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Apply To Honors As An Incoming Freshman

Incoming Freshman

For first-time freshmen, this innovative two-year Honors program is designed to enrich students’ first years on campus, particularly in their general education courses and introductory courses in their major. Students apply to this program between mid-fall and early May of their senior year of high school. There are also ways for some first-year transfer students and WVU freshmen to apply to the program.

The Honors Foundations program provides ample support to encourage you to take intellectual risks, make discoveries, explore the world around you, participate in exciting cutting-edge research projects, engage in community-based learning, and find your passion.

All additional GPA and test score submissions to WVU Admissions will trigger the review of your WVU application for Honors College eligibility by the Honors College.

If a student initially applies test optional to WVU and later chooses to submit test scores that make that student eligible for standard admission, the student will then receive an invitation to the standard admissions process.

Deadlines To Apply

To be considered for Fall 2023 Admission, you must apply to WVU by March 22, 2023.

Students who do not meet the minimum GPA or test score requirements listed below must request an application by April 12, 20223 and apply by April 19, 2023.

Fall 2023 Admission Benchmarks

TEST-BASED ADMISSION

Students invited through standard admissions will submit an application that consists of one short admissions essay. Applications submitted through standard admissions will be evaluated on a Now that Honors Admissions has opened for Fall 2023, invitation letters for this process will be mailed to qualified WVU admits approximately 1-3 weeks after receiving their admissions decision from WVU.

Students invited through standard admissions will submit an application that consists of one short admissions essay. Applications submitted through standard admissions will be evaluated on a rolling basis. Most students will hear back within 5-10 business days.

  • For first-time freshmen, students who met the following criteria were invited to apply through the test-based admission process:
    • 3.7 High School GPA (weighted or unweighted) AND
    • 26 ACT or 1230 Redesigned SAT (M/EBRW)

TEST-BLIND ADMISSION

Students who are invited through this process will receive an email invitation to complete an extended application. In your extended application, you will tell us more about you, your interests and why you want to join the Honors College. Extended applications will be considered for admission on a rolling basis by the Honors Admissions Committee. Students should hear an admissions decision from the committee within around one month of their application submission.

Students will be invited to this process by email.

  • Students may also apply to the Honors College through our test-blind process. Test blind invitations are based on meeting a qualifying GPA:
    • 3.7+ on a 4.0 scale OR
    • 4.0+ on a 5.0 scale

Updates to Your WVU Application

Invitations to apply to the Honors College are sent to students based on their applications to West Virginia University.

All additional GPA and test score submissions to WVU Admissions will trigger the review of your WVU application for Honors College eligibility by the Honors College.

If a student initially applies test optional to WVU and later chooses to submit test scores that make that student eligible for standard admission, the student will then receive an invitation to the standard admissions process.

Requests To Apply

Students who do not meet the minimum GPA or test score requirements to receive an Honors invitation through the standard or test-blind admissions processes may still apply for admission to the Honors College by requesting an extended application from the Honors College by email at Honors@mail.wvu.edu with the subject line “Requesting an Application from the Honors College.” Students who request an application through this process will have their applications and files fully reviewed and considered holistically by the Honors Admissions Committee.