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 14 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 are the Scholars Programs organized?
The Ohio State Scholars Program is comprised of 14 theme-based programs. Each Scholars Program has at least one professional staff person who coordinates the activities and events designed to enhance each Scholars student’s learning and development in that particular program area.
How do I apply to the Scholars 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.
Is there a minimum test score or class rank/GPA to be considered for the Scholars Program?
There is no minimum set of requirements to be considered for the Scholars Program. The profile for the class admitted to the Honors and Scholars Programs for autumn 2012 is as follows:
| Honors: |
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ACT score range (middle 50%) - 30 to 33 |
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Average high school class rank - top 8% |
| Scholars: |
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ACT score range (middle 50%) - 27 to 30 |
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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.
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.
What are the requirements to stay in the Scholars Program?
In order to remain in good standing in the Scholars Program, you must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 and be an active participant in your particular Scholars Program (e.g., Arts Scholars, Health Sciences Scholars, etc.) by meeting the requirements set by your program coordinator.
Do I have to live in a Scholars residence hall if I am admitted to the Scholars Program?
Yes, you have to live in the residence hall that is specific to your Scholars Program during your first year as a Scholar student unless you are commuting to campus from home.
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 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 e-mail address in July.
When will I receive information about orientation?
Orientation information is mailed to students from the 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.
Who do I call if I want information about...
• The status of my university 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
Admission Process
The Ohio State University supplement within the Common Application is 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.
Note: If you only want to be considered for admission to the Scholars Program check the “no” box for Honors
Program consideration.
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 list the Scholars Program as their first preference have the following characteristics
- Want to reside in a community with other students who share similar interests
- Desire to have their extra-curricular activities centered around a specific academic or professional theme
- Plan to explore academic pursuits both inside and outside of the classroom
Please note: Only students pursuing freshman admission to the Columbus Campus of Ohio State are eligible to apply to the Scholars Program. Current and transfer students are not eligible to apply for admission to the Scholars Program.