Apply as a Current VCU Student
The Honors College offers opportunities for you to discover your passions and connect with a diverse student body to develop a standard of excellence. We encourage students from all disciplines and backgrounds to apply to the Honors College.
Admission Guidelines
Admission into the VCU Honors College is competitive, and current VCU students are eligible to apply with the following admission guidelines:
- At least a 3.5 cumulative GPA at VCU
- 12 to 53 semester hours of college credit completed.
Students with more than 53 credits may still apply, but will need to give a brief explanation about how they plan on completing the 21 credits of Honors curriculum. Students who are new to VCU and therefore have a 0.0 GPA are encouraged to apply. Cumulative GPAs will be checked at the conclusion of the semester after grades have posted.
If you are a current VCU student interested in joining the Honors College, you must attend one Honors College interest session prior to admission. These informative 30-minute sessions will take place face-to-face and via Zoom. Questions about the information sessions can be directed to the Student Outreach Coordinator Emily Thompson (thompsone7@vcu.edu).
Please note: These sessions are not for entering freshman Honors students applying from high school. VCUarts Qatar students do not need to attend an interest session.
Application Process
To begin the application process you will create an Honors College account using your VCU eID and password. Once you begin the application you may save and complete it at a later time. Upon submission of the Honors College application you will receive a confirmation email.
As you prepare to apply, please consider the following application components:
- Your area of study
- Your start date at VCU
- Your number of earned credits, including transfer, AP, IB, Dual Enrollment, and the current semester
- Submission of endorsement from a VCU faculty member or academic advisor. You must include the faculty member/academic advisor’s name and email address in your application. They will be prompted via email with instructions on how to complete the endorsement.
- Submission of your CV or resume.
- Submission of a personal education paper. The personal education paper should address the following question: How will membership in the VCU Honors College assist you in pursuing your academic and career goals while also helping you become an active citizen in the community? The paper should be 2-3 pages double spaced. Essays may include, but are not limited to the following:
- Major influences on your intellectual and personal development, such as curricular and extracurricular experiences, community service or important people, events or ideas
- Your immediate educational goals and plans for achieving them
- Your goals and dreams for the future
- Confirmation that you attended an Honors College Information Session
Important Dates and Deadlines
Current VCU student applications are accepted and processed twice a year, at the end of each semester.
For spring admission, students must submit their application by December 1 and Statements of Endorsement are due by 11:59 p.m. on the faculty final grade submission deadline. Check the academic calendar for specific dates. Decisions will be made by the start of spring classes.
For fall admission, students must submit their application by May 1 and Statements of Endorsement are due by 11:59 p.m. on the faculty final grade submission deadline. Check the academic calendar for specific dates. Decisions will be made by June 15.