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Our  Honors Program  attracts students who are driven to go above and beyond an ordinary course of study. This four-year program for academically ambitious students in the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA) is the best known of the  Michigan Learning Communities  for good reason — every aspect of the program is designed to offer a more intense level of intellectual challenge.

How to Apply

Once you have been accepted into LSA, you are eligible to apply for the Honors Program. This involves writing one supplemental Honors essay, which will be considered alongside your Common Application. Only students who have been admitted to LSA can access the application. To review the essay question and submit your application, please refer to the Honors Program website .

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• Application Process
• What We Look For
• Application Writing Prompt
• Tab Option 5
• ApplyTexas.org will open Fall 2025 Freshman admissions on August 1st. Students may also use the Common Application. UT Admissions Instructions can be found here .                                                                                                                                                                                        
• Being in the Liberal Arts Honors program at UT is not necessarily more difficult. If anything, it gives you more opportunities. We encourage applicants interested in a Liberal Arts education to apply! LAH reviews applications holistically and for ‘fit’ to the program. You can complete the honors application within the UT Admissions application, or if you aren’t ready to submit the honors portion, you can access it after you have submitted your UT application through your UT ‘MyStatus’ page. Additional information about the application can be found  here . Make sure to check your UT Status Page so that all parts of your application are marked as 'complete'.                                                                 
• October 15  - EARLY ACTION for UT AUSTIN -  This optional deadline will require UT Austin application submission by October 15, with a guaranteed decision regarding their university admission communicated to applicants by January 15.
• The regular deadline for applications will remain  December 1st , with a guaranteed decision communicated by February 15 . 
• Liberal Arts Honors will notify students of their program decision by March 1. Please note that some decisions may be delivered earlier, but not  earlier than  January 15th. 
• Students applying for Liberal Arts Honors and other honors programs at UT Austin are strongly encouraged to complete their application by October 15. 
• You may apply and be admitted to more than one honors program, but depending on the combination, you may have to choose.
• Students who apply to LAH may also be considered for an invitation to apply to the  Dedman Distinguished Scholars Scholarship for LAH or Plan II students.
• Students not admitted to UT Austin are no longer in consideration for Liberal Arts Honors.
• Complete the Common App or ApplyTexas Application
• Pay the $75 Application Fee
• Send College Transcripts if applicable
• Send SAT or ACT scores 
• Upload an Expanded Resume
• Complete UT Admissions Essay Prompts
• Complete UT Short Answer Prompts
• Complete the Liberal Arts Honors Admissions Essay Prompt and the Liberal Arts Honors Personal statement (5 sentences)
• LAH conducts a holistic review of all applications.
• A commitment to a liberal arts education is central to all students of LAH. We believe that the critical thinking and writing skills afforded to you by a liberal arts education facilitate your success. A desire for this type of education should show in your application.
• As writing is key to our program, we thoroughly read the essays submitted with the UT application. We encourage applicants to submit their best writing.
• LAH looks for students who challenge themselves academically throughout high school by taking AP/IB classes where offered and who maintain a full senior year course load.
• LAH also looks for leadership amongst its applicants. We would prefer to see that you participated in one or two organizations throughout high school and earned leadership positions instead of the "senior blitz" where you took parts in many organizations but were not committed to any of them.

Below you will find the writing prompt that LAH will ask for on the Honors Application . Because writing is key to our program, so you should carefully and thoroughly prepare your responses.

Prompt for 2025 will be posted soon!

Albert Dorman Honors College

The Albert Dorman Honors College welcomes applications from students who have a strong academic record and a history of leadership and service to the community.

High School Students

The Albert Dorman Honors College welcomes applications from high school students who have excellent grades (B+ average), rank in the top 90+ percentile of test takers on the SAT or ACT exam, and participate in service activities. Please note, first-year students applying to New Jersey Institute of Technology for entry in the Fall of 2023 can choose not to submit SAT or ACT scores. This does not apply to Albert Dorman Honors College or accelerated program applicants.

• Accelerated programs: November 1st
• For Fall admission: February 1st

How to Apply:

• Visit the  Common Application .
• Apply to NJIT.
• Indicate your interest in the Honors College.
• Answer all the questions pertaining to the Honors College.
• Write an essay (max. 400 words) on the exact topic specified on the application; a general essay is not acceptable.  See  Tips For Writing an Honors College Essay .
• Upload a resume (optional)
• Submit one letter of recommendation  

Decision Dates, for both Dorman Honors College and the Dean's Scholars Program (decisions are posted on the applicant status portal):

Transfer Students

Current NJIT students and incoming transfer students are welcome to apply if they have outstanding records. A GPA of 3.6+ in a rigorous college-level curriculum is required. Learn more about how to apply here .

Additional Information:

Current College Students at NJIT or Elsewhere

Questions and Answers about the Honors College

Pre-Health and Pre-Law Programs, Regular and Accelerated [BS/MD, BS/DMD, BS/DDS, BS/DPT (Physical Therapy), and BS/OD (Optometry); BS/JD]

Tips for Writing an Honors College Essay

Can I get into the honors program?

<p>I’m a white, 17 year old male rising senior from Alabama, and I’m interested in Elon as a college choice. I think I could get into Elon (I’m really trying not to sound vain here), but acceptance into the honors program could be a “make or break” factor for me. I tried to find out info about stats (test scores, GPA, etc.) for students who get accepted into the honors program, but I couldn’t find any info other then that it’s pretty exclusive (about 40 accepted each year). Could someone tell me if I would be a competitive candidate? (I’ll try to keep it brief). </p>

<p>No SAT II’s…Hope this doesn’t hurt me…</p>

<p>ACT: 32 (Dang science section)</p>

<p>GPA: All A’s/A+'s…Don’t know my GPA off the top of my head</p>

<p>7 APs: U.S. History (4), European History (5), Biology (4), English Literature (?), Calculus AB (?), Chemistry (?), and Government (?).</p>

<p>Rank: My school doesn’t rank.</p>

<p>Awards: I’ve won several awards for the highest grade in individual classes and the all-A award every year.</p>

<p>Likely National Merit Finalist, but at least Commended.</p>

<p>Extracurriculars: Eck…I’m lacking…Tennis for two years and basketball for one. 120+ hours of community service (100 hours are required at my school, but colleges don’t have to know this :)). I’m in National Honor Society and National Spanish Honor Society… Umm… I went to Boy’s State…Lol…I think that’s about it…</p>

<p>In addition to telling me my chances, could somebody also tell me the stats of the average Elon honors student?</p>

<p>Presidential Scholars: 401 Average GPA of Presidential Scholars: 4.41 Average SAT of Presidential Scholars: 1300 Fellows Programs: No. in Program Average GPA Average SAT Honors 40 4.74 1399 Elon College 57 4.51 1311 Business 24 4.29 1311 Journalism and Communications 30 4.27 1320 Leadership 24 4.03 1185</p>

<p>Cool! So I guess I have a chance then. Thanks!</p>

<p>anytime bro best of luck</p>

<p>Also, the program is not just numbers driven. You will need to write an essay in the Honor’s application and if chosen as a finalist you will have an interview and I think an on-site essay. I think I remember there being a recommendation requirement as well. If you dig in the website I am sure you will find more info. Good luck - Elon is amazing. FYI - the top 25% of applicants admitted are offered the presidential scholarship. Although nothing is a given - I’d say you will get that at least.</p>

<p>Hi! I never read these threads but am a regular on the Musical Theatre major threads. My son will be a freshman at Elon in a week, and we’re very excited.</p>

<p>You should definitely apply for the Honors and Fellows programs for which you qualify. Your statistics look great and should surely get you invited to attend the Fellows weekend. It was a wonderful weekend in early March, which substitutes for spring orientation for students who are invited. That weekend, you participate in classes, write essays (one or more, I can’t remember), and have an interview, all of which are considered in getting into one of these programs.</p>

<p>The Presidential scholarship is offered automatically from your Elon application, if you qualify. Notification comes at the same time as your notice of acceptance into the university (my son did EA and heard about this on 12/20). The Honors and Fellows programs require a separate application.</p>

<p>My son will be in the BFA in Music Theatre and also has the Presidential Scholarship and the Elon College Fellows Scholarship. He was very pleased to be in the Fellows program. They do some special courses and activities throughout the 4 years, but quite a few things freshman year, including time in Washington, DC during winter term in Jan.</p>

<p>Most of the enthusiastic responses to Elon on CC come from MT students/parents. Can anyone tell me about some of the other areas of Elon? Does MT dominate the scene at Elon? Outside of MT students, do many of the students remain on campus on the weekends? Is there much chance for students outside the theatre/musical theatre program to get involved in productions on campus? Some of my kid’s friends are MT people but that just not a direction my kiddo is interested in so I’m hoping that other areas (not just academic depts.) of the Elon community are strong also. Thanks.</p>

<p>I would be happy to answer any questions from a parent’s view- my D is a sophomore. The most popluar major is communication, followed by business. A lot of education majors also. Most kids stick around on weekends, though a lot have cars and she did go visit friends at other colleges some. Greek life is huge- they have deferred rush. Her favorite thing was the January session- you take one 4 credit course for the month of January and there are a lot of opportunities to study abroad then. It is a good fit for the student who wants a small but not too small liberal arts education. Classes are small and the professors (no TA’s) are caring. I also like the requirement that they have to live on campus or in camous owned apartments for 2 years- fosters more community.</p>

<p>We went to an Elon “traveling show” (hotel-based info session in our city) AND we visited the school, took the tour and went to the info session on campus. We never heard a word about MT. I wouldn’t say it dominates at all.</p>

<p>Thanks Kayjo and patsmom. While you can read about these other things, it’s hard to tell how much is marketing and how much plays out in reality and how involved the students really are in these programs. I’m glad to have this other viewpoint.</p>

<p>keepmesane, I am the enthusiastic MT mom who started the Elon thread on the musical theatre forum. My son just started classes today as a freshman at Elon. I think you are just dealing with a very active musical theatre thread on College Confidential. We talk very frequently about all the schools that offer good programs.</p>

<p>Statistics-wise, the performing arts are tiny at Elon, but they do seem supportive of the arts in general and also have a good visual art program.</p>

<p>Kayjo has it right. I understand that the top 3 majors are Communications (including a fabulous student run TV studio / station), Business (with a brand new building), and Education. They have one of the highest percentage of students in their study abroad programs of any college. It is a totally impressive place.</p>

<p>This year’s freshman class has about 1275 entering students. Of those, 20 are in the BFA Music Theatre major. They also have about 16 in Acting and some in Dance. That seems to be a very small percentage in the performing arts of the freshman class. I met a lot of parents of math and science majors at the parent orientation events.</p>

<p>Students definitely stay on campus on weekends. More than 70% of the student body is from out of state. I understand that most stay on campus during fall break also.</p>

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FAQs about the HP

What are the criteria used for admission into the Honors Program?

You can read about our selection process here.   Select the information for either first-year students or transfer students, as applies to you.

Will I have to submit something in addition to the standard Georgia Tech application?

There is an additional application for the Georgia Tech Honors Program, which you can complete via the admissions portal.  Responses to essay prompts are required. You can read about the application process here .

How and when will I know if I've been selected for the Honors Program?

First-year and transfer students who have been admitted to Georgia Tech are invited to apply to the Honors Program via their admissions portal.  Information on the deadline for applications are available on the living learning communities application page . Students who apply by the priority deadlines will receive their acceptance notification on specific dates noted on the living learning communities page.  Those who apply after the priority deadlines will be notified on a rolling basis, if spaces are available. 

What if I apply by a priority deadline and am not accepted? What happens next?

If you apply by one of the priority deadlines and are not accepted in that round, we will continue to consider your application in the next round.  All students will continue to be considered until spaces in our residence halls are filled.

I've been offered an invitation to join the Honors Program, but when I went to accept it, it says you're full. What happened?

After each of the application deadlines , we offer invitations to join the Honors Program to a select group of students.  Spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis.  If you delay accepting your invitation, there is a chance that the Honors Program may fill (i.e., all of the spots in our residence hall are taken).   This is especially true if you wait until after the Georgia Tech admissions deposit deadline of May 1.

If you attempt to accept the invitation to join after the HP residence halls are full, you'll be invited to join the waitlist.   The waitlist is only for students who have already been issued an invitation to join the Honors Program--it is not for students waiting on an admissions decision.    We may be able to offer spots to those on the waitlist if students who are in the Honors Program have a change of plans over the summer and decide to leave the program (e.g., they choose a different learning community, decide to participate in study abroad instead, receive an admissions offer from another university, etc.).  We cannot guarantee IF and WHEN this will happen, as it's based on decisions that current, admitted students make over the summer.

Does the Honors Program accept AP and IB credit and allow students to graduate on time and early if possible?

Georgia Tech may accept AP and IB credit for application to degree requirements, as determined by the University System of Georgia, the Institution, and the student's college and degree program. More information on how AP and IB credit transfer to Georgia Tech is available in the GT Catalog .  

AP and IB credit can be applied to your major or minor credit requirements at GT but not to your Honors Program credit requirements.  You can select from a variety of Honors Program classes, undergraduate research experiences, study abroad classes, graduate classes, and/or music performance ensemble classes to complete the 15 hours required by the Honors Program, but AP and IB credits cannot be used for the Honors Program.

The majority of our students graduate within four years, and many of our students find they can take on a second major or multiple minors or certificates and are able to graduate on time with the proper planning. Most people are able to complete their HP course requirements as well. Roughly 80% of the student admitted into the Honors Program graduate as members of the Honors Program (i.e., they earn 9 - 14 hours for "Participation in the Honors Program" or 15+ hours for "Completion of the Honors Program").

I'm a transfer student who is new to the Honors Program. Can I count previous coursework towards HP credit?

Transfer students who are admitted to the Honors Program are eligible to transfer up to six (6) TOTAL hours of approved coursework.

Students who have taken honors program or honors college classes at their college or university before coming to Georgia Tech may have up to six (6) credit hours of honors classes may be considered for application to the GT Honors Program.  To have your prior honors classes reviewed, please submit a copy of the syllabus and information about the program (e.g., a link to an online program description) to the Honors Program . 

Transfer students may submit up to three (3) credit hours of independent undergraduate research for consideration for transfer credit.  To be eligible for Honors Program credit, the class must be completed for credit (not pay) and on a letter grade basis.  To request authorization, please complete this form . 

Transfer students may also submit up to three (3) credit hours of select study abroad classes for consideration for transfer credit.  The classes must have been taken in an accredited study abroad program, be small in size, involve active learning, and be on a globally-focused topic.  To have your study abroad classes reviewed, please submit a copy of the syllabus and information about the size of the class and the study abroad program (e.g., a link to an online program description) to the Honors Program .

Is an extra fee charged to students in the Honors Program?

Yes, there is a fee of $800 for first-year Honors Program students and a fee of $500 for first-year transfer students who begin in the fall semester.  Transfer students who start in the spring are charged a one-time fee of $250 in their entering semester.  There is no Honors Program fee after the first year (or first semester, for spring transfer students) of HP participation. The Honors Program fee is charged to students at the beginning of fall semester ($400 for first-years, $250 for transfers) and at the beginning of spring semester ($400 for first-years, $250 for transfers).

If the Honors Program emphasizes smaller, inquiry-driven classes based on discovery rather than lecture, won't that be harder than other classes? Will I have more work than other students? Will my GPA suffer?

Georgia Tech prides itself on offering a very rigorous and challenging curriculum to all students, whether in the Honors Program or not. Honors Program classes will not necessarily involve exceptional amounts of work or have more stringent grading standards. They will, however, emphasize a classroom environment that encourages students to be fully engaged as active participants in the learning process.

What are the requirements for completing the Honors Program? What if I can't earn all the credit hours that are required?

HP students must complete a minimum of 15 credits of qualified HP coursework prior to graduation to earn the distinction of “Completion of the Honors Program."  Students who do not achieve the status of "Completion of the Honors Program" but, instead, complete 9 to 14 credits of Honors Program coursework during their matriculation at Georgia Tech earn the distinction of "Participation in the Honors Program."  You can read more about this here .  

Completion of the Honors Program is NOT a degree requirement.  Failure to complete the Honors Program does not delay graduation and is not indicated on your final Georgia Tech transcript.  Only successful completion is noted on the transcript.

Where can I find information on the Honors Program classes currently being offered?

The Honors Program classes for the current fall or spring semester are available on the HP website .  This website also includes a link to the HP Class Guide, with detailed information on every class and a biography of the professors teaching them.

I'm interested in earning Distinction in a Pathway while participating in the Honors Program. How do I achieve this?

There are three optional curriculum Pathways that Honors Program students can pursue during their undergraduate studies: Global Engagement , Research , and Service .  All three Pathways require six credit hours of coursework, with a minimum grade of a B for the class to count.  The six credit hours may also be applied to the 15 credit hours required for completion of the Honors Program--t hey are not in addition to the 15 hour curriculum requirement .

The Honors Program recognizes students who earn Distinction in a Pathway by including an Honors Program Pathway Distinction insignia on the right-hand side of the Honors Program graduation stole, and notation of the award for one or more Pathways on the framed HP "Certificate of Completion" and on the final Georgia Tech transcript.

HONORS PROGRAM HOUSING

Am i required to live in honors program housing.

Yes, for your first year.  All admitted students, whether they start as a first-year or a transfer student, must live in the Honors Program residence halls in Eighth Street East or South Apartments for their first year (fall and spring). The ONLY exception is for transfer students who are admitted in the spring semester.  Their residence requirement is only for the spring semester.

For students admitted during their first year, the options for the second year are to live in Honors Program housing OR office campus (refer to the First Year Acceptance Agreement for details).  For students admitted as transfer students, HP housing is available on a first-come, first-served basis and is not guaranteed (refer to the Transfer Acceptance Agreement ).  

Is HP housing guaranteed after the first year?

We require that all entering first-year and transfer students live in the Honors Program residence hall during their first year (or first semester, for spring transfer students only).  The availability of housing after the first year depends on whether you entered as a first-year student and will be a rising second-year student OR entered as a transfer student and will be a rising third-year student or beyond.

For rising second-year students, you have the option of living in Honors Program housing or off-campus.  For more details about this, visit the first-year admissions page .  For rising third-year students and beyond, HP housing is available on a first-come, first-served basis.  

We try to accommodate as many of the upper-year HP students as possible, but it is not guaranteed and we may not be able to accommodate every upper-year student who would like to live in Honors Program housing.

What are the apartments like and what other amenities are available in the Eighth Street Apartments?

Eighth Street Apartments are configured as either 2-, 4-, or 6-bedrooms.  Most apartments are 4-bedroom.  Students have a private bedroom, full kitchen, living room, and share a bathroom with one other person (i.e., a 2-person apartment has one bathroom, a 4-person apartment has two bathrooms, and a 6-person apartment has three bathrooms). Check out the layout and photos for: 

Eighth St. East: https://housing.gatech.edu/building/eighth-street-east  

Eighth St. South: https://housing.gatech.edu/building/eighth-street-south  

Do upper-class HP students and first-year HP students live together in Eighth Street Apartments?

They live together in the same building, but not in the same apartments.

Upper-class HP students live in Eighth St. apartments with other upper-class HP students. First-year HP students live in Eighth St. apartments with other first-year HP students. Upper-class HP apartments and first-year HP apartments will be located on all floors in Eighth St. East & South, but upper-class and first-year HP students will not live together in any of the apartments. 

Where are HP classes, events, activities, and HLC meetings held?

Some classes, events, and activities are scheduled in LLC West Commons, across the street from the Eighth Street Apartments (875 8th St.). Others will be scheduled elsewhere on campus. HLC meetings will be scheduled in LLC West Commons, with Buzzcard access to secure storage space for work product. An additional workspace for HP staff, HLC members, and HP student assistants is available adjacent to the HP staff offices and lounge.

Does the Honors Program offer gender-inclusive housing?

Absolutely!  The Honors Program is an inclusive community and we welcome students of all gender identities and sexual orientations.  To read more about gender-inclusive housing and to opt-in to the program, visit the Housing and Residence Life website . 

Is there indoor HP common spaces in Eighth Street Apartments for socializing and studying?

Yes, there is a lounge space in the HP staff offices. All HP students, whether or not resident in Eighth St., have 24/7 access to this space. In addition, there are numerous study spaces in Eighth St. East & South. All HP students who are resident in Eighth St. will have 24/7 access to these spaces. These include two large study rooms and several smaller study rooms, equipped with white boards.

Is there outdoor HP common spaces in Eighth Street Apartments for socializing and studying?

Yes, there are spacious—and lovely—courtyards for every-day studying and socializing and for outdoor HP events and activities. Take a walk through the Eighth St. courtyard spaces and check them out. 

Can I meet with HP staff members onsite in the residence hall?

Yes, our HP staff office suite and lounge is located in the annex to the Eighth Street West apartments.  You can stop by anytime to meet with HP staff or hang out in the lounge area.  The Hall Director for Eighth Street Apartments, Ms. Jordan Howell , also has an office in Eighth Street West (though in the other wing of the building).

Honors College

Incoming freshmen.

The Honors College offers opportunities for you to discover your passions and connect with a diverse student body to develop a standard of excellence. We encourage students from all disciplines and backgrounds to apply to the Honors College.

Admission Guidelines

Admission into the VCU Honors College is competitive, and all applicants are expected to have challenged themselves in high school through their course selections. The Honors College conducts a holistic review on all applicants with the following recommended admission guidelines:

• Unweighted high school grade point average of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
• Combined SAT score of at least 1330 (writing not included) OR an ACT composite score of at least 29.

Students who do not meet these criteria but feel an exception should be made remain eligible to apply as other components (extracurricular, honors, leadership, etc.) will be used in the holistic review and may offset lower quantitative scores.

Please note : For the 2023-2024 application year, test scores will not be required for general admission into the Honors College. Applicants who are able to take a standardized test and would like the scores to be used in our holistic application review may still submit scores. Students without test scores will receive a holistic review on all other portions of the application. Submission of test scores remains a requirement for all Guaranteed Admission Programs. However, if you were unable to test due to the pandemic, you may explain your situation in the comment box and will still receive a full holistic review with a completed application.

If you are a high school student interested in joining the Honors College, consider registering for an information session via Zoom. Questions about the information sessions can be directed to the Honors Recruitment and Enrollment Counselor, Will Gilbert ( [email protected] ). 

Register for an Info Session

Application Process

In addition to the submission of your VCU Common Application, prospective students must submit an Honors College application. As a first-time user, you will be prompted to create a username and password on the Honors College website. Once you have created a username and password, your application can be saved and completed at a later time. Upon submission of your Honors College application you will receive a confirmation email.

The Honors College will confirm your test scores and grade point average through the materials sent in with your Common Application. You do not need to send additional transcripts or scores to the Honors College.

As you prepare to apply, please consider these application components:

Submission of VCU Honors College application. You will need the following information to complete the application:

• Your unweighted high school GPA.
• Date(s) and score(s) for your SAT and/or ACT (optional for 2023-2024 admissions cycle).
• Date(s), subject(s) and score(s) for any Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate tests you have taken or plan to take.
• List any extracurricular involvement (leadership, service, honors, awards, etc.).
• Major influences on your intellectual and personal development, such as curricular and extracurricular experiences, community service or important people, events or ideas
• Your immediate educational goals and plans for achieving them
• Your goals and dreams for the future

Honors Application Portal

Important Dates & Deadlines

The VCU Honors College application will be available in early August.

Applications to the Honors College from incoming freshmen are accepted through April 15 of the senior year in high school. However, students are encouraged to apply by our priority deadline of February 1 . All prospective freshmen who apply to the Honors College by February 1 will be notified of our admissions decision by April 1.

Applications received after the priority deadline of February 1 will be considered on a space-available basis. All admissions decisions will be made no later than June 15. Applications received after 11:59 p.m. EDT on April 15 will not be considered.

Incoming Freshman Honors students are also eligible to apply for Honors College scholarships. Honors College scholarships require a supplemental application. Additional information will be included in the Honors College acceptance packet regarding Honors College scholarships.

Are you applying for an Honors College Guaranteed Admission Program?

Students interested in applying to the Honors College Guaranteed Admission Programs should begin the Honors College incoming student application and select which Guaranteed Admission Program they are interested in when prompted. Selecting a Guaranteed Admission Program will open the second half of the application, which is only for students applying to a Guaranteed Admission Program. This application must be completed in full with supporting documents by November 1  for consideration for the Guaranteed Admission Program. Students will be evaluated for both admission into the Honors College as well as into the selected Guaranteed Admission Program. Incoming freshmen who are interested in Guaranteed Admission do not need to complete a personal education paper. To learn more about the Guaranteed Admission Program requirements visit the link below.

Honors Guaranteed Admission Program

• University Honors College
• Application & Eligibility

How to apply to the Honors College

Why honors.

The Honors College opens the door to the best of the Northern Arizona University experience. You’ll be surrounded by a community of like-minded, ambitious, and curious students; welcomed into conversations with groundbreaking scholars and innovative artists; and encouraged to pursue projects that genuinely excite you.

We know you’re ready to climb higher. Seize your opportunity today.

All applications to the Honors College received by 11/15 at 11:59pm are being considered for the Honors College Merit Scholarship for Fall 2024.

The essay prompts for Spring and Fall 2024 Applications for Admission are posted below. 2025 Admission prompts will be posted by 8/1/2024

All student applicants to the Honors College must:

• first be admitted to NAU
• have an NAU user ID and password
• have a unweighted HS Core GPA of 3.0 or higher ( What is a HS Core GPA? )
• online Honors Application (link at bottom of page)
• two Honors admissions essays (minimum and maximum word requirements for each essay)
• resume or list of activities and accomplishments

Please have your essay and resume ready to submit before clicking the application link below. Documents are accepted in .doc, .docx, and .pdf formats only .

A confirmation email will be sent to the NAU email included in the online application, and all future correspondence from Honors is directed to that email.

Please note that if you are interested in applying for Spring or Fall 2023 admission, our application is now closed. The 2024 Honors Application is available September 1. The essay prompts have changed for Spring and Fall 2024 admission. Please check back in July 2024 for our updated prompts For Fall 2025 Admission.

Application policies

How we evaluate applications accordion closed.

Admission to Honors is based on an evaluation of the student from a multitude of perspectives. We do take test scores and HS Core GPA into consideration for new freshmen (minimum transfer college or current NAU GPA required) if submitted, but that criteria is not exclusively used to admit to Honors. Honors applicants for Fall 2023 average 27 on the ACT and 1189 on the Math and Reading portions of the SAT, and a 3.81 HS Core GPA. Honors College applicants must have a 3.0 Core HS GPA.

Important dates Accordion Closed

We accept applications to the Honors College all year (Sept 1 ->August 15), but we strongly encourage you be admitted to Honors prior to February 1 if you would like to live on campus and in the Honors Campus Living Community (this date allows you to ensure room placement in the Honors College); and April 1  is our priority date to ensure enrollment in our first year Honors seminar. Admission to Honors will continue through the Summer on a space available basis . Our application closes each year on Aug 15.

Honors College Campus Living Accordion Closed

The Honors CLC is available on a space-available basis. Students who secure Honors College Admission will live in the Honors College Campus Living Community(CLC) until space is filled.  Also note that application to Honors does not guarantee admission to Honors, nor is application to Honors considered for hall placement in the Honors CLC.

Admission to Honors does not guarantee placement in Honors College CLC, so please plan your campus living application submission accordingly. Applications are prioritized by date of application as space is limited.

See our Applying for Honors housing page for details. Any questions about the Honors College Campus Living Community should be directed to Campus Living .

Learn how to apply for Honors CLC

Scholarship consideration Accordion Closed

Submitting an application for Honors on or before November 15, will consider you for one of our limited Honors Merit Scholarships for the following Spring or Fall enrollment term. Notification of this award will be made in late December. We will consider applications after this date on a “funds available” basis.

Your “essays”  will be evaluated both on your content and ideas as well as on writing conventions such as thesis, supporting evidence, organization, grammar, spelling, parallel construction, style, and mechanics.

Prompts for Spring or Fall 2024 Honors College Admission Accordion Closed

Spring and Fall 2024 Admission prompts are NOW available through the links below. Prompts for the upcoming academic year 2024 should post here on or around August 10, 2023.

In developing your answer, you may want to discuss examples with which you are familiar. Try and think of 2-4 examples here, but please note that this is not a personal essay, so please do not compose your paper in the first person. In other words, do not use “I” statements. Look at examples of civic and community engagement as if you were viewing them from the outside.

• “Essay” 2: Please write five sentences describing yourself, your life, and your experiences that, taken together, form an accurate view of who you are.  Be creative!  List more than 5 and we will only read and consider the first 5.Do not list information provided in your résumé.  This is not a rehash of what you’ve already submitted telling us about yourself.These five sentences should be “little nuggets” of information that give us insight into who you are.  It’s information that you couldn’t work/sneak into an essay or onto your résumé, but information you feel is really important in showing us just who you are, “where you come from.”  The sentences should not simply reiterate information from your résumé, but they may enhance information mentioned on your résumé.  Smart applicants will make good use of this opportunity and make each of the five sentences about something different.  Think of these sentences as showing us aspects of who you are, including what you do, what you love, your favorite things, your deepest desires, your most grandiose dreams…..  These are snapshots, not short stories, that give us a view of you and your unique perspective.

Respond to both prompts for consideration. Please have your Honors College Essays of Admission (prompts above) and resume ready to submit before  clicking the “Apply to Honors on-line” link below. This link is only accessible to prospective Honors students who have first been admitted to NAU who have a 3.0 HS Core GPA or higher. Essays should be submitted in .doc, .docx, or .pdf formats ONLY. Not submitting in one of these three formats will delay your admission decision. You are also asked to copy and paste your resume and essays into text boxes. Formatting will not be preserved in the text box, which is why we ask for an uploaded document. The evaluation of the essays and resume will not be affected by the appearance of the text box submission.

Your resume

Please consider this an opportunity for you to describe yourself to us in ways beyond a record of your employment. This document should help us find answers to questions like:

• What things are you interested in?
• What student or community groups or organizations are you a member of?
• What do you do with your spare time? Do you play club/school sports? Do you volunteer? Where? How often?
• What leadership positions do you have?

Please note that we do deny student admission to Honors. Should you wish to have your application re-opened for a second review, we ask that you submit a new essay and a new resume along with a completed teacher evaluation (send teacher evaluation to [email protected]).

Other admissions policies

Transfer student requirements accordion closed.

Incoming students to the Honors College are considered “transfer students” when they are transferring 24 or more semester credit hours (earned post-HS graduation) into NAU and have a cumulative grade point average of 3.3 or above. Transfer students must submit an application, resume, and essay for consideration. Transfer transcripts must be on file at NAU for consideration.

Current student requirements Accordion Closed

If you are not admitted for new or transfer admission, you may apply for the Honors College after completing 12 credit hours of letter-graded coursework at Northern Arizona University. Current NAU students must submit an application, resume, and essay for consideration. The coursework to be considered for admission must count toward liberal studies and/or toward major or minor requirements.

Reminder: to be eligible for admission as a current NAU student, you must have a cumulative Northern Arizona University grade point average of 3.30 or above.

Admission to Honors does not guarantee placement in Honors College CLC, so please plan your campus living application submission accordingly. Housing applications are prioritized by date of application as space is limited.

All applications to the Honors College received by 11/15/2023 at 11:59pm will be considered for the Honors College Merit Scholarship for Fall 2024 enrollment. 

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Honors College Application Process

We are pleased you are considering joining the Kent State University Honors College. This is an exciting opportunity for students who are looking for a challenge, and who will immerse themselves in all that the Honors College has to offer.

The admissions process and requirements depend on your point of entry. Find your admissions guidelines below:

The Honors College enrolls students who are academically motivated and demonstrate the potential for significant academic and creative ability at Kent State University. We take a holistic approach to evaluating students for admission. Standardized test scores have historically been just one indicator among many in our review process. Those students applying as a first-year student in the Honors College are not required to submit standardized test scores (ACT or SAT). In the absence of test scores, we will continue to look at all available factors, including the completion of a core curriculum; high school GPA; a student’s decision to take rigorous coursework such as AP, IB, honors or college credit, where it is offered; application essays; extracurricular activities; positions of employment and leadership experiences; along with other achievements or extenuating factors.

Application Process & Deadlines

First-Year admission to the Honors College is by invitation only. In order to receive an invitation, you must: have a 3.7+ (weighted or unweighted) cumulative high school GPA AND adhere to the deadlines for the Kent State University undergraduate admissions application and the Honors College application. 

Fall Semester

• In order to receive an invitation to the Honors College, you should apply to Kent State by Dec. 1, 2023.

Spring Semester

• In order to receive an invitation to the Honors College, you should apply to Kent State by Nov. 15, 2023.

Application

Admission to the Honors College is competitive. The Honors College application is supplemental to the Kent State University application (which should be completed by December 1) and is one of the most important components in determining a student's success and acceptance into the Honors College. The application should be completed after receiving your invitation, and requires an essay response along with requested information regarding academic rigor and leadership/extracurricular activities. We highly discourage the use of ChatGPT or other AI software to prepare your essay, as only you can show us who you are through originality of thought and purpose and clarity in your writing.

New Freshman Application

“Please use the username and password used to apply to Kent State University. If you applied using the Common Application, you should have received an email with your login credentials. If you’re unable to log in to your applicant portal, please contact the Admissions Office at 330-672-2444 or  [email protected] .”

Admissions Decisions

• All decisions will be announced by early March, via email, with a formal printed decision letter to follow.
• All decisions will be announced by late December, via email, with a formal printed decision letter to follow.

Scholarship Consideration

When a prospective student applies for Honors College admission, they are also automatically considered for Honors College scholarships. The same application is used to award scholarships to entering freshmen that demonstrate the potential for superior scholarly and creative activity at the university. All entering freshmen are offered an Honors Distinction Award of $2,000 per academic year (students whose tuition is fully covered through other avenues are not eligible.) Students are also considered for additional honors scholarships when they apply to the Honors College. With support from our generous Honors College donors, these scholarships can range from $500 to $2,000 per academic year. The Honors College will contact those honors students who are selected to receive these scholarships each academic year.

Honors College Application Frequently Asked Questions

Benefits of Joining the Honors College

Honors College Requirements for Academics

Current Kent State students and transfer students with outstanding academic records may be considered for admission to the Honors College.

Current Kent State students who are not admitted as incoming freshmen but would like to join the Honors College may apply for membership in the Honors College for the purposes of completing a Senior Honors Thesis/Project . Typically, this consideration occurs in the junior year.

Students who transfer to Kent State from another honors program or college at an accredited institution are eligible to apply for admission to the Honors College. For more information about the benefits of the Honors College and why transfer students should consider applying, please visit  Why Honors For Transfer Students? .

Eligibility Requirements (current Kent State students):

To be considered for admission to the Honors College for the purpose of completing a Senior Honors Thesis/Project, we require students to have the following:

At least one full-time semester of study completed at Kent State at the time of application AND a minimum of three full-time semesters of study remaining before graduation (students in specific academic programs may be required to have four semesters remaining)

A cumulative GPA of 3.50 or higher at the end of the semester prior to admission

Eligibility Requirements (transfer students):

Must currently be enrolled in an honors program or college at an accredited institution

Have completed at least one honors course with a grade of a C or better (the Honors College may accept up to 12 hours of honors credits towards the required 24 honors hours needed by graduation)

Hold a cumulative GPA of 3.50 or higher at the end of the semester prior to admission

Application Process

Current Kent State students interested in completing a Senior Honors Thesis/Project must contact Marsha Kraus at [email protected]  for information about the thesis process and the required thesis information meetings.

Transfer students must contact Ólöf Thórdardóttir, Coordinator of Admissions, at [email protected] for information on accessing the Honors College application for transfer students.

The Honors College will accept applications from continuing Kent State students and transfer students during the fall and spring semesters. Decisions will be made on a rolling basis, but students must apply by the deadline.

• Spring Admission: Dec. 1
• Fall Admission: July 1

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Students are accepted into the University Honors Program by application only. Prospective FSU students indicate interest in applying to University Honors on their general university application and subsequently complete a supplementary University Honors Application. Additionally, students also may apply for lateral admission to University Honors at the end of their first semester at FSU or apply as a transfer student from another institution at which they are a member of the Honors program or Honors college. 

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

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Admission to Engineering Honors

Students interested in living in the optional Engineering Honors living learning community (Engineering Honors Community of Scholars - ECOS) need to complete their Engineering Honors (EH) application by the EH application deadline for incoming freshmen ( February 15)  and  apply to live in the Engineering Village @ The Commons LLC  as soon as possible to be eligible for a spot, because spaces fill fast.

Apply for Engineering Honors Today!

Engineering Honors Information

• Eligibility for the Engineering Honors program
• Admission to the Engineering Honors program

Eligibility for Engineering Honors

• Admission is competitive. Review of applications is holistic, with the goal of identifying students who will benefit the most from and bring the most to the program. Approximately 10% of each class will be admitted to the program.

Incoming Freshmen

• Incoming freshmen who have applied to Texas A&M University with a preference for engineering.
• Incoming freshmen who are accepted to the College of Engineering at the College Station campus, including students in the Texas A&M Engineering-Blinn program.
• Incoming freshmen who are accepted to the Bachelor of Arts in computing program offered by the Department of Computer Science and Engineering.

Current Students

• Engineering students must have an overall GPA of 3.5 or better.
• Transfer engineering students who enter with a 3.5 GPA or higher may register for honors courses and can apply to the program after their first semester at Texas A&M.

Students are admitted to the Engineering Honors program on a competitive basis. Applications are submitted through an online application system, found in the "Deadlines" section below. The application requires information about the applicant including the following:

For Current Status Choice:

• Incoming freshmen who haven't yet begun classes at Texas A&M choose "Incoming Freshman."
• Transfer students in their first semester at Texas A&M, thus without a cumulative GPA, choose "Transfer Student."
• All other applicants with a cumulative Texas A&M GPA or currently taking classes at Texas A&M, choose "Current TAMU Student."

For Academic Performance, please include:

• High school performance information (including high school transcript) required for incoming freshmen.
• Unofficial transcript required for current students.

Application required materials:

• One letter of reference.
• An essay describing the benefits of participating in undergraduate research and specific research topics the student has interest in exploring.
• Answers to three short answer questions detailing additional information, perspective on recent engineering news, and experiences the student found significant in preparing them to be successful as an engineering student.
• An electronic signature and statement of honor.

Students who have questions about eligibility or the application process should  email the Engineering Honors program .

Incoming Freshmen and Incoming Transfer Students

Fall 2024  - Submit your application using  this Engineering Honors online application portal . The deadline for all incoming freshmen and incoming transfer students to complete their Engineering Honors application is February 15.

To be considered for a place in the Engineering Honors Community of Scholars (ECOS) , please see below:

• For the Engineering Honors Community of Scholars (ECOS) -   In addition to completing an application to the Engineering Honors program, students also must  apply to live in the Engineering Village @ The Commons LLC  to be considered for a spot in ECOS. Students who complete their Engineering Honors application after our deadline will not be eligible for a spot in our dorm.

Submit your application to  the Engineering Honors online application portal .

*Make sure you choose the correct semester when creating an application.*

• Spring: Tuesday, December 19, 2023
• Fall:  Wednesday, May 15, 2024

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So Your High School Doesn’t Offer APs—Are AP Exams Still Important For College Admissions?

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Advanced Placement courses are offered at thousands of high schools across the U.S.— approximately 35% of public high school graduates in the Class of 2023 took at least one AP exam, and approximately 2.8 million students sat for AP exams in 2023. However, a large number of schools do not offer AP courses. In many cases, this is due to a lack of resources—though strides have been made to increase access to AP courses in underprivileged schools, a gap in access persists along racial and socioeconomic lines. In other cases, schools are ditching the AP curriculum as a result of their educational philosophy. In 2018, elite private schools in the D.C. area such as Sidwell Friends and Georgetown Prep announced their intention to phase out AP classes, citing their desire for a more independent curriculum and a growing frustration with the AP’s orientation toward testing rather than other metrics for success.

Despite these drawbacks, AP courses and exams remain highly regarded by many colleges and universities, as they offer insight into students’ academic acumen and potential to complete college coursework successfully. As a result, many students without access to AP courses are left wondering whether they should still register, study and sit for AP exams.

First and foremost, students should know that colleges and universities evaluate their applications in the context of their school and the opportunities available to them. This means that if students did not have AP classes available to them at their schools, admissions officers will not expect to see AP courses or AP exam scores included in their applications. As such, these students’ applications will not be disadvantaged in any way by not including AP exams.

That being said, there are some scenarios in which a student may still wish to take an AP exam despite not having taken an AP course. These are the top three reasons that students might consider sitting for one or more AP exams:

1. To Earn College Credit

One of the main reasons students take AP exams is to earn college credit. Many colleges and universities grant credit for high AP exam scores (typically for 4s or 5s). By earning credit through AP exams, you may be able to fulfill prerequisites, skip introductory courses, or accelerate your progress toward graduation once you enroll in college. However, this is not the case at every school. In order to determine whether the time and effort you will put into studying and taking an AP exam will be justified, you should research whether the schools you are considering applying to give college credit for high AP exam scores. You can often find this information on admissions or departmental websites, or by contacting admissions representatives at each respective school. You can also check the College Board website to see if the schools on your list accept AP credits, but note that these policies change frequently, so you should still follow up with the schools for verification. If a handful of the schools on your list do accept high scores for credit, it may be a strategic choice to sit for one or more exam.

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Sh gun episode 10 review a powerful finale but not what i was expecting, the trump media stock price djt is about to adjust down by 22 7, 2. to use exam scores in lieu of the sat or act.

As Ivy League and other top schools reinstate their standardized testing requirements, some schools have announced their intention to allow students to submit test scores from AP examinations in place of ACT or SAT scores. Dartmouth allows students applying from schools outside of the U.S. to satisfy their testing requirement by submitting three AP exam scores. Meanwhile, Yale’s new test-flexible policy also allows students applying domestically to submit AP and IB scores in lieu of other standardized tests. If you are applying internationally or if you have reason to believe that you will achieve a stronger score on AP exams than on the SAT or ACT, you can consider sitting for the exams. Note that not all schools have such flexible testing policies, so you will likely still need to sit for the SAT or the ACT.

3. To Demonstrate Your Academic Abilities

It is important to remember that while they are not the only way to demonstrate their academic capabilities, AP exams are an unbiased and quantifiable way to assess students’ preparedness for college coursework. Students who struggled academically earlier in their high school years or who want to highlight their skills in a specific discipline may benefit from the inclusion of AP scores in their applicant profiles.

Finally, while students who do not have access to AP classes should consider their options and make a strategic decision about taking exams on the basis of their applicant profiles and academic goals, students who have taken AP courses absolutely should take AP exams. Failing to sit for the exams will not only foreclose the possibility of earning college credit, but it will also reflect poorly on your application and raise questions with admissions committees.

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2024 Massey Awards recognize employees’ service to Carolina

The recipients include two housekeepers, two administrators, two academic staff members and one executive assistant.

Six Carolina employees will receive the 2024 C. Knox Massey Distinguished Service Awards, one of the most prestigious distinctions for faculty and staff. One employee will also be honored posthumously.

Established in 1980 by the late C. Knox Massey ’25, the awards recognize “unusual, meritorious or superior contributions” by University employees. The awards will be presented at a luncheon April 27.

“Our extraordinary employees are at the heart of Carolina’s excellence,” said Interim Chancellor Lee H. Roberts. “Each year, the Massey Awards highlight the remarkable and superior ways our employees contribute to our community, and the seven individuals being recognized this year are superb examples. Their hard work and dedication truly stand out. I’m honored to celebrate and acknowledge all they do for our great University.”

The winners, selected through a campus-wide nomination process, each receive a $10,000 stipend and award citation.

This year’s recipients are:

Linc Butler , associate vice chancellor, Human Resources

Butler, who came to Carolina in 1997, developed a deep knowledge of HR policies and is a go-to person for many colleagues. He served on the University’s Emergency Response Team, leads the inclement weather policy and sits on countless UNC System task forces in support of improved efficiency. Beyond Carolina, Butler also assisted other campuses in the UNC System. More than one colleague appreciated “his willingness to roll up his sleeves and inspire positive change that motivates others, and thus makes the University a better place.”

Khin Su Su Kyi , housekeeper, Facilities Services

Kyi keeps all 10 floors and 343,000 square feet of Marsico Hall in tiptop shape. She’s worked in the medical research building since it opened, taking care of the lobby and coffee shop, cleaning restrooms, mopping up spills and washing windows. Kyi was instrumental in addressing pipe issues in December 2022 and cleaning up after a fire in March 2023. Nominators celebrated Kyi, a single mother and refugee from Myanmar who came to the United States speaking limited English, for her generous optimism, extraordinary work ethic and resilient spirit.

Robin Lee , housekeeper, Facilities Services

Lee is the reason that Kenan Residence Hall isn’t just a building to live in for 120 Carolina students but their home. Lee, or Miss Robin to the students, arrives at 7 a.m. each day and begins cleaning before the residents are awake. Nominators celebrated Lee’s willingness to go above and beyond while being cognizant of safety, accessibility and comfort for all students. She’s been instrumental in advocating for higher wages for Carolina’s housekeepers. Lee greets everyone with a smile and does everything she can to make students feel at home.

Summer Montgomery , student services manager, College of Arts and Sciences’ biology department

Montgomery, who’s worked at Carolina for nearly 30 years, oversees logistics like registrations, class schedules, classrooms, applications and safety approvals for the University’s largest major. Colleagues call her organized, attentive and able to head off crises before they happen. She played a pivotal role in handling operations through the pandemic and the rollout of the biology department’s new undergraduate curriculum. Montgomery elevated the Koeppe Biology Honors Symposium by making it a weeklong celebration and has managed the department’s commencement ceremony since 2011.

Desirée Rieckenberg , dean of students

Rieckenberg’s work means she’s as likely to get a call at 3 a.m. as 3 p.m. concerning a student health or safety issue. She’s at the forefront of responding to some of the most difficult situations, including mental health crises, natural disasters or housing and food insecurity issues. Rieckenberg was the visionary behind the creation of the CARE team, a group that meets weekly to review cases of students experiencing distress or challenges that threaten their academic progress. She also led the creation of the University Approved-Absence Office, was a “relentless champion” of the Carolina Veterans’ Resource Center and partnered with the Office of Scholarships and Student Aid to hire the University’s first director of financial well-being.

Nicholas Siedentop, curriculum director, College of Arts and Sciences

Siedentop’s work may “be invisible to the wider university community,” but it has a huge impact on every undergraduate seeking a degree at Carolina. He oversees efforts to modernize and digitize the University’s curriculum processes, including the introduction of the online undergraduate catalog, academic policies and review of all aspects of Carolina’s majors and minors. Siedentop helped plan and implement the IDEAS in Action curriculum, the Transfer Course Re-Evaluation System and Curriculum Inventory Manager. Nominators noted his “unwavering integrity” and called him a “valued and trusted colleague and a wonderful supervisor and leader.”

Elizabeth Williams (posthumous winner) , executive assistant, Office of the Chancellor

Williams was a “keeper of light and joy” in South Building before her sudden passing in November. Her tenure at Carolina began after a career in banking, raising her children and serving as guardian ad litem to many more children. Before serving as executive assistant to Chancellors Carol Folt and Kevin Guskiewicz, Williams worked in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and the Morehead-Cain Foundation as an admissions essay reader. Colleagues noted how she treated everyone with respect, created an environment where you felt valued and could balance a calendar like an expert Tetris player. To many, “she was truly the heart of the University.”

Over eight days at sea, Joey Biddix worked with astronauts and Navy specialists to prepare for a water recovery mission.

Nature is good for kids

A new study from FPG researchers suggests preschoolers living near green space have better mental health.

Washington Week introduces students to alumni diplomats

Tar Heels networked about foreign affairs careers through this UNC Global Affairs program.

Men’s golf claims first ACC title since 2006

The Tar Heels defeated Florida State in Charlotte to earn their 12th conference championship.

Library MakerSpace and Music Library to move in summer

The popular services will relocate to the Undergraduate and Davis libraries, respectively, for greater access.

$1.5 million gift launches Kenan Galapagos program this fall

The William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust-funded fellowships will support graduate students and post-docs.

CHASE Solar Hub pioneers liquid fuel conversion

At the center's Chapel Hill headquarters, more than 100 researchers work to turn sunlight into methanol.

Trash Force picks up after campus

What started as an extra credit opportunity grew into a club who has fun keeping Carolina clean.

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Students get a ‘Jumpstart’ on their careers in Dallas

Uc blue ash students experience transformative travel on their path to lindner.

Students from Carl H. Lindner College of Business’ Jumpstart program — a pipeline between UC Blue Ash and the business college that provides students with additional support toward transitioning into a bachelor’s degree program — experienced a whirlwind visit to Dallas during spring break 2024.

The group of 12 students balanced a packed schedule of professional development and networking with cultural and tourist experiences. Sponsored by Deloitte, students connected with Lindner alumni and employer partners throughout the four-day trip.

Arun Murthy, BBA '95, (center) offered students advice on actions they can take now that will create positive impact for their futures.

Day one: Diving right in

Day one brought a visit to the Charles Schwab corporate campus where students met with Lindner alumnus  Arun Murthy , BBA ’95.

After a tour of the campus, students engaged in a Q&A session with Murthy to gain his insights on what they should be doing right now to prepare them for the next phase of their educational and career journeys. 

Murthy encouraged the young professionals to “keep your eyes open” and pay attention to what piques their interest. But Murthy’s greatest advice to students was to get involved and be open to meeting and getting to know new people.

After finishing their day with a visit to the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum for reflection and remembrance, and an evening in the Discovery District of Dallas for dinner and exploration, students looked to a second day packed with adventure. 

Day two: A non-stop adventure

I think one of the reasons that I probably succeeded in this type of environment was my ability to connect and the relationships that I made with the people I interviewed with. It wasn't just transactional. It's very relational in nature.

Kasey Beiting Campus recruiting specialist, Deloitte

Day two’s itinerary featured visits to the American Airlines corporate campus, Deloitte University and AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys, to learn about sales and sports marketing.

First on the list: American Airlines.

Led by Scott Mallory, a campus recruiter for the company, students toured the expansive headquarters asking questions along the way about everything from employee benefits to navigating career changes.

“One of the most significant lessons I learned was the unpredictability of your professional career,” said Manuel Chacon Molina, who is interested in studying international business upon transferring to Lindner. “Observing individuals like Scott Mallory at American Airlines, who began in human resources and progressed across various departments, has reinforced the notion that while academic foundations are crucial, practical experience is fundamental for professional growth.”

Jumpstart students enjoyed their tour of the American Airlines' corporate headquarters.

For Abybatou Diop, a first-year  Jumpstart  student interested in supply chains and international business, the experience was transformative.

“The American Airlines company tour profoundly changed my perspective on the business world, igniting a passion within me," Diop said. "This experience was life-altering, pushing me to think beyond my previous limits. I am forever grateful for the inspiration it has given.” 

Still in awe from their first tour of the day, students had even more in store as they headed to Deloitte University, the training grounds for all Deloitte employees.

Students were welcomed by a committee of Deloitte representatives, including several from Cincinnati who made the trip to Dallas to connect with the Jumpstart students. 

Jeff Suttle, director, client relations, led students on a facility tour and provided an overview of the purpose of Deloitte University and how it helps the organization to continuously grow and invest in its employees.

Students enjoyed lunch alongside company representatives Jim Sowar, managing partner, Kasey Beiting, campus recruiting specialist, and Zach Wall, audit senior manager. Afterward, Sowar, Beiting and Wall engaged with students in a more formalized Q&A session, providing advice for how to prepare for their future careers, identifying their ideal career path and challenges they may face along their journey.  

“In the first couple of years, I wasn't sure what my path to take, but it was really diving in and owning the fact that, if I'm going to be successful, I'm going to have to work hard, I'm going have to put my head down at times that I might not want to,” Wall told students. “But ultimately, that's the way to meeting that goal on that path.”

Deloitte representatives Kasey Beiting (left), campus recruiting specialist, Zach Wall (center), audit senior manager, and Jim Sower (right), managing partner, engaged in a Q&A session with students at Deloitte University.

As an active leader in the campus recruitment process for Deloitte, Beiting was able to offer the students an insider’s point of view on how to approach the interview process.

“I think one of the reasons that I probably succeeded in this type of environment was my ability to connect and the relationships that I made with the people I interviewed with,” said Beiting. “It wasn't just transactional. It's very relational in nature.”

With nearly 40 years of experience in the tax industry, and more than 20 years with Deloitte, Sowar hammered home this point for students.

“Is this candidate going to be able to not only maintain relationships but grow relationships and create new relationships that will lead to new business?” Sowar said of what Deloitte is looking for in its employees. “And that gets into what kind of personal skills do you have? Can you carry out a conversation? Are you asking interesting questions? How do you interact with people in a group setting and so forth? We do notice those things, and I think they really stand up.”  

The themes of leadership and relationships expressed by Wall, Beiting and Sowar resonated heavily with students as they thought about their own career trajectories.

“Deloitte's emphasis on nurturing leadership qualities and continuous improvement resonated deeply with me,” said Chacon Molina. “The immersive experience at Deloitte University, allied to a rigorous training program, helps individuals not just with job-specific skills but also with the mindset and capabilities to lead effectively.”

Students took in city views at the Reunion Tower Observation Deck.

Students’ attention then turned to a more light-hearted adventure: a tour of AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys. But, before the fun began, the group stopped to connect with Bohn Crain, account executive with the AT&T Stadium sales team.

Crain’s energy and passion for his career path radiated over the students as they took in his message and holy grail advice: network, network, network.

Crain discussed his mission to meet one new person per day and encouraged students to take on the same challenge, as you never know where that connection may lead. Students were able to put this advice into immediate use as they connected with members of the Lindner Career Services team over dinner at Kitchen & Kocktails, a Black-owned business in the heart of Dallas.

Day three: Making connections

The final day of the trip allowed students to continue bonding with one another as they explored all Dallas has to offer, including the Perot Museum of Nature and Science and the Reunion Tower Observation Deck. Through these experiences, students were able to form new bonds and identify new ways that they may support each other into the future, both personally and professionally.

“I thought Dallas was a great experience for the students. They were able to see what their futures could look like, the places that their degree could take them,” said Abbey Wulf, academic adviser to the Jumpstart program. “It was rewarding to see them engaging with different companies and asking them questions. I think they also bonded with one another over this experience and their time together. I personally hope that the bonds created during this trip remain. That they now have people they can lean on at UC Blue Ash and in Lindner once they transition and after graduation.”

Lasting impact and looking forward 

The idea behind the Jumpstart program is to plant seeds and watch them grow. By encouraging our students to constantly show up and just do it, no matter how hard it is — a course, a test, a project — we help to push them further so they can thrive.

Arielle Betts Program coordinator, Office of Inclusive Excellence

Top of mind for both students and employers throughout the company visits: diversity, a topic near and dear to many Jumpstart participants’ experiences.

“The most important thing that I learned from our experience in Dallas was how much businesses are in search of diversity and how important it is for them to have as much diversity as possible. Diversity can help them reach their highest peak of success,” said marketing major Cris Mejia-Sanchez.

According to Arielle Betts , the program coordinator behind Jumpstart from Lindner’s Office of Inclusive Excellence , this experience represents another cornerstone of the foundation of the program and what she hopes to achieve with it.

“The idea behind the Jumpstart program is to plant seeds and watch them grow," Betts said. "By encouraging our students to constantly show up and just do it, no matter how hard it is — a course, a test, a project — we help to push them further so they can thrive.”

Featured image at top: Jumpstart students pose with company representatives from Deloitte at the Deloitte University campus. Photos/Haley Fite.

Building a pipeline from UC Blue Ash to Lindner

The University of Cincinnati Jumpstart program helps students enrolled in the UC Blue Ash Pre-Business Administration program transition into the Bachelor in Business Administration program at the Carl H. Lindner College of Business . This program builds students’confidence as they transition to UC’s Clifton Campus through a variety of resources, including academic support, staff guidance, informative and impactful workshops, and opportunities to connect with other students and build community.

• Lindner Diversity & Inclusion
• Blue Ash College
• Lindner College of Business
• Career-Services
• Undergraduate-Programs
• Experience-based Learning
• Student Experience

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