First-Year Students
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. We do not accept or review letters of recommendation. Any submitted letters will not be considered.
Application Process & Deadlines
First-Year Admission to the Honors College is by invitation only. Invitations begin going out in October. To be eligible for an invitation, students must meet the following criteria:
- Have a 3.7+ cumulative high school GPA (weighted or unweighted)
- Apply to Kent State University via the Kent State Application or the Common App by:
- November 1 for spring enrollment
- December 1 for fall enrollment
- Be officially admitted to Kent State (conditional admission is excluded).
Once a student receives an invitation to apply to the Honors College, they must submit their Honors College application by the following deadlines:
Spring Semester
- November 1 at 11:59 p.m. ET for spring priority consideration
- December 1 at 11:59 p.m. ET for spring regular consideration
Fall Semester
- December 1 at 11:59 p.m. ET for fall priority consideration
- January 15 at 11:59 p.m. ET for fall regular consideration
Application
Admission to the Honors College is competitive. The Honors College application is an additional requirement to the Kent State University application. Please ensure you complete the university application by Nov. 1, if you are starting class in spring and Dec. 1, if you are starting classes in the fall.
If you qualify to apply to the Honors College, you will receive an email inviting you to apply through your application portal. The Honors College application requires an essay response along with requested information regarding academic rigor and leadership/extracurricular activities. We highly discourage the use of ChatGPT or other AI software to prepare your essay, as only you can show us who you are through originality of thought and purpose and clarity in your writing. Please use the username and password used to apply to Kent State University when logging in to your applicant portal. If you applied to Kent State using the Common Application, you should have received an email with your applicant portal 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.
Admissions Decisions
Spring Semester
- Priority application decisions will be announced in early November. Regular application decisions will be announced in early December, via email, with a formal printed decision letter to follow. Please note that printed letters are only sent to students with U.S. mailing addresses.
Fall Semester
- Priority application decisions will be released in early January. Regular application decisions will be announced in late January, via email, with a formal printed decision letter to follow. *Please note that printed letters are only sent to students with U.S. mailing addresses.
Scholarship Consideration
When you apply to the Honors College, you are automatically considered for Honors College Scholarships. The Honors College 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 whose tuition is fully covered through other avenues are not eligible).
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.
If you have questions about the Honors College application or deadlines, please contact us at 330-672-2312 or honors@kent.edu
Honors College Application Frequently Asked Questions