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Honors Admission Criteria

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  • Selection to the University Honors Program (UHP) is competitive with limited seats and scholarships available.
  • Applications are considered holistically. If you do not meet the GPA or test score minimum, address this in your written personal statement.
  • Applications should be complete (all material submitted) by January 15 for priority consideration for the following Fall semester.
  • If all initial seats have been filled, you may be placed on a waitlist.
  • Applicants must be pursuing a Bachelor's degree and attending the ISU campus in Pocatello. 

To qualify for the Honors Scholarship Package, all materials must be received no later than July 1st (the official ISU scholarship deadline). However, all seats are typically offered to priority applicants and are filled by March. If you apply after January 15, there may be no seats available and your application may be placed on a waitlist.  We encourage you to apply by the January 15 priority deadline!

International Students: International Undergraduate Students are eligible to apply to the University Honors Program.  Please use the International Student Application to apply to the Honors Program.

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All Seats for the 2024/2025 Academic Year Have Been Filled

All of the Fall 2024/Spring 2025 seats in the Honors Program have been filled.  We are not accepting new UHP students for the Spring 2025 semester.

We are currently accepting applications for seats in the 2025/2026 academic year (students starting in Fall 2025).

Honors Admission Criteria

First Time, First Year Students - Undergraduate ISU Freshmen

(Recent high school graduates or students who have not previously attended ISU or another university/college. Includes International Students.)

  • High school GPA (unweighted) of 3.6 or better from an accredited school -OR- SAT Total Score of 1200 or greater -OR- ACT Composite Score of 25 or greater.  No super-scoring.
  • One letter of recommendation. The letter must come from a non-related high school teacher, official, or individual (e.g., principal, assistant principal, counselor) who can speak to your academic abilities.
  • A 1-page, single spaced personal statement explaining who you are, your goals, and why you would like to be a member of the University Honors Program (UHP). In addition, if you do not meet the GPA/SAT/ACT minimum, please include a discussion of that in this essay.
  • List of leadership experiences and community involvement, including student clubs, service projects, etc.
  • List of prior and/or current college coursework (unofficial transcripts are acceptable).  

Note: For UHP admittance, students must be attending the ISU campus in Pocatello and pursuing a Bachelor's degree.

If you submitted an application and then received a higher ACT or SAT score at a later date, you MUST contact the Honors Program in order for your application to be updated or reconsidered. Contact us at honors@isu.edu

Transfer Students and Current ISU Students

(Undergraduate students already attending ISU or undergraduate students transferring to ISU from another university or college. Includes International undergraduate students.)

  • Completed at least 26 undergraduate college credits (does not include AP credits or Early College/Dual Enrollment courses taken in high school).
  • University/College GPA of 3.5 or better.
  • Completed ENGL 1101 (or equivalent) with a grade of B or better.
  • One letter of reference. The letter must be from a non-related professor, instructor, advisor, official, or individual who can speak to your academic abilities.
  • A 1-page, single spaced personal statement explaining who you are, your goals, and why you would like to be a member of the University Honors Program (UHP). In addition, if you do not meet one or more of the eligibility minimums, please include a discussion of that in this essay.
  • Transfer Students - Include a digital copy of your transcripts (unofficial or official).  

Note: Transfer students may apply up to 9 credits of Honors work from other institutions towards an Honors Distinction, or up to 12 credits of Honors work towards an Honors Degree.

Note: For UHP admittance, students must be attending the ISU campus in Pocatello and pursuing a Bachelor's degree.

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