The Honors College at Appalachian State supports a collaborative community of about 550 high-achieving students from all majors. If you’re excited by challenging ideas, interdisciplinary learning, and working closely with faculty and peers, we encourage you to apply. Most students complete the Honors curriculum over three to four years, integrating it with their major and broader App State experience.
Why Join the Honors College?
As an Honors student, you’ll have access to:
Small, discussion-based, interdisciplinary courses that encourage critical thinking and collaboration.
Personalized advising and mentoring from dedicated Honors College faculty and staff.
A vibrant residential community in Cone Hall, where all first-year Honors students live with an Honors roommate and take part in a shared, supportive community. Many continue in Summit Hall in later years.
Study abroad or international education opportunities, often with Honors-specific support.
A mentored Honors thesis, where you’ll explore a topic deeply through research or creative work.
How to Apply
Apply to App State. Complete your application for admission by Nov. 15 (apply using the Common App)
Complete your Honors College Essay. After you've submitted your application you can access the Honors College essay through the forms tab of your MyMountaineer portal. Submit your Honors College application by Nov 30 to apply to the Honors College and the Chancellor's Scholarship.
While you can't access your portal until you've submitted your App State admissions application, we don’t make you wait to see the Honors essay prompt. You can read it now.
Deadlines
Submit your App State application by November 15 and your Honors College Essay by November 30
Receive your App State admissions decision 2-4 weeks after completing your application
Receive your Honors College decision by January 25
Secure your spot in the incoming Honors class by March 29, or ask for an extension up to May 1
Application Advice
We’re looking for students who are curious, motivated, and ready to grow—and who will thrive in and contribute to the Honors College community. Admission to the Honors College at Appalachian is holistic. We consider your GPA, but we also look closely at your ambitions, intellectual curiosity, leadership, resilience, and your commitment to learning and contributing in meaningful ways.
Here are the four areas we focus on, and how you can help us see your strengths:
1. Intellectual Engagement & Academic Potential
We’re interested in how you approach learning—what sparks your curiosity, how you think through complex ideas, and where you’ve pushed yourself intellectually.
- Share what excites you intellectually—inside or outside the classroom
- Let us know about challenging courses, independent work, or creative projects
- Use your activities list to show academic curiosity and initiative
2. Perspective-Taking & Collaboration
We’re looking for students who engage across differences, listen actively, and contribute to a collaborative learning environment.
- Talk about teamwork, volunteering, or group activities you’ve contributed to and grown from
- Reflect on how you've engaged with and learned from people with different viewpoints and experiences
3. Holistic Development & Initiative
We want to see how you’ve grown—academically, personally, or otherwise—and how you take initiative in shaping your experiences and learning.
- Reflect on experiences that shaped your values, creativity, or self-awareness
- Use your activities list to show us how you’ve taken initiative, whether through leadership, service, or self-directed projects
4. Contribution to the Honors College
We’re interested in what draws you to this community—what you hope to bring to Honors, and what you’re excited to discover, create, and learn here.
- Share your excitement about the Honors community
- Be specific about how you’d like to get involved
Use your common app and Honors College essays, interest statement, and activities list to tell your story. Specific examples help us see the real you—your goals, your values, and your potential. We’re not looking for perfection. We want to see your commitment to discovering, creating, learning, and growing together.
Have questions or want feedback? We’re here to help. Reach out to Associate Vice Provost Vicky Klima (klimavw@appstate.edu) to consult.