinternships

College of Letters & Science Honors Program

Internships for all Majors!

• Environmental Protection Agency
• White House
• Center for American Progress
• Department of the Treasury
• Sierra Club
• French Embassy
• National Geographic
• C-SPAN
• National Women’s Law Center
• U.S. Department of State

Students will receive internship support throughout process!

College of Letters & Science Honors Program

Academics

Weekly Seminar - Internship - Optional Electives

UCDC Summer Program: Internship Only, Coursework not offered

College of Letters & Science Honors Program

Learn More!

Fall Quarter Info meetings�

Check out website for details!

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Visit us:

UCSB CIP Office�SAASB 2201�

By appointment (QLess)

capitalinternships.ucsb.edu

UCDC 2025-2026 Year

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Now Accepting Applications for� �Winter/Spring 2026 ��&��2026-2027 School Year!

@Capitalinternships

capitalinternships.ucsb.edu

�Extended Application Deadline

Winter 2026* - October 3

Spring 2026* - December 1

*First Come-First Served

College of Letters & Science Honors Program

Connect with us!

General inquiries: eap-capitalinternships@ucsb.edu

Location: 2201 SAASB

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Questions?

@Capitalinternships

capitalinternships.ucsb.edu

@Capitalinternships

capitalinternships.ucsb.edu

Emily Tom-Atzberger

Associate Director

College of Letters & Science Honors Program

National Scholarships: Gateways to Extraordinary Opportunities

• Merit-based awards that recognize academic excellence, unique projects, research contributions, leadership potential, and more!
• Nationally competitive, with many students competing for a small number of awards
• Gateways to life-changing experiences
• Often require campus endorsement

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Award Categories

Graduate Study

For seniors and recent graduates seeking advanced study opportunities

• Rhodes Scholarship (Oxford University)

• Marshall Scholarship (UK Universities)

• Knight-Hennessy Scholars (Stanford)

Government & Service

For current students passionate about public service

• Strauss Foundation (public service project focused)

• Truman Scholarship (public policy and service career focused)

• Udall Scholarship (environmental leadership)

International Policy & Study Abroad

For students interested in global affairs and/or language study

• Boren Scholarships (foreign language study/National Security)

• Gaither Junior Fellows (international policy)

• Fulbright Program (international exchange)

STEM Research

For students with a strong focus on research in science and engineering

• Goldwater Scholarship (for current undergrads in research)

• Churchill Scholarship (Grad level independent research at Cambridge University, UK)

2024-25 UCSB National Scholarship Recipients

Goldwater Scholarship

Xagros Faraji

Life Sciences

Pico Gilman

Mathematical Sciences

Arul Goel

Life Sciences

Riya Nilkant

Cambridge Program:

Medicine, MPhil

These students represent UCSB's continuing excellence in nationally competitive scholarships

Churchill Scholarship

Exploring National Scholarships:

How We Support Your Journey

Consultation & Application Guidance

Consult on candidacy, review application requirements, provide personalized feedback

Faculty Review

Faculty committee evaluates applications, selects nominees, and provides additional feedback

Interview Prep

Mock interviews for finalists in some competitions

Next National Scholarship Webinar:

October 6, 10:30 AM PDT via Zoom (Details in Honors Listserv)

Contact: scholarships@ltsc.ucsb.edu

Start your nationally competitive scholarship journey today!

Interdepartmental Minors at UCSB�https://www.uged.ucsb.edu/

Interdepartmental Minors at UCSB

What Makes These Minors Unique?

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• Interdisciplinary Coursework
• Required coursework from multiple departments in arts, humanities and social sciences

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• Student-Inspired
• Based on topics of student interest

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• Collaborative Support
• Administered by Undergraduate Education in partnership with a faculty advisory committee

Legal Humanities Minor

• First interdepartmental minor, approved for fall 2025

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• Courses with a strong focus on law, justice, and legal institutions

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• Disciplinary perspectives include history, philosophy, ethnic studies, gender studies, religion, literature, politics, culture

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More information at https://www.uged.ucsb.edu/minors/legal-humanities-minor

STAY TUNED FOR NEW INTERDEPARTMENTAL MINORS IN FALL 2026!

Your advisors are dedicated to helping you navigate the Honors Program and maximize your undergraduate experience. Don't hesitate to reach out during advising hours!

Sam Little

BA, UC Santa Barbara

Jessie Turner

BA, Hamilton College

PhD, UC Santa Barbara

Scott Kassner

BA, University of Wisconsin, Green Bay

PhD, University of Minnesota

Advantages of the Honors Program

Close Contact with Faculty

Develop meaningful relationships with professors through small seminars and specialized research opportunities

Special Advising Services

Access dedicated academic counselors who understand the unique needs and opportunities for honors students

Community & Connections

Join a network of motivated peers by participating in the mentor program and honors listserv communications

Library Privileges

Unlock the full potential of your research projects as an honors student with extended book borrowing privileges for the whole quarter and exclusive access to a book locker!

Honors Experiences

(6 required minimum by graduation)

1

Honors Seminars (INT 84's)

Designed for First & Second Year students. There's still room available!

2

Honors Sections

Specialized sections of regular courses (ex. ENGL 22 + ENGL 22S)

3

Discovery@UCSB Seminars

INT 86, 87, 186, 187 - Space still available!

4

Honors Contracts (Upper Division only)

INT 197HC - Earn 1 unit while working closely with faculty

For more details: uged.ucsb.edu/honors-program/honors-experiences

Honors Experiences, Continued

Auto Honors Courses

Independent studies, CCS courses, and graduate-level courses automatically count as honors experiences

Washington DC & Sacramento

UCDC and UC Sacramento programs offer real world experience through internship experiences in government and policy

Learn more about UCDC

Education Abroad Program

Study overseas and earn honors credit while gaining a global perspective.

Explore EAP options- eap.ucsb.edu

For complete information and details, visit our website: uged.ucsb.edu/honors-program/honors-experiences

Staying in Honors

Academic Requirements

• Complete on average 2 Honors Experiences per year

2. Maintain a 3.2 cumulative UC GPA

• Must take experiences for a letter-grade (if optional)

• Earn "B" or higher in all honors experiences

For complete program requirements, visit: uged.ucsb.edu/honors-program/program-requirements

Completing the Program

Complete 6 Honors Experiences

Participate in a variety of enriching academic opportunities throughout your undergraduate career

Complete 40 Hours of Community Service

Document your service on the community service log available on our website

Community Service Information

Maintain a 3.2 Cumulative GPA

Demonstrate consistent academic excellence throughout your time at UCSB

Academic Engagement Award

For students who go above and beyond

Standard Honors Requirements

6 Honors Experiences

40 hours of community service

Additional Requirements for Award

Completion of a Capstone Experience

Higher cumulative GPA of 3.5

The Academic Engagement Award recognizes exceptional commitment to scholarly excellence and community involvement.

Learn more: uged.ucsb.edu/honors-program/program-requirements

More Ways to Earn Honors at UCSB

Dean's Honors

Quarterly recognition based on exceptional GPA performance in Fall, Winter, and Spring quarters

College Honors at Graduation

Based on your cumulative GPA and completed UC units

Undergraduate Honors at Graduation

University-wide recognition of academic excellence

Distinction in the Major

Departmental Senior Honors Programs recognize excellence in your specific field of study

For GPA requirements and details: Visit the Registrar's Website

Contact your major advisor for information about departmental honors opportunities specific to your field of study.