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HOW TO APPLY
 

Please read this page carefully to determine which application is right for you and what is required. If you have any questions, please contact the Honors Office at (808) 956-8391 or honors@hawaii.edu.

 

Selected Studies

 

Selected Studies is the lower division component of the Honors Program, for first-year and sophomore students.  It offers “A Section” courses, which are low enrollment versions of regular lecture classes, and special Honors seminars, which are part of an innovative curriculum designed to introduce students to research and creative work at the UHM, and its application in public policy and teaching.

 

1. First-year admission

If you are a high school senior who has been accepted for admission to UHM, you can enter the Honors Program by invitation or by nomination.

  • By invitation:

    Minimum qualifications:
    High School GPA of 3.0 and 1800 SAT composite or ACT 27 composite.

    If you meet these requirements you should automatically receive an invitation in the mail during the spring semester, which may be as early as the end of March or as late as the beginning of June, depending on when you were admitted to the University of Hawaii at Mānoa.
     
  • Self-initiative:

    If you do not meet the minimum qualifications, you can still apply to join the Honors Program by nomination.  Applications are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.  You will need to find a teacher or counselor to provide a recommendation for you.
     

2. Current UHM Students

Minimum qualifications: undergraduate GPA of 3.0

If you are a first year student or first semester sophomore enrolled at UHM and would like to apply to join the Honors Program, you can still apply by nomination.  These applications are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.  You will need to find one UHM instructor to provide a recommendation for you.
 

3. Transfer Students

If you are still a sophomore and have general education requirements to fulfill, you may apply to Selected Studies. Please note that usually you will not be able to earn Sophomore Honors and automatic admission to Upper Division Honors, but you may still benefit from other aspects of Selected Studies. 

 

Upper Division Honors

You must be accepted into Upper Division Honors both by the Honors Program and by your major department.   Some departments have Honors ‘tracks’ for their majors (e.g. Economics, English, and Psychology) and others have established close relations with Honors (e.g. GES, Engineering, Political Science). 

Please check here.

 

1. Students in Selected Studies

If you received Sophomore Honors while in the Selected Studies program, you are automatically continued into Upper-Division Honors, subject to the approval of your major department.

You simply need to submit the following to the Honors Program

Please submit these documents to the Honors Program before the end of the semester that follows the semester of your completion of Selected Studies. 

Please note that admission to the Honors Program is subject to the approval of your major department.

 

2. By invitation

Each semester we invite students whose academic records place them on the Dean's list.  If you wish to take some rigorous upper division seminars and complete a Senior Honors Project to earn an Honors Degree , then we will welcome your application.  Usually you will need three semesters (which may include a summer) to your graduation.

You simply need to submit the following to the Honors Program

Admission to the Honors Program is subject to the approval of your major department.

 

3. Other UHM Students

If you wish to take some rigorous upper division seminars and complete a Senior Honors Project to earn an Honors Degree , then we we welcome your application.  You must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0, and preferably within the top 25% of your college (as this is a graduation requirement). Usually you will need three semesters (which may include a summer) til your graduation.

You simply need to submit the following to the Honors Program

Admission to the Honors Program is subject to the approval of your major department.

 

3. Transfer Students

If you wish to take some rigorous upper division seminars and complete a Senior Honors Project to earn an Honors Degree , then we we welcome your application. You should have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and preferably within the top 25% of your college (as this is a graduation requirement). Usually you will need three semesters (which may include a summer) to your graduation.

Please fill out the application so that we have your information  You will also need 2 recommendations, at least one of which must be from an instructor at your current institution.

You simply need to submit the following to the Honors Program

Admission to the Honors Program is subject to the approval of your major department.

Honors Program transfers

If you are transferring from a UH community college with an Associates Degree with Honors, or you are transferring from an honors program at another institution, you may be automatically admitted to Honors.  We may request a letter from your honors program attesting that you are in good standing. 

You simply need to submit the following to the Honors Program

Admission to the Honors Program is subject to the approval of your major department.