The Honors College welcomes transfer students who want to explore big ideas, engage deeply with their coursework, and connect with a community of curious learners.

Because the University Honors curriculum unfolds over several years, the best pathway depends on how much General Education coursework you have remaining and how long you plan to study at App State. The guide below can help you determine whether University Honors aligns with your academic goals and graduation plan.

  • 3 or More Years Remaining: This timeline gives you full access to the Honors College's University Honors and Upper Division University Honors curricula. You will have plenty of room to take interdisciplinary seminars, build strong faculty relationships, and complete your thesis.
  • 2.5 Years Remaining: This path is ambitious, but it is workable with early planning. You will work closely with an Honors College advisor right away to map out your seminars and thesis milestones.
  • 2 Years or Fewer Remaining: Most students in this category arrive with their General Education requirements already complete. Because University Honors seminars satisfy General Education requirements, completing the University Honors curriculum may require additional coursework and could extend your graduation timeline.

If University Honors through the Honors College is not the best fit for your graduation plan, there are still many ways to distinguish yourself at App State. Depending on your major and goals, you can challenge yourself through Departmental Honors or an Accelerated Master’s Program. Additionally, Latin Honors is available to all students based on their cumulative GPA at graduation.

Transferring Honors Coursework

If you completed Honors coursework at a previous institution, you may be able to apply that coursework toward your Honors requirements at App State. Students who earned a grade of B or higher in Honors coursework should contact the Honors College to request a credit review.

How to Apply to the Honors College

We invite transfer students with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher to apply to the Honors College. Eligible students will be able to access the Honors College application through the Special Programs tab in their MyMountaineer portal after applying to App State.

What Will the Application Ask You?

As part of the application, you'll be asked to reflect on your academic goals and how Honors fits into your plans at App State. Specifically, you'll be asked to:

  • Consider your graduation timeline so we can determine whether the Honors College's University Honors Program aligns with your degree plan.
  • Tell us how you spend your time outside the classroom, including employment, campus involvement, internships, or family responsibilities.
  • Write a short Honors essay that helps us learn more about how you think, where you hope to grow, and how the Honors College fits into your goals. You can preview the essay prompt here.

Application Deadlines

Application Deadlines
Admissions TermApplication DueDecision Shared
SpringDecember 1January 1
Summer / FallMarch 1April 1

Application Advice

Our admissions process is holistic. Use your application materials and Honors essay to tell your story. Share specific examples that highlight your goals, values, and potential. We’re not looking for perfection. We want to see your drive to discover, create, learn, and grow together. Here are the four areas we focus on, and how you can help us see your strengths:

Intellectual Engagement & Academic Exploration

We’re interested in how you approach learning. Help us understand what sparks your curiosity, how you think through complex ideas, and where you’ve pushed your thinking. 

  • 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

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

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

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

We’re here to help

Have questions or want feedback?

If you have questions or want personalized feedback, reach out to our Associate Vice Provost for the Honors College, Vicky Klima, at klimavw@appstate.edu for guidance and support.