Students with the minimum standardized test score do not need to submit an application. They will follow the Admission by Invitation pathway. Details for both pathways can be seen below for Incoming First-Year Students.
Submit Application for Holistic ReviewAdmissions
Incoming First-Year Students (High School Students)
Incoming first-year students who have been accepted to Marshall University now have two pathways to admission in the Honors College. Most students will join the college through “Admission by Invitation” on the basis of prescribed minimums in standardized test scores and high school GPA. Starting with the 2022-2023 academic year, we have opened admission to students who do not meet (or have) the necessary standardized test score that would lead to automatic invitation. Students who have excelled in high school and have a demonstrated commitment to the mission of Honors education at Marshall University should explore “Admission by Holistic Review” as a pathway to join the college.
Only the second pathway, Admission by Holistic Review, requires an application to the Honors College.
All admitted Honors students should also consider applying for one of our available scholarships in the college for incoming, first-year students if they are eligible according to criteria laid out in the donor agreements for the funds that provide these scholarships. Due to a policy of the Office of Student Financial Assistance, the Honors College Scholarship (which is a partial tuition-waiver) can only be awarded to incoming, first-year students at Marshall (i.e., students who have not yet begun their coursework at Marshall as fully admitted students pursuing an undergraduate degree). For incoming, first-year students beginning in the Spring semester, they would be eligible to receive 1/2 of the scholarship for that academic year, but could begin receiving the full scholarship in their first full year–as long as they maintain good standing in the Honors College.
Membership in the Honors College requires that students be enrolled full-time in a Bachelor’s degree program at Marshall University.
Are you wondering if Honors is a good fit for you?
The application includes: Basic background information on the applicant (contact, demographics, high school information); Current 12th grade coursework (including any/all AP and Dual Credit courses); College and career plans; Important roles played in the communities of which the applicant is a part (e.g., those that demonstrate engagement, leadership, and a willingness to serve); Employment information (optional); Forms of public recognition (e.g., awards, scholarships, and honors) received; Information about particular circumstances that may affect the applicant (optional); Short essay prompts that request reflection on the mission of honors education, the applicant’s unique traits, and what the applicant wants out of their experience in the Honors College.
Submit an Application for Holistic ReviewCurrent, Transfer and Late-Admitted, Spring Semester Students (College Students)
Current, transfer, and first-year, incoming students admitted to start at Marshall University in the Spring semester have two pathways for admission. The pathway available to them will depend on their particular situation. All requests for admission (Admission by Invitation pathway) or applications for admission (Admission by Holistic Review pathway) must be made before the end of the 7th week of the Fall or Spring semester.
Only Admission by Holistic Review requires an application to the Honors College. The application includes: Basic background and current academic information on the applicant; College and career plans; Important roles played in the communities of which the applicant is a part (e.g., those that demonstrate engagement, leadership, and a willingness to serve); Employment information (optional); Forms of public recognition (e.g., awards, scholarships, and honors) received; Short essay prompts that request reflection on the mission of honors education and what the applicant wants out of their experience in the Honors College.
Fall Semester
Request Fall Admission by Invitation
Spring Semester
Due to a policy of the Office of Student Financial Assistance, the Honors College Scholarship (which is a partial tuition-waiver) can only be awarded to incoming, first-year students at Marshall (i.e., students who have not yet begun their college coursework as fully admitted students pursuing an undergraduate degree). For incoming, first-year students beginning in the Spring semester, they would be eligible to receive 1/2 of the scholarship for that academic year, but could begin receiving the full scholarship in their first full-year–as long as they maintain good standing in the Honors College. Continuing current students (from earlier semesters) and transfer students would be offered all other benefits of membership in the college, including other merit-based scholarships (as well as other forms of assistance) for which they can apply.
Financial Awards and Assistance for Honors Students
The Honors College is known for challenging students to develop their full academic and personal potential. We are also committed to supporting Marshall students in their quest to identify, plan for, and win scholarships, fellowships, and other forms of assistance that will help them in their research and creative endeavors as students, to study abroad, pursue graduate school, or aid them in their professional development. There are a wide range of scholarships available to incoming and current (continuing) Honors students about which you can learn on our Scholarships page.
Branch Campus & Distance Learning Notice
At the present time, honors courses are almost exclusively offered in-person on the main campus of Marshall University located in Huntington. Online courses applicable to the required Honors Curriculum are generally not available and currently there are no online sections of the required HON 200 and HON 480 seminars. As a result, students are generally unable to complete the Honors Curriculum when considered “distance” education at Marshall or enrolled full-time at any of the Marshall branch campuses–including South Charleston and MOVC. This includes students in the aviation program based in South Charleston.
This is a resource issue that the college is not yet able to address given current funding and other limitations. Please contact the College at honorscollege@marshall.edu with any questions.
