How to Apply
First-year Admissions
High school students interested in the Schreyer Honors College should submit the Penn State Undergraduate Admissions Application, as well as the Honors College supplement included in that application. The Undergraduate Admissions Office will evaluate your credentials for admission to the university, and selected honors faculty will review your Honors College application.
The SHC admissions application includes:
- Three required essay questions
- Letters of recommendation from two teachers and one recommendation for your high school guidance counselor
- Extracurricular activities and honors
- A list of books and readings outside of class assignments
Selection Criteria
Candidates offered admission to the Schreyer Honors College should demonstrate:
- academic excellence,
- strong leadership skills,
- motivation and self-discipline, and
- a commitment to citizenship and civic responsibility.
Schreyer Scholars represent the top 5% of students at Penn State, and therefore should also be at the top of their respective high school class. The Schreyer Honors College does not set a minimum standardized test score or grade point average for its applicants. Candidates will be assessed based on the academic and extracurricular documents submitted with the application, as well as responses to essay questions and letters of recommendation.
Admissions Timeline
The priority application date for the SHC for fall 2009 first-year admission is November 30, 2008, but applications may be submitted through March 1, 2009. Applications submitted by November 30 will receive notifications in late February, while later applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Junior Gate Admissions
Another avenue for admission is the Junior Gate application process. Junior Gate is a way for exceptional students currently enrolled at Penn State to enter the Schreyer Honors College.
For more information about the Junior gate, and a link to the online application, click here.
Sophomore Gate Admissions
While most already-enrolled students who enter the SHC do so via the junior gate, we will accept petitions from exceptionally well-qualified rising sophomores (current first-year students) interested in being considered. This avenue is not open to all students because of restrictions in certain colleges, so please read the instructions carefully before submitting an application. The information is here, and you will find a PDF application form at the end of that page.
