Apply to the Honors College

Apply to the Honors College

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How to apply to The Honors College

Option 1

National Merit, Presidential-Level and Nevada Scholars (with a 4.0) will be admitted to The Honors College without submitting an application.

Limited to the first 400 students who accept admission.

New incoming freshman students who have completed all admissions requirements by February 15th are automatically considered for the new freshman scholarship programs. These scholarship options vary on whether or not new freshman applicants submit standardized test scores with their application packets. No separate application is required. 

GPA and test score scholarships

Students who submit standardized test scores from a single exam sitting (ACT Composite or SAT) and a cumulative unweighted GPA can be considered for the following first-year scholarships.

  • Presidential: $8,000 per year for four years of undergraduate study
  • Nevada Scholars*: $3,000 for one year of undergraduate study
  • Pack Pride*: $2,000 for one year of undergraduate study

*Students who receive reduced tuition through the Pack Exchange Program (PEP) or Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) are not eligible for the Nevada Scholars or Pack Pride scholarships.

Scholarship requirements

[Figure 1] First-year scholarship matrix with color coordinated scales based on unweighted high school GPA and ACT composite or SAT (single exam sitting scores).

GPA-only new freshman scholarships

New incoming freshman students who complete all admissions requirements by February 1st but do not submit standardized test scores or do not qualify based on the GPA and test scores matrix may be eligible for the following scholarships.

  • Nevada Scholars: 3,000 for one year of undergraduate study
  • Pack Pride: $2,000 for one year of undergraduate study
  • Wolfie: $1,500 for one year of undergraduate study

GPA-only scholarship requirements

GPA-only scholarship table
Scholarship GPA Requirement Amount
Nevada Scholars 4.0 $3,000
Pack Pride 3.8-3.9 $2,000
Wolfie 3.5-3.7 $1,500

Honors College application

The Honors College application form is accessed through the general University admissions portal. You must create an account and apply to the University prior to applying to the Honors College. Once you have applied for admission to the University, access the portal again and select “Application for Honors College Admissions” from the drop-down menu to apply to the Honors College.

In order to complete the Honors College application form, applicants must enter basic demographic and educational information as well as information on significant past activities. A 500-word essay (written- or video-based submission) is also required. In order to complete the essay, select the honors mission pillar that interests you most and/or responds best to your strengths and describe how membership in the Honors College will support your development in this area. The honors living learning community application is included (see below).

Admissions decisions are released via the application portal, and applicants must log back in to the portal to accept admission to the Honors College. Applicants are encouraged to monitor the status of their recommendations by logging into the application portal. Applications cannot be reviewed until both recommendations have been received. Additional copies of test scores and transcripts are not required by the Honors College.

Want help applying?

We're happy to answer any questions you have and guide you through the process.

Applying to the Honors Residential Scholars Community

If you choose to join The Honors College, we strongly encourage you to select our Living Learning Community as your first option. We’ll be in Peavine Hall this year.

We are excited that you are interested in being part of the Wolf Pack next year and joining us at the University of Nevada, Reno! One of the great opportunities our campus offers are the Living Learning Communities in the residence halls. The Living Learning Communities (LLCs) are an opportunity for you to live with other students in the same major/area of study (academic-based LLCs) or a shared identity/cultural interest (identity based LLCs).

For more information about the Living Learning Communities and which residence hall they are in, please visit the University of Nevada, Reno Housing website.

Important dates

Below are some important dates for living on campus for the 2024-2025 academic year. When you complete the housing application, if you are interested in a Living Learning Community, be sure to select “Yes” on the question on the application asking about your interest in LLCs — and then rank your top three preferences. For all housing dates for the 2024-2025 academic year, please view the housing application timeline.

Housing application available | Wednesday, November 15 at 12:01 a.m.

Fall 2024 Housing application becomes available for all students (incoming first-year students, returning students, transfer students, etc.).

Roomate requests open for 2024-2025 | January 16 – February 1

First round of roommate requests opens for 2024-2025 applications. More details can be found at the Roommate Matching website.

Priority application date for 2024-2045 housing | Thursday, February 1 at 11:59 p.m.

All students who have submitted an application that has a "completed" status by this date will be able to select their roommate(s) and self-select their building/room (February 15 - March 14). Students applying after this date will receive their housing assignment in early July.

If you have questions about Housing for the 2024-2025 academic year, please contact the Residential Life, Housing, and Food Services office at (775) 784-1113 or at housing@unr.edu.

Need some help deciding?

Our student ambassadors can answer questions about what life in the Honors College is all about. Connect with someone who knows what it's like in your shoes and can help support your goals. 

Ready to apply?

We're excited for you to start this journey, and we're here to support you each step of the way!