Honours Social Science (Pre-University Programs)

John Abbott College has maintained a strong commitment to academic excellence and student success. With its diverse array of programs spanning various disciplines, including arts, sciences, social sciences, and technology, John Abbott College provides students with a rich and dynamic learning experience, preparing them for further education or the workforce. Known for its supportive and inclusive learning environment, John Abbott College prioritizes student growth and development, emphasizing critical thinking, creativity, and practical skill acquisition. The college's dedicated faculty and staff play a crucial role in guiding students through their educational journey, providing them with the necessary tools and resources to achieve their academic and professional goals. With a focus on both theoretical knowledge and practical application, John Abbott College continues to uphold its reputation as a leading institution for higher education in Quebec, empowering students to succeed in their chosen fields and make valuable contributions to society.

Honours Social Science (HSS) students follow the same academic program and profiles offered to all regular social science students but with the following enhancements: common classes in their compulsory subjects (6 or 9 depending on the chosen profile); weekly meetings throughout the first year at which we have invited guest speakers (including university recruiters and former HSS graduates), field trips, informal social activities, all designed to help promote peer support, group cohesion, choice of university and career orientation, as well as to stimulate thinking on a variety of topics; travel opportunities; development of special projects. Besides the advantages listed in the program description, what nearly all of our graduates have in common is that they look back very fondly on their years spent in HSS and feel they were very well prepared for their university studies. Having six or nine classes with the same group of motivated classmates forge friendships for life, creates a very positive group dynamic, and is especially well-suited to students coming from enriched high school programs or those wishing to experience this type of learning community in CEGEP. Also, because of the group strength, the course material can be covered more quickly than in regular classes, thereby allowing teachers to take detours or go into greater depth in certain areas, which makes the courses more intellectually satisfying. Despite this, in all their compulsory courses taken as a group, HSS students write the same exams as regular social science students and are graded like everyone else. Their CRC score is also based on the overall average of all social science students taking the same course (and not just the HSS cohort) and this tends to boost their CRC scores simply by virtue of being surrounded by motivated individuals. It’s a virtuous cycle: you do better because those around you are doing better!