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Frequently Asked Questions About Applying to the Honors College

Applying to Purdue’s Honors College:  FAQs

Q:  Why should I join the Honors College? What are the benefits of membership?

A:  The benefits of joining the Honors College are intellectual, communal, and professional.  A member of the Honors College pursues rigorous honors coursework, builds relationships and networks with other highly motivated students and honors faculty members, and graduates with a citation from the Honors College on his or her diploma.  While such recognition distinguishes an honors graduate among others applying for professional positions and graduate school, many of the rewards of joining the Honors College are less tangible but equally powerful:  personal growth and the satisfaction of intellectual challenge.  Honors college students engage the community in a variety of ways and are encouraged to become leaders at Purdue and beyond.

Honors College membership also comes with the following resources:

  • The option to live in honors housing throughout your time at Purdue  [Incoming students who live on campus are required to live in honors housing during their first year]
  • Honors College co-curricular and extracurricular activities
  • Leadership opportunities
  • Priority registration

Q:  How do I join the Honors College?

A:  If you are an incoming student, Honors College admission is by invitation only.  If you are a continuing Purdue student or an admitted transfer student, you may apply to the Honors College online at this link:

http://www.purdue.edu/honorscollege/apply/

Q:  Who can apply?

A:  Any continuing Purdue student or admitted transfer student who meets Honors College entrance requirements may apply.

Q:  What are the Honors College entrance requirements?

A:  To join the Honors College, a student must have a 3.50 grade point average or higher and at least four semesters of study remaining before graduation.  Students entering the Honors College must agree to complete the Honors College curriculum, which may be found here:

http://www.purdue.edu/honorscollege/info/outline.html

Q:  Is the Honors College curriculum different from the University Honors Program curriculum or the curricula of the various college honors programs at Purdue?

A:  Yes.  Please consult your current program requirements to compare.  The Honors College requires 24 honors credits, including 5 HONR credits and a thesis or scholarly project.  FAQs about the Honors College curriculum can be found here:

http://www.purdue.edu/honorscollege/info/CurriculumFAQs.html

Q:  If I am a current UHP student or a member of a Purdue college honors program and I want to transfer to the Honors College, do I still need to apply?

A:  Yes, although if you indicate your intention to join the Honors College before May 24, 2013, and you meet the requirements for membership, you will be transferred directly into the Honors College without formal application or review. The transition form for current honors students can be found at this link:

http://www.purdue.edu/honorscollege/apply/?transition

Continuing honors students applying after May 24, 2013 should fill out the standard application form, which be reviewed first by their academic college and then by the Honors College:

http://www.purdue.edu/honorscollege/apply/

Q:  What do I do if I am a current UHP student or a member of a Purdue college honors program and I do not want to join the Honors College?

A:  Nothing.  If you do not join the Honors College you will continue in your current program on the requirements under which you entered that program.

Q:  May I transfer into the Honors College from my current honors program and then return to that program later under its current requirements? 

A:  UHP students who transfer into the Honors College may not rejoin the UHP, membership for which is now closed.  Students in college honors programs should seek the advice of the program director.

Q:  May I join a college honors program instead of the Honors College?

A:  No.  As of fall 2013, all admission to honors will be through the central Honors College rather than individual college honors programs.

Q:  May I pursue an honors program within my home department instead of or in addition to the Honors College?

A:  Yes.  Departmental honors programs are distinct from the Honors College.  A student may pursue either or both types of honors.

Q:  How do I remain in good standing within the Honors College?

A:  HC students need to maintain a GPA of 3.50 or above.  Students whose GPA drops below 3.50 for two consecutive semesters will no longer have priority registration or the guarantee of doing a thesis or scholarly work under faculty supervision. Privileges will be reinstated if the student’s cumulative GPA rises above 3.50.