FAQs

The Honors College offers you a distinctive experience with a focus on academic excellence. The college is designed to provide the many advantages of a small college, set amidst the opportunities available at a large research university.

• Classes are taught in small sections, designed to provide dialogue and interaction between students and faculty.

• After the initial summer registration, members will receive priority registration in order to facilitate your enrollment in the Honors courses needed to complete the program.

• Honors students may apply to live in one of the Honors residence halls in The Quad or in The Village. The areas provide a living environment that is conducive to study and helps promote the Honors College as a community of scholars.

• The Honors Student Center in the basement of Broun Residence Hall and the Honors Study Room in RBD Library offers study areas and access to computers.

• As an Honors student, you are provided assistance in applying for prestigious scholarships and are eligible for Honors scholarships, which are based on academic excellence, progress in the Honors curriculum, and involvement in Honors, the university, and the community.

Entering freshmen and currently enrolled students at Auburn University, who demonstrate the potential for academic excellence, are eligible to apply for admission. Students may be enrolled in any College or School of the University that has undergraduate programs. For detailed information on requirement for both incoming and current students please visit our admissions page.

Students who do not qualify to apply to the Honors College prior to their first semester can apply to the Honors College as current Auburn University students. Students who earn a 3.4 GPA at Auburn University may complete a current student application that can be obtained at the Honors College office.

Yes, transfer students who have a 3.4 unadjusted GPA may be considered for admission on a case-by-case basis. Transfer students wishing to join the college should contact our office.

Yes, current Auburn students who have a 3.4 unadjusted GPA may be considered for admission on a case-by-case basis. Current Auburn students wishing to join the college should contact our office.

Every student in the Honors College pays a $250/semester fee. The fee provides funds for the college to continue offering exceptional learning experiences, additional faculty, smaller class sizes, and an expanded slate of upper-division research, internship, and service-learning courses for students.

Participation in the Honors College exposes you to a wider range of intellectual and academic experiences, it will give you the opportunity to form lasting friendships with other students committed to academic excellence, and it promotes more rewarding interaction between yourself and your teachers. As a result of these special college experiences, you’ll have a distinct advantage in future pursuits, whether you go on to graduate or professional school, or go directly into your chosen profession.

Many Honors students would agree that Honors courses are not more difficult – just different. The small seminar settings allow for active involvement in discussions, papers, projects and/or presentations.

Living with other students who are members of the Honors College will deepen your experience and help you develop close friendships with Honors College students. Honors housing are located in Matthews Hall (Village) and Broun Hall (Upper Quad). First-year Honors students requesting to live in these halls must have a Honors roommate. The roommate may be one of your choosing or you may elect to have a roommate assigned to you. Honors College members who want to live with a student who is not a member of Honors College will not be assigned to Honors housing.

While you are not required to live in Honors housing, all first-year Honors students are eligible to apply to live in one of the Honors residence halls.

No, in order to live with a roommate who is not a member of the Honors College, you should request a non-Honors residence hall.

The Honors College plans various social events throughout the year. Activities range from food and fellowship events to speaking engagements with Auburn University administrators. Feel free to visit our events section to read about upcoming and past events.

In addition to your academic advisor in your major, the Honors College offers additional advising support and guidance on the Honors curriculum.

The Honors College does not award Honors credits based on Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, Dual Enrollment credits or ACT/SAT scores. However, you may earn Auburn University course credits based on the above scores.

The Honors Curriculum has been developed to provide Honors students an opportunity for broad enriching educational experiences based in large part on Auburn’s Core Curriculum. Honors students may choose between 24 or 30 hours of Honors coursework, depending on designation, to replace regular University classes. Honors students may choose from Honors Core Courses, Honors Departmental Courses, Honors Seminars, Honors Research Seminars, Graduate-level courses, Honors Study and Travel, or Honors Contract courses to fulfill the Honors Curriculum requirements.

In order to remain a member in good standing, first year students must maintain a cumulative 3.0 unadjusted GPA, second year students and higher must maintain a cumulative 3.2 unadjusted GPA. Also, all students must consistently make satisfactory progress in completing the required Honors courses.

To graduate from the Honors College, students must complete their Honors College curriculum. Review the full list of designations and graduation requirements. 

Undergraduate Research at Auburn University promotes opportunities for undergraduates to engage in mentored research and creative scholarship. As future leaders and community-involved citizens, students must be able to apply creative solutions to complicated social issues, understand multi-facted physical processes, and communicate effectively. Auburn University and the Honors College believe that undergraduate research and scholarly activity are way to develop these important skills and enrich the Auburn educational experience.

How to get involved:

• Research the faculty in the students’ discipline.

• Ask (in person or via e-mail) if the chosen professor needs any help with their research.

• Meet with the chosen professor to determine responsibilities and expectations.

• Visit the Office of Undergraduate Research online or contact Whitney Comer for more information.

In addition to the various Honors College Study & Travel courses, which can be found here, the Honors College supports the Auburn Abroad Office. Auburn Abroad offers five types of travel options: AU faculty-led programs, AU exchange programs, programs through other universities, provider company programs, and direct enrollment programs.