Applying to The Honors College

Please see the admissions requirements below based on your student type. You should prepare these materials prior to starting your application.

Admissions Requirements

  • Incoming First-Year Freshmen

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    3.5 official high school GPA or higher and a 1200 SAT/25 ACT or higher OR

    3.85 official high school GPA or higher (SAT/ACT requirements are waived for those with a GPA of 3.85 or higher)

    • Student contact information

    Less than 3.5 official high school GPA and/or less than 1200 SAT/25 ACT

    • Student contact information

    • Personal essay

    • Two professional/academic references (with a valid email address) who will each provide a letter of recommendation

    [Note: An "official" high school GPA comes from a transcript submitted from a high school and not from self-report.]

  • Current EMU Students 

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    3.5 GPA or higher and 15 or more EMU credits completed

    • Student contact information

    Less than 3.5 GPA or less than 15 EMU credits completed

    • Student contact information

    • Personal essay

    • One professional/academic reference (with a valid email address) who will provide a letter of recommendation

  • Incoming Transfer Students

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    3.5 transfer GPA or higher and 15 or more transfer credits

    • Student contact information

    Less than 3.5 transfer GPA or less than 15 transfer credits

    • Student contact information

    • Personal essay

    • One professional/academic reference (with a valid email address) who will provide a letter of recommendation 

  • EMU Early College Alliance (ECA) Students

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    15 EMU credits completed and current 11th or 12th grade year

    • Student contact information

    • Personal essay

    • One professional/academic reference (with a valid email address) who will provide a letter of recommendation 

There is no deadline for the application and students may apply at any time. Interested students who have already earned 75 or more college hours should make an appointment with an Honors advisor prior to applying to make sure that they have room in their degree plan to complete Honors College requirements.

 

Application Materials

Academic/Professional References

The individuals you submit to provide a reference will be prompted for letters of recommendation (if applicable). References should be given by individuals who can best represent who you are academically and professionally. Specifically, we like to hear about your classroom experiences, and therefore, teachers and/or professors frequently provide letters. However, supervisors, community members, and an academic advisor are other examples who provide recommendation letters too. We discourage individuals who only know you personally, such as family members, friends, and friends of the family unless they taught and/or supervised you.

Personal Essay

Please attach an essay describing your academic and personal accomplishments and career goals. Explain how your experiences have prepared you for success at EMU and in Honors coursework. In a concluding statement, express the nature and extent of your proposed commitment to The Honors College. If you are not a competitive applicant, please explain your circumstances and other characteristics that can demonstrate your ability to succeed in The Honors College. Your essay should be a minimum of 500 words, 12-point font with 1-inch margins. 

 

For questions and more information about Honors admission, please contact The Honors College office at 734.487.0341 or [email protected].

 

Scholarships for First-Year Students

The Presidential Scholarship

Eastern's most prestigious award for incoming first-year students, the Presidential Scholarship, covers full tuition and room and board for four years (valued at approximately $100,000). Presidential Scholars are active and engaged members of The Honors College at EMU, complementing their academic college experience with further opportunities for critical thinking, community engagement, and leadership. Qualified students can apply for the Presidential Scholarship during their senior year of high school. For more information on the application process for the Presidential Scholarship, please visit this page. 

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