honors program supplemental essay

Honors Program Applicant Requirements

Undergraduate Admission

Eligibility & Requirements for First-Year Students

Eligibility & deadlines for second-year students, honors essay topic.

The Honors Program is an intellectual and creative community that provides a four-year, interdisciplinary, collaborative learning experience for academically motivated incoming students from all communities. The Honors Program supplements study in a student’s chosen major with a challenging liberal arts curriculum composed of interdisciplinary seminars, collaborative research projects, and faculty-directed independent study.

Each year, Emerson invites 50 applicants of exceptional ability and promise to join the Honors Program. Students are selected based on their past academic achievements, creative accomplishments, and demonstrated leadership in academic or community spaces. To be considered for the Honors Program, students must apply as they enter Emerson College as first-year students or as rising sophomores.

Eligibility 

Admission to the Honors Program is competitive and only first-year students applying for September Admission are eligible. Students applying to one of our global partnership programs (e.g., Global BFA or Global BA programs) are not eligible for Honors Program consideration. Each fall, approximately 50 first-year applicants enroll in the Honors Program. Beginning in Fall 2023, each Honors Program Scholar is also awarded a $30,000 Trustees Scholarship, which is renewable for up to four years at the College.

All eligible first-year students, regardless of major, are invited to apply to the Honors Program. Your Honors Program application decision has no bearing on your admission decision to the College. Students can be accepted to the College without being invited to the Honors Program.

First-year admission into the Honors Program is determined by the  Honors Program Director  and the  Office of Undergraduate Admission .

The Honors Program selection process is competitive and only those first-year students  applying  for September Admission are eligible. Selection is based on personal and academic qualities and potential, such as:

• Strong analytical and writing skills, as demonstrated by the supplemental essay
• Excellent academic performance in a challenging high school curriculum
• Commitment to community and service
• Creative accomplishments
• Demonstrated leadership

To remain in the Honors Program, students must maintain a 3.3 (B+) cumulative quality point average and a 3.0 (B) average in Honors courses. 

Application Requirements

To be considered for the Honors Program, incoming first-year students must complete the following:

• Complete all  general requirements for undergraduate admission  by the appropriate deadlines.
• Complete and submit a 400 to 600 word Honors Program essay by November 15 (for Early Decision I and Early Action candidates), January 16 (for Early Decision II candidates) or February 1 (for Regular Admission candidates). This essay is in addition to the Common Application and Application Supplements required by the Office of Undergraduate Admission. The essay may either be uploaded with the Common Application at the time of submission or may be uploaded within the Admission Portal after submitting your Undergraduate application.

Contact the Office of Admission  at 617-824-8600 or admission [at] emerson.edu (admission[at]emerson[dot]edu) to learn more about applying.

Selection into the Honors Program for rising sophomores is determined by the Honors Program Director. Because the program adheres to strict enrollment numbers, the number of open spaces is very limited. A select number of sophomore applicants are admitted into the Honors Program each fall. Rising sophomore students chosen for the Honors Program are recognized for their intellectual and creative achievements at Emerson.

Students are notified of their admission to the Honors Program by early to mid-June. Sophomore admits will take the Sophomore Honors Seminars during the Fall and Spring of their sophomore year (HS 201/2). Though students admitted into the program as rising sophomores will not take the First-Year Honors Seminars (HS101 and HS102/103), they must fulfill their Literary Perspective and US Diversity general education requirements.

Each rising sophomore student admitted to the Honors Program is awarded a Trustees Scholarship, which is renewable annually up to a maximum of six semesters, as long as the student remains in the Honors Program and is enrolled as a full-time Emerson student. Students needing to attend fewer than six semesters to complete their degree will only receive the scholarship for those semesters. The scholarship can only be applied to undergraduate level courses in fall and spring semesters, not winter or summer term. The Trustees Scholarship supersedes any previous scholarship offer that may have been made by the institution.

All materials must be submitted to the Marlboro Institute for Liberal Arts via the online application system by May 1 . The application system will be available beginning April 1 .

This includes:

• Completed Application Form, available via the online application system
• Letter of application (1–2 pages, double-spaced) stating your reasons for applying, detailing what you can contribute to the Honors Program’s community of scholars, and why you want to write an honors thesis. 
• A short essay addressing the topic of the Honors Admission essay found on application form.
• An academic writing sample from a class at Emerson (critical or expository essay).
• Two letters of recommendation from Emerson faculty members. Applicants will select the names of their professors directly via the online application, and faculty will be notified to upload their letter. (One letter should be from your first-year IN seminar instructor, the second from either a professor in one of your liberal arts classes or a professor in one of your major courses.) 
• Unofficial transcripts of courses taken at Emerson College and elsewhere

Contact Honors Program Director Jon Honea at jon_honea [at] emerson.edu (jon_honea[at]emerson[dot]edu) or Associate Director in the Marlboro Institute for Liberal Arts Nicole Martignetti at Nicole_Martignetti [at] emerson.edu (nicole_martignetti[at]emerson[dot]edu) to learn more about applying.

Please respond to the following in 400–600 words: We often use metaphors to help us understand our world and persuade others. Write about a metaphor that you think is powerful, and explore its potential to be helpful and/or harmful in your thinking.

Our Honors Program allows you to take advantage of individual advising, special lectures, interdisciplinary fulfillment of Emerson’s general education requirements, collaborative research projects, and special extracurricular activities. You will also receive mentoring and interact with peers from across all years of the Honors Program. Through social events and community service projects, you become an integral part of the Honors Program’s “community of learners.”

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Honors College Essay: Tips, Prompt Examples and How to Write

Writing honors college essay

An honors college essay is an academic paper that students typically complete to establish entrance into an honors college, program, or division. An honors paper seeks to test students’ research skills and focus their analytical abilities on a subject of academic interest. 

Due to the specialized focus of the paper, students benefit from serious attention to the college essay topics, which are vital in developing the essay.

An Honors College essay is unique in terms of its requirements, structure, and background. The purpose of this article is to provide advice on writing and structuring an Honors College essay.

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Which Universities do Ask for Honors College Essay

1. uci (university of california irvine) .

The UCI has two programs, the Academic Honors Program and the Honors Program. Both are popular with many members. They are not mutually exclusive, but they have different requirements and different goals.

The Academic Honors Program is for students who want to get recognized by their professors for academic achievement. It does not require an essay but several letters of recommendation from faculty members.

You should not apply to either program if you are only interested in one or the other because there is no guarantee that either program will accept your application or that you will gain acceptance into either program.

2. VCU (Virginia Commonwealth University)

The applicants must complete the 500-word Essay on Honors. The essay should address the following topics:

• Your interests and goals, especially as they pertain to your intended major(s) and career path(s). How do you feel about being a lifelong learner?
• Your ideas about leadership, including h
• How you would define leadership, what your leadership style is, how you would use your abilities as a leader to positively impact your community in and out of college, and how you would lead if given the opportunity.

3. NJT (New Jersey Institute of Technology)

NJT requires you to write an essay and submit it along with your application.

These honors college essays usually focus on your intellectual interests and experiences, using specific examples to illustrate your points. It’s essential to select an area you are interested in and know about. 

You should also pick something that you can write about easily; it will be evident if you are writing a research paper or other academic work instead of an honors college essay, so don’t try to fake it!

4. Purdue University

Purdue University’s Honors College focuses on scholarship, leadership, research, and engagement by integrating residential and co-curricular learning opportunities with academic classroom experiences.

Your college application essay needs to breathe life into your application. It should capture your genuine personality, explaining who you are beyond a series of grades, test scores, and after-school activities. 

Take a minute and think about the college or university admission officers who will be reading your essay.

5. Stony Brook University

The Stony Brook Honors College provides an exceptional opportunity for students who want to pursue a challenging course of study in the company of talented peers. Your essay should be no longer than three double-spaced pages and should address certain questions.

It is an opportunity to explain an event that took place on any day in history; what would that event be? Discuss why you chose this particular day. Also, as this question, what do you hope to learn/experience by being present?

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How to Write a Good Honors College Essay

Honors college essays follow a formal style with a clear structure. To get your honors college essay, follow these tips:

• Think about the prompt and what you want to say.
• Brainstorm.
• Organize your thoughts into a logical outline.
• Write your introduction.
• End with a conclusion that sums up the main points of your argument and connects those points back to the prompt.

Technically, the honors college essay can be a five-paragraph essay, but it should be more than that.

It should be closer to a 10-paragraph essay, with an introduction and conclusion paragraph that are each about four or five sentences long.

The introduction and conclusion paragraphs should be about the same size. The middle of the essay should be about three paragraphs long, and each of them should be about four to five sentences long.

1. Introduction 

The introduction should have a hook which is a catchy sentence or two that gets the reader interested in reading your essay. Furthermore, it should have an explanation of why you want to go to Honors College: This is usually possible in one sentence. 

Also, there should be a thesis statement. This is usually evident in one sentence at the end of the paragraph. The thesis statement tells the reader what you plan to write about in your essay. For example: “I want to attend honors college because of their strong pre-med program.”

Write the body of your paper using transition words to connect your ideas and explain the connections between them.

The middle paragraphs should include an explanation of why you have chosen your career path and why you are interested. 

3. Conclusion

End with a strong conclusion that ties together everything you discussed within your paper, providing important takeaways for readers as well as leaving them feeling satisfied with what they just read.

Takeaways 

• You are writing an essay, not a text message. In other words, please use complete sentences and correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation. If proper English is not your strong suit, enlist someone proficient at it to help edit your essay.
• Be specific about what you want to study and why. Do not just say that you want an education; tell the reader what kind of education you want and why. This is particularly important if you plan to study something that you did not find at your high school. 
• The readers do not expect you to know everything about the field you plan to enter. They expect that you give serious consideration to it and explain why you want to pursue it beyond the fact that “it sounds interesting” or “it pays well.”
• Proofread your essays before sending them in. Errors will distract from whatever else is in those essays and may give us a negative impression of your abilities.

Things to Remember about Honor Essays

The honors essay is one of your best chances to stand out in a meaningful way from other applicants, so be sure to invest time in crafting a great response.

The admission office is looking for the following:

• The office wants to know that you understand what makes the honors program special. We have a diverse group of students and faculty who are passionate about learning and interacting across disciplines.
• What do you think this will mean for you? How will you take advantage of being in an environment that values interdisciplinary thinking?
• Your accomplishments. Let the audience know your talents. Have you excelled academically? What leadership roles have you taken on, or awards have you won? They want to discover what drives your passion for learning, leadership, and service.
• Your plans for the future. The honors program will prepare you for success beyond your skills, whether that’s graduate school or medical school, or a career in a completely different field. 

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Examples of Honors College Essay Topics

• Considering your lifetime goals, explain how your present and future academic activities will assist you in achieving your goals. 
• Settle for an issue of importance to you, whether it is political, personal, local, or international related. Then, craft an essay to explain the significance of that issue to yourself, your community, and your generation. 

When not handling complex essays and academic writing tasks, Josh is busy advising students on how to pass assignments. In spare time, he loves playing football or walking with his dog around the park.

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Albert Dorman Honors College

Tips for Writing an Honors College Essay

Writing an Honors College Essay (Max. 400 words)

A college essay is a chance for you to tell us what all your records cannot: who you really are, how you think, and how well you write. It is not an invitation to tell a story, write a novel, or write about other people's experiences. The main point of your essay is to tell us what you have to offer and how you will take advantage of what we have to offer .

• Write an essay that addresses the topic specified  on the application form. A general essay about yourself or an experience you had is not acceptable.
• Do not write your essay as if it were a novel. "The baby cried until it had to be comforted by its mother;" "I could not believe as I walked into my first class that this was the beginning of my engineering career." These tell us nothing about yourself. Regardless of what you may have been told in school, write a straightforward descriptive essay that directly addresses the question asked.
• Avoid clichéd, generic, and predictable writing, such as "I want to help people." This is particularly applicable to essays for accelerated program candidates.
• Do not quote our own description of our program. We know what we have to offer; we are interested in knowing what you have to offer and how you will use what we offer . Tell us about your interests and why the Albert Dorman Honors College is the right place for you.

Florida State University

FSU | University Honors Program

University Honors Program

Division of Undergraduate Studies

High School Students

The FSU and University Honors Program/Presidential Scholars Program applications are currently closed. 

To apply to the Florida State University Honors Program and the Presidential Scholars Program, potential students must complete following steps:

1. APPLY TO FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY

To be considered for the University Honors Program and the Presidential Scholars Program, first-year applicants must first submit a complete application to Florida State University (including all required materials) by December 1, 2023, and select "Yes" to the question “Are you interested in applying to the Honors Program?”

• When applying through the FSU Application, this question is located on the Additional Academic History page.
• When applying through the Common App, this question is located under Academics in the Questions section.

Once the university application has been submitted, please allow some time for the University Honors Application to become available on the Application Status Check. For students applying through the Common App, this may take up to 48 hours.

Note: The application essay for the  Presidential Scholars Program  is the same as the University Honors Program application essay.

2. COMPLETE THE HONORS PROGRAM APPLICATION ESSAY

Students must indicate their interest in and complete their supplemental University Honors Program application essay by 11:59 pm EST on December 1, 2023, to be considered for the University Honors Program and the Presidential Scholars Program.

The University Honors Program Application asks applicants to submit a supplemental short answer response to the following prompt:

FSU’s Honors Signature Courses encourage curiosity; intellectual breadth; the ability to analyze and integrate knowledge across disciplines; and self-driven learning. Design an Honors Signature Course that includes these characteristics while addressing a societal problem or complex issue. Name the course, describe the societal issue, and explain why it is important to you or your community. How would you engage with this issue as an honors student on our campus and beyond?

Applicants will be evaluated based on a holistic approach including, but not limited to, grades and strength of curriculum, honors and awards, extracurricular achievements, unique individual talents, quality of the Honors prompt response, and test scores.

Applicants will be notified of whether they were admitted to the University Honors Program on February 15, 2024.   

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Undergraduate Admissions

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.

As an honors student, you'll be part of a group that fosters intellectual curiosity, leadership, and change.

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

Every college at UIUC 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 General 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.

Want more info?

• University Honors College >
• Admissions >

Honors students stand out—and stand apart. Show us your intellectual curiosity; your commitment to diversity, inclusion and civic engagement; your resilience in the face of adversity; and your ownership of your own education, and you could be one of those selected to join the Honors College.

What We Look For

The Honors College aims to build a community that is diverse in its talents, interests and backgrounds. Successful applicants typically: 

• Represent the top 10% of incoming first-year students.
• Are intellectually curious.
• Demonstrate a commitment to civic engagement.
• Have shown resilience.
• Take ownership of their education.

If you’re interested in joining this highly talented community—if this is exactly the kind of extraordinary experience you’ve hoped to find in a college—your first step is to apply.

How to Apply to the Honors College

First-year students (current high school students), apply to ub.

Interested students must apply for  admission to the University at Buffalo.

Coalition for College

If you’re submitting the Coalition for College application, you can apply to the Honors College in the Academics section.

If you’re submitting the Common Application (Common App), you can apply to the Honors College in the Academics section.

If you’re applying with the State University of New York (SUNY) Application, please complete the Honors College supplemental application .

Honors Essay

As part of the application process, we ask you to write an essay so we can learn more about you.

Early Assurance & Dual Admissions Programs

UB and the Honors College offer a number of programs that can help you earn multiple degrees, or get admitted to a specific program.

Deadline for Merit Scholarships

To be considered for a merit scholarship, your general application for admission to the University at Buffalo (either SUNY or Common Application) must be on file and complete (including all supplemental materials) by Dec. 8, 2023.

Rolling Admissions

Offers of admission to the Honors College are made on a rolling basis. Preference is given to applications received by Dec. 8, 2023.

Some students start their first year at UB as non-Honors students, and then apply to the Honors College after their first year. While this is always an option, we encourage you to apply to the Honors College as you’re applying to UB, so you have all of the opportunities available to Honors scholars.

Current UB Students & Transfer Students

If you currently attend UB, or you’re transferring to UB from another college or university, we welcome you to apply for the Honors College. Current UB students and transfer students follow the same application process for the Honors College; the only difference is that transfer students must also be admitted to UB.

Oct. 1 for fall admission.

March 1 for spring admission.

Application Requirements

• Current UB students and transfer students are welcome to apply to Honors once they have at least 45 completed credit hours (including transfer and AP credits). While students can apply any time after that point, we find that our most successful admits apply when they have three or more semesters remaining until graduation.
• GPA of at least 3.5.
• One letter of reference from faculty submitted to [email protected] . Letters from TAs, graduate students, academic advisors, employers and coaches will not be accepted.
• There is more to being a UB Honors scholar than earning good grades. In 500 words or less, please share what you believe defines an Honors scholar outside of academic achievement  and how your undergraduate activities, choices and plans align with that description.
•  One of the hallmarks of the UB Honors College is our students' intellectual curiosity. In 500 words or less, discuss one current topic/issue that interests you and how it might be approached from multiple perspectives or disciplines.
• A completed  Honors Program Application for Current UB Students and Transfer Students .

Attend an Information Session

Please plan to attend an information session if you are interested in applying to the Honors College as a current UB student. Transfer students are also welcome. Information sessions are typically held during the first week or two of each semester. You do not have to pre-register for in-person sessions (only for remote sessions.)

All aspects of the application process and requirements will be covered at these meetings.

• Monday, Jan. 29, 11:30 a.m. in Capen 107.
• Thursday, Feb. 1, 1 p.m. in Capen 107.
• Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2 p.m. in Capen 107.
• Thursday, Feb. 15, 3 p.m. in Capen 107.
• Friday, Feb. 16, 10 a.m. in Capen 107.

Singapore (UB-SIM) Students

We welcome UB Singapore students to apply for the Honors College.

When to Apply

• No incoming first-semester students (including transfer students) will be admitted immediately in the fall.
• The application period will open after the end of spring semester to continuing students admitted in the Spring semester or prior. (For example, for Fall 2024 admissions, we will accept applications from students admitted in Spring 2024 or earlier.)
• Ideally students should have four or more semesters remaining before graduation.
• Transfer credits are acceptable and students should submit a copy of their transfer work transcript with their application along with their UB transcript.
• UB GPA of at least 3.5.
• One letter of reference from UB faculty, including local instructors teaching for the SIM-UB program, should submitted to  [email protected] . Letters from TAs, graduate students, academic advisors, employers and coaches will not be accepted.
• There is much more to being a UB Honors Scholar than earning good grades. In 500 words or less, please share what you believe defines an Honors Scholar  outside of academic achievement , and how your undergraduate activities, choices and plans align with that description.
• One of the hallmarks of a UB Honors Scholar is our students’ intellectual curiosity. In 500 words or less, discuss one topic/issue today that interests you, and how it might be approached from multiple perspectives or disciplines.
• A completed  Honors Program Application .

Admissions Decisions

SIM-UB Honors applications will be evaluated by a committee that includes Honors College and International Education staff. Students will be selected by:

• Overall GPA
• Strength of schedule
• Consistency, breadth, and depth of extracurricular activities
• Demonstration of leadership potential
• The quality of the essays

Important Dates

• June 1 – Spring grades can be taken into consideration
• Aug 1 –Releasing decision by early August will allow students to plan their Fall courses to include HON255 before the start of Fall semester.

For More Information

University Honors College

106 Capen Hall

Phone: 716-645-3020; Fax: 716-645-3368

Email: [email protected]

UB Undergraduate Admissions

Join Us First-Year Students

Thank you for your interest in the Schreyer Honors College at Penn State!

The Honors College promotes achieving academic excellence with integrity, building a global perspective, and creating opportunities for leadership and civic engagement. Our student body is dynamic, diverse, and driven to change the world for the better.

We offer highly motivated high school students a rigorous undergraduate academic experience that combines all of the resources of one of the country's largest research institutions with all the benefits of a small liberal arts college.

More Than A Test Score Application Components

Application.

• Short Answers

Recommendations

• Academic Record
• Alumni Interview

To apply to the Schreyer Honors College, you'll need to complete two separate applications: the Penn State undergraduate application and the Schreyer Honors College application. We suggest you work on both applications at the same time, submitting the Penn State application first, and the Schreyer Honors College application second.

Application Platforms

The link to the Schreyer Honors College application will be displayed in the application portal once you indicate your interest in the Honors College.

Your Penn State and Schreyer applications are evaluated separately; decisions are made independently on the two applications.

Use whichever application platform you prefer, just remember to leave enough time to submit by the deadline!

Essay Questions

The Schreyer Honors College first-year application will have two essay questions, in addition to several shorter prompts. These questions change on a yearly basis and are meant to elicit well-written, comprehensive responses. Each essay response has a maximum word count of 800 words.

The essay questions are an opportunity to present your best self to the review committee, and there is no right answer to the prompts. Rather, reviewers will consider how or why you take a specific approach to each question looking for well-reasoned, consistent, and persuasive responses.

2024 Essay Questions

• Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma - anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could take to identify a solution.
• Isaac Asimov wrote: “Any book worth banning is a book worth reading.” Do you agree? Is such censorship ever justified? If not, explain why. If so, who or what should determine which books are read and which books are forbidden.

Get started on your essays early — they are released on our website in July.

There is no right or wrong essay answer — just answer the question to the best of your ability. Our questions are designed to push you to think, do some research, and apply your knowledge. Be honest, be genuine, and allow your character and personality shine through your writing.

Short Answer Questions

The Schreyer Honors College asks a handful of short answer questions to obtain information regarding honors and achievements, leadership positions, activities and service. These questions have a 200 word limit and may change without notice, so please be sure to check back before starting your application.

2024 Short Answer Questions

• What do you hope to get at Penn State as a Schreyer Scholar to help you accomplish your future goals and aspirations?
• If you were able to go anywhere in the world, outside of the country you currently reside, where would you go and why?
• Tell us about your leadership experiences (community roles, family contributions, research, clubs, organizations, etc.) and why leadership is important to you. Describe the challenges and/or successes you’ve faced in these roles.
• List awards or other recognitions you have received in or outside of school over the last 4 years. Which award or recognition means the most to you and why.
• Tell us about a book or other media that has made you think about something in a new way.
• Consider a time when you had to collaborate with individuals from diverse backgrounds or with different perspectives. How did this experience contribute to your personal growth and understanding of others?
• Everyone belongs to many different communities and/or groups, including: shared geography, faith, ethnicity, income, cuisine, interest, race, or intellectual heritage. Choose one of the communities or groups to which you belong and describe how it has influenced your life over the last four years.
• Please use this space to share information you would like us to consider that has not been discussed elsewhere in your Schreyer Honors College application. This could include obstacles you’ve overcome, something you’re proud of that is not discussed elsewhere, or anything else you choose.

Want to share your creative talents and accomplishments? You're welcome to submit this information electronically via the last short answer question.

As with the essay questions, we want to get to know who you really are. Let the true you shine through.

As part of the Schreyer Honors College application process, potential Scholars are required to submit a minimum of two and a maximum of 4 letters of recommendation. Recommendations can be from a teacher, a guidance counselor, a coach, or club advisor.

Common Application

If your school uses a system that connects to the Common App and you applied to Penn State through the Common App, your letters of recommendation that you submitted through your school's system or via the Common App will be sent to the Honors College. No further action is necessary.

If you are working with a recommender who is not affiliated with your school and they cannot submit a letter of recommendation through your school's system, please follow the directions below.

Alternate Instructions

If one of your recommenders is unable to submit their letter of recommendation via the Common App, Naviance or SCOIR, please follow the instructions below.

• Print the Letter of Recommendation Cover Sheet
• Fill out the cover sheet completely
• Give the cover sheet to your recommender.
• The recommender should include both the completed cover sheet and their letter of recommendation in an e-mail to [email protected]

Please be considerate by giving your recommender ample time to complete and submit recommendations on your behalf. Also, please do not ask recommenders to upload recommendations via multiple methods as this will greatly slow down the processing of your application.

The methods outline above are the only methods through which letters of recommendation will be received. Please do not send recommendations to the Penn State Undergraduate Admissions Office as doing so will delay processing of the documents.

Note: It is solely the applicant's responsibility to ensure that all required documents are received by the final deadline of December 4 at 11:59 PM EST.

Schools that participate with Naviance or use The Common Application may upload recommendations to Penn State through these portals.

Alternatively, letters may be sent via e-mail to [email protected] .

Self-Reported Academic Record

Your Self-Reported Academic Record (SRAR) must be submitted as part of your Penn State application. This process replaces having school counselors send academic transcripts for each applicant.

The Schreyer Honors College will review and rate your academic record as it relates to the opportunities offered at your particular high school.

We do not use standardized test scores in our evaluation as we've found them to be an inaccurate predictor of student success. In our opinion, one of the best predictors of future performance is prior performance; therefore, your course load and academic rigor in high school are the most important pieces of information we review.

Make sure to enter your grades exactly as they appear on your high school transcript.

If you are offered admission to Penn State, your final high school transcript will be sent to the University.

Optional Alumni Interview

If we receive your application by November 1, you will be invited to participate in an optional interview as part of the selection process.

The goal of this interview is to have a comfortable conversation with one of our alumni volunteers. They are eager to meet you, learn more about your interest in the Schreyer Honors College and share with you some of their Penn State experiences.

Please note that as this is an optional interview, your application will not be negatively impacted if you are not able to participate.

Our admissions interview is not intended to make you nervous or afraid — our alumni just want to have a conversation with you and get to know you better.

Interviews usually last half an hour, keep that in mind and use this time wisely.

Stay on Track First-Year Admission Checklist

Use this at-a-glance checklist to keep your Schreyer application on track.

June & July

October & november, march & april, visit penn state & the schreyer honors college.

There is no better way to see if a college is right for you than by setting foot on campus and getting a feel for the place. Not able to visit in the summer? Don't worry — Penn State has visitations year-round!

Begin Working on Your Essays

The Schreyer Honors College essay questions are posted in mid-July to give you plenty of time to craft well-written, comprehensive responses by our application deadlines.

Create a MyPennState Account

Create a MyPennState account, and explore the Penn State University undergraduate application website. Learn about application requirements, academics, student life, and costs. Plus, you can chat with a current Penn State student.

Schreyer and Penn State Applications Open

The Penn State undergraduate admissions application and the Schreyer Honors College application open on August 1. There are two portals available through which you can apply to both Penn State and the Schreyer Honors College — MyPennState and the Common Application. Students are encouraged to indicate their interest in applying to the Schreyer Honors College on the Common Application. If a student indicates they are not interested in applying or would like to apply at a later date and have submitted their Penn State undergraduate admissions application they can still access the Schreyer Honors College application through MyPennState.

Attend Scholars Day

This annual fall open house gives you a comprehensive look at what Penn State and the Schreyer Honors College have to offer.

Penn State Early Action & Optional Interview Deadline

The early application deadline for Penn State is November 1. Students who apply by this date will receive a decision from the University by December 24.

If you submit your application by 11:59 PM EST on November 1, you will be eligible to schedule an optional alumni interview. Please note that only your application is due by this date; your letters of recommendation may come later.

Note: All the materials for the Schreyer Honors College application must be submitted online. If you wish to submit applications that are audio or visual representations of your work, publish them online and include links in the appropriate section of the Honors College application. No offline material will be accepted or reviewed.

Admissions Interview Signup Opens

The Admissions Interview portal will open for students who have submitted their Honors College application. Interview spaces are limited and assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. All interviews must be scheduled and completed between November 10 and January 16.

Final Application Submission Deadline

If you weren't able to finish the application by the priority deadline in November, our final submission deadline is December 4. In order to meet this deadline, you must have submitted an application for both Penn State and the Schreyer Honors College and have submitted all of the required documentation for both applications by December 4 at 11:59 PM EST .

Recommendation Letters

All letters of recommendation must be submitted online by December 4 at 11:59 PM EST .

Admissions Decision

Look for your Schreyer Honors College admission decision online in mid February to early March . We'll notify you in advance by e-mail of the date and time our admissions decisions go live. Good luck!

If you have been accepted to Penn State, consider waiting until you have your Schreyer decision to schedule your accepted student visit.

Accepted Student Receptions

If you have been accepted to the Schreyer Honors College, consider attending one of our many Accepted Student Receptions held in March and April. Information regarding these events will be posted online.

Offer Acceptance and Housing Selection Deadlines

The deadline for accepting a Penn State and Schreyer Honors College offer is May 15 at 11:59 PM EST . Incoming Scholars also need to select their on-campus housing option by May 20.

New Student Orientation

Information about New Student Orientation (NSO) for incoming first-year Scholars will be posted soon.

What We Look For Application Review Process

While the Penn State Undergraduate Admissions Office will evaluate your credentials for admission to the University, the Schreyer Honors College will conduct its own evaluation. These evaluations are conducted completely independently of each other, however, your entrance into the Honors College depends on receiving an offer from Penn State.

Schreyer is ultimately looking for well-rounded students that excel both inside and outside of the classroom. We pride ourselves on fostering a diverse community of difference makers here in the Honors College and keep that in mind as we review applications.

Selection Committee

As part of your evaluation, your application will be read by at least two members of our Selection Committee. Applications are assigned to these readers randomly and are anonymized as much as possible. Selection Committee members will read and rate (via a norming process) all of their assigned applications. These ratings, along with reader comments, are used to help determine your admissions decision.

Optional Admissions Interview

If you apply by the optional interview date (November 1), you will have the opportunity to request an optional admissions interview with a Scholar alumnus/alumna. Interview availability is offered on a first-come, first-served basis, so please register as soon as possible if you are interested. Every attempt will be made to match alumni volunteers with applicants, but due to alumni availability, the College cannot guarantee that every request will be honored.

Alumni interviewers are asked to submit ratings and comments based on the conversation they have with you. Just be yourself and let your passion shine through. The interview is also an opportunity for applicants to learn more about life as a Scholar at Penn State.

Please note that alumni interviews are completely optional. The applications of students who do not select or were unable to participate in the optional alumni interview are not negatively impacted. Final admissions decisions are based on the material submitted as part of the student application.

Schreyer’s research requirement has compelled me to augment my classroom studies with hands-on research in my field, which will strengthen my knowledge in my field of aerospace. The Schreyer Honors College was integral in my acceptance into a highly selective study abroad “Engineers Made in Germany” that focused on the automotive industry, complete with a scholarship to help defray the cost. Clifford Stueck ' 22 Aerospace Engineering

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About honors, honors paths.

The University of Washington Honors Program adds rich dimension to one of the world’s top research universities for undergraduates who are up to the challenge. Students have three options to benefit from our Program: as an interdisciplinary education track , as an in-depth program within their majors , or as a combination of the two . Our core interdisciplinary curriculum promotes expansive critical thinking, engaged global citizenship, and comprehensive learning that builds resilience and collaborative practice. Students may apply to the Honors Program as new freshmen , at the end of their first year , or once they’ve selected a major .

Honors News

Olivia brandon: public health, honors, and horses, memorializing professor rick freeman, lillian williamson – fulbright in spain, upcoming honors events, 1961 year founded, 38 countries explored via study abroad, 91% participate in undergrad research.

Connect with UW Honors:

Mary Gates Hall 211, Box 352800 Seattle, WA 98195-2800 Contact Us Office Hours: Mon-Thur, 10am-4pm, Friday by Online Appointment Only. For details click here .

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Honor Scholar Program Admission Essay Prompts

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Admission Essay Prompts

Before you begin your essay....

Like the Honor Scholar Program itself, these essays address a variety of topics and represent different kinds of opportunities for thought. The topics may touch on sensitive issues; they may challenge you to think in ways to which you are not accustomed. Because creativity and analytical ability are part of the essence of our program, we think that you will find these essays both challenging and rewarding to consider and write about.

Read all the prompts carefully, think about them, and then choose one for your essay. Remember—there are no right answers here—think of this challenge as an opportunity for you to explore interesting issues and build a case for your point of view. The Honor Scholar Program takes the essays seriously, and we worked hard to generate questions at once diverse and engaging.

Because the Honor Scholar program also takes you and your ideas very seriously—both now and after you arrive—at least two faculty members will carefully read your essay. You should be aware that the essay and the interview that may follow are the most important factors in admission for the Honor Scholar Program. The Honor Scholar Program does not simply look at your test scores and GPA to gauge admission. We believe that the intellectual curiosity, engagement, and interest we want in our students manifest more clearly in written work (the essay) and personal interaction (the interview) than in SAT or ACT scores. So, take the essay seriously and use this opportunity to show us what you can do! YOUR ESSAY RESPONSE.   Choosing one prompt below, respond in an essay of about 500 words. Remember, this is a  soft  word limit.  

• Please  double space  your text and  include your name and mailing address  at the top of your essay.
• Save and title your response as your last name, first name (e.g., Einstein, Albert) in either a Word or PDF file. 

PROMPT OPTION 1: BOOKS OUTSIDE A FLOODED HOME, NEW ORLEANS 

What does this image say to you?  You may take any approach or perspective you like in responding to the photograph.  That is, you could tell a story based on the photo, look at it as a piece of art, or comment on the economic, political, social, or environmental meanings it might convey.

PROMPT OPTION 2: HEALTH, RESPONSIBILITY, AND COMMUNITY

 Public health scientist Thomas Oliver wrote in 2006:

“[p]ublic health commonly involves governmental action to produce outcomes— injury and disease prevention or health promotion—that individuals are unlikely or unable to produce by themselves...[a] political community stresses a shared bond among members: organized society safeguards the common goods of health, welfare, and security, while members subordinate themselves to the welfare of the community as a whole. Public health can be achieved only through collective action, not through individual endeavor.” 

 This perspective may be widely accepted in public health, but it “runs counter to a fundamental emphasis on property rights, economic individualism, and competition in American political culture” as Oliver observes.

Considering recent global health crises such as COVID, Ebola, Zika, obesity, and others that threaten us, what should the role of government or international organizations be in the regulation and promotion of individual and/or the public’s health? 

Reference:  Oliver, T. (2006).  Annual Review of Public Health .  27 , 195-233. doi: 10.1146/annurev.publhealth.25.101802.123126

PROMPT OPTION 3: I CONTAIN MULTITUDES

 According to Islamic law, traditional Muslim values, and common understanding, alcohol is prohibited in Islam. Yet, in a recent book, Shahab Ahmed begins by juxtaposing the two thought pieces indented below: the first comes from Walt Whitman’s poem, “Song of Myself”; the second is an anecdote about Muslim cultural practice.

Read both and discuss what you think Ahmed is trying to communicate by bringing these insights together.

         Do I contradict myself?          Very well, then, I contradict myself.          (I am large, I contain multitudes).                                                    ----Walt Whitman

          Some years ago, …I witnessed a revealing exchange between an eminent            European philosopher…and a Muslim scholar….The Muslim colleague was            indulging in a glass of wine. Evidently troubled by this, the distinguished don            eventually asked “Do you consider yourself a Muslim?” “Yes,” came the reply.             “How come, then, you are drinking wine?” The Muslim colleague smiled gently.            “My family have been Muslims for a thousand years,” he said, “during which time           we have  always  been drinking wine….You see, we are  Muslim  wine-drinkers.” The           questioner looked bewildered. "I don’t understand,” he said.  “Yes, I know,” replied            his native informant, “but I do.”

 Reference:  Ahmed, S.  (2015).   What is Islam?   Princeton, NJ:  Princeton University Press.  

PROMPT OPTION 4: HUMAN OR MACHINE?

  “...you don’t remember a world without robots. There was a time when humanity faced the universe alone and without a friend. Now he has creatures to help him; stronger creatures than himself, more faithful, more useful, and absolutely devoted to him. Mankind is no longer alone. Have you ever thought of it that way?” Dr. Susan Calvin in  I, Robot , p. xi

In 1950, Isaac Asimov imagined a future world in which verbal and sentient robots would be virtually indistinguishable from human beings. In June of 2021, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), granted the neurotech company Synchron approval to begin testing brain implants on humans. More recently (Feb. 2022), a Swiss research team announced that a completely paralyzed man was able to walk again thanks to electrical implants in his spine. As science and society push us ever closer to making Asimov’s imagined future a reality, we invite you to consider the advantages and disadvantages of that future, and what we could or should be doing in the present to ensure that humanity survives. 

References:  Asimov, Isaac.  I, Robot. Random House, 1950. “FDA grant regulatory approval to start testing brain implant on humans” Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, 2 Aug. 2021,   https://ai-med.io/more-news/fda-grant-regulatory-approval-to-start-testing-brain-implant-on-humans/ . Accessed 15 Feb. 2022. “Paralysed man with severed spine walks thanks to implant” BBC online, 7 Feb. 2022,  https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-60258620 . Accessed 15 Feb. 2022.

Apply to the Honors College

Apply to the John V. Roach Honors College

Any student wishing to join the honors college must complete the supplemental honors application after submitting their application to TCU. The supplement includes two essays, one required and one of your choice. 

Question #1: Common Question

Please respond to this essay prompt using no more than 500 words. 

In The New Education, Dr. Cathy Davidson writes “The new education must prepare our students to thrive in a world of flux, to be ready no matter what comes next. It must empower them to be leaders of innovation and to be able not only to adapt to a changing world but also to change the world” (255).

In the midst of a complex time shaped by complicated problems and issues, you made the decision to pursue a university education, to engage a course of study, and to apply to the John V. Roach Honors College. Underpinning these decisions are two questions. First, explain what pressing societal concern—international, national, or local—interests or impacts you most? Why do you care about this issue? Second, how do you imagine addressing or engaging that concern as an innovative interdisciplinary student in the John V. Roach Honors College at TCU? Be as specific as space allows and do not include your name in the response.

Question #2: Candidate Choice

Please respond to one of the following three essay prompts using no more than 500 words.

John V. Roach Honors College students are expected to live in Milton Daniel Hall during their first year. There you will meet and become friends with an array of students who bring backgrounds, identities, interests, or talents that are essential to knowing and understanding them. If you have an essential quality or experience that new friends or professors would need to know, then please share your story and explain how that quality or experience defines you. If you choose this question, please note that it must not repeat information shared in the common question. Be as specific as space allows and do not include your name in the response.

The lobby of the John V. Roach Honors College features a wall of virtues. Listed on the wall are the following actions:

• Research Responsibly  
• Inspire Wonder  
• Synthesize Ideas  
• Listen Thoughtfully  
• Build Resilience  
• Explore the World  
• Encourage Connections  
• Think Critically  
• Practice Empathy  
• Respect Dialogue   
• Commit Wholeheartedly   
• Teach Creatively  
• Learn Enthusiastically 
• Cultivate Curiosity    These virtues inspire faculty, staff, and students. They shape the courses you will take and how you will approach learning as an Honors student. Please think about these virtues, your past experiences, and your passion for engaged inquiry. Then, choose one virtue from the list. Please explain that virtue’s significance to you and provide an example of how it illustrates your love for learning. Be as specific as space allows and do not include your name in the responses.
• The John V. Roach Honors College has hosted guest speakers such as NBA legend and civil rights activist Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, education innovator Cathy Davidson, Bill Nye the Science Guy, CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta, and Serial podcast hosts Julie Snyder and Sarah Koenig. This fall we are hosting Lebanese British barrister Amal Clooney and US Poet Laureate Ada Limón. Honors students converse with these guests and learn from their experiences and perspectives. What person or persons, past or present, would you invite to speak at TCU? Why? What questions would you ask? What impact would you want your guest speaker(s) to have on an audience of Honors students? Be as specific as space allows and do not include your name in the response.

Search this site

Clark honors college menu, clark honors college, essay tips & prompt, the clark honors college essay requirements for admission .

Applying to the Clark Honors College requires two different essays:

• One using the Honors College prompt
• One from either the Oregon Application Personal Statement or the Common Application*

The UO general essay topic cannot be used to fulfill the Clark Honors College essay. You must complete both of them. 

(*Note: On the Common Application, the Honors College essay prompt will appear immediately below the honors question on your screen when you answer “yes” to apply.) 

Clark Honors College essay instructions: 

The Honors College strives to be a diverse, welcoming, and inclusive place. When faculty and staff review the applications, they are looking to see how you think and how your mind works. The best essays: 

• demonstrate effective storytelling 
• include thoughtful analysis 
• synthesize themes in a meaningful way 
• give a sense of your personality and unique perspective 

The CHC essay prompt:

Curiosity and breadth of interests are defining characteristics of Clark Honors College students. We value originality and want to learn more about your unique journey and the nature and breadth of your intellectual curiosity.

Please tell us about a specific enthusiasm that showcases your curiosity and intellectual engagement with the world. Your chosen enthusiasm or passion can be from any domain—academic, artistic, scientific, cultural, or any other area that has captivated your interest. Be thoughtful and provide concrete examples to support your response.

Please limit your response to a maximum of 500 words.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Honors and scholars admissions.

The main difference between Honors and Scholars is that the University Honors Program offers a primarily curricular experience, and the Ohio State Scholars Program offers a primarily co-curricular experience. The decision of which program is better for you will typically come down to your personal preference. Consider the following when making your decision:  

• The Honors Program is primarily a curricular experience. Honors students are required to take at least 18 hours of honors quality courses and pursue undergraduate research, culminating their academic experience in a thesis or other capstone experience. Honors students must maintain at least a 3.4 GPA (Business and Pharmacy require a 3.5). Interested students should have a desire to pursue a more rigorous curriculum and have a strong interest in conducting research during their undergraduate career.   
• The Scholars Program focuses mostly on experiential learning outside of the classroom. Students select which of 16 unique Scholars Program themes they would like to apply for, which will guide their experience. Scholars students participate in a required residential community and participate in experiences based around their program theme including a seminar course, social events, service experiences, and career preparation. Scholars students must maintain a 3.0 GPA and should be passionate about the theme of a specific Scholars program and desire a small, close-knit community. 

Incoming first-year students cannot enroll in both the Honors Program and the Scholars Program in their first semester. Upon applying to the university, you will be asked to specify which of these two programs you would like to be considered for admission.  

Please note that your only opportunity to join the Ohio State Scholars Program is as an incoming freshman.  

After meeting the minimum Honors GPA requirement for your college of enrollment (typically a 3.4, or 3.5 if Business or Pharmacy student) and completing at least 12 credit hours, you can apply to be a part of the Honors Program. Therefore, Scholars students who meet Honors Program criteria after being on campus for at least one semester may apply to the Honors Program directly through their college of enrollment and participate in both programs at that time. 

Students should consult their college of enrollment for instructions and requirements for joining the Honors Program.  

No, unfortunately our Scholars programs are only open to new first-year students starting at Ohio State on the Columbus campus during fall semester. 

No, there are not any additional fees associated with being in the Honors Program or any of the Scholars Programs. 

Both the University Honors Program and Ohio State Scholars Programs are “opt-out” programs. A prospective student accepts their offer simply by paying their acceptance fee to the university. Once this fee is paid, no other action is required and the prospective student is officially enrolled in Honors or Scholars. 

Both the University Honors Program and Ohio State Scholars Programs are “opt-out” programs. A prospective student can decline their offer by viewing their offer letter email and pressing the decline/reject button at the bottom of the email.

The Honors Program and Scholars Program each have a competitive holistic review process. Accepted students typically have: 

• Strong academic records  - This category includes the academic/quantitative components of the applicant's file including class rank (GPA), standardized test scores (if they want those considered), and college prep curriculum. The student took full advantage of the academic opportunities (e.g., AP, IB, PSEO, etc.) available at their high school.  The student has impressive test scores and class rank. 
• ​​Extracurricular and/or work experience  -  ​ This category includes the applicant's extracurricular involvement, honors/awards, and work experiences at the time of entry to the university. The student demonstrates dedicated, sustained involvement and leadership roles. The supporting activities essay conveys positive attributes (e.g., creativity, dedication, initiative, leadership, etc.).  The student has received unique recognition above and beyond traditional awards.          
• ​​CommonApp Essay Response​​​​​s -  This category includes the applicant's ability to demonstrate strong analytical and critical thinking skills. The student expresses creativity and willingness to think beyond traditional structures. The essay causes the reader to think and reflect on the topic. The student is able to organize and articulate their thoughts. The essay is free of grammatical errors and is written in a clear and concise manner. ​  
• ​​​Other Attributes  - This category includes the applicant's skills/abilities, and personal/professional characteristics at time of entry to the university. Some examples of personal and professional characteristics include resiliency, integrity, adaptability, persistence, motivation, and intellectual curiosity.  

No, while there are some scholarship opportunities specific to Honors and/or Scholars students, an offer of enrollment in one of these programs does not reflect any decision regarding merit or other scholarships. More information on merit Scholarships can be viewed at  httpundergrad.osu.edu/cost-and-aid/merit-based-Scholarships . The Ohio State University Honors and Scholars Center and Office of Academic Enrichment do not oversee merit scholarships.

There is  not a minimum set of requirements  to be considered for either program. We highly encourage all academically motivated students to learn more about our programs and to submit an application. 

If you are admitted to The Ohio State University Columbus campus and indicated an interest in the Honors Program or Scholars Program on your university application, you will move on to a competitive holistic review process. 

• Decisions regarding acceptance into the University Honors or Ohio State Scholars Program will be sent via email to your address on file with the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. 
• We send notifications on a rolling basis beginning in mid-January and ending in April. 
• If selected, you will only be offered placement in one of our programs. 
• Please be sure to follow all instructions for further action, failure to complete required steps may forfeit your placement. 
• If you are offered placement into one of our programs, additional steps are needed.​ 

If you are offered placement into the Honors Program:  

• ​You will be given Honors affiliation within one week of paying your acceptance fee to The Ohio State University. 
• The deadline to submit the university acceptance fee is  May 1 . 

  If you are offered to move further in the Scholars Program process : 

• You will be instructed to complete an online Scholars Program Interest Form. 
• You will be asked to rank your interest in our 16 Scholars Programs.  
• Failure to complete the Scholars Program Interest Form by the indicated date will forfeit your chance for participating in Scholars.  
• Once you have completed the interest form, you will be notified if you have been accepted into an individual Scholars program placement no later than mid April. 
• You will be awarded your individual Scholars affiliation within one week of paying your acceptance fee to The Ohio State University.  
• The deadline to submit the university acceptance fee is  May 1 .  

Please Note:   Selection for Honors and Scholars is competitive and placement is not decided or guaranteed based solely off of your academic record. 

• If selected, you will only be offered acceptance into one of our programs. 
• All official communication from the Honors and Scholars Center will be sent via email. Notifications will not be mailed to your home address. 

All autumn semester Columbus campus applicants are welcome to apply to the Honors Program or the Scholars Program. Accepted students typically have impressive academic records; quality essays demonstrating strong analytical and critical thinking skills; sustained extra-curricular involvement and leadership abilities; and unique talents and/or aptitudes. 

• Step One : Apply for admission to Ohio State by  November 1.   Note that the application and all required materials (application fee, test scores, transcripts, etc.) are due by the deadline. Visit  apply.osu.edu  for more information. 
• Step Two : Indicate your interest in being considered for the Honors or Scholars Programs on the university application. Select which of the two general programs you'd like to be considered. 
• ​Decisions regarding acceptance into the University Honors or Ohio State Scholars Program will be sent via email to your address on file with the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. 
• We send notifications on a rolling basis beginning in mid-January and ending mid-April. 
• If selected, you will only be offered placement in  one  of our programs. 
• Please be sure to follow all instructions for further action; failure to complete required steps may forfeit your placement.

University Honors Program

Honors Housing is optional for incoming Honors students. Honors Housing offers some benefits in providing access to programs and activities designed specifically for Honors students, but Honors students living in other residence halls will have access to these opportunities even if they do not live in one of our designated halls.The Honors residence halls are Bradley, Lincoln, and Taylor. 

At this time, our roommate policy for Honors Housing is under review. More details will be released in spring about roommates in Honors Housing.  

Regardless of your major or college or enrollment, the honors standards are the same for every Honors student. However, different college or specialized honors programs may have different opportunities or required coursework to meet the standards. Please visit our college or specialized honors programs page to learn more .  

There are many benefits students enjoy as a part of being a part of the Honors Program. These include but are not limited to:  

• Over 350 sections of Honors courses led by Ohio State’s world-class faculty, often with a more rigorous or faster-paced curriculum, averaging fewer than 25 students per class. 
• Access to a specialized Honors advisor in your college. 
• University-level priority course scheduling, to assist you in arranging your honors courses and research requirements with your major course schedule.  
• Graduate “with Honors” and/or “with Honors Research Distinction” on your diploma. 
• Opportunity to live in one of our Honors residential communities, with access to programs and activities designed specifically for Honors students.  

Ohio State Scholars Program

Yes, Scholars students are required to live in their designated residence hall during their first year unless they are a commuter student or student with an approved housing exception. The residential living component is an important part of our Scholars Program activities. Scholars students will be matched with roommates from their Scholars Program and will not be able to bring in non-Scholars roommates. 

In order to be correctly placed with your Scholars program, you must complete your residence hall contract and submit your housing fee by the deadline. Housing assignments are made based upon the date when students submit their residence hall contracts online. Depending upon demand for Scholars housing, it is possible for it to reach capacity.  Therefore, Scholars housing is not guaranteed.  While contracts submitted after the deadline will still be accepted, housing will be unable to accommodate these late submissions with their Scholars cohort.  

No, you can be enrolled in any major and apply to be a part of any of our 16 Scholars programs. We encourage students to pursue a theme they are passionate about, regardless of their major.  

There are many benefits students enjoy as a part of being a part of the Scholars Program. These include but are not limited to:  

• Choice of 16 Scholars Programs offering themed experiences for students outside of the classroom including social, service, and career opportunities.  
• Live with your fellow Scholars cohort members in a designated residence hall as a part of your Scholars Living Learning Community.  
• Take a first-year seminar course with your Scholars cohort all about your program theme and how to make the most of your Scholars experience.  
• Have opportunities to network with your peers and be involved as a part of your Scholars Leadership Council.  ​​​​
• Have access to your Scholars Program Manager, the staff member leading your Scholars Program and serving as an expert in your respective Scholars theme.  
• Receive college-level priority course scheduling to meet Scholars participation requirements. 
• Graduate with a Milestone: “completed Ohio State Scholars Program” on your university transcript.​ 

Stamps Eminence Scholarship Program

No. There is a separate application process for the Stamps Eminence Scholarship Program. Decisions on admission to each program will be rendered separately.

Yes. All students that receive the Stamps Eminence Scholarship must be Honors students. If a student has applied for the Ohio State Scholars program and the Stamp Eminence Scholarship Program and is selected as a finalist for the Stamps Eminence program, they will be moved into the Honors program.

The link and information regarding the Stamps Eminence Scholarship Program application details, deadline, and instructions can be found here .

No, only U.S. citizens and permanent residents are eligible to apply.

Miscellaneous

Yes, our front desk staff at the University Honors and Scholars Center is staffed by our own Honors and Scholars students. Prospective students can call our office at 614-292-3135 during our regular office hours and speak to one of our student office employees. You can also email us at  [email protected]  to have your questions answered by one of our student office employees or staff member best equipped to answer your inquiry.

Honors-specific dates for orientation can all be viewed at orientation.osu.edu . If a prospective student hasn’t received a decision from our office yet and needs to schedule an orientation, we recommend that they schedule a general orientation date. If you are admitted to the University Honors Program after scheduling your orientation date, please call or email University Orientation to change orientation dates to one for your respective program of admission. Our office cannot change orientation dates nor do we set them. Scholars students schedule and attend general orientation dates based on their major. 

Yes, many MSP recipients take part in our Honors and Scholars Programs. Students can also participate in the ODI Scholars Program run through the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and belong to University Honors Program or one of our 16 Scholars Programs. If you are part of the Scholars Program, you have to live in your Scholars cohort rather than MSP housing. 

Honors Colleges and Programs: What to Know

Students in honors colleges and programs often receive more individualized resources and learning, among other benefits.

Honors Colleges and Programs

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A characteristic of many honors colleges is the use of small class sizes for more individual attention from professors.

Key Takeaways:

• Honors colleges are most common at large public universities.
• Schools often require an additional application process for acceptance.
• Honors students usually have smaller class sizes and more individual attention from instructors.

For students wanting to be challenged more academically and experience an intimate learning environment in college , many institutions have an honors college or honors program.

"I think in a day and age in which so many students, especially high-ability students, are coming in to college feeling rootless or feeling as though they can't connect very easily with other people, an honors college provides a space in which students who are serious about their studies, but also might be serious about their other passions as well, can find common cause and common community with other students," says Zeb Baker, founding executive director of the Miami University Honors College in Ohio.

Here's what students should consider before applying to be an honors student.

Honors College vs. Honors Program

Honors colleges – most commonly seen at large public flagship universities – are designed to serve high-achieving students through a rigorous interdisciplinary curriculum and co-curricular experiences, such as research, mentorship, leadership, civic engagement, professional development and study abroad , experts say.

"From the perspective of the university, it's an opportunity to recruit, retain, challenge and support students who might otherwise not be interested in the university, fundamentally," says Zofia Burr, founding dean of George Mason University's Honors College in Virginia.

Students in honors colleges typically take accelerated general education courses, in addition to honors-specific classes that may be taught by designated faculty members. An honors college's curriculum may have different areas of focus, depending on the college. California State University, Sacramento, for instance, has a Black Honors College that is set to enroll its first cohort of students in fall 2024.

"In a normal academic program, you've got to take your writing class, you've got to take stats class, you've got to take political science class," says Luke Wood, the university's president. "So imagine taking each one of those classes, but it's with a focus on Black history, life and culture. They are having that as a thematic element with faculty members with their own space."

Many honors colleges also require students to complete a research project or thesis to graduate. There are also social aspects, experts say, including options to live with other honors students in a living-learning community .

In addition to or instead of an honors college, some schools offer honors programs, although that term sometimes is used interchangeably with honors colleges. However, there can be differences between the two.

Honors programs "are much looser in terms of the experience that students can have," Wood says. "It can range between students who are taking an entire general education pathway to students who are taking just a couple classes. Honors programs are usually smaller in scale and typically don't have the same level of resources. They may not have dedicated space. ... An honors college is when you take that and you truly create your own institution within the institution – your own infrastructure."

Phame Camarena, dean of the William Conroy Honors College at New Mexico State University , says the goal "isn't necessarily to offer harder and faster work. It's to provide enrichment."

"Both a college and a program really are there to help students do more with their education," he says. "All college students, of course, have exceptional potential. (But) not every student is equally motivated or desires something more in terms of what they are going to do for their education. So for students that just want to check off the boxes for the major , honors is probably not for them."

Requirements to Be an Honors Student

Schools often require an additional application process for acceptance to an honors college or program. They typically have different expectations for the two, and applicants may need to meet certain GPA or test score requirements as well as submit supplemental writing samples.

However, "a common misperception is that honors programs are only for the very most academically talented students and that you shouldn't apply unless you have a 4.0 GPA and a huge number of extracurriculars," Bethany Cobb Kung, director of the George Washington University Honors Program in Washington, D.C., wrote in an email. "While it is true that some programs may be very restrictive, many programs are designed to welcome and support any student who wants to push themselves academically and who is willing to dedicate the time and energy required to be a truly engaged learner and scholar."

There are often certain requirements to maintain honors status, such as upholding a certain GPA. At GW, for instance, students must "maintain a GPA sufficient to graduate with a 3.0."

"This ensures students are making appropriate academic progress while not being anxiety-provoking and, most importantly, it allows students who are tackling the most challenging courses the freedom to focus on their learning, rather than on their final grade," Cobb Kung says.

Why Apply to Be an Honors Student?

Honors colleges and programs often create a smaller community within a larger university, experts say, which means smaller class sizes and more individualized attention from faculty members.

Honors students "get a bit more attention earlier on in those first couple of years," Burr says. "Oftentimes when students are in their major, as they progress along, they have opportunities to be in smaller classes. But from the get-go, in the honors college, they have that opportunity."

Honors students may also receive priority course registration, individualized academic advising and formal mentorship. There are also financial benefits, as many colleges offer scholarships or grants specifically for honors students.

Virginia Tech 's Honors College, for instance, offers awards such as the Honors Discovery Grant, which provides up to $6,000 to current honors college students. The money can be used to pay for living expenses during an unpaid summer internship; program or living fees for a faculty-led summer or winter study abroad experience; fees related to attending academic or professional conferences; or costs of a formal visit to an industry, governmental or nonprofit work site.

Is Being an Honors Student the Right Fit for You?

While being part of an honors college or honors program comes with advantages, it's not for everyone.

"I think there are a lot of students whose parents want them to be in an honors college, but they themselves (students) don't want to do this," Baker says. "They don't want that kind of pressure. They don't want that kind of responsibility or obligation. They really just want to come to college and explore what's available. And I think that if you are a student who's in that sort of a situation, then I think maybe you need to really consider whether or not an honors college is a good place for you."

Cobb Kung advises students to consider whether an honors program's curriculum aligns with their personal and academic goals.

"If a student does not enjoy taking courses in areas outside their major, then they might not want to engage in an honors curriculum designed to expose them to a wide variety of course topics," she says. "Students must also be sure that they aren't taking on too many endeavors all at once to avoid undue stress or burnout."

Students also shouldn't just do it for the credential, Baker says, or designation on their diploma.

"For students who only want ... to say 'I'm in an honors college' or 'I'm an honors student,' those are the students who probably don't belong in an honors college to start with because they are not coming in with the right mindset," he says. "They have all this talent, all of this curiosity and all this ambition but it needs to be directed in ways that help everyone, that advance the public good. It's not just about advancing them and their own self-interest."

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How to Write the George Washington University Essays 2023-2024

The George Washington University has one optional supplemental essay prompt for all applicants, with two options to choose from. While not technically required, submitting a supplemental essay is your chance to distinguish yourself from other applicants, so we highly recommend completing it.

If you’re interested in applying for the Honors Program, you must complete two supplemental essays that showcase how the program would aid your studies at the University. Also, if you’re interested in applying to the Cisneros Hispanic Leadership Institute, you’ll need to write an essay about how you can contribute to a sense of comunidad within the Institute.

Read these GW essay examples by accepted students to inspire your writing.

George Washington University Supplemental Essay Prompts

Optional for all applicants  .

Every applicant can choose from one of the following two essay prompts to submit.

Option 1: At the George Washington University, our students frequently interact with policymakers and world leaders. These experiences and those of our alumni can shape the future of global affairs. If you had the power to change the course of history in your community or the world, what would you do and why? (500 words)

Option 2: The George Washington University encourages students to think critically and to challenge the status quo. Thus, civil discourse is a key characteristic of our community. Describe a time when you engaged others in meaningful dialogue around an issue that was important to you. Did this exchange create change, new perspectives, or deeper relationships? (500 words)

Honors Program Applicants

Prompt 1 : With small classes and a dedicated faculty, the University Honors Program (UHP) embraces the ideals of a liberal arts education. Within the UHP, students take classes in many different academic fields (philosophy, science, history, art, social science, etc.) and hone their critical thinking skills. Explain why, as a member of the UHP, you would value the opportunity to engage with topics outside your major field(s) of study. (300 words)

Prompt 2 : The UHP represents a community of scholars at GW. First-year UHP students live and take classes together on the Mount Vernon Campus. Upper-level UHP students remain connected to our community for the remainder of their time at GW through courses, faculty mentoring, advising, research, an optional Foggy Bottom housing opportunity, and our many co-curricular/social activities. How do you see yourself contributing to and/or benefiting from this community as a member of the UHP? (300 words)

School of Media and Public Affairs

Journalism and Mass Communication Major Applicants: Write a profile of yourself in news or news feature style, as if you had interviewed yourself. (500 words)

Political Communication Major Applicants: If you could be any one person who has been active in politics, who would you choose to be and why? (500 words)

Special Programs

Cisneros Hispanic Leadership Institute Applicants: At the Cisneros Hispanic Leadership Institute, community is central to our approach to leadership. Therefore, Cisneros Scholars are selected as a cohort that navigate their four years at GW together. How would you contribute to a sense of comunidad in your cohort if you were selected as a Cisneros Scholar? (500 words)

All Applicants, Option 1

At the george washington university, our students frequently interact with policymakers and world leaders. these experiences and those of our alumni can shape the future of global affairs. if you had the power to change the course of history in your community or the world, what would you do and why (500 words).

At first glance, this prompt appears to be eliciting your perspective on and critical analysis of historical events or current affairs. However, the goal of this essay is deeper than that. Remember, admissions essays are pieces of the puzzle that when pieced together, ideally show the admissions committee a comprehensive picture of you. Thus, this question is also seeking to understand what sociopolitical, economic, or environmental issues are important to you , and why .

Given the phrasing of the question, this prompt would be essential for applicants planning to major in international affairs or the social sciences. 

Here are two interpretations of the prompt: 

• If you could go back in time , what critical local, national, or global historical event would you change? How would you inflict such a change? Why? 
• Currently , what is a problem plaguing our society that you would work to resolve if you had all the power necessary to do so? What actions would you take, why, and how would those actions alter our future ?

Given the deliberate ambiguity of the question, you can choose either interpretation as your springboard. Just be sure to formulate your opening paragraph in a way that makes it clear how you chose to interpret the question.

Regardless of which route you decide on, the objective of your response is to suggest a solution to the problem you deem most critical . You are limited to a mere 250 words, so make sure to establish the context of your chosen issue with brevity and precision in a manner that will frame your solution. Then, get straight to the point: identify the problem or past event that affected the course of human history and suggest a more promising course of action.

A few tips and words of caution: 

Don’t pick a topic or problem that is too broad. If you are considering present-day issues in your response, don’t discuss something vague like “global poverty” or “illiteracy in developing nations.” No one individual is able to provide a concrete and feasible plan of action to such major problems of international significance, let alone a high school student with 250 words at their disposal. The strategy is to pick a sub-issue of a larger problem that affects a specific population.

For example, instead of addressing illiteracy in the developing world, you can delineate a proposal to increase literacy in rural schools with understaffed faculty, and connect it to your own background of growing up in a community where access to higher education and associated economic opportunities was inadequate. 

Or, you can suggest a measure to combat food insecurity for low-income students in Native-American reservations and relate that to your experience of witnessing hunger in your school cafeteria. Make your choice of issue specific, and your response to it personal.

Don’t bring up a historical cliché. If you are taking the historical route, avoid silly or overused instances. For example, don’t write about going back to the 1930s and killing Hitler in order to prevent WWII. Such responses would show the admissions committee that you are not serious, or worse yet, that your critical analysis is insufficient to provide a more nuanced reflection.

Try to think of historical events that were impactful to your personal or family background and are under-reported in the media. If you grew up in a community of interracial children raised by single parents, you may want to draw attention to the unique experiences and challenges this demographic faces in trying to grapple with their whole identity while heavily influenced only by one particular side.

Be specific. Give clear examples of actions you would take or policies you would implement in order to affect meaningful change. Don’t write broadly about educating more girls; instead, outline steps the government could take to narrow the gender literacy gap by allocating more funds to local schools or dedicating a certain portion of research grants to underrepresented women.

Instead of declaring that you would go back to 18th century United States and eliminate slavery, discuss the logical arguments and personal leverage you would use in lobbying influential generals and statesmen of the time to back a more egalitarian Constitution.

Ultimately, the prompt aims to gauge your personal values and determine your ability to think critically, to focus on worthwhile problems, and to propose realistic solutions. The admissions committee is looking to admit students who are passionate about examining pressing issues, quick to identify key stakeholders, and able to imagine plausible alternatives. 

All Applicants, Option 2

The george washington university encourages students to think critically and to challenge the status quo. thus, civil discourse is a key characteristic of our community. describe a time when you engaged others in meaningful dialogue around an issue that was important to you. did this exchange create change, new perspectives, or deeper relationships (500 words).

At its core, this prompt determines your ability to thrive in an intellectual environment punctuated by a diversity of opinions, as well as your capability to enact meaningful change in your community. At a time of increasing politicization, the admissions committee wants to attract students who are able to listen to each other and who can use their powers of persuasion to promote their point of view.

You don’t need a dramatic example to highlight your abilities to listen and persuade others. Here are some ideas of the kinds of moments in your life that will highlight the qualities necessary for the completion of this prompt. 

If you are an active member or leader of a club, you can invoke a situation in which you and other fellow members disagreed on the action the club should take. 

For example, you can write about the time you convinced your classmates to donate a significant sum to a local soup kitchen, instead of retaining it as part of the club budget, by appealing to their emotional side with photos of the people the kitchen is helping, and the statistics of the demographic it would reach.

You can also share a story in which you convinced another student of the validity of your point in a classroom debate, formal or informal. 

For example, write about the time when you used a compelling example that involved someone your debate opponent related to as you advocated for legalizing gay marriage in your U.S. history class, thus convincing her of LGBTQ individuals’ right to marriage.

Alternatively, discuss the challenges of convincing the Board of Education to support your initiative to start a new club. 

For example, if you tried to start a Girls in STEM club and were rebuffed by the administration on the grounds that the school already sponsored a Science Club, you could outline the arguments you used and the awareness campaign you launched in order to ultimately secure the necessary funding.

No matter what kind of example you choose, don’t forget that the prompt wants you to demonstrate that both you and the other party gained something from the experience . It is not enough to tell the admissions committee about a fight you had with a classmate who didn’t believe in abortion on religious grounds. You need to demonstrate your ability to persuade others, even those with radically different opinions, so dig deep and pick a success story as the example. 

Anyone can argue, but not everyone can express their ideas and exchange perspectives in a respectful and productive way. Perhaps you engaged a fellow classmate in a class debate that led you to form a life-long friendship, despite your political differences. Or, maybe you were able to develop a project that others initially opposed and convinced them of its value. Make sure that your response highlights a lesson learned or an impact made. 

Honors Program Applicants, Prompt 1

With small classes and a dedicated faculty, the university honors program (uhp) embraces the ideals of a liberal arts education. within the uhp, students take classes in many different academic fields (philosophy, science, history, art, social science, etc.) and hone their critical thinking skills. explain why, as a member of the uhp, you would value the opportunity to engage with topics outside your major field(s) of study. (300 words).

This prompt is rather similar to the common “ Why This College ?” essay, but it’s specifically tailored to the GW’s Honors Program. The Honors Program is a rigorous addition to your GW education. It was created to provide an interdisciplinary education to students so they can address real-world problems in well-rounded ways. If you love to learn for its own sake and you enjoy dabbling in several subjects, this program might be perfect for you! 

Before beginning your response, think about your prospective major(s) and career goals and how courses in other fields can support those goals. This prompt is essentially two parts: one, explaining why you value an interdisciplinary education, and two, how UHP specifically can support your goals/education.

For the first part, here’s an example. Say you want to be a doctor. While a STEM degree will give you the scientific foundation and knowledge to go to med school, medicine is an inherently interdisciplinary field; it’s not only scientific but also social, political, and economic. You want to be able to effectively treat patients from different socioeconomic backgrounds and advocate for better healthcare policy, especially as a low-income immigrant child who has experienced barriers to getting healthcare.

As you explain the reasons you value an interdisciplinary education, make sure to also explain your why. Anyone who wants to be a doctor could explain how you need to be well-rounded, but that hypothetical student has a life story that backs up their motivation.

For the next part of your essay, you’ll want to cite specific Honors Program resources that will support your interdisciplinary education. Explore the course offerings to find classes that pique your curiosity. The above student might mention the course Well-Being , which approaches wellness from a wide variety of cultures and philosophies. 

They could also mention wanting to pursue an Honors Contract course. This unique opportunity allows you to receive academic credit for academic-focused projects outside of class. You can pursue an internship, undergraduate research project, or research assistantships in a field that catches your eye while getting college credit! This particular student might want to do a contract course focused on public health.

Keep in mind you only have 300 words to work with, and although that may sound like a lot, you’ll quickly find it may be difficult to write about all the various interests within the program you may have. Try to focus on just a couple, but don’t be afraid to mention there are countless others you hope to have time for. 

No matter what you decide to write about, be sure to center your response around your passions and goals, this personal aspect is what will ultimately make your essay unique and authentic.

Honors Program Applicants, Prompt 2

The uhp represents a community of scholars at gw. first-year uhp students live and take classes together on the mount vernon campus. upper-level uhp students remain connected to our community for the remainder of their time at gw through courses, faculty mentoring, advising, research, an optional foggy bottom housing opportunity, and our many co-curricular/social activities. how do you see yourself contributing to and/or benefiting from this community as a member of the uhp (300 words).

At first glance, this prompt certainly seems to have some overlap with the previous question. Both prompts are variations on the “ Why This College? ” essay, but separates your reasoning into two distinct categories. While you should dive into the course offerings and academics that led you to applying to the Honors Program in the previous prompt, this prompt asks you to explain why this specific community is not only a good fit for you, but why you’ll be a good fit for the community and what you’ll add to it as a whole.

First, make sure you outline what you’re looking for in a college experience outside of the classroom, and how that can support your academic and personal goals. For example, the student who wants to be a doctor may want a mentor (which is especially helpful for pre-professional paths), is interested in hosting study groups (great for STEM classes), and ways to have fun with classmates outside of academics (necessary for a work-life balance). 

Next, do some research on exactly what the Honors Program offers students as far as community. The prompt itself gives you a good head start on what your experience will look like as you move through your studies, but a great answer to this prompt will dig deeper.

Starting with the Mount Vernon campus experience, not only will Honors students live in the same residence hall, but they will live on the same two floors, meaning the Honors Program offers a built-in community both in and out of the classroom. Showcasing how this built-in community would enhance your college experience is imperative when answering this prompt. For the pre-med student, they may mention how this dorm experience will make it easy to organize study groups and meetings with peer advisors.

Be sure to also take a look at the co-curricular and social activities that the Honors Programs offers exclusively to their students. The event calendar from previous terms is a great starting place to get a look at some of the past events hosted by the program. From the 2022-23 school year, the Program hosted events such as a Fire Pits on the Quad, Soul Food events, and hikes.

As you discuss the different community resources that interest you, make sure to explain your why and how they’ll support your professional and life goals. 

And, make sure to outline how you’ll contribute to the community, not just what it will do for you. If you don’t see any specific events that you’d love to participate in, you can even say that you’d like to organize it yourself.

Journalism and Mass Communication Major Applicants

Write a profile of yourself in news or news feature style, as if you had interviewed yourself. (500 words).

To prepare for this prompt, it is a good idea to spend some time reading newspaper articles. Look for feature articles that provide in-depth interviews with individuals—movie stars, politicians, or entrepreneurs—on reputable news sites such as the New York Times , Time Magazine , or The Washington Post . Get to know the style used by professional journalists when profiling subjects.

It is important to focus your “interview” on a particular event or achievement in your life. Although the prompt is quite vague in regards to the content of the profile, you don’t want to waste this space by rambling on about a list of your achievements.

Instead, think of one particular interest that really defines and shapes you, then come up with “interview questions” that would allow you to speak to that aspect of your personality. 

This prompt also gives you an opportunity to highlight an aspect of your profile that the rest of your more conventional application does not showcase. Here are some suggestions for potential topics:

If you have a unique skill that you have cultivated outside of your academic and extracurricular life, this prompt is a perfect opportunity to mention it. 

For example, if you are an expert juggler who practices new tricks every weekend and can captivate an audience of middle-school children, your profile is a chance to sell the admissions committee on this particular quirk, and your innate passion for the activity that nurtured your skill.

If you have an intense interest or passion, however unconventional, you can also use this prompt to demonstrate how it contributes to your skills and personality. 

For instance, if you have collected every film produced by your favorite movie director, are capable of reciting obscure trivia about his cinematic achievements, and never miss a chance to learn more about the genre of cinema in which he specializes, talk about it in your profile. This way, you can show that you are intellectually curious and motivated to learn new things about the subjects that inspire you.

If you have had a particular experience that served as a defining moment in your life , the newspaper profile is a great place to reflect on it. 

For example, if you had spent many months preparing for a half-marathon, working hard to build the stamina and discipline necessary to keep running, you can use this response as a place to reflect on the challenges you faced and what you learned about yourself along the way.

One way to help you develop a strong response to the prompt is to ask a friend or family member to interview you . They may be able to come up with interesting questions that you would not otherwise have thought of, the responses to which you can incorporate in your profile.

Below are some practical tips for crafting a response in the style of a news piece:

• Refer to yourself in third person. It may feel strange at first, but it is important to remember that the prompt wants you to write a feature as though you interviewed yourself. Pretend you are a reporter who is writing a story about a famous individual and refer to yourself the way you would to your subject.
• Stylistically, journalistic writing differs from academic papers you would typically write in high school. Try to keep both your sentences and paragraphs short and to the point. Each sentence and paragraph should communicate one main idea and include only the information necessary to convey it. Don’t include complicated clauses or overly long, flowery sentences. The purpose of a news article is to convey information effectively and concisely. This prompt seeks to determine whether you are capable of adopting the kind of style necessary to succeed at the School of Media and Public Affairs.

When responding to any of the above prompts, it is crucial to reflect on what the question is asking you before launching into writing. In addition, it is always a good idea to have another person look over your responses when you’re done in order to avoid any careless errors and make sure that you are getting your main points across in a clear and engaging manner.

Political Communication Major Applicants

If you could be any one person who has been active in politics, who would you choose to be and why (500 words).

This prompt is meant to separate applicants who have a genuine interest in the world of political communications from those who only have surface-level interest. In order to answer this prompt effectively, you need to be able to pinpoint issues you are passionate about, identify a person active in politics who inspires you, and explain WHY you chose that particular person. 

Don’t pick a person whose policies you do not know well. While names like “AOC,” “Bernie Sanders,” “Donald Trump,” “Angela Merkel,” “Modi” and more are in mainstream media, many people only know the SparkNotes version of their policies. The admissions committee wants to see that your specific interest—that could have been shown in your extracurriculars or class choices—is also valued by the person you chose. 

For instance, if you have worked at a food bank through your high school career, you could choose to be Congressman Dwight Evans (PA) who spearheaded the “Healthy Food Access for All Americans Act.” 

Or, if you want to choose a person who is in mainstream media, try to pick a policy-agenda of theirs that is less-known and connect it back to some of your interests. 

For example, if you participated in clubs for mental health awareness in young adults, you could choose to become Elizabeth Warren who co-sponsored a bill to address mental health issues for youth, specifically youth of color. 

This major has an additional prompt because the admissions committee wants to choose people who are determined to pursue this educational track. Take time to carefully assess how you can tie your interests from outside of school or extracurriculars to the person you choose to become. 

The WHY portion of this prompt is the most important part. Anyone could choose President Obama as the person they wish to become and state a simple reason like: “because he was the first African-American President of the United States and that was an inspiration to me.” However, a more effective answer would elaborate on what impact President Obama had on you beyond serving as an inspiration. 

For instance, did Obama signing the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act inspire you as a female applicant to fight against the wage gap?  Or, did Obama lifting a 22-year old ban that restricted people with HIV/AIDS from entering the US impact your decision to write a blog about public health in America? 

Making specific connections between the actions or accomplishments of the person you choose and your own accomplishments and goals will make your essay response unique and memorable. 

Cisneros Hispanic Leadership Institute Applicants

At the cisneros hispanic leadership institute, community is central to our approach to leadership. therefore, cisneros scholars are selected as a cohort that navigate their four years at gw together. how would you contribute to a sense of comunidad in your cohort if you were selected as a cisneros scholar (500 words).

The Cisneros Hispanic Leadership Institute is dedicated to research that will benefit the Hispanic community. Applicants to this Institute are expected to be dedicated to “community” conceptually, to the Hispanic community, and to the cohort community they will be a part of throughout their college careers.

Read more about the Institute’s mission , academic programs , and research before you begin writing. After doing this research on the program, consider your specific reasons for applying to the Cisneros Institute. Think about how you have tangible and intangible connections to the program.

A tangible connection involves resources like the academic programs, specific faculty members, and research opportunities. An intangible connection involves things that aren’t physical, such as the program’s culture and its values. Once you’ve figured these things out, you can create a specific plan for how you’ll engage with the program.

For example, perhaps you’re drawn to the Cisneros Undergraduate Research Fellowship because you have a research idea that involves studying how Hispanic people are treated based on the intensity of their Spanish accent. You might find ways in which this idea appeals to the members of your cohort, who may know people with strong accents. Conducting a full-length research project with your cohort can contribute greatly to a sense of community within it.

You can also think of this prompt as a future-tense version of the community service essay . A typical community service prompt asks how you have contributed to a community in the past. This prompt is asking how you will create a sense of comunidad in the future. One way to start thinking about your response is to look to the past.

To do this, ask yourself a few questions: in what ways have you created a sense of community before? What actions did you take? What values did these actions instill in others within that community?

Once you have a good idea of how you have contributed to a community in the past, you can apply some of these ideas to your future cohort. Perhaps you will work to help others in your cohort if they start to struggle academically, since you created a helpful study group for your AP Calculus class in high school. Maybe you’re a home cook and know how soothing a familiar recipe is, so you want to organize weekly group dinners at the Casa Cisneros (the living-learning community), where you cook recipes passed down from the families of people in the cohort. 

One important program that Cisneros scholar cohorts participate in is Caminos al Futuro , a pre-college residential summer program in which “Caminos scholars examine the social, economic and political transformations affecting the Hispanic/Latino community in a college-like environment.” According to GW, cohorts often serve as counselors and mentors for this program, so you may want to mention how you will serve as a role model for your cohort as well as the program participants in your capacity as counselor.

Where to Get Your George Washington Essays Edited

Want feedback on your GW essays to improve your chances at admission? After reading your own essay repeatedly, it can be hard to even spot where you can improve. That’s why we’ve created our free Peer Essay Review tool , where you can get a free review of your essay from another student. You can also sharpen your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays!

If you want a college admissions expert to review your essay, advisors on CollegeVine have helped students refine their writing and submit successful applications to top schools. Find the right advisor for you to improve your chances of getting into your dream school!

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

Honors Programs

You deserve a university that recognizes your talents and gives you the opportunity to enhance them. Participating in honors courses or programs provide outstanding preparation for careers and graduate school.

Binghamton University offers honors in nearly every major and a host of honor societies. We also have several exclusive honors programs that are by invite only.

First-year Research Immersion (FRI) Program

FRI provides first-year students with an authentic research experience in sciences and engineering. Over the course of three semesters, students conduct research with faculty recognized around the world for their work on important problems and build valuable skills to prepare them for future research opportunities and the workplace. Previous streams have included topics like biogeochemistry, community and global public health, and neuroscience.

Benefits of FRI include:

• Community (mentoring, building relationships, forging long-term bonds with faculty and peers)

• Transferable workforce skills (collaboration, communication, project management, analytical thinking, science literacy)

• Personal impact (take ownership of your research experience, become reflective, resilient, confident, independent; clarify self-direction, catalyze future success)

• Discovery (drive interdisciplinary research to tackle urgent global challenges, disseminate findings among professionals to fuel innovation)

Binghamton University Scholars Program

Scholars live and learn with a group of talented students who have a wide range of experiences and interests, and shared aspirations for academic excellence. The Scholars Learning Community, located in one of the newest residential communities, is welcoming and tight-knit; upperclassmen Scholars act as peer mentors and help with the academic and social challenges of college life. Scholars also have opportunities to be mentored by top-level administrators and faculty, showcase their work locally and nationally, and enjoy unique access to graduate assistantships and specialized internships. Scholars have their choice of any major in any school at Binghamton until the latter part of their first year. Professional mentors and career counselors provide guidance on a choice of major, internship opportunities, and advise in a pre-professional capacity while providing networking opportunities.

The Source Project

The Source Project is among the very few programs in the nation that offer research experiences in the humanities and social sciences to first-year students. Students work on issues such as food insecurity, gender discrimination, public health campaigns, labor rights, government propaganda and sense of belonging in schools.

PricewaterhouseCoopers Scholars

The PwC Scholars program is one of two School of Management honors programs. It provides students with unparalleled leadership and networking experience. After four years as a PwC Scholar, students enter the business world as distinguished leaders and professionals.

EY Student Leaders program

This program is one of two School of Management honors programs. It provides opportunities for emerging leaders with a focus on technology and innovation. The emphasis is on statistical and data-driven decision making, data visualization, programming, modeling, machine learning and other advanced analytic methods. Students will develop a mindset to analyze, innovate, and think and act globally.

Transformational Leaders Program

Th is leadership development program within the School of Management (SOM) builds leadership and professional skills, in addition to helping with academics, career services and networking. This professional development journey includes interacting with world-renowned faculty fellows, successful alumni and business mentors, meeting with visiting recruiters and attending individual sessions with the SOM dean.

Watson College Scholars Program

Th is  initiative within the Thomas J. Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science connects talented students from historically and economically underrepresented communities with academic and professional opportunities to help them become future leaders and innovators in engineering and computer science.

Innovation Scholars 

This program is for students seeking to tackle challenging real-world problems. Through academics, experiential learning, networking and mentorship, students learn how to implement their innovations through experimentation, creativity and problem solving. Students have opportunities to learn from and network with successful alumni, leaders from various businesses, start-ups and agencies, and practicing innovators and entrepreneurs.

Summer Scholars and Artists Fellowships

The Summer Scholars and Artists Program allows undergraduates to engage in special research, scholarship or creative activities during the summer. This program supports the student’s original research or creative project through a stipend, enabling recipients to engage in primary research or creative activities with guidance from faculty mentors and to formally present their research at Research Days.

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Last Updated: 2/5/24