Apply to the Business Honors Program

Smith Undergrads: Applications for Honors and Fellows Programs at the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business are due by midnight Feb. 12, 2018. For more information, visit this web page.

What’s the appeal of being accepted into one of the most competitive programs at the Robert H. Smith School of Business? Why do rising upperclassmen strive to earn above 3.5 cumulative GPA just be considered?

Applications are NOW open for the Smith School’s Business Honors Program and once again, only those with superior academic achievements and solid recommendations will be admitted. At a dinner celebration in December, students in the current cohort explained the reason they have found the program so worthwhile.

"I enjoy being part of a group where everyone takes academics and career stuff really seriously. I look forward to group projects in Business Honors classes, which isn't always the case," said Stuart Krantz, a finance and information systems major.

"Being in Business Honors allows me the opportunity to explore real-world cases and current events with a group of intelligent, hardworking and like-minded peers," added Kirby Rhodes, who is working to earn dual degrees in finance and public health science.

Amy Gill, a marketing and communication double major said, "I really enjoy learning from my peers in the critical discussion format. We all come from diverse backgrounds and majors."

The Smith Business Honors Program is now in its 25th year. For the past 16 years, Charles Olson has been the faculty director and continues to lead the program to provide, as stated on the Honors website: "special opportunities and resources, including the opportunity to participate in cutting-edge research on business issues and to graduate with honors." Olson emphasized the comradery amongst the cohort while here in College Park that he has seen continue long after the students become alumni. "The networking opportunities are outstanding," he said.

Before graduating in December and inspiring her peers as a commencement speaker at the event, Jessica Ting reflected on her Business Honors experience: "I'm so grateful for the experience of being in Business Honors... I'm constantly surrounded by intelligent and driven classmates who challenge the status quo and inspire me to think critically about the business concepts we are learning in the classroom." Jessica graduated with Academic Honors and dual degrees in marketing and information systems.

In addition to special dinners like the Convocation ceremony held at the Riggs Alumni Center, the sense of community is also fostered with events such as Ropes Challenge Course team building at Eppley Recreation Center, Bowling at TerpZone, and stuffing hundreds of lunch bags with food to donate to a local homeless shelter.

Summing up the appeal of being a Business Honor student, finance major Joseph Cipolla said, "It is a superior program. The cohort is great. Everyone is super passionate and dedicated to their classes. The professors are all great, as well."

WANT TO BECOME A SMITH BUSINESS HONORS STUDENT:

Click here for more information about the SMITH BUSINESS HONORS PROGRAM.

APPLICATIONS for admission to Business Honors for fall 2018 are open Dec. 1 through Feb. 12, 2018, at midnight. Letters of recommendation are due Feb. 19, 2018, at noon.

Questions? Read our Fellows FAQs or contact smithfellows@rhsmith.umd.edu.