Frequently Asked Questions

Prospective Students

Prospective Students

1. What is the application process for admission to the Honors Program program?
After applying to Baylor University, students may apply to the Honors Program through the Honors College general application found in your goBaylor account. Current Baylor students, i.e., student who have already earned a semester or more of Baylor credit, should contact an Honors Program advisor for more information.

2. How many new students does the Honors Program accept each fall?
While the entering class size will vary, the Honors Program generally aims to admit roughly 250 first-year students each fall. Roughly 80 of these students are University Scholars who are automatically a part of the Honors Program.

3. What majors work with the Honors Program?
The Honors Program is an academic enhancement that works with all undergraduate majors.

4. Must a student meet a minimum GPA, class rank, or test score to qualify for the Honors Program?
The Honors Program Admissions Committee examines students' GPA, class rank, and SAT/ACT scores when making its decision. While there is no minimum, a successful candidate will usually have at least a minimum of 27 ACT/1300 SAT. Most Honors Program students are in the top 10% of their high-school class. Premed and/or science students interested in joining the Honors Program should have proven ability in math and science as evidenced by their high school record. Current Baylor students who join the Honors Program must have a 3.6 or better Baylor GPA.

5. Is there anything I need to do regarding the Honors Program before arriving at Baylor for the fall semester?
All incoming Honors Program students will participate in the Freshman Reading Project. Each year the Honors Program selects a book to be read by all incoming first-year Honors students. The Freshman Reading Project promotes community through the common experience of reading and discussing a thought-provoking text. Please read the book before arriving at Baylor.

6. What is the book I need to read to complete the Freshman Reading Project.
The book is called Unraveled: The Life and Death of a Garment, written by Maxine Bedat. Written in an engaging style, it chronicles the birth, life, and death of a pair of jeans. Along the way, it tells the powerful story of how we relate to each other, ourselves, and the planet.

7. What are the requirements of the Honors Program?
The Honors Program does two main things, providing students with (1) access to Honors classes, and (2) the opportunity to work with a faculty mentor in writing an Honors thesis. Honors classes are smaller, often discussion-based courses, while the thesis is an academic capstone that will be the hallmark of your Baylor academic experience. Honors classes are offered in a variety of subjects, ranging from art history to biochemistry, from political science to calculus.

8. Can a student drop the Honors Program after starting it?
Yes. We ask that students who intend to drop Honors meet with an Honors advisor and fill out a program withdrawal form. Depending on when a student elects to drop Honors, he or she may need to finish out the semester's Honors coursework. Your advisor will discuss all of these details with you.

9. Why should I participate in the Honors Program.
The reasons are numerous and largely dependent on a student's own academic interests. The Honors Program provides students a structured pathway to achieving academic and intellectual excellence. Small classes, mentoring by excellent professors, and rigorous teaching and training of the whole person are just a few reasons. While the Honors Program will help you get into great graduate and professional programs, the bigger and better result is that it provides students with an opportunity for transformative learning. Students who complete the Honors Program are better equipped to change the world, whether through a career, missions, teaching, or service.

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