Applying to Interdisciplinary Honors
There are three ways to apply to Interdisciplinary Honors:
- applicants who simultaneously apply for freshman admission to the University of Washington will be admitted as freshmen;
- Students already enrolled at the University of Washington who apply for second-year admission during the spring quarter of their first year on campus; and
- Transfer admission for students accepted to the UW who have strong college academic records and/or have participated in honors programs at their previous universities.
Please visit our Departmental Honors page if you’re interested in applying to Departmental Honors.
As part of their application to the Honors Program, accepted Interdisciplinary Honors students are automatically considered for a number of scholarships. These scholarships are not open to students, and no additional applications are needed or accepted.
Check out our Frequently Asked Questions for more information if your inquiry isn’t addressed here or on one of our admissions pages (Freshman, Second Year, or Transfer).
Who should apply to Interdisciplinary Honors?
The Interdisciplinary Honors Program is looking for students who want to consider important global issues in complex ways. If you have this intense curiosity about the world, regardless of whether you have ever taken part in an honors program, we encourage you to apply. We evaluate applications thoroughly, attempting to comprehend all of the experiences that the student has described in those pages. We want to make sure that our community has the diverse and dynamic viewpoints required for true scholarship.
Our observations have demonstrated that students who enroll in Interdisciplinary Honors for the incorrect reasons either leave the program early or complete it less satisfactorily than they had hoped. Therefore, it is essential that before students apply, parents, teachers, and counselors take into account the values and objectives of the UW Honors Program. Those who adhere to our more expansive definition of a college education report that the experience has changed them for the better. It is this quality that makes our program truly distinctive.
Think about the following before starting the application process to see if Interdisciplinary Honors might fit into your educational objectives:
- Indeed, admission to the University Honors Program is extremely competitive, and acceptance does distinguish admitted students. However, if the student’s objectives conflict with the Program’s values of community, diversity, leadership, lifelong learning, global and community engagement, and research, then recognition alone won’t bring about satisfaction.
- High school advanced courses differ significantly from our Interdisciplinary Honors courses. Our curriculum encourages students to look beyond disciplinary boundaries and to recognize the value of connected knowledge for dealing with the major issues of our time. One of the main tenets of Interdisciplinary Honors is that those who enter with the intention of becoming experts only in one field may become dissatisfied when required to study subjects outside of their chosen discipline.
- Although honors does make the university seem smaller, it intentionally keeps its students connected to the rest of the university community. Throughout their time at UW, every student will be in a class of several hundred people. Those enrolling in Honors should be thrilled about attending a big public university that provides incredible opportunities not found at small colleges.
- We employ a holistic approach to evaluating applications. The valedictorian with 800s on the SATs, a 4. If an applicant’s application reveals they are not interested in a broad-based, interdisciplinary education, they may not be admitted. Students who are curious about the world around them and are willing to take academic risks in order to broaden their knowledge are more likely to succeed in our program.
- Most of our students have found success after graduating with honors, but this is just one of many aspects that graduate and professional level evaluators take into account. Our objective is for our graduates to leave the UW determined to pursue personal and professional growth, serve as leaders in their various communities, and engage in global citizenship.
Freshman Admission UW Honors
FAQ
How do you get honors at UW?
Students must complete 90 matriculated credits while living on campus at the UW from autumn 2022 to summer 2023. At least 60 of those credits must be graded. Summa Cum Laude is the top 0. 5%, Magna Cum Laude is the next 3%, and Cum Laude is the next 6 5%.
What are the benefits of UW honors?
- Interdisciplinary classes that are small and engaging teach students new ways of thinking
- Reflection to promote deliberate educational choices.
- Engagement in international study, community service, leadership and research.
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.
Does University of Washington have an honors college?
The four-year University Honors Program includes an experiential learning and reflection-focused interdisciplinary Honors core curriculum, Honors academic advising, opportunities for independent study, and programs for international study and exchange.