The University Honors Program values academic and professional development and welcomes students who bring a wide range of perspectives, experiences, and skills to the Honors Aggie community. In your application, we want you to show us both your curiosity and creativity in pursuing ideas that interest you and your courage and connection to others when exploring ideas that challenge your own.
Honors accepts applications from current USU and transfer students on a rolling basis. Students must complete at least one semester of college before applying. We encourage potential applicants to schedule an appointment with an Honors Academic or Peer Advisor to learn more about the program. Applicants can expect to receive a decision in approximately four weeks.
Prepare to Apply
The Honors application includes the following parts. Students are encouraged to prepare materials before starting the application.
1. Faculty Reference
The application will ask you to provide the name and email address of a professor to serve as a reference, preferably in your major or research area. We recommend asking the professor before submitting their name in your application.
2. Transcript & Explanation
The application requires a PDF file of your unofficial college transcript. Current USU students can access their unofficial transcript at any time from Banner. You will be asked to write a brief (200-250 words) explanation of how your academic path has challenged you.
3. Draft Essays
The application will ask you to write two short essays (250-300 words each) that clearly demonstrate your desire and potential to take the Honors “Dare to Know” and contribute to the Honors Aggie community (prompts below).
4. List Activities
To give us a full picture of your university experience so far, you will list your extracurricular, leadership, and work activities completed during your time as a college student.
Essay Prompts
Curiosity and Creativity (250-300 words)
Describe thoughtfully and in detail a moment in college when you became so passionately curious about an academic idea, assignment, or activity from a class that you decided to share it with people outside your classroom (friends, family, co-workers, community members, professors from other classes). Use this essay to show us the kinds of ideas that excite you, your ability to bring classwork to life, and the value you find in sharing your passion with others. Your essay should demonstrate your curiosity and creativity, helping us to see how you will take the USU Honors "Dare to Know."
Courage and Connection (250-300 words)
Honors courses and other academic experiences are designed to take students out of their comfort zones in a safe space that builds community among Honors peers with different interests and points of view. Honors is looking for students who are brave enough to expand their own and others’ perspectives through civil discourse and conversation. Choose a specific example from your own recent experience that demonstrates your ability to question your own perspective and to engage with other views in a positive, productive way. Show us that you can listen carefully, expand your own mind, and build connections by engaging with what others care about. Then, take a look at our list of upcoming Honors Gen Ed Breadth Courses and Honors Book Labs. Choose one and tell us briefly how you think that experience might challenge you and what you imagine bringing to the conversation. Use this essay to show us both your personal courage and potential to build connections within our Honors community.