How to apply to the Honors College

Admission to Honors is based on an evaluation of the student from a multitude of perspectives. We do take test scores and HS Core GPA into consideration for new freshmen (minimum transfer college or current NAU GPA required), but that criteria is not exclusively used to admit to Honors. Honors applicants for Fall 2021 average 27 on the ACT and 1220 on the Math and Reading portions of the SAT, and a 3.76 HS Core GPA. Honors College applicants must have a 3.0 Core HS GPA.

We accept applications to the Honors College all year (Sept 1 ->August 15), but we strongly encourage you be admitted to Honors prior to February 1 if you would like to live on campus and in the Honors Residential College (RC) (this date allows you to ensure room placement in the Honors College); and April 1 is our priority date to ensure enrollment in our first year Honors seminar. Admission to Honors will continue through the Summer on a space available basis. Our application will close on Aug 15 or the Friday before the first day of the Fall term.

The Honors RC is available on a space-available basis. If you wish to live in Honors RC, please secure Honors College Admission in advance of these dates above.  Also note that application to Honors does not guarantee admission to Honors, nor is application to Honors considered for hall placement in the Honors Residential College. Please plan your on-campus housing application submission accordingly. Any questions about Housing in Honors should be directed to Housing and Residential Life.

Learn how to apply for honors housing

Submitting an application for Honors on or before November 15, will consider you for one of our limited Honors Merit Scholarships for the following Spring or Fall enrollment term. Notification of this award will be made in late December. We will consider applications after this date on a “funds available” basis.

1. As a culminating experience in the NAU Honors College, you will design and complete a two semester Honors Capstone- a project completely unique to you. Students appreciate the freedom of this opportunity and use it as a chance to pursue their academic, career, or personal goals. Students have completed a wide variety of projects, including writing novels, completing internships and studying abroad, engaging in undergraduate research, coding video games and applications, recording podcasts, and more. These experiences are meaningful to students.  What sort(s) of significant experience(s) have you had in your life thus far? How has that experience “defined” you, and how has that continued to shape your own aspirations? How does it inform your interest in pursuing an Honors education at college?
2. In her article, “The Problem with Being Perfect,” Olga Khazan describes the nature of perfectionism in the contemporary university classroom. She notes that there are three types of perfectionism: self-oriented, or a desire to be perfect; socially prescribed, or a desire to live up to others’ expectations; and other-oriented, or holding others to unrealistic standards. Khazan asserts that a focus on grades and tangible rewards is problematic and ultimately inhibits potential. Do you agree? Make an argument justifying or refuting this claim. Please use your own experiences and other sources to support your argument.

Incoming students to the Honors College are considered “transfer students” when they are transferring 24 or more semester credit hours (earned post-HS graduation) into NAU and have a cumulative grade point average of 3.3 or above. Transfer students must submit an application, resume, and essay for consideration. Transfer transcripts must be on file at NAU for consideration.

If you are not admitted for new or transfer admission, you may apply for the Honors College after completing 12 credit hours of letter-graded coursework at Northern Arizona University. Current NAU students must submit an application, resume, and essay for consideration. The coursework to be considered for admission must count toward liberal studies and/or toward major or minor requirements.

Reminder: to be eligible for admission as a current NAU student, you must have a cumulative Northern Arizona University grade point average of 3.30 or above.