We are delighted that you are interested in learning more about applying to the University Honors Program (UHP) at Colorado State University. This fall 360 new students entered the Honors Program, bringing the total number of CSU Honors Students to 1,413. This page will help explain the admissions process for the University Honors Program.

The UHP has three possible entry points:

• Most students enter the program as freshmen, pursuing either the University Honors Scholar program (Track 1), or the Discipline Honors Scholar program (Track 2). Decisions about which track is most appropriate will be made during summer preview or in the first semester.
• Students transferring from another academic institution to CSU may be invited to apply for admission into Track 2 if they meet credit and GPA requirements.
• CSU students who are currently enrolled at CSU may also be invited to apply for admission into Track 2.

Note: All students applying to Track 2 after their first year must meet minimum GPA requirements and admission criteria established by their departments to be considered for the UHP. Students applying directly to Track 2 will receive separate instructions for applying to the Honors Program. For more information about applying to Track 2, see the sections on Admission for Transfer and Current CSU students below.

The Admission Process for First Year Students

AUTOMATIC ADMISSION to the University Honors Program is granted to exceptional students who have a demonstrated record of outstanding accomplishment in high school, including National Merit Finalists, Boettcher Finalists, Boettcher Scholars, Monfort Scholars, National Hispanic Scholars, and National Achievement Scholars. Students in this category do not need to complete the formal application process. They will be notified that they have been admitted to the UHP within a few weeks of their acceptance to the University. Candidates for Automatic Admission meet one of the following GPA requirements and ONE of the corresponding test scores as shown in the table.

INVITATIONS TO APPLY to the UHP will be sent to students who have been admitted to Colorado State University and who have strong records of academic performance in high school. Students who are invited to apply to the Honors program generally meet the GPA requirements and one of the corresponding test scores shown in the following table.

To be considered for admission to the Honors Program, invited students will need to complete the application process which includes the following steps:

• Complete the online application form.
• Have at least one high school teacher complete an evaluation form which will be supplied elctronically to them at the email address you provide in the application.

More detailed application instructions can be viewed here. Applications are also welcome from motivated students who have not been automatically admitted or invited to apply. Follow the application procedures described above for invited students.

Preference for admission to the UHP is given to high school students who have:

• Rigorous, extensive, and in-depth academic preparation in subjects such as Humanities, Foreign Language, Mathematics, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, and History.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Superb records of academic achievement as indicated by grade point average, class rank, and standardized test scores.
• An application narrative and a recommendation that show promise for high academic achievement in university work.
• Good character and integrity as verified in the teacher recommendation.
• Special accomplishments, life experiences, and talents (for example, service and leadership) that add diversity to the incoming class.

Honors applications for incoming freshmen and online teacher recommendations are due by March 1, 2012.

University merit scholarships are available to qualified students. Students are encouraged to apply to Colorado State University by the early action deadline (December 1st) so they receive full consideration for the University's top merit scholarships (all CSU application materials must be received by February 1st).  The Honors Scholarship is available to incoming freshmen who participate in the Honors Program. For more information on the Honors Scholarship, as well as other merit scholarships available to incoming freshmen, go here.

The Admission Process for Transfer Students

Incoming transfer students who have been admitted to CSU are invited to apply to the program if they have demonstrated records of high academic achievement at the college level. The minimum college cumulative GPA for consideration in the UHP is 3.50. Students in this category receive an invitation to apply and instructions for completing the Honors application process. Students who do not meet the minimum admission criteria may contact the University Honors Program to explore their options.

The appropriate curricular path for most transfer students will be Track 2, Discipline Honors Scholar. These students must be admitted to the program jointly through the Honors Program and their departments, and complete Honors courses and the thesis in their major. The recruitment and admissions process is coordinated through the University Honors Program, but the final admission decision is made by the student's academic department.

The Application Process for Currently Enrolled CSU Students

The criteria for admission into the UHP for currently enrolled students are similar to that for transfer students. A competitive applicant should have at least a 3.5 cumulative GPA. Students who are encouraged to apply to Track 2 by faculty in their department should contact the UHP office to obtain assistance with the application process. The final admission decision into Track 2 for currently enrolled students is made by the Honors Program and the student's academic department.

Demographic Profile of the Fall 2011 First-Year Honors Students

Back to Top