Honors
As an honors student, you'll be part of a group that fosters intellectual curiosity, leadership, and change.
Deadline Update: We want to ensure anyone applying for federal financial aid has enough time to make an informed decision regarding their college choice! For this reason, we're extending our enrollment decision deadline to May 15.
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How do I apply?
You don't have to! We'll use your application for admission for most honors programs, reviewing your GPA and test scores (if provided) and considering your short-answer and essay responses very carefully. If you’re invited to join one, you’ll receive notification after your offer of admission but no later than April 1.
Three Honors Levels
1. Campus Honors
Whatever college you choose, you have a chance to become a Chancellor’s Scholar through our Campus Honors Program. Around 125 first-year students are chosen for this prestigious honor each year.
2. College Honors
Each our colleges has its own honors program. Students admitted to these programs are called James Scholars.
- College of Agricultural, Consumer, & Environmental Sciences
- College of Applied Health Sciences
- College of Education
- College of Fine & Applied Arts
- College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
- College of Media
- Division of Exploratory Studies
- Gies College of Business
- Grainger College of Engineering
- School of Information Sciences
- School of Social Work
3. Departmental Honors
Many departments have created additional honors programs to reward their students. In most cases, you must be a junior or senior to join.
You can also join later.
If you’re not initially invited into an honors program, you can petition to gain admittance to one starting your first year on campus. Check directly with your program if you’re interested in joining.