Admissions Information

The University Honors Program has four possible entry points. The first two entry points are for students who are interested in the College Honors track and the third is for students interested in Departmental Honors. In addition, transfer students may choose to pursue either track, based on coursework they have already completed prior to entering the UW. Please see these links for more information about the differences between College Honors and Departmental Honors.

1. FRESHMAN ADMISSION: The first opportunity for admission to the Honors Program is called Freshman Admission and is available to students who are entering directly from high school. Students apply to the Honors Program and to UW Undergraduate Admissions at the same time; that is, they submit the UW Undergraduate materials and the Honors materials at the same time. The Honors Program takes great care in selecting its entering class and uses a holistic approach to admissions. The admissions committee wants to get to know you and, through your application, looks to understand the defining experiences you’ve had and how well you articulate them; how you’ve prepared for the challenge of being an Honors student; what motivates you; what makes you yourself.

To apply for Freshman Admission to the UW Honors Program, please see Application Information.

2. LATE ADMISSION: Students who do not enter the UW as Honors students but demonstrate academic excellence during their first two quarters at the UW may apply for Late Admission to the Honors Program in the spring of their freshman year. The deadline for Late Admission is the second Monday of Spring Quarter. To apply, please see Late Admission for more information. Click here to download a printable PDF file of our Application for Late Admission.

3. DEPARTMENTAL HONORS: The third opportunity to enter the University Honors program is through Departmental Honors, which is available to students after they declare their majors. This process is ideal for students who have already completed a majority of their general education requirements or who would like to try out the UW before joining Honors. These students apply directly to their Departmental Honors Program within their major(s) and will graduate “With Distinction.”

Students must discuss Honors requirements with their departmental advisor, as the requirements are different for each individual department.

4. TRANSFER APPLICANTS: Transfer students who have participated in honors programs elsewhere or who have unusually good college academic records and have not completed a majority of their general education requirements may be interested in joining the full College Honors Program. Those interested in entering the Honors Program must wait until they have been admitted to the University of Washington before applying to Honors. Please see Transfer Students for more information.

   NOTE: College Honors students will not only complete the Honors Core Curriculum, but will also complete Honors work in their Department. See this link for more information about College Honors.

   Transfer students who have completed the majority of their General Education requirements or who have earned an associates degree are probably better suited to enter into Departmental Honors instead of pursuing the completion of the College Honors core requirements. Click here to download a printable PDF file of our Transfer Student Application Form.

211 Mary Gates Hall : Box 352800 : Seattle, WA 98195-2800

206.543.7444 : 206.543.6469 FAX

uwhonors@u.washington.edu