Applying to freshman-year honors programs and honors housing Honors Programs
Honors Application for Fall 2011 Now Closed
The freshman honors programs are no longer accepting applications for the Fall 2011 semester.
If you’re looking for more than the usual academic challenges, you may want to apply to one of the freshman honors programs.
Honors classes are typically smaller than regular classes and offer an atmosphere that encourages intellectual exploration and engagement. Outside the classroom, honors students interact with faculty and fellow honors students in Honors Residence Halls or in the Joynes Reading Room in the University Honors Center. Honors students also enjoy social and recreational activities together like taking part in special honors dinners and playing on intramural sports teams.
Freshman Honors Programs
Business Honors Program
Deadline: December 1, 2010
The Business Honors Program is a highly-selective program that enrolls about 100 students each fall. Modeled after case-based MBA programs, accelerated courses focus on class discussions and presentations, group collaborations and analytical exercises.
If you’re interested in applying to the Business Honors Program and have questions about the program, contact one of the BHP Student Recruiters.
Review the Business Honors Program's Freshman Application Checklist.
College of Natural Sciences Honors Programs
Deadline: December 1, 2010
The College of Natural Sciences offers two freshman honors programs: Dean's Scholars Honors and Health Science Honors.
Dean's Scholars Honors Program
Dean's Scholars Honors Program is a four-year degree program in which students earn a bachelor of science degree that is designated as an honors degree in any of the majors offered by the College of Natural Sciences. This program focuses on an innovative interdisciplinary curriculum that features more elective hours than standard degree plans and culminates in an Honors Research Thesis.
Health Science Honors Program
The Health Science Honors (HSH) Program is UT Austin's first honors program specifically for students interested in the health professions. In addition to small honors classes, dedicated academic advising and participation in the college's nationally-recognized Freshman Research Initiative, the HSH Program provides access to an extensive array of clinical and research internships, and will provide support for career exploration and a capstone health sciences presentation.
Students may apply to both programs by selecting College of Natural Sciences Honors on the UT Austin Honors Application.
Engineering Honors Program
Deadline: December 1, 2010
The Cockrell School of Engineering offers a select group of students the opportunity to participate in the Engineering Honors Program (EHP). The Engineering Honors Program is a non-degree, four-year program which enhances the undergraduate experience by offering: Engineering Honors scholarships, access to honors housing on campus, honors faculty advisors, social and cultural events, and the opportunity to complete an undergraduate honors thesis.
Liberal Arts Honors Program
Deadline: December 1, 2010
The Liberal Arts Honors Program offers the community experience of a small liberal arts college while providing access to the unparalleled resources of a large research university.
Liberal Arts Honors students choose from a variety of honors courses in preparation for advanced work in Liberal Arts majors. Program advisers emphasize honors options at UT Austin, study abroad programs and internships. Liberal Arts Honors students graduate broadly and deeply prepared for professional and civic leadership. Many go on to attain graduate degrees.
Review the Liberal Arts Honors Program's admissions information and statistics.
Plan II Honors Program
Priority deadline: November 1, 2010 | Regular deadline: December 1, 2010
The Plan II Honors Program is recognized as one of the most respected and selective honors programs in the country. It offers a strenuous interdisciplinary curriculum in the arts and sciences and the flexibility to incorporate other majors and degrees.
The program includes year-long courses, small seminar classes, independent study and flexible major concentrations.
Review Plan II's Frequently Asked Questions and Tips for Applying.
Turing Scholars Program in Computer Science
Deadline: December 1, 2010
The Turing Scholars Honors Program offers an intensive, accelerated path through the core Computer Science curriculum that culminates in undergraduate research in the junior and senior years.
How to Apply to Freshman Honors Programs
Honors Application Deadline
December 1
1. Review the Special Instructions page for important information about applying to honors programs.
2. Submit the online UT Austin Honors Application.
3. Complete any additional steps and submit any additional materials required by the individual honors programs. (These additional steps and materials are listed in the Application Requirements section on the Special Instructions page.)
If you’re interested in applying to an honors program, you must submit the online honors program application and all required application materials by December 1.
Honors Housing
All prospective freshmen who are applying to an honors program are also eligible to apply for on-campus honors housing once their application for admission is complete. The Honors Residence Halls offer special support, services and a close-knit community for first-year students participating in honors programs.
If you think that you might be interested in living in honors housing, apply for housing as soon as your entire application for admission is complete. The housing office will then send you a housing contract. On your housing contract you may specify honors housing as your first choice residence hall. There are three honors halls from which you may choose: Andrews, Blanton or Carothers.
Spring Admission
Most freshman honors programs only accept students who apply for admission for the fall semester. Students applying for the spring or summer should contact the honors program(s) in which they’re interested to learn more about applying.