Honors College Resources: How to Apply to the Honors College
Incoming Freshmen
After applying to the university, complete the Honors College application. In the Honors College, we look at the whole person and the experiences that compose the mosaic of who you are.
Automatic Admission Criteria:
Students who meet at least one of the criteria below are automatically admitted to the Honors College! A full application is not needed, simply submit proof of one of the following via the file upload in the application. Automatic admits are also considered for the Undergraduate Fellowship Program.
- Top 10% of graduating class
- National Merit Scholar
- Terry Scholar
- Valedictorian or salutatorian of graduating class
- High school GPA of 3.8 or higher (unweighted 4.0 scale)
Students who do not meet automatic admission criteria but have at least a 3.0 unweighted high school GPA are eligible to apply for the Honors College as well as the Honors Undergraduate Fellowship Program. Students must submit the full application and will be evaluated based on high school GPA (at the time of application) and other holistic characteristics. Admission to the Honors College does not automatically accompany a scholarship/fellowship offer.
Those without a 3.0 unweighted high school GPA can apply for admission in their second year at ETAMU.
Complete applications received by January 25, 2026 will be considered for admission to the Honors College Fellowship program. The Fellowship is accompanied by a flat-rate scholarship of $2000/semester for up to 8 semesters.
Current and Transfer Students
The Honors College Current/Transfer Student program allows you to reap the benefits of the honors experience and graduate with honors designation. You will take honors courses and complete a capstone experience, which might include a thesis, internship or project of your own design. Students should be eager to engage in meaningful coursework and make impactful contributions to their campus and local communities.
Application Process
Students must first apply & be admitted to East Texas A&M University to be eligible to apply to the Honors College.
- Apply to East Texas A&M University and submit all required documentation such as transcripts and test scores if needed.
- Submit the Honors College application.
For more information about this program, contact [email protected]
Benefits of the Program
Honors funding: The Honors College offers Transformative Learning funds to support undergraduate research, travel to professional conferences, community-engaged projects, internships, and similar activities.
Honors housing: All Honors College students have the option to live in Honors designated housing as space allows. Students coming in mid-semester who want to live on campus must have a housing application on file with Residential Living and Learning and notify Housing immediately if they desire to live in Honors housing.
Priority registration: Honors students register at the same time as graduate students and student athletes, ensuring they can get the courses that they need.
Small class sizes with dedicated faculty: The typical class has 25 or fewer students so that Honors students have an opportunity to get to know their faculty and their fellow students
Personalized pathways: Designed to guide your journey to academic excellence. Experiences can include completion of an honors thesis or creative project, a study away experience, or a competitive internship option.
Dedicated advising: personalized advising from an advisor specialized in Honors coursework.
Mentorship with professional faculty & staff: learn from the best and brightest at ETAMU to help guide you along your journey to success.
Graduate with Honors: Students must have at least a 3.3 cumulative GPA at the time of graduation, complete required honors courses, and an honors approved capstone project.