Current First Year Student Application

The Fall 2026 Sophomore Cohort Application is now open!

Current students at the George Washington University who wish to apply to the University Honors Program must be in the second semester of their first year (rising sophomores). Admission is limited to approximately 15 exceptionally qualified applicants per year.

Before You Apply

Familiarize yourself with the Honors Program mission and curriculum. There are no minimum GPA requirements to apply, but please note that the Honors Program requires all students to maintain a GPA sufficient to graduate with a 3.0. Students admitted to the program after their first year are required to take HONR 2015, the introductory course for sophomore admit Honors students, in the fall semester of their sophomore year.

How to Apply

Students apply for sophomore admissions through our website. See the section below titled "Application Materials" for further details. If you have any questions regarding the required application materials, please email our office at uhpgwu [dot] edu (uhp[at]gwu[dot]edu).

The deadline to apply for Fall 2026 admission is Friday, February 27th at 11:59pm. Apply here!

Virtual Information Session

The UHP Program Managers will host an information session during the beginning of the Spring 2026 semester for students who are currently in their second semester of their first-year at GW. This session will be held virtually and will be recorded for those unable to attend.

Friday, January 30th from 3pm-4pm via Zoom. Please RSVP here.

Application Materials

The name and email address of someone at GW who can speak to your personal and academic qualities (preferably a faculty member) and is willing to support your application to the UHP. This person must be a faculty or staff member at GW. Before you provide us with their contact information, please inform this individual that the UHP will be sending them a brief evaluation form in lieu of a recommendation letter.
A one page résumé.
An updated four-year plan, that includes all required Honors courses for sophomore admits (there are 7 courses total; HONR 2015 must be taken in the fall semester of your sophomore year). The four upper-level courses (two HONR 2047s and two HONR 2053s can be taken beginning the spring semester of your sophomore year through the end of your senior year. Students may only be registered for one upper-level course per semester, and your plan should reflect this requirement. HONR 4198 and HONR 4199 must be taken in your senior year. Students may either take the courses concurrently or in separate terms.
A writing sample. Your writing sample must be graded work completed at GW, though you are free to modify your sample from the version you submitted to your professor. Ideally this should be a paper that demonstrates your ability to conduct scholarly research (e.g. contains references). Your submission may be your complete work or an excerpt.
Written responses to the following essay questions, in 500 words or less per response:
1. With small classes and a dedicated faculty, the University Honors Program (UHP) embraces the ideals of a liberal arts education. Within the UHP, students take classes in many different academic fields (philosophy, science, history, art, social science, etc.) and hone their critical thinking skills. Explain why, as a member of the UHP, you would value the opportunity to engage with topics outside your major field(s) of study.
2. The UHP is a community of scholars at GW built on unique courses, faculty mentoring, advising, research, an optional Foggy Bottom housing opportunity, and many co-curricular/social activities. How do you see yourself contributing to and/or benefiting from this community as a member of the UHP?