The Honors Program is open by competitive admission to academically superior students, usually defined as those who meet any one of the following qualifications: Top 20% of high school class, 1100+ combined SAT scores (on new 2016 version), or Verbal SAT score of 600+. Please note that these qualifications alone do not guarantee automatic admission to the Program. Students who have equivalent qualifications are also encouraged to apply. The program objectives aim for high academic standards of achievement.
Please note that the Honors Program is designed primarily for entering first year students, and that the University Honors Program curriculum and scholarship are distinct from, and not connected to, the Computer Science BS Honors Program.
Program Benefits
- $4,500 Scholarship Per Year
- Priority Course Registration
- Accessible to ALL Majors
- Interdisciplinary Courses Offer a Variety of Unique and Interesting Class Topics
- Smaller Class Size Advantage (25 Student Limit)
- Intriguing Classes that Fulfill General Education Requirements
- Thesis Class with a Topic of Your Choice
Admission and Application Information
We are now welcoming applications for the entering freshman class of Fall 2025. To receive full consideration for admission, prospective students must complete both the regular undergraduate admissions process to Central and the supplementary Honors Program Application. The Priority Honors Program Admission deadline is November 15. The Regular Honors Program Admission deadline is December 15. The standards for admission do not differ between the Priority and Regular Admission deadlines. Applications received after December 15 will be considered on a case by case rolling basis until the incoming class is filled.
About Priority Admission
Applications received by November 15 will be considered for Priority Admission. Those who apply by the Priority Admission deadline are guaranteed to receive an admission decision to the Honors Program no later than December 15.
About Regular Admission
Applications received by December 15 will be considered for Regular Admission. Those who apply by the Regular Admission deadline are guaranteed to receive an admission decision to the Honors Program no later than January 31. After December 15, applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the incoming class is filled. Qualified students may be placed on a wait list, as there are limited spots in the program. Please contact the program if you have questions or concerns about remaining spots in the program.
Transfer Admission
Students who will have completed less than 36 credits upon entering the Honors Program, and who have a cumulative GPA of 3.50 or higher at their current institution, are invited to apply. Transfer applications will be considered on a space-available basis. Students currently registered at Central are also eligible to apply, under the same constraints as transfer students.
Students who have completed an Associate Degree or equivalent (about 60 credits) are invited to apply for our new Honors Fellows Program, which also offers scholarships. Contact the program for more information.
Scholarship and GPA Requirements
Successful candidates will receive admission to the Program and a $4,500 scholarship for the 2024-2025 academic year, renewable for up to three additional years based on maintaining a 3.30 Central cumulative GPA, as well as a 3.30 GPA in Honors Program courses. Please note that this scholarship may be combined with other Central scholarships only to the extent allowed by University policy.