Elgibility
Frequently Asked Questions

If your question does not appear in this list, please e-mail us at honors@uark.edu.


Who is eligible to join the Honors College?

Students with an ACT composite score of 28 and above, or an SAT V+M combined score of 1240, and high school GPA of 3.5 (3.75 for Walton College of Business majors) will be invited to join the first year.

When do I sign up for Honors?

Students who meet the eligibility requirements will be invited to join an honors program in their academic unit during the Orientation Program early in the summer.

Can I join after the freshman year?

Yes, a good many students do just that. Students who do not meet the criteria when they enter the University of Arkansas may join after as little as one semester by earning a 3.5 UA grade point average. ACT and SAT scores are not considered once students perform well on UA coursework.

What are the benefits? Will being in the Honors College help me with graduate school or job applications?

The variety of experiences you will have as an honors student and the contacts you will make will be extremely helpful in preparing you for the next step. Challenging courses, Undergraduate research and the honors thesis, study abroad, and other honors experiences can give you an edge in applying for graduate and professional schools or in getting a job right out of college if that is where your career path leads you. Honors administrators and faculty provide expert guidance through the Office of Post Graduate Fellowships to prepare you for applications and interviews and for securing personal letters of recommendation that will set you apart from the crowd. Here are a few measures of success: Recent Honors College graduates had a perfect 100% entrance rate to medical schools. In recent years honors graduates have won Rhodes, Marshall, Truman, xxx, and yyy scholarship. Our graduates are enrolled at Harvard, Yale Law, Cornell, Columbia, Washington University, Stanford, Vanderbilt, and many notable public research universities.

What is the Four-Year Scholars Program?

Fulbright College and the Walton College of Business offer Four-Year Scholars Programs. These programs involve specific requirements in the core as well as specific requirement in the field of study including a senior honors research or capstone project.

What is the Departmental Honors Program?

Every major in every college offers a departmental honors option. This program requires a minimum of 12 hours and includes a senior research or capstone project. Specific majors may have additional requirements. See the catalog for details.

If I am in an honors program on campus am I also in the Honors College?

Yes. A student becomes an official member of the Honors College by joining an honors program in the college of major. Withdrawing from an honors program will automatically remove a student from the Honors College.

What happens if I change majors?

Honors programs are available in all majors on the campus, and you can transfer from one program to another. But be sure to compare course requirements, because they do vary somewhat from program to program.

What are the deadlines for UA admission and for academic scholarships and fellowships?

We encourage all students who are applying for scholarships or who are interested in participating in honors to apply for admission and for scholarships by the November 15 early scholarship deadline. February 1 is the final deadline for scholarships and fellowships.

How can I learn more about the Honors College?

The website links will provide you with additional information but we would love to talk with you personally. Call us at ( 479) 575 7678 or toll free at 1-866-594 4672 to arrange a campus visit at which time you will talk with Honors College staff, faculty, and students.