Honors College Admission
Incoming Freshmen
Current Students
Transfer Students
Contacts
Incoming Freshmen
Students interested in becoming members of the
Honors College should first apply for admission to Michigan State
University www.admissions.msu.edu.
A completed application for MSU admission serves as the application for
Honors College membership; there is no separate application process.
Invitations are usually extended within one month of the MSU admission to high school students who:
- Rank in the top 5 percent of their high school graduating class.
- Have an ACT composite score of at least 30 or an SAT score of at least 1360 (Critical Reading and Math sections only). MSU requires an ACT or SAT with a writing component. The writing score and sample may be used as additional information in the Honors College screening process.
Students who have outstanding records and are close to the criteria also will receive a comprehensive individualized evaluation and may be invited. The Honors College may request additional information before extending an invitation to membership.
Students who are close to the Honors College invitation criteria also may be invited directly to the Academic Scholars Program www.msu.edu/~aspwhich offers enhanced academic opportunities during the first two years. Academic Scholars may be invited to join the Honors College after their first semester at MSU; the following section describes the admission process for current MSU students.
Current Students
The admission process for current MSU students has changed to more closely mimic our invitation process for incoming freshmen. Admittance to the Honors College is by invitation only. The admission process begins early each spring semester and will finish by the end of that same spring semester.
At the beginning of each spring semester, the Honors College will target the top 10% of first year students in each college (based on cumulative GPA at the end of the fall semester) and examine each student’s record for evidence of academic excellence. In addition, successful and sustained involvement in one of MSU’s key enrichment programs will also be taken into consideration as this participation indicates a student’s interest in personal growth and academic achievement. Invitations will be sent to students’ MSU email accounts through the Confidential Message System maintained by the Registrar’s Office.
The annual review process that occurs each spring semester will include all first-year students who have been at MSU for one calendar year or less. For example, the review process that occurs in January 2010 will include all first-year students who started at MSU in Spring 2009, Summer 2009 or Fall 2009.
The Honors College at MSU is designed as a four-year experience, and current students will only be reviewed for admission during their first year at MSU. Students who decline a membership invitation or who are not invited to membership as part of the annual review process will not be considered in future reviews.
Students who are not invited to Honors College membership may still enhance their educational experience through Honors Options in regular courses or by requesting an override into a specific Honors course/section (overrides are granted based on availability and a review of students’ overall academic progress and program). Students may also graduate from the University with honor or high honor designations by meeting cumulative GPA standards, regardless of Honors College membership.
If you have any questions, email the Honors College at HCadvise@msu.edu.
Transfer Students
Admittance to the Honors College is by invitation only. All transfer students who have been at MSU for one calendar year or less are automatically included in the annual review process each spring semester, which targets the top 10% of first year students in each college (based on cumulative GPA at the end of the fall semester) and examines each student’s record for evidence of academic excellence. Invitations will be sent to students’ MSU email accounts through the Confidential Message System maintained by the Registrar’s Office.
The MSU Honors College is designed as a four-year experience, and membership is not available to students who will reach junior standing (56 credits) by the end of the spring semester in which their record is reviewed.
Students who are not invited to Honors College membership may still enhance their educational experience through Honors Options in regular courses or by requesting an override into a specific Honors course/section (overrides are granted based on availability and a review of students’ overall academic progress and program). Students may also graduate from the University with honor or high honor designations by meeting cumulative GPA standards, regardless of Honors College membership.
If you have any questions, email the Honors College at HCadvise@msu.edu.
Contact the HC Admissions Staff
We encourage your further exploration of our program through
individualized visits and recruitment programs.
Bess German, Ph.D.
Director, Admissions & Student Affairs
germanr@msu.edu
Melissa Mattingly
Admissions Counselor
matting5@msu.edu
To schedule a personalized visit, please contact Melissa Mattingly, Honors College Admissions Counselor.
