canfield business honors program essay prompt 2023

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Does anyone know the essay prompt for the Canfield Business Honors Program? I tried searching for it but wasn't able to find anything. Also, any tips for writing a strong essay for this program would be appreciated!

The essay prompt for the Canfield Business Honors Program (CBHP) application can vary from year to year. Typically, the prompt will ask you to explain why you are interested in the business honors program and how you believe it will contribute to your future goals. However, it's essential to verify the current prompt by checking the University of Texas CBHP application page or reaching out to the program's admissions office.

To write a strong essay for the Canfield Business Honors Program, consider these tips:

1. Research the program: Spend time acquainting yourself with the unique aspects of CBHP, such as the curriculum, resources, faculty, or any experiential learning opportunities like internships and hands-on projects. Use specific examples to demonstrate your understanding of the program's offerings.

2. Be authentic: Explain your passion for business and how being part of the honors program will help you achieve your career and personal goals. Share a story or two that showcases your interest in business or how you've demonstrated leadership skills.

3. Discuss the value of the program to you: Tie the CBHP's resources or opportunities to your development as a future business leader. What specific components of the program can help you grow academically, professionally, or personally?

4. Highlight your fit: Show how you will contribute to the honors program's environment in terms of culture and values, as well as your academic or extracurricular involvement. Mention any unique perspective or experiences that could enrich the learning environment for your peers.

5. Be concise and clear: Write a well-organized essay with a strong introduction, clear thesis statement, and fluid transitions between paragraphs. Use concise language, avoiding jargon and unnecessary words. Edit and proofread thoroughly for grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors.

Remember, a strong essay not only demonstrates your understanding of the program but also showcases your genuine interest in business, your fit within the community, and your ambitions. Good luck!

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Applying to Business School: How to Apply to Canfield Business Honors

Written by Sarah Shields, M. Ed., Canfield BHP Strategic Enrollment & Joint Programs Manager

Topics of Interest: Applying to business school, how to apply to Canfield BHP, our admissions process, Texas CSB/Texas ECB/Plan II application guidance, what we’re looking for, why Canfield BHP

Editor’s note : Be sure to watch the admissions Q&A on our Instagram highlights featuring Canfield BHP Recruitment Coordinator, Kelly Georgestone, for more information!

Welcome prospective students and families to the Canfield BHP community! We often receive inquires on how to apply, what Canfield BHP Admissions is looking for in applicants, and what unique opportunities we offer students.

First, and foremost, the BEST way to learn more about Canfield BHP, our joint programs, and what it is like to be a student is to attend one of our Information Sessions . These are hosted during the school year every Monday and Friday afternoon (excluding holidays). Our Canfield BHP student recruiters are excited to share information with you regarding the program and answer your questions in real time. For Fall 2021 we will offer a mix of in-person and virtual sessions, so check out the UT Admissions website for details! Before we begin, please take note of the following application deadlines:

• Priority Deadline: November 1, 2021
• Regular Deadline: December 1, 2021

Note: Priority Deadline students will be notified earlier than Regular Deadline applicants. Applying by Priority does not influence admission decisions and is non-binding .

How to Apply to Canfield BHP

Most of our applicants will be traditional business students. Students who are admitted to Canfield BHP are admitted to the Business Honors major directly. After their first year if students would like to add an additional business major (Finance, Accounting, Marketing, etc.) they may do so via their academic advisor. In the application you will still apply as “Unspecified Business”, however if you know what area of business you would like to study you are welcome to discuss this in the essay portion of your application, short answer 1.

Canfield BHP Admissions has access to your entire UT Austin application for review.

To apply to the Canfield Business Honors Program, you must:

Apply via ApplyTX or the Coalition application.

• Select the McCombs School of Business as your first-choice college.
• List “Unspecified Business” (200400) as your first choice major.
• After you start your Apply TX or Coalition application, you will be able to select that you are interested in honors. This is towards the end of the application.
• Answer the “Canfield Business Honors Program” essay prompt.
• Once your application is complete, you will have access to your MyStatus page after about 24 hours. Use this page to upload your expanded resume .
• Submit a required letter of recommendation from an academic source (teacher, professor, etc.). Please note that you must use the Document Upload System in MyStatus, which will email your recommender a request to submit their recommendation to us directly.
• Complete all steps of the UT Austin application checklist .

You can always verify via MyStatus if your Honors Application is complete.

How to Apply to Canfield BHP + Joint Programs

Texas Honors Computer Science and Business ( Texas CSB ) is an integrated honors degree program between the Canfield Business Honors Program (Canfield BHP) and the Department of Computer Science. Texas CSB provides a rigorous four-year undergraduate curriculum aimed at preparing students for top technology careers.

To apply to Texas CSB, you must:

• Complete the general application requirements listed above.
• Select Unspecified Business and Computer Science as your first and second choice majors (first choice major should be the one you are most interested in). The department of Computer Science is within the College of Natural Sciences.
• After you submit your application having listed Unspecified Business and Computer Science for admission to UT Austin, you will be able to access the honors essay prompts. These are towards the end of the application.
• Students may also apply to either Canfield BHP or Turing Scholars, depending on which major is their first choice.
• Students must select Unspecified Business as their first choice major to be reviewed for Canfield BHP in addition to Texas CSB.
• Please note it is recommended to request your letter from a CS/Math/STEM teacher. If you are also applying to Turing Scholars it is a requirement that this letter come from a math or science teacher.

Texas Honors Electrical and Computer Engineering and Business ( Texas ECB ) is our newest integrated honors degree program between the Canfield Business Honors Program (Canfield BHP) and the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE). Texas ECB provides a rigorous four-year undergraduate engineering and business curriculum complete with a senior capstone project.

To apply to Texas ECB, you must:

• Select Unspecified Business and ECE as your first and second choice majors (first choice major should be the one you are most interested in). The department of Electrical and Computer Engineering is in the Cockrell School of Engineering.
• After you submit your application having listed Unspecified Business and ECE for admission to UT Austin, you will be able to access the honors essay prompts. These are towards the end of the application.
• Students must select Unspecified Business as their first choice major to be reviewed for Canfield BHP in addition to Texas ECB.
• Please note it is recommended to request your letter from a CS/Math/STEM teacher. If you are also applying to ECE Honors it is a requirement that this letter come from a math or science teacher.

Canfield BHP + Plan II Honors

Plan II Honors is the oldest honors program in the nation and offers students a place where they can explore the issues and questions that shape the human experience. Plan II students graduate with exceptional writing, communication, and analytical skills that can be applied to virtually any career path.

To apply to Plan II, you must:

• Select Unspecified Business and a Liberal Arts major as your first and second choice majors (first choice major should be Unspecified Business). The Plan II Honors program will review all students who have first/second choice within Liberal Arts and complete application requirements.
• After you submit your application having listed Unspecified Business and a Liberal Arts major for admission to UT Austin, you will be able to access the honors essay prompts. These are towards the end of the application.
• Students may also apply to Canfield BHP.

What We are Looking for in Applicants

This is one of our most common questions!

We do not have minimum GPA, score, or rank requirements to be admitted to Canfield BHP or our joint programs. We are looking for community leaders who take academics seriously. The Canfield BHP Admissions committee reviews each application submitted an in a holistic manner.

Students are encouraged to submit test scores (SAT/ACT/AP/IB) if they think they are representative of their academic skills. Students who do not submit scores will not be viewed negatively by the admissions committee.

Leadership can be shown in several ways in your community. This could be volunteering, holding titled leadership positions at your high school, or helping support your family. While our application process is very competitive every year, we pride ourselves in not having a homogeneous admitted class; students come from a variety of backgrounds, hometowns, and experiences.

What Makes Canfield BHP Unique

Our community.

Students are encouraged to be leaders on campus while in Canfield BHP. This could be leadership within Canfield BHP , UT Austin , or the Austin community . One of the first ways students get to know our leadership community is through our Peer Mentoring Program. These small groups meet once a week their first semester to get to know their upperclassman mentor, their peers, and what resources are available to them while in the program.

After the first-year, students are then paired up with an alumni mentor to help guide them through their career development, no matter what their goals are for the future. It is not uncommon to see an alumnus in the Canfield BHP offices simply stopping by to say hello or hosting a coffee chat for current students.

Speaking of career development, students are paired with their personal Career Coach in their first semester who will help build their interviewing skills, networking, and resume while in the program. Canfield BHP students have unique opportunities to hear from our corporate partners directly while on campus via dinners, HBA events, and coffee chats.

And finally, our Canfield BHP staff are always here to support our students and their academic goals. Our academic advising team works with students one on one, every semester until graduation, to help with course selection, graduation planning, and majors in addition to Business Honors.

We look forward to reading your application this Fall!

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The Canfield Business Honors Program

The Canfield Business Honors Program (CBHP) at the University of Texas at Austin (UT) equips outstanding students with the analytical tools and interpersonal skills needed for careers of leadership in business. The CBHP is an innovative degree program within the highly- ranked  McCombs School of Business. It is designed to provide intellectual challenge and professional development for students with exceptional academic abilities and leadership skills. CBHP combines the benefits of a small, close-knit community with the vast resources of the University of Texas at Austin.

CBHP core courses are accelerated and modeled after those taught in the MBA program. CBHP courses are taught by some of the McCombs School's most experienced faculty. Emphasis is placed on class discussion and presentations, case study analysis, and research on actual business decision-making. Enrollment in CBHP classes is restricted to students in the program. The small class size (generally 30-45 students) facilitates interaction among students and faculty. The small classes and CBHP specific programming creates a truly unique, and welcoming, learning community.

Resources for current Canfield students

Ace the Application Process

We’re here to help you through applying to the Canfield Business Honors Program, as we have with countless students and parents through the years.

Application Requirements

To apply to the Canfield Business Honors Program, you must:

• Complete the steps listed in order to apply to the McCombs School of Business.
• After you start your  ApplyTexas  or  Common  application (having listed "Unspecified Business" as your first choice major), you will be able to select that you are interested in honors and answer the honors essay prompt(s).
• Answer the "Canfield Business Honors Program" essay prompt: Canfield Business Honors is more than a major and program at the University. It is a community. During the last four years of high school, what community have you had the most impact in and how did you achieve that impact? Limit 250 words.
• Once your application is complete, you will have access to your MyStatus page after ~24 hours. Use this page to upload your expanded resume ( Resume Tips for Canfield Business Honors ). You may also use the Common Application document upload for your expanded resume submission. 
• Submit a letter of recommendation from an academic source (teacher, professor, etc.). Please note that you must use the Document Upload System in MyStatus, which will email your recommender a request to submit their recommendation to us directly or the Common Application letter of recommendation upload system. 

Apply Now via ApplyTexas

Apply Now via Common App

About Phone Interviews

Canfield BHP will offer a select number of phone interviews with a Canfield BHP alumnus. Phone interviews are by invitation only. These interviews allow the admissions committee to collect additional information about the applicant that can't be obtained through the application. If selected for a phone interview, you will be contacted by a Canfield BHP alumnus via email.

Consider the Texas CSB program

Texas Honors Computer Science and Business is an integrated honors degree program between the Canfield Business Honors Program and the Department of Computer Science. Texas CSB provides a rigorous four-year undergraduate curriculum aimed at preparing students for top technology careers.

To apply to Texas CSB, you must:  

• Apply to UT Austin using either the ApplyTexas or Common applications. Select Unspecified Business and Computer Science Entry Level as your first and second choice majors. Your first choice major should be the one you are most interested in.
• Indicate your interest in an honors program towards the end of the application. By selecting the Unspecified Business and Computer Science Entry Level major combination, you will be able to complete the honors prompt for Texas CSB. Depending upon your first choice major, you will also be able to apply to either the Canfield Business Honors Program or Turing Scholars.
• Complete all other requirements to apply to UT Austin.
• Submit a detailed, expanded resume through MyStatus or the CommonApp documents section. The Activities section of CommonApp does not meet the resume requirement, a separate document must be provided
• Submit a letter of recommendation from an academic source (teacher, professor, etc.). Please note that you must use the Document Upload System in MyStatus, which will email your recommender a request to submit their recommendation to us directly.

Additional Texas CSB Admissions Information

Consider the Texas ECB program

Texas Honors Electrical and Computer Engineering and Business (Texas ECB) is a new integrated honors degree program between the Canfield Business Honors Program (Canfield BHP) and the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE). Texas ECB provides a rigorous four-year undergraduate engineering and business curriculum complete with a senior capstone project.

To apply to Texas ECB, you must:

• Complete the requirements to apply for admission to UT Austin. Select Unspecified Business and ECE as your first and second choice majors (first choice major should be the one you are most interested in). Students must select a combination of Unspecified Business (McCombs School of Business) and ECE (Cockrell School of Engineering) for their major choices to be considered for Texas ECB.
• After you select in your application Unspecified Business and ECE for you majors to UT Austin, you will be able to access the honors essay prompts later in the application.
• Designate Texas ECB as one of your honors choices by replying to the provided prompt. Students may also apply to either Canfield Business Honors or ECE Honors, depending on which major is their first choice. Students must select Unspecified Business as their first choice major to be reviewed for Canfield BHP in addition to Texas ECB. Students must select ECE as their first choice major to be reviewed for ECE Honors in addition to Texas ECB. All students admitted to Texas ECB are members of  both  Canfield Business Honors and ECE Honors. 
• Once your application is complete, you will have access to your MyStatus page after ~24-48 hours. Use this page to upload your   expanded resume , required for Texas ECB consideration. Students may also upload their documents via the CommonApp. 
• Submit a letter of recommendation from an academic source (teacher, professor, etc.), required for Texas ECB consideration. Please note that you must use the Document Upload System in MyStatus, which will email your recommender to submit their recommendation to us directly or provide a letter via the CommonApp recommender portal. 
• Students entering Texas ECB MUST be ready for M 408D and have M 408C credit.   This link can provide test information for M 408C credit   or credit for M 408K + M 408L (Calc I and II) at a community college/university. Proof of M 408C completion can be provided in the UT Austin application or honors materials. 

Any questions about applying? Ask us, and we’re happy to answer!

Interested in an honors program at UT Austin? We offer a variety of honors programs across multiple colleges and schools, with many open to both freshman and transfer applicants. The application for h onors programs is available only to students who apply to certain majors. 

How to Apply

Freshman honors.

Freshman applicants have two options to apply to honors programs:

• You can start the process to apply for a freshman honors program by indicating interest on your admission application and responding to the short-answer questions of the program of your choice within the application.
• You can also apply by using the separate online honors application. This is available to you after you’ve submitted your ApplyTexas or Common App application and once you gain access to MyStatus.

If you want to change your first- and/or second-choice major(s) so that you can apply to an honors program, email us at [email protected] . Include your full name, UT EID and updated first- and/or second-choice majors. If your request is approved, you will gain access to the honors application within 3-5 business days.

Additional Materials Submission

Submit any resumes or letters of recommendation required by your specific program in MyStatus using the Document Upload System. Letters of recommendation may also be submitted directly from your school via Naviance/Edocs. Self-report any AP or IB scores you may have taken or plan to take on your résumé.

Transfer Honors

Submit your application for admission, then complete the steps outlined by the program you’re applying to:

Canfield Business Honors

Natural sciences honors.

• Humanities Honors

Note: Additional honors programs exist within many academic departments. Contact your academic advisor to learn more about programs and their application processes.

Freshman applicants applying for summer and spring enrollment are not eligible to apply for freshman honors programs.

Fall 2024 Enrollment

• Honors Application Opens August 1
• Honors Application Deadline December 11

Program Requirements

Required majors.

• Unspecified Business (Business must be the first-choice selection).

Availability

• Freshman applicants
• Transfer applicants

Writing Prompt

Canfield Business Honors is more than a major and program at the University. It is a community. During the last four years of high school, what community have you had the most impact in and how did you achieve that impact? Limit 250 words.

Additional Materials

• A letter of recommendation from a teacher (not a counselor or principal)

Electrical and Computer Engineering Honors (ECE)

Required major.

• Electrical and Computer Engineering in the Cockrell School of Engineering

Describe your significant activities, employment, and achievements, particularly those relevant to the study of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Also describe your educational and career goals. Please limit your response to no more than 500 words.

• A letter of recommendation from a math or science teacher

Engineering Honors

• Any major in the Cockrell School of Engineering

The Cockrell School of Engineering awards merit scholarships to first-year participants in the Engineering Honors Program. Additionally, participants can be considered for honors housing. Selections are made by reviewing the standard materials required to apply for admission to the university. No additional essays or application materials are required, but submitting an expanded résumé is recommended. If you would like to be considered for the Engineering Honors Program, please acknowledge your interest on your application.

Honors Electrical and Computer Engineering and Business (ECB)

• Both Electrical and Computer Engineering and Business, one as your first and the other as your second choice. Your first-choice major should be the one you are most interested in.

Texas Honors Electrical and Computer Engineering and Business (Texas ECB) is a powerful dual degree program looking for students who are dedicated to both an electrical and computer engineering and business honors education. Why do you see this as a combination of skills for your career goals? What have you done in high school, in the classroom and outside, to prepare you for honors engineering and business course work? Please limit your response to no more than 500 words. Applicants are strongly encouraged to review the Texas ECB website for additional requirements to complete their application.

Liberal Arts Honors

• Any major in the College of Liberal Arts (First-choice selection of a Liberal Arts major is strongly encouraged).

Answer the following prompts:

• At the University of Texas at Austin, we say that what starts here changes the world.  The Liberal Arts Honors Program seeks change agents, students who are going to draw upon a liberal art education to make lifelong contributions to society that will make life better for their fellow citizens in the 21st century.  Please tell us succinctly and imaginatively how a liberal arts education will help you become such a change agent and what contributions you expect to make.
• Help us get to know you better. Please write five sentences (numbered 1–5) that give us some insight into you, your life, your interests and your experiences. There are no right answers — feel free to be creative and think outside the box.

Moody College Honors

• Any major in the Moody College of Communication

“With great power comes great responsibility” is a popular adage. How do you think it applies to the realm of human communication? Explain your thoughts using an example from current events, history, film, literature, or your own life. Please limit your response to 350 words.

• Any major in the College of Natural Sciences
• Transfer applicants (with the exception of Human Ecology Honors)

Each of the three CNS Honors Programs has a distinct profile. Why are you a good fit for the Dean’s Scholars, Health Science Scholars, or Polymathic Scholars program? How will you contribute to that community?

For Human Ecology Honors :

Briefly describe why you have chosen to apply to the School of Human Ecology Honors Program, specifically Nutritional Sciences or Human Development and Family Sciences Honors. Please limit your response to no more than 250 words.

Plan II Honors

• Plan II or any major in the College of Liberal Arts
• If you could add one required course—on any topic—to your high school’s curriculum, what would it be and why? What would you have liked to learn that wasn’t available to you? Limit your response to no more than 250 words.

Texas Honors Computer Science and Business (Texas CSB)​

• Both Computer Science and Business, one as your first and the other as your second choice. Your first choice major should be the one you are most interested in.

Texas CSB is an innovative dual degree program looking for students who are dedicated to both computer science and business. Why do you see this as a powerful combination of skills for your career goals? What have you done in high school to prepare you for computer science and business course work? Please limit your response to no more than 500 words. Applicants are strongly encouraged to review the Texas CSB website for additional requirements to complete their application.

Turing Scholars

• Computer Science 

Describe your significant activities, employment, and achievements, particularly those relevant to the study of computer science. Also describe your educational and career goals. Please limit your response to no more than 500 words.

Texas Honors Computer Science & Business is an integrated degree program at The University of Texas at Austin that allows you to earn degrees in Computer Science and Business in a shorter time. Texas CSB provides a world-class education, countless opportunities and a tight-knit student community.

Admissions FAQ

  how does the application process work .

Applicants are evaluated holistically. This means there are no cut-offs or minimums.  We look at all aspects of the application. We are looking for students who are not only strong academically, but are engaged and have taken on leadership roles.  We look for students that have demonstrated a passion for computer science and technology outside of the classroom.  We will also review the essay and short-answer questions they submitted for their application, as well as letters of recommendation, and an expanded resume. 

To begin, students must  APPLY for admission to UT Austin.

Select Unspecified Business and Computer Science Entry Level as your majors—the first choice major should be the one that you are most interested in. Indicate your interest in an honors program and complete the prompts for Texas CSB. Once your application is complete you will have access to MyStatus where you can upload your required expanded resume and letter of recommendation from a teacher. We also accept documents via CommonApp.

  What type of student are you looking for?

Are you a leader at your high school? Have you challenged yourself by taking the most difficult classes available in your community and mastering them? Do you go above and beyond to succeed inside and outside of the classroom? Have you demonstrated a passion for entrepreneurship and innovation? These are some of the questions we ask our high achieving future students. Grades and standardized test scores are extremely important to the process, as is leadership and extracurricular activities. Students should report all test scores available in their application and expanded resume. National computing tests such a USACO are strongly encouraged.

  What makes the Texas CSB unique? 

Texas CSB offers small classes that focus on discussion and presentation, group collaboration, and analytical exercises. The program combines two top ranked programs—the McCombs School of Business, and Texas Computer Science—to give students the tools to generate new ideas based on technology, develop these ideas into reality, and create real world impact. The Texas CSB curriculum challenges students to develop innovative ways to work with data, technology, and people to contribute to business growth. The program’s integrated curriculum allows students to complete their degrees in four years while providing robust programming. Dedicated advisors provide students with personalized attention and unique opportunities. Students learn from not only esteemed professors and industry leaders, but also from each other.

  Will I be considered for admission to other honors programs if I am not admitted to Texas CSB?

Applicants who list “Unspecified Business” as their first choice major have the opportunity to apply for admission to the Canfield Business Honors Program . Applicants who list “Computer Science” as their first choice major have the opportunity to apply for admission to the Turing Scholars Honors Program .

Applicants must also submit applications to these honors programs to be considered.

Students who are denied to honors at UT Austin are at NO DISADVANTAGE for regular admission and are still fully reviewed for Business and CS majors.

  Is UT affordable compared to other top universities? 

Cost is a big factor for most students. When comparing scholarship and financial aid awards, it is important to look carefully at the net cost of each school and think about what you are getting for that amount. UT Austin is consistently recognized as one of the best value universities for the money invested. In addition, McCombs has one of the top career services offices in the nation. This means that students aren’t just getting an education; they are also getting the resources they need to land the jobs they want.

  What does the October 15 Early Action deadline mean? 

This optional deadline will require UT Austin application submission by October 15, with a guaranteed decision regarding their university admission communicated to applicants by January 15. The regular deadline for applications will remain December 1, with a guaranteed decision communicated by February 15. 

Texas CSB will notify students of their program decision by March 1. 

Students applying for Texas CSB and other honors programs at UT Austin are strongly encouraged to complete their application by October 15. 

Students who are not admitted to UT Austin are no longer under consideration for Texas CSB. 

  If I don’t get into Texas CSB for my freshmen year, can I reapply? 

Due to the program’s course load and small size of its cohort, admission to Texas CSB is limited to students applying for freshman admission.  

  Can I visit the McCombs School of Business or the Department of Computer Science, or talk to a current student about the Texas CSB? 

Students wanting to learn more about Texas CSB, the McCombs School of Business, or the Department of Computer Science can attend a  Canfield Business Honors Program or Computer Science Honors information session held regularly on the UT campus. Those students who are admitted can schedule a campus visit with one of our student recruiters, where they will have a custom itinerary designed for them which would include things like sitting in on a class and meeting with a Texas CSB advisor. Texas CSB also hosts monthly joint information sessions, please see the UT Admissions website for virtual session details on "Technology + Business at Texas".

  Are SAT and ACT test scores optional?

NO.  UT Austin is no longer test optional. For students applying for admission for Fall 2025 and later, you do need to submit a standardized test score (an ACT and/or SAT score) as part of your undergraduate admission application.

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Canfield Business Honors Program

The Canfield Business Honors Program is designed to provide an intellectual challenge for students who have distinguished themselves academically and in leadership roles outside the classroom. The student may choose a general program of study or choose to combine the general program of study with an additional major. Canfield Business Honors Program students take 14 business courses in special sections open only to them. Additional information is available from the Canfield Business Honors Program Office.

Admission to the Canfield Business Honors Program is limited to a small number of exceptional students who are chosen on a competitive basis. Admission decisions are made by the Canfield Business Honors Program Committee. Most students enter the program as freshmen, but some are admitted as sophomores.

Students entering the University and the McCombs School of Business as freshmen may apply to the Canfield Business Honors Program by completing a separate online application available through The University of Texas at Austin Office of Admissions. The Canfield Business Honors Program Committee considers the student’s SAT Reasoning Test or ACT scores, high school class rank, preparatory courses, extracurricular activities, evidence of leadership ability, and other objective criteria.

Students may also seek admission to the Canfield Business Honors Program during the spring semester of their freshman year to begin taking courses as a sophomore. To be considered for admission, the student must have completed in the fall and spring semesters of the freshman year at least 24 semester hours of college-level coursework; this coursework must include Economics 304K and 304L  or equivalent, Mathematics 408Q , or Mathematics 408R  when taken in residence, or Mathematics 408K and 408L , or Mathematics 408N   and 408S or Mathematics 408C and  408D , or the equivalent. The Canfield Business Honors Program Committee considers the student’s grade point average in courses taken in residence at the University and the number, type, and rigor of the courses the student has taken at the University. Students will also be evaluated based upon evidence of their extracurricular activities and leadership abilities. An applicant’s disciplinary record, as maintained by the Office of the Dean of Students, will be reviewed for academic dishonesty or other violations of University policy. Violations will be reported to the Admissions Committee and taken into account as part of the application process. Violations may exclude a student from admission depending on the nature and severity of the offense(s).

Students applying to the Canfield Business Honors Program are permitted to have received credit for Business Administration 101S and/or Management Information Systems 301 ; however, no credit will be accepted for other courses normally taken as part of the honors core.

Application materials and information about deadlines are available at https://www.mccombs.utexas.edu/CBHP .

• Academic Standards

A student who enters the Canfield Business Honors Program as a freshman must have a grade point average of at least 3.25 on the courses taken in residence during the fall and spring semesters of the first year to continue in the program. The student must complete at least 12 semester hours in residence on the letter-grade basis during each of those two semesters. After the freshman year, each student, whether admitted as a freshman or as a sophomore, is dismissed from the program if his or her overall or business grade point average drops below 3.25. Exceptions are granted only by the Canfield Business Honors Program Committee.

Violations of the University’s policies on academic integrity or non-academic conduct can lead to dismissal from the Canfield Business Honors Program.

To graduate under the Canfield Business Honors Program, the student must earn a University grade point average of at least 3.25 and a grade point average of at least 3.25 in business courses.

• Degree Requirements

Canfield Business Honors Program students may choose a general program of study, or choose to combine the general program of study with an additional major. Requirements for the general program of study are:

• The Core Curriculum requirements and the BBA Degree Requirements
• Accounting 311H (may fulfill the quantitative reasoning flag)
• Accounting 312H (may fulfill the quantitative reasoning flag)
• Business Administration 101H
• Business Administration 151H
• Business Administration 324H or Communication 324H (may fulfill the writing flag)
• Decision Science 235H
• Finance 357H
• Legal Environment of Business 323H (may fulfill the ethics flag)
• Management 101H
• Management 336H (may fulfill the ethics flag)
• Management 327H
• Management 374H (may fufill the writing and independent inquiry flags)
• Management Information Systems 301H
• Marketing 337H
• Operations Management 235H
• Statistics 301H
• Statistics 235H (may fulfill the quantitative reasoning flag)
• Six semester hours of upper-division business electives
• Additional elective coursework, if necessary, to provide a total of at least 120 semester hours

Honors Computer Science and Business

Admission to Computer Science and Business (CSB) is limited to a small number of high performing students who are chosen on a competitive basis. Students selected for the program will have demonstrated exceptional potential for success in both computer science and business. Admission decisions are made by the CSB Committee. Students enter the program as freshmen.

Students entering the University as freshmen may apply to the CSB by completing a separate online application available through the UT Office of Admissions. The CSB Committee considers the student’s SAT Reasoning Test or ACT scores, high school class rank, preparatory courses, extracurricular activities, evidence of leadership ability, and other objective criteria.

A student who enters CSB as a freshman must have a grade point average of at least 3.25 on the courses taken in residence during the fall and spring semesters of the first year to continue in the program. The student must complete at least 12 semester hours in residence on the letter-grade basis during each of those two semesters. After the freshman year, each student is dismissed from the program if his or her overall, computer science, or business grade point average drops below 3.25. In addition to this grade point average requirement, students must know and abide by the academic and disciplinary policies given in this catalog and in the  General Information Catalog .  Those who fail to do so will be considered for academic dismissal from the program. Under special circumstances and at the discretion of the CSB Program Committee, a student will be allowed to continue in the program under academic review. Students in scholastic difficulty should discuss their problems with the CSB Honors Program director(s) and their academic advisor(s).

To graduate under the CSB Honors Program, the student must earn a University grade point average of at least 3.25 and a grade point average of at least 3.25 in business courses and a grade point of average of at least 3.25 in computer science courses.  A candidate for any degree must be enrolled at The University of Texas at Austin in the semester or summer session in which the degree is awarded.

Students in CSB must satisfy the University’s Core Curriculum and degree requirements for a B.S. in Computer Science and for a B.B.A.; combined degree requirements below.  If students later elect to complete only one degree, they must consult their academic advisor(s) and fulfill all degree requirements.

• Mathematics 408C  and 408D , or 408N , 408S , and 408M ; either 340L  or 341  or  Statistics and Data Sciences 329C ; and  Statistics and Data Sciences 321
• Either  Biology 311C  and 311D , or  315H  and 325H
• Chemistry 301 or 301H , and 302  or 302H
• Physics 303K  and 103M , 301  and 101L or 317K  and 117M ; and 303L  and 103N , 316  and 116L , or  317L  and  117N .
• Economics 304K and 304L
• Three semester hours of coursework in anthropology, psychology, educational psychology, or sociology, chosen from approved courses; courses dealing primarily with statistics or data processing may not be used to fulfill this requirement.   Social Science 302C , 302D , 302E , and 302F (for Plan II dual majors only), are also accepted .  A list of coursework can be found in the Canfield Business Honors academic advising office.
• Theory:  Computer Science 311H , 331H
• Programming:  Computer Science 314H
• Systems:  Computer Science 429H , 439H
• Twelve additional hours of upper-division courses in computer science of which six hours must carry the honors designation.
• Accounting 311H   (may fulfill the quantitative reasoning flag)
• Accounting 312H   (may fulfill the quantitative reasoning flag)
• Business Administration 353
• Business Administration 324 or Communication 324H (may fulfill the writing flag) 
• Legal Environment of Business 323H
• Management 374H  (may fulfill the writing and independent inquiry flags)

This dual major requires 124 hours for completion of both degrees

Related Fields of Study

• Suggested Arrangement of Courses
• International Business
• Management Information Systems
• Science and Technology Management
• Supply Chain Management

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Apply to Canfield BHP for Your Sophomore Year

Want to join Canfield BHP as a sophomore? No problem. Plan ahead and reach out with any questions you have to give yourself the best chance for success.

Sophomore Applications Overview

The Canfield BHP Sophomore Transfer applications are now closed for Fall 2024 consideration.

2023 Admissions Stats

• Applications: 139
• Admitted: 20
• Average GPA: 3.98

Sophomore Application Requirements

To apply to the Canfield Business Honors Program for sophomore admission, you must:

• Complete and submit the sophomore application via either the Internal Transfer website for current UT students, or the External to UT Canfield Business Honors application.
• Write a personal statement that explains your future goals and desire to join the Canfield BHP community.
• Submit a detailed expanded resume ( Resume Tips for Canfield Business Honors ).
• Letters of Recommendation for current UT Austin students can be uploaded by the recommender here: https://utexas.app.box.com/f/c1edfbfb32eb4292b6d00b3568f6a481
• External students will provide an email address in their application for their recommender. The recommendation will be sent directly via email instruction.
• *Letters from BA101 professors and non-graduate student TAs will not be accepted.
• Agree on the application to have your record checked with UT Student Conduct and Academic Integrity for any prior academic violations. Any violations will be taken into consideration by the admissions committee.
• Complete a phone interview with a Canfield BHP alumnus (by invitation only throughout June).

Required Completed Coursework

Canfield BHP Sophomore applications require the following completed coursework:

• Students must have completed at least 24 semester hours of college level coursework in the fall and spring semesters of their freshman year.
• Coursework must include:
• Economics 304K and 304L
• Complete Calculus sequence: M 408K/L, M 408C/D, M 408Q, or M 408R

If you have an extenuating circumstance that prevents you from taking the courses listed above, please contact the Canfield BHP office at [email protected]  to discuss your situation.

Students are advised to enroll in classes such as Government, Statistics, Calculus, and Economics at the University of Texas at Austin during their freshman year to show a challenging course load.

Students who are past their first year of college coursework are not eligible to apply.

First Semester Canfield BHP Transfer Student Required Courses

• ACC 311H, STA 235H, BAH 324H, MAN 327H, BA 151H, BA 101H*, and MAN 101H* = 12-14 hours. These courses are not negotiable for admitted students.
• Students who are admitted to McCombs and Canfield BHP (transferring from another UT college or to UT/McCombs externally) will work with their Canfield BHP advisor regarding STA 301 completion.
• All incoming Canfield BHP students should prioritize Canfield BHP course registration in their first admitted semester.

Course Transfer Restrictions

Please note the following restrictions for Canfield BHP sophomore admissions. If you have questions about these, please contact the Canfield BHP office at 512-475-6325 or [email protected].

• Applicants who complete any other course from the honors core (listed below) will not be eligible for sophomore admissions.
• No student admitted to Canfield BHP will be permitted to receive credit for any of these courses if they are taken during a summer session after the freshman year.
• Current McCombs students who are participating in an official summer study abroad experience that includes FIN 357, LEB 323, MAN 336, MKT 337, OM 235, or DS 235 are still eligible to apply.
• Students are encouraged (but not required) to complete MIS 301 (non-honors) and STA 301 (non-honors) during their freshman year.
• McCombs students will take BA 101 and MAN 101 in their freshman year.

Any questions about applying?

Ask us, and we’re happy to answer!