We are pleased you are considering joining the Kent State University Honors College. This is an exciting opportunity for students who are looking for a challenge, and who will immerse themselves in all that the Honors College has to offer.
The admissions process and requirements depend on your point of entry. Find your admissions guidelines below:
The Honors College enrolls students who are academically motivated and demonstrate the potential for significant academic and creative ability at Kent State University. We take a holistic approach to evaluating students for admission. Standardized test scores have historically been just one indicator among many in our review process. Those students applying as a first-year student in the Honors College are not required to submit standardized test scores (ACT or SAT). In the absence of test scores, we will continue to look at all available factors, including the completion of a core curriculum; high school GPA; a student’s decision to take rigorous coursework such as AP, IB, honors or college credit, where it is offered; application essays; extracurricular activities; positions of employment and leadership experiences; along with other achievements or extenuating factors.
First-Year admission to the Honors College is by invitation only. In order to receive an invitation, you must: have a 3.7+ (weighted or unweighted) cumulative high school GPA AND adhere to the deadlines for the Kent State University undergraduate admissions application and the Honors College application:
Admission to the Honors College is competitive and we encourage you to apply by the Dec. 15 priority deadline for the Honors College application. The Honors College application is supplemental to the Kent State University application (which must be completed by Dec. 1, 2021) and is one of the most important components in determining a student's success and acceptance into the Honors College. The application should be completed after receiving your invitation, and requires completion of two short-answer questions, along with information regarding academic rigor and leadership/extracurricular activities.
“Please use the username and password used to apply to Kent State University. If you applied using the Common Application, you should have received an email with your login credentials. If you’re unable to log in to your applicant portal, please contact the Admissions Office at 330-672-2444 or admissions@kent.edu.”
Announcements of acceptance to the Honors College will be sent on a rolling basis, beginning Feb. 1, via email, with a formal printed acceptance letter to follow.
When a prospective student applies for Honors College admission, they are also automatically considered for Honors College scholarships. The same application is used to award scholarships to entering freshmen that demonstrate the potential for superior scholarly and creative activity at the university. All entering freshmen are offered an Honors Distinction Award of $2,000 per academic year. Students are also considered for additional honors scholarships when they apply to the Honors College. With support from our generous Honors College donors, these scholarships can range from $500 to $2,000 per academic year. The Honors College will contact those honors students who are selected to receive these scholarships each academic year.
Honors College Application Frequently Asked Questions
Current Kent State students and transfer students with outstanding academic records may be considered for admission to the Honors College.
Current Kent State students who are not admitted as incoming freshmen but would like to join the Honors College may apply for membership in the Honors College for the purposes of completing a Senior Honors Thesis/Project. Typically, this consideration occurs in the junior year.
Students who transfer to Kent State from another honors program or college at an accredited institution are eligible to apply for admission to the Honors College. For more information about the benefits of the Honors College and why transfer students should consider applying, please visit Why Honors For Transfer Students?.
To be considered for admission to the Honors College for the purpose of completing a Senior Honors Thesis/Project, we require students to have the following:
At least one full-time semester of study completed at Kent State at the time of application AND a minimum of three full-time semesters of study remaining before graduation (students in specific academic programs may be required to have four semesters remaining)
A cumulative GPA of 3.50 or higher at the end of the semester prior to admission
Must currently be enrolled in an honors program or college at an accredited institution
Have completed at least one honors course with a grade of a C or better (the Honors College may accept up to 12 hours of honors credits towards the required 24 honors hours needed by graduation)
Hold a cumulative GPA of 3.50 or higher at the end of the semester prior to admission
Current Kent State students interested in completing a Senior Honors Thesis/Project must contact Marsha Kraus at mkraus1@kent.edu for information about the thesis process and the required thesis information meetings.
Transfer students must contact Ólöf Thórdardóttir, Coordinator of Admissions, at othordar@kent.edu for information on accessing the Honors College application for transfer students.
The Honors College will accept applications from continuing Kent State students and transfer students during the fall and spring semesters. Decisions will be made on a rolling basis, but students must apply by the deadline.