Every fall semester, on a space-available basis, current U of M-Twin Cities students and transfer students are admitted to the University Honors Program.
Please note that admission is highly competitive. For those accepted into the program, the average GPA is 3. 86. Additionally, accepted students have shown a keen interest in academic, artistic, or research pursuits.
You are encouraged to attend the following information sessions in November and January to learn more about the post-freshman admissions procedure. All sessions will be held in 240 Northrop. RSVP NOW!.
By March 2023, current University of Minnesota Twin Cities students will be informed of their admission status.
Prior to learning whether they have been admitted to the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities campus, interested transfer students are encouraged to apply. Admissions decisions for the University Honors Program will be sent the week after the application deadline of June 1st.
Please email honors@umn if you have any inquiries about the University Honors Program’s decision to admit you. edu no later than two weeks after being informed of your choice.
What are the benefits of the University Honors Program?
Only UHP students are eligible for Honors Seminars, which provide small class sizes, close faculty contact, and an engaging learning environment. Honors courses place a strong emphasis on active learning and are a fantastic way to meet other UHP students and top-notch faculty.
Students at UHP have the chance to live and learn together in honors housing. This community, which is housed in Middlebrook Hall, offers students the chance to make friends for life outside of the classroom as well as take part in unique occasions and activities like forums with notable guest speakers, lunch or dinner with professors, and just-for-fun activities.
Graduation with Latin Honors
Summa cum laude, which translates to “with great honor,” is the top academic honor given to university students. Honors graduates have the option to display those Latin words with pride on their graduation certificates. These students have taken full advantage of their opportunities to learn, discover, and innovate, according to professional programs, graduate schools, and potential employers.
From freshman orientation through graduation, UHP students benefit from ongoing contact with professional Honors Advisors and faculty. These dedicated advisors help students set academic goals, plan for the future, and chart their course to best take advantage of all that the U of M has to offer.
NEXUS Experiences meet outside the classroom and bring together small groups of students and faculty from across all U of M colleges. Students engage and explore open-ended programming created specifically to introduce students to various fields of research, scholarship and creative activity.
Our academic staff and students are looking for ways to improve the world’s productivity, health, and justice. The University Honors Program’s main focus is on problem-solving through an interdisciplinary approach. Students at UHP are challenged to think creatively and critically in order to find solutions to the pressing issues of our time.
University Honors Program Review And Selection Process
There is no separate application for the University Honors Program. According to individual evaluations of their admission applications, admitted freshmen are automatically taken into consideration for admission to UHP. The University Honors Program admits only the top applicants from each college that admits freshmen, making admission extremely competitive.
Each admission application is carefully examined, and admission is determined by an evaluation of the applicant’s academic background and relevant circumstances. A complete list of these factors is included below.
The strongest consideration is given to a student’s high school record because academic preparation is the biggest indicator of college success. We are aware that COVID-19 may have altered the course offerings and grading policies at your school. We promise to examine the overall trend of your high school performance to determine how well you are prepared for college. The following academic factors are considered:
- The completion of high school courses (admitted students typically complete more coursework than the university’s high school requirements) See course requirements. ).
- Grades in academic coursework
- Class rank/Grade point average (if available)
- Academic rigor based on what is offered in high school, including the option to enroll in honors, AP, IB, A-Level, or college-level courses when they are offered ).
- ACT or SAT scores (Applicants for the terms of 2023, 2024, and 2025 are not required to submit an ACT/SAT score). Any student* will be given full consideration for admission, scholarships, and the University Honors Program whether or not they submit test scores. For more information, please visit our ACT/SAT FAQ) .
- English Proficiency test score (when required)
- Academic pursuits of applicants (We examine a student’s academic background in relation to the major/college to which they are applying ).
Additionally, individual circumstances are taken into account when evaluating each application overall. It is crucial to enroll a diverse student body in order to achieve the development goals of a University of Minnesota education because these students will bring a variety of experiences, talents, and perspectives to their academic community. Our university community is strengthened by our students’ diversity in terms of race, class, geography, gender, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, abilities, and beliefs.
Our comprehensive review takes into account the particular circumstances that make each student unique. We consider the following context factors in our decision review:
- Outstanding talent, achievement, or aptitude in a particular area
- Strong commitment to community service and leadership
- Military service
- contribution to the student body’s geographic, racial, economic, gender, and/or cultural diversity
- Evidence of overcoming social, economic, or physical obstacles to academic success
- First-generation college student
- Significant responsibility in a family, community, job, or activity
- Family employment or attendance at the University of Minnesota
- Personal or extenuating circumstances
- Information received in open-ended questions
Academic Profile of University Honors Program Admits By College
This table gives a general overview of the freshman admitted to the University Honors Program for Fall 2022’s high school rank percentile and test scores. Please be aware that the information in the table is an overall picture of the freshmen admitted to the University Honors Program and does not serve as an admissions requirement.
| Average ACT Composite* | Average SAT Total* | Average High School Rank Percentile | Average Grade Point Average | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| College of Biological Sciences | 32 – 34 | 1480 – 1550 | 97 – 99 | 3.99 – 4.07 |
| College of Design | 29 – 33 | 1330 – 1500 | 96 – 99 | 3.97 – 4.09 |
| College of Education & Human Development | 29 – 32 | 1410 – 1500 | 94 – 99 | 3.99 – 4.06 |
| College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences | 29 – 33 | 1380 – 1520 | 97 – 99 | 3.97 – 4.09 |
| College of Liberal Arts | 30 – 33 | 1400 – 1470 | 95 – 99 | 3.95 – 4.00 |
| Carlson School of Management | 30 – 34 | 1420 – 1530 | 97 – 99 | 3.99 – 4.04 |
| College of Science and Engineering | 33 – 35 | 1480 – 1560 | 98 – 99 | 4.00 – 4.09 |
| School of Nursing | 30 – 33 | 1400 – 1470 | 96 – 99 | 3.94 – 4.02 |
*Please take note that through the Fall 2025 term, the University of Minnesota Twin Cities will not require an ACT or SAT score for admission. Learn more about our ACT/SAT policies.
For Students, Faculty, and Staff
College Advice: Should You Do Honors??? (what they don’t tell you…)
FAQ
How hard is it to get into University of Minnesota honors program?
The University Honors Program admits only the top applicants from each college that admits freshmen, making admission extremely competitive. Each application for admission is carefully examined, and acceptance is determined by a comprehensive evaluation of the applicant’s academic performance and contextual factors.
What GPA do you need to graduate with honors UMN?
cum laude: 3. 500 GPA or higher. magna cum laude: 3. 666 GPA or higher. summa cum laude: 3. 750 GPA or higher.
What are the disadvantages of an honors college?
However, there are some disadvantages that students should be aware of, such as: You might have a heavier workload In comparison to non-honors classes, classes and assignments are typically more challenging and demanding. It might take longer to graduate.
Is honors college a big deal?
The advanced courses offered in college honors programs and the smaller class sizes make them ideal for more individualized instruction. Honors programs offer excellent extracurricular activities, research opportunities, and invaluable alumni networks, despite their greater emphasis on academics.