Science Honors' Weekend
Download the Proposed SHW 2013 Schedule for a sample of our program
Our Purpose
PLNU is especially known for its high quality science and math programs. Science Honors' Weekend (SHW) is a yearly recruiting event for incoming biology, chemistry, environmental science, physics, engineering, mathematics and computer sciences' students that qualify, based on GPA and SAT/ACT scores. This weekend is designed to encourage students in their science and math interests, to help them make informed decisions about their futures, and to judge their eligibility for some special scholarships.
Science Honors' Weekend is a great opportunity for incoming science/math majors to become acquainted with PLNU faculty and establish relationships with current PLNU students. It's also an occasion to make new friendships that may very well last a lifetime.
The weekend is packed with activity and will give a great overview of PLNU and specifically of the science and math departments. Students come away with an increased knowledge of college life, a sense of the PLNU community, new friendships, and quite possibly a substantial scholarship. All this and some terrific photos of sunsets over the Pacific Ocean.
Success of Program
Over the past decade, the Science Honors' Weekend has been a very successful means for identifying Science Honors' Scholarship recipients. Ten to fifteen qualified SHW attendees will be selected to receive these scholarships, which can replace the Trustee's Scholarship with an award range from $13,000 to $18,000 a year. Science Honors' Scholarships are renewable annually for four years providing the minimal GPA (3.50) is maintained.
Many chemistry and biology students at PLNU are interested in medical careers. Between 2001 and 2010, PLNU's acceptance rate into health professional schools (medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, and optometry) was over 90%. This is substantially higher than the national average.
Student Comments
Connor Voss, 2012 SHW attendee comments, "The Science Honors’ Weekend was such an amazing experience for so many reasons. During my interviews I discovered I had a lot in common with both professors, and it really confirmed this is where I needed to be. For Biology this year, I have one of the professors whom I met, and it’s really nice learning from a professor I already formed a relationship with. I met so many great people who now sit next to me in class and form study groups. The upper classmen were so friendly and really showed me what life here is like. Now I get advice from them on classes and college life in general. I strongly recommend attending the Science Honors’ Weekend for any science major interested in making Point Loma their new home!"
Hannah Quinn, 2011 SHW attendee mentions, "The 2011 Science Honors Weekend definitely helped to solidify my decision to attend PLNU. Being able to meet professors helped make the program much more real and accessible, and convinced me of the rigorous nature of the science department. I also really enjoyed getting to meet current students and my future classmates. Everyone welcomed me and made me feel at home. I am definitely glad I attended Science Honors Weekend."
Carolyn Houser, 2010 SHW attendee comments, "Attending Science Honors Weekend finalized my decision to choose PLNU. The whole weekend was an extremely positive experience, and I was able to have a firsthand account of the student and science life here at PLNU. The weekend sold me on the fact that the science opportunities for research and internships here at PLNU are unlike any even remotely available at state schools. I clearly was not the only one who felt the same way because a large group of students who were at SHW are now here attending Point Loma. This fact should speak for itself. Science Honors Weekend is worth your time!"
Jordan Crampton, 2010 SHW attendee mentions, "When I think back on the Honors Weekend, I cannot recall a single aspect that was a negative experience for me. It was my first time being entirely on my own. I had not yet decided which college I liked the most, as I was considering two others. However, after spending just one day on this beautiful campus, I fell in love. After spending just one day in the company of professors and staff who treated me like family, I felt at home. After just one day witnessing the presence of God in this place, learning what this university had to offer, and how PLNU would aid me in achieving my dreams, I knew this was the place for me. That was just day one."
For more student comments, please click here
Details
For SHW 2012, we invited 43 Biology and/or Chemistry students to attend. Please see the Proposed Schedule for our 2013 program. This year's dates will be Friday, February 8th - Sunday, February 10th, 2013.
If you are interested in participating in this year's SHW, and you are a high school senior the fall of 2012, please fill out the online Biology/Chemistry Notice of Intent before December 20th, 2012. For Math, Physics or Engineering, please go to their websites or contact Alyson Nuno at 619-849-2219.
Dr. Dawne Page, Chair of Biology and Dr. Ken Martin, Chair of Chemistry co-lead the program for the biology and chemistry departments.
For more information, please contact LeAnne Elizondo at 619-849-2205, or email LeAnneElizondo@pointloma.edu .
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