I am an Honors student—something you may have gathered from the title. But what does that mean? In this blog, I’ll explain the beauty and intricacy of Swarthmore’s Honors Program, sharing my experience as an Honors Peace and Conflict Studies major and Political Science Honors minor, with an added Political Science double-course major’s perspective. This means that I have an Honors Peace and Conflict Studies Major, a Political Science Honors Minor, AND a course Political Science Major.
The Honors Program at Swarthmore is truly unique. It emphasizes discussion-based learning, intellectual rigor, and direct engagement with leading experts in your field. Unlike traditional honors programs elsewhere, Swarthmore’s program culminates in a series of exams administered by external examiners—experts flown in specifically to evaluate your work. These external examiners bring fresh perspectives, ensuring that your education is not just about impressing familiar professors but about engaging with the broader intellectual community.
To pursue honors, students generally need a GPA of at least 3.7 (specific requirements may vary by department). Once you meet this standard, the journey of crafting your honors experience begins. Rising juniors who choose to pursue the honors major, as opposed to the more traditional course major (through which students take 10-12 course within a given field to fulfill their major requirement), may start the journey of crafting their honors experience. Each student designs their program by selecting honors preps—the building blocks of the Honors curriculum. A typical honors student completes three preps in their major and one prep in their minor. These preps can take several forms:
- Double-credit seminars (the most common choice), which offer an intensive, discussion-based format.
- Theses, typically double-credit research projects, involving independent study guided by faculty advisors.
- Paired courses, where two thematically connected courses are combined into a single prep.
Senior year is where everything comes together. Students take written exams for each of their preps and then sit for oral exams with their external examiners. The format is challenging but rewarding, giving students the chance to showcase their knowledge in a dynamic and meaningful way and allowing students to finish with no honors, honors, high honors, or highest honors.
One of the best things about the Honors Program at Swarthmore is its flexibility. You can pursue honors in nearly any major or minor, from dance to physics to classics. You can also study abroad AND do honors! Furthermore, as a transfer student you can also start the honors track late and still complete it all! This inclusivity is a hallmark of Swarthmore’s ethos—it celebrates intellectual curiosity and encourages students to push boundaries.
As for my journey in the Honors Program, it’s been both challenging and fulfilling. So far, I’ve completed two courses coupled into one prep: Israel/Palestine and Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and a double credit seminar titled Capitalism and Climate Justice. Both are part of my Peace and Conflict Studies major. For my next two preps, I have exciting plans. This summer, I’ll begin researching for my Peace and Conflict Studies double-credit thesis, which I’ll write next fall. For my Political Science Honors prep, I’ll take Modern Political Theory, diving deep into the evolution of political thought and its application to contemporary issues.
What I love most about being an Honors student is how it fosters deep intellectual engagement and rewards curiosity. I’ve been able to explore topics I’m passionate about—climate research, international conflict, and political philosophy—in a rigorous, collaborative, and interdisciplinary environment.
For those considering Swarthmore, I encourage you to learn more about the Honors Program. It’s not just a curriculum—it’s an opportunity to grow as a scholar and thinker, surrounded by peers and faculty who will challenge and inspire you every step of the way.
