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FAQ

What is the difference between the Honors Program and the Scholars Program?

The University Honors Program and the Ohio State Scholars Program are specialized programs for high ability students interested in joining academically stimulating, close-knit communities within the larger Ohio State community. Both programs are open to students in any of Ohio State’s 175+ majors. The basic difference between the two programs is that Honors is a curricular program (i.e., the focus is on activities occurring in the classroom) and Scholars is a co-curricular program (i.e., the focus is on activities occurring outside of the classroom).

Can I be in both the Honors Program and the Scholars Program?

You cannot initially enroll in both programs as an incoming freshman. As an incoming first-year student, you indicate your interest in being reviewed for membership in the Honors Program and/or one of the 15 Scholars Programs on the Ohio State supplement to the Common Application. Please note that you can only join the Scholars Program as an incoming freshman. However, the Honors Program accepts transfer students as well as currently enrolled Ohio State students. Therefore, Scholars students who meet Honors Program criteria after being on campus for at least one semester may apply to the Honors Program directly through their college of enrollment.

How much does it cost to go to Ohio State and are there extra fees to be in the Honors Program or the Scholars Programs?

There are no additional fees associated with being in the Honors Program or any of the Scholars Programs. Please click here to learn more about the cost of attending Ohio State.

How do I apply to the Honors Program?

Please click here for information about accessing the Common Application and Ohio State supplement. Both are required for freshman admission to Ohio State and consideration for membership in the University Honors program and the Ohio State Scholars program.

When is the deadline for submitting the Common Application and Ohio State supplement?

The deadline to submit your Common Application and Ohio State supplement for Autumn 2013 freshman admission is February 1, 2013.

Is there a minimum test score or class rank/GPA to be considered for the Honors Program?

There is no minimum set of requirements to be considered for the Honors Program. The profile for the class admitted to the Honors and Scholars Programs for Autumn 2012 is as follows:

Honors: ACT score range (middle 50%) - 30 to 33
  Average high school class rank - top 8%
Scholars: ACT score range (middle 50%) - 27 to 30
  Average high school class rank - top 15%

When will I know whether I’ve been accepted to one of the programs?

Students will be notified about their admission to the Honors and Scholars Programs by early April 2013.

What are the requirements to stay in the Honors Program?

In order to remain in good standing in the Honors Program, you must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.4 (3.5 for some colleges) and complete six Honors courses (or equivalent courses) in your first 2 years at Ohio State. In addition, to graduate “with Honors” or “with Honors Research Distinction,” you must fulfill all requirements stipulated by your college of enrollment (i.e., additional Honors coursework, Honors thesis, internship/co-op, study abroad experiences, etc.).

How do transfer students get into the Honors Program?

Students transferring from other institutions should with consult their intended college of enrollment for Honors admission information. Click here for more information.

Do I have to live in an Honors residence hall if I am admitted to the Honors Program?

No, you do not have to live in an Honors-designated residence hall if you are admitted to the program. However, the majority of our incoming Honors freshmen choose to live in an Honors residence hall.

Can I be guaranteed a space in an Honors residence hall?

No, housing assignments are made based upon the date when students submit their residence hall contracts online. Depending upon demand for Honors housing, it is possible for it to reach capacity. Therefore, Honors housing is not guaranteed.

When will I get information about campus housing, selecting my residence hall, and learning who my roommate is?

Housing contracts are sent via email from the Office University Residences and Dining Services based upon when students pay their $100 acceptance fee to Ohio State. Students may receive housing contracts as early as March. The contract asks students to indicate the area of campus in which they would prefer to live. Students can also preference a space in an Honors residence hall or note their interest in living with someone that they already know. Actual housing assignments that specify residence hall, room number, and roommate(s) are sent to students’ Ohio State email address in July.

When will I receive information about orientation?

Orientation information is mailed to students from the University Orientation Office based upon when students pay their $100 acceptance fee to Ohio State. Students begin receiving information packets in early spring that will allow them to schedule orientation dates.

  • The status of my freshman application: 614.292.3980
  • The OSU Academy Program: 614.292.3930
  • Orientation: 614.292.4161
  • Housing Contracts/Assignments: 614.292.8266
  • Financial Aid: 614.292.0300
  • Young Scholars: 614.292.4884
  • Morrill Scholars Program (MSP): 614.292.0964

Application Process

The Common Application and The Ohio State University supplement are used to determine students' admissibility to the Ohio State Scholars Program and the University Honors Program. Both are competitive admission programs open to incoming freshmen for autumn semester at the Columbus campus of The Ohio State University (OSU). Application steps are as follows.

  • Step 1: Apply to OSU for autumn admission via the Common Application at commonapp.org.
  • Step 2: Complete the OSU supplement.
  • Step 3: On the OSU supplement, indicate if you want to be considered for admission to the Honors Program (check the box – yes or no).
  • Step 4: On the OSU supplement, indicate if you want to be considered for admission to the Scholars Program (check the box – yes or no). If yes, respond to the Scholars Program essay prompt in 350 words or less [How would membership in the Scholars Program assist you in exploring your passions and interests?] and list your top 2 Scholars Program preferences.

Admission to the Honors and Scholars Program is highly competitive. Therefore, admission is not guaranteed to either program. You can apply to the Honors Program, the Scholars Program, or both programs. Students are reviewed first for admission to the Honors Program and next for admission to the Scholars Program. If you are admitted to the Honors Program you will NOT be considered for admission to the Scholars Program. You may only be offered admission to one program. Please note that students must be admitted to the Columbus campus in order to advance in the review process.

The application deadline is February 1, 2013. Decisions will be released by early April 2013.

There are 14 Scholars Programs and 1 Honors Program. Typically, students who select the Honors Program as their first preference have the following characteristics:

  • Want a challenging curriculum
  • Plan to conduct research and/or write an Honors thesis
  • Desire to attend graduate or professional school

Please note: For information about admission to the Honors Program as a current or transfer student, please go to Transfer Students on the Honors & Scholars website.

Honors & Scholars Visits

One of the best ways to gather information about a university is to visit its campus and learn about the programs it offers. We strongly encourage you to visit campus to learn more about Ohio State and our Honors & Scholars Programs.

Do you want to know more about Ohio State and Honors & Scholars before applying?

Our Office of Undergraduate Admissions & First Year Experience coordinates visits to campus. The Admissions Overview & Tour includes...

  • Information about the freshman application process (including dates, deadlines, and next steps)
  • Baseline information about the Honors & Scholars Programs
  • Highlights of academic and extracurricular opportunities
  • Tour of campus (including seeing a residence hall) lead by a current Ohio State student

To schedule an Admissions Overview & Tour, submit your visit request online.

Scholarships

The majority of merit-based scholarships are awarded by Ohio State's Office of Undergraduate Admissions & First Year Experience. These scholarships are awarded on the basis of ACT/SAT scores and class rank. They are not associated with being admitted to the Honors & Scholars Programs. To be considered for Ohio State's merit-based scholarships, students must submit their Common Application and Ohio State supplement to Undergraduate Admissions by February 1.

To be considered for need-based aid, students must submit their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by February 15. To be considered for specialized scholarships administered by Ohio State, students must submit the Application for Special Scholarships by February 15.

Please note: Select students admitted to the Honors Program at the Columbus campus of Ohio State will be reviewed for three scholarships awarded by the University Honors & Scholars Center. The three scholarships and the number awarded are as follows: Battelle Scholarship (4 awarded), Glenna R. Joyce Scholarship (3 awarded), and Eminence Scholarship (25 awarded).

Typically, Honors students competitive for the Battelle and Joyce Scholarships have a 32+ ACT (1420+ SAT, critical reading & math) and rank in the top 3% of their high school classes. Additionally, the Battelle Scholarship is focused on students pursuing majors in engineering or science; the Joyce Scholarship is focused on students with significant financial need.

  • Students must reside in Franklin County or a contiguous county to be considered for the Battelle and Joyce Scholarships.
  • The Battelle Scholarship is valued at the cost of in-state tuition, and the Joyce Scholarship is valued at the full cost of in-state education.

The Honors students selected for the Eminence Scholarship will become members of newly developed Eminence Fellows Program. Students in prime consideration for this scholarship will have a 34+ ACT (1510+ SAT, critical reading & math) and rank in the top 3% of their high school classes.

  • The Eminence Scholarship is valued at the full cost of education (for both in-state and out-of-state students).

Scholarship Opportunities at The Ohio State University:

Scholarship Opportunities outside of Ohio State: