What's in a name? Ask the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, which recently changed the name of its Honors Program to Honors College and is already seeing the effects.

"In changing the name to Honors College, we hope to increase our visibility, thus enhancing the University's ability to attract and retain academically talented students," says Lawrence Baldassaro, Honors College director. "This is not simply a cosmetic change. We perform many of the functions typical of any college, including setting and administering our own admissions and graduation requirements and providing academic advising."

Baldassaro says that despite the changes, the structure of the program, launched in 1960, remains the same, as does its mission, which in all respects is to educate students. However, people are already taking notice of the college's new efforts.

"We have seen a marked increase in private donations. I also think that high achieving students around the state are increasingly making UWM their first choice school," Baldassaro says. "We are becoming, as we say in higher education, a first destination campus. Beyond that, it's too soon to measure impacts."

Students aiming at admission to the Honors College from high school, or already attend UWM, need to meet certain eligibility requirements.

New freshman must have a superior high school standing, strong ACT or SAT test results, and a high score on the Wisconsin English Placement Test, according to Baldassaro. Current UWM or transfer students need a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5, fewer than 40 credits and must have completed the UWM English requirement.

Once accepted by the college, there are plenty of academic benefits.

"Ours is one of the few Honors Colleges that provides the seminar experience throughout a student's time at the university. Many schools offer specific honors classes in only the first year or first two years, or give honors credit to students when they do 'extra work' in regular classes," Baldassaro says. "Our Honors classes are designed especially for Honors students and only Honors students can enroll in them. Our curriculum is truly designed with Honors College students' needs in mind."

Baldassaro adds that each Honors seminar has a small student-teacher ratio, with approximately 15 students in each class.

"Students in the Honors College get to satisfy many of their General Education Requirements in small seminars, which means they get more personal attention than in large lecture classes" Baldassaro says. "They also have ready access to one-on-one advising. From their start as freshmen, students feel as if they have a home in the Honors College."

One of the biggest differences between a regular course and one in the Honors College may attract a student's attention: Classes don't have exams.

"Exams are not given in Honors seminars; rather, students grades are based upon the writing they perform, class presentations and class participation," Baldassaro says. "Honors seminars focus on enhancing students' writing, critical thinking and oral argumentation. Students learn the difference between opinion and argument; they learn to challenge and debate using sound argumentation, rather than emotion; and they are taught to write clear, coherent and substantive essays."

The Honors College employs an on-site writing specialist that can help with these essays, too.

UWM's Honor College's Web site is uwm.edu/dept/honors.