Incoming Freshmen
The Fall 2021 Honors application is open now.
Honors has moved test-optional for the 2020-21 admissions cycle
Due to issues with test accessibility during the COVID-19 pandemic, we are moving to a test-optional system for 2021 calendar year admission. This decision follows the step we took this year to de-emphasize the weight of the standardized score in our admissions process. For the 2021 review, we are prioritizing materials that are already in the student record and that often prove to be stronger predictors of success in college and an honors program. Each student’s materials will be evaluated for breadth, depth, rigor, and leadership potential. Competitive applicants demonstrate academic excellence, motivation, and intellectual curiosity.
While Honors has moved to a test-optional application for this admissions cycle, students may still be required to submit a standardized test score for admission to select KU professional schools and for consideration for merit-based scholarships through Admissions.
To Apply to Honors:
If a student wishes to apply to Honors without a test score, they should submit their KU application first, and then apply separately through the application available on our website. This additional step is needed because we are unable to override the required tests score field that was programmed into the original KU application. Students who use the Common Application to apply to KU can apply to both KU and Honors without a test score.
The Honors priority deadline for admission remains December 1 and aligns with KU’s priority deadline. Students who have already applied to Honors will start to hear admission decisions in October.
Application Review Process
The most efficient way for you to apply to the University Honors Program is to apply as you complete your KU Application or Common Application. At that time, you will have the option to apply to KU Honors and upload your short-answer and essay responses. Or, you can apply to KU Honors once you are admitted to KU. Click the apply button below to get started.
KU Honors is looking for students who take advantage of the courses and opportunities available to them at their high school, as well as demonstrate academic excellence, leadership skills and potential, motivation and self-discipline, and intellectual curiosity.
There is no minimum GPA or test score requirement for admission. We accept the ACT Superscore. If you take the SAT, Admissions will convert your SAT score to the ACT equivalent.
Application
Our holistic application considers five parts:
- ACT composite score/SAT equivalent
- Unweighted GPA
- High school courses
- Short-answer questions
- Essay response
- Help us learn about you, your life, and your experiences. List no more than five items (clubs and organizations, work experience, community service, awards and recognition, extra-curricular interests, personal or family obligations, etc.) in descending order of significance (list the most significant item first). For each item, explain your role, time commitment (both amount of time you devote to the activity and the year(s) in which you were involved), and responsibilities.
- How have your experiences affected your sense of who you are and what you hope to accomplish? There are no wrong answers.
- The Honors Program intends to attract students who make the most of the opportunities available to them. Based on the availability of courses at your school, how did you select the courses you chose to take? Is there anything you want the admissions committee to know about your transcript?
- The Kansas state motto “Ad Astra per Aspera” is Latin for “To the Stars through Difficulties.” What stars are you aiming for, and how have you learned/prepared to face challenges along the way?
- There are many questions to ask and problems to explore. If you were to choose a question, problem, idea, or issue (personal, systemic, local, or global) to explore during your undergraduate years at KU, what would it be? What might you create, design, invent, or engineer to explore this topic?
- As Jayhawks, our community is committed to a set of core values: To actively foster unity, strive for innovation, advocate for inclusion, and value engagement. Community might refer to your cultural group, extended family, religious group, neighborhood or school, sports team or club, co-workers, etc. Describe the world you come from and how you, as a product of it, might add to the KU community.
Application timeline:
July 1 – KU Application opens
Aug 1 – Common App opens
Nov 1 – Early Action Deadline
Dec 1 – Priority Deadline
Jan 15 – Late Consideration Deadline
*If you experience technical issues while submitting your application, use the latest version of Firefox or Internet Explorer to submit the form. Google Chrome, Safari and Microsoft Edge do not support the required Java plugin.
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Transfer Students
Transfer students must first submit the KU Admissions application. After admission to KU, complete our Current/Transfer Student Application. Applications will be reviewed after students have at least one semester of college grades on record.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and due no later than two weeks before the start of each semester.
The Honors application is a competitive admissions process with an holistic approach in which the following factors are considered:
- GPA
- résumé highlighting community involvement and leadership potential
- essay
- completed coursework
- capacity to complete the Honors graduation requirements
Current KU Students
Current KU students who are interested in joining Honors should complete our Current/Transfer Student Application. Applications will be reviewed after students have at least one semester of college grades on record.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and due no later than two weeks before the start of each semester.
The Honors application is a competitive admissions process with an holistic approach in which the following factors are considered:
- GPA
- résumé highlighting community involvement and leadership potential
- essay
- completed coursework
- capacity to complete the Honors graduation requirements
International Students
International applicants applying to KU as incoming freshmen should complete the standard KU application along with their Honors application and demonstrate English proficiency in one of the following ways:
TOEFL—
- iBT—a score of 23 or higher for each section score
- Paper—a score of 57 or higher for each section score (with exception for Speaking, which may be lower) and a 4.5 or higher on the Test of Written English (TWE)
OR
International English Language Testing System (IELTS), academic format—6.0 or higher for each part and a total score of 6.5
OR
Exemption from the TOEL/IELTS admission requirement by the Office of International Admissions
International students who do not meet one of these three sets of requirements are invited to apply to the University Honors Program after completing one semester (12-18 credit hours) at the University of Kansas with a GPA of 3.5 or higher and obtaining clearance from required intensive English courses from the KU Applied English Center.
Current international KU students, please refer to the section on this page regarding Current KU Student applications and requirements.
