New Freshman FAQs

Is there an advantage to applying by the December 15 priority deadline?

The priority deadline to apply to the Honors College is December 15 of your senior year. Students who apply by this deadline and are subsequently admitted to the Honors College can participate in priority housing selection in the spring. Please note that students will also need to complete a housing contract. Generally, University Housing recommends that priority applicants complete their housing contract by the end of February of their senior year to ensure they are included on the priority housing selection list.

If you apply to the Honors College after December 15, you will still be eligible to live in Hotz Honors Hall your freshman year of college, provided there are rooms available when it is your turn to select housing.

Is this Honors College application separate from the fellowship application?

Yes, the Honors College application is separate from the fellowship application. If you are applying for endowed fellowships, you will also need to complete the Honors College application for official admission into the program.

Does the Honors College consider ACT or SAT superscores for admission?

No, we only consider a student's highest composite score from one exam. This applies to both the ACT and the SAT.

Note: We do require official test scores, so please make sure to send ACT and/or SAT score reports to the University of Arkansas. We will consider new score reports as they are received up until our Honors College application deadlines.

What is the Honors College's policy regarding the 2025 updates to the ACT?

Starting with the changes and enhancements to the ACT that are scheduled to be implemented beginning in April 2025, the university will not require the science reasoning section of the ACT for scholarship, placement, or enrollment purposes. Once these updates are fully implemented, students applying to the University of Arkansas may choose to submit test scores with or without the science reasoning section.

The Honors College will continue to consider a student's highest ACT composite score on one exam for both Honors College admission and fellowship application reviews, regardless of whether the exam was taken before or after the scheduled changes. Please note that composite scores from ACT exams taken before the scheduled changes will include the English, math, reading, and science sections. Composite scores from ACT exams taken after the scheduled changes will only include the English, math, and reading sections.

Do I need to submit additional transcripts and test score reports to the Honors College?

No, the Honors College will consider the transcripts and test score reports that you submitted to the undergraduate admissions office when you originally applied to the University of Arkansas. You do not need to submit additional transcripts or test scores to the Honors College.

How will I learn about my Honors College admission decision?

All Honors College admission decisions are posted in your New Student Center. You will receive an email once your admission decision is posted.

With admissions decisions, is the Honors College considering a weighted or non-weighted GPA?

For admissions decisions, the Honors College is looking at a weighted GPA. Please note, however, that the University of Arkansas evaluates applicants' GPAs using a 4.00 scale that only weights AP, IB, and clearly indicated concurrent/dual enrollment courses with one extra grade point. GPAs from schools that include additional weight, weighted honors, or weighted pre-AP courses may be recalculated. If you have questions, you can contact the admissions office at 479-575-5346 or uofa@uark.edu.

What are the honors degree requirements for my academic major? Is there a certain GPA I must maintain?

Generally, honors students are expected to maintain at least a 3.50 UA GPA as a full-time, degree-seeking student at the University of Arkansas. The one exception is the Walton College of Business, which requires honors students to maintain at least a 3.75 UA GPA.

If you have not done so already, please review the honors program requirements in your college to learn more about the academic expectations.

If I am not admitted to the Honors College as an entering student, can I still apply as a current student?

Yes, you can still apply as a current student at the University of Arkansas. When you complete this application, admission will be based upon your UA GPA and credit hours attained.

I am planning to be an honors student in the Walton College of Business. How will math placement work for me as a business student?

Admission to Walton Honors is contingent upon a student being qualified to take MATH 20503 Finite Mathematics in their first semester at the university. To place into MATH 20503, a student must have achieved at least one of the following prior to the beginning of college: 1) A score of at least 26 on the math portion of the ACT, 2) A score of at least 620 on the math portion of the SAT, or 3) A score of at least 60 on the Math placement test.

Students can also test out of MATH 20503 based on earned math credit through AP, IB, or a dual enrollment course. Please contact the Walton Honors Office if you have any questions regarding math placement.