Frequently Asked Questions

Students admitted to the University who meet the criteria for applying to the Honors Program (high school unweighted GPA of 3.5 or above and minimum SAT 1900 or minimum ACT 29) automatically receive an Honors Program application. Applications will be sent to admitted students following their notification of admission to the University (typically two weeks following notification of admission status).

The Honors application may be submitted anytime through April 1, 2013. Applications will be reviewed past the deadline as space allows. It is recommended to apply sooner rather than later. There is no additional fee to apply. The application is very straight forward and requires a writing sample. The writing sample may be an essay written for another application for scholarship or admission or from a class assignment. If you have not received your Honors Program application and would like one mailed to you, contact the Office of Admission at 800-423-8633, ext. 2468, or through e-mail at admission@evansville.edu.

Applications will be accepted anytime through April 1, 2013, and beyond as space in the Program allows. Admission into the Honors Program is rolling. In other words, one will find out his or her status soon after an application is submitted. Notification is usually the following month after the application is received.

NOTE: If you have missed applying as an incoming student, you may apply to the Honors Program as current students. Current students who hold a strong UE GPA and have a good letter of recommendation from a professor or academic advisor are often admitted.

Students who posses one of the following will receive an Honors Program application:

• High school unweighted GPA of 3.5 or above and minimum SAT 1900 or minimum ACT 29
• Transfer applicants - cumulative college GPA of 3.5 or above

Applications are reviewed monthly by a special Honors Program faculty committee. Admission decisions are based primarily on high school GPA, curriculum, SAT or ACT scores, and writing sample. Honors admission decisions are mailed within seven days of an application review which is generally about one month following receipt of the application.

Students earn points through a variety of means…completing Honors designated courses, attending special events and activities, studying abroad, doing internships, and completing an Honors project. A total of 21 points must be earned before graduation. Honors students are expected to participate in an Honors course or activity each semester, as well as earn a cumulative grade point average/credit hour combination.

Honors CGPA and Credit Hour Requirement by the completion of the...

• Freshman year (0-30 hours) must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0
• Sophomore year (31-61 hours) must have a cumulative GPA of 3.1
• Junior year (62-92 hours) must have a cumulative GPA of 3.2
• Senior year (93 hours or more) must have a cumulative GPA of 3.3

There are many!

• An enriched learning environment that provides opportunities to interact with professors and peers from many academic disciplines
• Incoming student early registration for fall courses – available to students who are admitted to the Honors Program by March 1 and who have submitted their admission deposit by April 1 (see Honors webpage “early registration” for details and to sign up)
• Priority registration – beginning the second semester of enrollment, honors students may register after seniors, allowing them priority course selection
• Honors housing – students have the option to live in Powell Residence Hall, the Honors Program residence hall (space is limited)
• Honors lounge – located in Powell Residence Hall, the lounge is open to all honors students 24 hours 7 days per week with computers, printers and unlimited paper
• An opportunity for leadership experience and to shape the program by serving on the Honors Program Student Advisory Council (HPSAC)
• Community of peers and faculty – UE’s scholar-in-residence hosts a weekly tea, at which honors students and faculty members chat and get to know each other in an informal atmosphere
• Opportunities to interact with special guests to campus (i.e., Honors students got to meet with Kenneth Yalowitz former ambassador to the Republic of Belarus and to Georgia and Eric Schlosser author of Fast Food Nation: the Dark Side of the All-American Meal during their recent visits to campus)
• Honors distinction – Honors Program graduates receive an engraved medallion, honors cords and a certificate of completion
• Employers and professional or graduate schools generally look favorably on the enriched experience students gain by participation in an honors program

Currently there are approximately 250 students in the Program. Typically there are 60-70 incoming freshman students each year (about 10 percent of the freshman class).

Try again. Current students may apply for admission to the Honors Program. For admission, the Honors Program faculty committee considers current college GPA, course work, writing sample and a recommendation letter from an academic advisor or faculty member.

There are no set responsibilities to the Honors Program beyond the required cumulative GPA and participation in at least one event per semester or completion of an Honors course. While we encourage every student in the Program to complete it, there are no adverse consequences for failing to do so.

The Honors Program is full of benefits and few cons. If after admission you decide you are not interested in completing the Honors Program, there are no penalties to drop from it. If you do not apply as an incoming student but decide later that would like to apply, you may. However, it is best to apply by the sophomore year to insure enough time to complete program requirements.

• Director of the Honors Program, Dr. Ray Lutgring; 800-423-8633, ext. 1033, or 812-488-1033
• Assistant Director of the Honors Program, Cherie Leonhardt; 800-423-8633, ext. 2141, or 812-488-2141