The Honors College offers talented and motivated undergraduate students the experience of a highly selective small college combined with the breadth of programs and opportunities of a large public research university in a dynamic urban environment. Once admitted to the Honors College, students pursue degrees in any of Georgia State’s 62 undergraduate majors, with enhanced opportunities for academic achievement, research, housing, cultural programs, advisement, preparation for graduate or professional school , and mentoring for prestigious national undergraduate and postgraduate scholarship and fellowship competitions.
The Honors College enrolls approximately 1,200 undergraduates. About 200 incoming freshmen are admitted each year (less than 10% of the freshman class) on the basis of high-school GPA and curriculum, SAT or ACT scores, and extracurricular activities. There are no absolute minimums for test and GPA levels, but in 2010 the average SAT score for math and verbal combined was over 1300 and the average GPA was about 3.8. Transfer and currently-enrolled GSU students are eligible to apply to the College if their university GPA is greater than 3.5. For application information, click here.
Scholarships:
All incoming freshman students admitted to the Honors College will receive some level of merit scholarship aid, renewable for up to four years.
Housing:
Members of the Honors College have the option of living with other high-achieving students in the Honors Living Learning Community in the University Commons, GSU’s popular apartment-style dorm.
Priority Registration and Library Privileges:
Honors students register for classes before other students (except graduating seniors),and may check out materials from the library for an entire semester.
Small Classes and Dynamic Faculty:
Honors students take much of their coursework in small, seminar-style classes of 20 or fewer students, with GSU’s most accomplished faculty researchers.
Honors 1000:
All incoming freshman Honors students have the opportunity their first semester to take a 1-credit seminar taught by a senior faculty member on an area related to their major interest. Click here for a listing of recent Honors 1000 seminars.
Research and Thesis Opportunities:
Beginning their freshman year, Honors College students are encouraged to undertake original research or creative work in their field, culminating in an Honors Thesis. University Assistantships and stipends for research undertaken under the direction of a faculty member are available.
Location:
Honors Students take advantage of all the resources of the Atlanta metropolitan area, the Southeast’s center for business, government, the arts, transportation, and communication. Our programs stress community involvement, collaboration, research, and internships with leading corporations, arts organizations, government agencies, non-profits, and other educational institutions.
Graduation Distinctions:
Students who complete one or more levels of Honors College distinctions, based on coursework and research, will graduate with official recognition of this distinction on their diplomas.
Individual Advisement:
The Honors College provides individual advisement and guidance to its students to make the most of their degree programs and enhance post-university opportunities.
Cultural Passport Program:
Students in the Honors College have the opportunity to attend a series of cultural events (concerts, plays, art exhibitions, etc.) at some of Atlanta’s outstanding arts venues for free or at nominal cost.
Post-Graduate Scholarship, Graduate & Professional School Preparation:
The Honors College actively mentors students beginning their freshman year to take advantage of opportunities to apply for national undergraduate and post-graduate scholarship competitions, such as the Fulbright, Rhodes, Marshall, Goldwater, and Truman scholarships. The College also offers advisement for students preparing for medical school, law school, and graduate school. For strong students interested in law school, the College offers a 6-year combined B.A./J.D. program with GSU’s nationally-ranked School of Law.
Community Service and Engagement:
Through the Honors Student Organization (HSO) and the College, students have the opportunity to participate in meaningful community service projects in the Atlanta area.