Application Information

Admission to the Honors College is competitive for first-year, transfer, and current student applicants. Simply meeting the academic invitation criteria will not guarantee admission. When crafting each class, the Honors College considers program space and applicants’ fit. Selection criteria may include but are not limited to overall fit within the Honors College to create a well-rounded class, content and quality of the Honors essays, academic achievement, academic program of study, and extracurricular, employment, or leadership activities.

Honors Application Activities and Involvement

Applicants are asked to highlight their involvement in up to four extracurricular, employment, service, or leadership activities. We encourage applicants to select activities demonstrating a depth of involvement, highlighting their contributions to the organization, or connecting the activity to their academic or professional goals.

Honors Application Essays

The Honors College application essays allow you to address the admissions committee in your own voice. We have a deep interest in knowing why you are considering joining the Honors College, and your essays will let us better see you as a future scholar in our community. The essays will also indicate your ability to write critically and effectively, which are key skills for success in the Honors curriculum.

Keep the following in mind:

  • Exceptional responses will go above and beyond answering the prompt. They may include and reflect on personal experiences to support the applicant’s desire for Honors membership and demonstrate a researched understanding of the Honors College benefits, values, or program outcomes.

  • Your essay should closely examine your ideas about your education and the Auburn Honors College experience.

  • Your essay may take creative and intellectual risks but should address and integrate all prompt elements.

  • Your essay should give the admissions committee insight into how you think, how you reason, and what you value.

  • Be succinct, but make sure you thoroughly address the prompt.

  • Proofread your submission. You may want to consider drafting your essays in a Word document first so that you can review and revise if necessary.