Current First Year Student Application
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 2016 "Enlightenment East and West" in the fall semester of their sophomore year.
How to Apply
The deadline for Fall 2024 admission has closed. If you are interested in joining as a sophomore for the Fall 2025 cohort, please complete this form to receive information on the application when it becomes available in December.
Spring Information Sessions
UHP Program Managers hosted two information sessions during the Spring 2025 semester for students who are currently in their second semester of their first-year at GW to learn more about the Honors Program and ask any questions regarding the application process.
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 2016 must be taken in the fall semester of your sophomore year).
- A writing sample of approximately 5 pages. Your writing sample should be from graded work completed at GW, though you are free to modify your sample from the version you submitted to your professor. The writing sample may be a complete work or an excerpt (must meet the page limit criteria).
- Written responses to the following essay questions, in 500 words or less:
- 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.
- 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?