The Honors College seeks intellectually curious students who are concerned with the world around them. The Honors Curriculum and Community is designed to engage students in a breadth and depth of study culminating in a thesis in the student’s major.
Liberal Arts and Sciences at the Honors College: Rooted in an interdisciplinary approach to the Humanities, Natural and Social Sciences, and Mathematics, an Honors education aims to contribute to the development of the individual rather than the focus of a specific profession. At the Honors College, we believe that venturing out of your comfort zone is crucial to that individual development. If you are accepted, you’ll take courses in which you encounter complex readings and ideas, and maybe a history role-playing game, that requires you to read, think and write in new ways. Your Honors courses will span the Liberal Arts and Sciences, and you will be invited to participate in a diverse range of Praxis Labs addressing current social issues. You’ll be part of a vibrant community that will support you as you work toward completing your Honors degree. Expect stretches of confusion between moments of clarity, knowing that the intellectual struggle from perplexity to understanding can foster some of the deepest learning.
HONORS APPLICATION TIMELINE
Incoming first-year and transfer students: You must apply through the University of Utah general admissions application. The Honors College has two essay prompts. The prompts are provided within the application and essays should be uploaded to the U application. Applicants who submit completed applications, pay application fees (or have the fees waived through the Office of Admissions), and submit transcripts and test scores (TEST SCORES ARE OPTIONAL - NOT REQUIRED) to the University Office of Admissions will be reviewed by the Honors College. For first-year students to be considered for the Honors College priority date, students must submit a complete application (including transcripts and applicable test scores) to the University by the priority deadline.
*Note: All applications must apply through the University's application system. Emailed, faxed or hard copies will not be reviewed.
The Honors College admissions process is highly competitive. During the holistic review process, readers are looking for bright, socially responsible students who show an interest in engaging in our tradition of a liberal arts and sciences curriculum, a breadth and depth of study, and the Honors community. Each application is reviewed by Honors College readers who carefully evaluate applicant’s rigor of coursework, grades, essays, extracurricular activities, demonstration of intellectual curiosity, and overall fit with Honors mission and goals. Readers consider quality of engagement over sheer quantity, applicant's self-awareness and reflection on extracurricular involvement, and an application's authenticity.
Those applying to the U can track their application online to see if all the portions have been received.
First-time first-year applicants who apply by the December 1, 2022 priority date for Summer or Fall 2023 will be mailed a University of Utah general admissions decision in mid-January. Accepted, wait-listed, and not-accepted students who meet this priority date will also receive an Honors decision by email in mid-January in coordination with the general admissions decisions.
Incoming Summer and Fall 2023 applications received after the December 1, 2022 priority deadline (up until February 1, 2023) will be notified by early-April (pending the release of the general University of Utah admissions decision).