First-Year Students
CSU Honors Program Applicants Demonstrate:
- Academic rigor as shown through coursework, including but not limited to: Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, dual-enrollment credits.
- Exemplary academic performance.
- Evidence of meaningful community contributions.
- Knowledge of program values illustrating how these values align with educational aspirations.
- Excellent communication skills as illustrated by application responses.
- A desire to participate in, and contribute to, an Honors community.
We are looking for highly motivated students who aspire to explore important questions in today’s society, to build healthy and inclusive communities, and to do so within an environment that encourages interdisciplinary connections and effective dialogue. We are seeking applicants who desire to be part of a supportive, inclusive community of engaged students, faculty, and staff. In addition to demonstrating academic excellence and creativity, we look for an interest in interdisciplinary connections and a commitment to community.
Note: CSU is test optional, so Honors does not require SAT or ACT scores. CSU also does not require letters of recommendation. You may include these items in your CSU application; however, Honors@CSU does not use these for admission criteria into the program.
Eligibility and Selection Process
- Admitted to CSU.
- Minimum of a 3.8 cumulative GPA (weighted or unweighted).
- Thoughtful, complete Honors application submitted prior to the February 1 deadline.
- If extended an offer to Honors@CSU, confirm intent by May 1 deadline. Failure to do results in losing your spot in Honors.
Incoming freshmen with a minimum 3.8 high school GPA are emailed a link to apply to the Honors Program. The link to the application can also be found under the Honors tab on eligible students’ Admissions Dashboard (accessed through RAMweb, netID required). Any student interested in Honors@CSU is encouraged to request an application through CSU Admissions.
Submitting the Honors application does not guarantee admittance into the Honors Program. All applications will be reviewed holistically and fully considered. Due to enrollment constraints, admittance to Honors is competitive. While many applicants meet the eligibility criteria to apply, not all applicants will be offered admission. Waitlists may be used.
The application requires students to provide a thoughtful, concise yet illustrative responses to several questions. While prompts change from year to year, it is always a good idea to 1) understand the program values to which you are applying, 2) have a general idea of interdisciplinary thinking (examining connections between multiple subjects or perspectives and drawing insight that furthers knowledge), and 3) showcase your best writing. Please do not rehash your accomplishments, as the review committee has access to all other application materials; instead, highlight your authenticity and original thinking. Duplicating your essay from the CSU application for the responses on the Honors application is strongly discouraged.
Application Deadlines and Admission Decision Timeline
The Honors application opens in November. The deadline to submit an application is February 1. Early submission is encouraged as decisions are made on a rolling basis and this is a competitive program.
Reading Honors applications is a thorough process with multiple reviewers carefully considering each application in its entirety. The review committee has access to and considers all other application materials submitted to CSU in addition to the responses to the Honors application. For some applicants, it is possible to advance through multiple rounds with the same level of scrutiny before a decision is ultimately made. We value thorough evaluation.
Please allow at least ten weeks for an admission decision from Honors. Regrets are likely to be sent before offers of admission. Both regrets and offers of admission are delivered via email and can also be found under the Opportunities tab on the Future Rams Dashboard. All decisions will be communicated no later than March 31.
If you are offered admission to Honors@CSU, please confirm your intent to participate. Failure to confirm your intent to Honors on or before May 1st may result in applicant losing their spot in the program or being placed at the bottom of a waitlist.
Note: The Honors confirmation process is separate from the CSU confirmation.
Prospective students may apply to Honors only once for a given semester. First-year students who are not extended an offer of admission may enroll at CSU and then apply to Track 2 after first semester grades are released.
Need More Direction?
... Connect with an Ambassador
Connect with someone who knows what it is like being an Honors student and who can answer your questions from the student perspective.
... Visit the Honors Program
There is no better way for you to get the feel for a place than by setting foot on campus. We offer in-person tours and virtual information sessions.
... Become a Ram
First-year admitted students with a minimum 3.8 GPA are emailed an application to the Honors Program. Anyone may request an application.