Please note that the content of this Accepted Students website is for first-year applicants who have received an offer of admission from the Schreyer Honors College. You should check your admissions decision, if you haven't done so already, by clicking View Your Decision above.

Congratulations And Welcome to Our Community

View Your Decision Next Steps Meet our Scholars & Alumni

We Are… Shaping the World

As a Schreyer Scholar at Penn State you will be a part of a vibrant and welcoming community of current Scholars, Schreyer staff, honors faculty, and Scholar alumni. We will challenge you, but we will also support you and give you the tools you need to succeed at Penn State and beyond. Join the next generation of leaders in the Schreyer Honors College and take advantage of all the incredible opportunities we have to offer as you write your story.

Welcome to the Schreyer Honors College at Penn State.

300 incoming first-year students

40% of Scholars Study Abroad in 50+ countries

17,000+ Penn State Alumni have graduated with honors

250+ honors courses offered annually

Small Honors College, Large University Why Schreyer?

Schreyer Honors College Scholars Medals

Scholar-Led Organizations

Join a community making an impact across the University in one of many Scholar-led organizations.

View Organizations

$3.5 Million Awarded

Access exclusive Schreyer grants and scholarships for travel, research, internships, service, and financial challenge.

Priority Registration

Schedule courses first — well before course registration begins for most Penn State students for the ultimate flexibility.

Schreyer Scholars chatting during Founders Day

Our Community

Live among motivated Scholars who are committed to making the most of their undergraduate experiences and will challenge you to do the same.

Explore Our Community
Company and graduate school logos

Start Here, Go Anywhere

Graduating with honors from Penn State opens up a world of opportunity — from top-tier graduate schools and leadership positions in commerce and industry to some of the most esteemed public service organizations.

Where Our Graduates Go

700,000+ Alumni

Penn State's living alumni base is one of the largest in the world.

$5,000 Academic Excellence Scholarship

All first-year Scholars receive an Academic Excellence Scholarship (AES) of $5,000 per year.

Scholar Alumnus speaking to current Scholars

Engaged Scholar Alumni & Career Resources

Scholar alumni are some of the University's most accomplished graduates, and they are excited to build relationships with Scholars through mentoring programs, career events, and more..

Career & Mentoring Resources

Academic Excellence with Integrity

The Schreyer Honors College provides the best of a small-college experience within a major research university that is home to some of the nation’s top-ranked academic programs.

Honors Requirements

Scholars are held to high academic standards, including maintaining a minimum 3.40 semesterly and cumulative GPA, completing at least 35 total honors credits and submitting an honors thesis.

View All Requirements

Honors Courses

More than 300 courses, taught by leading faculty, span the academic spectrum. Honors classes typically enroll no more than 25 students. Some honors courses are enriched versions of regular Penn State offerings while others are unique to the honors curriculum.

Learn About Honors Courses

Honors Thesis

The thesis distinguishes a Schreyer Scholar’s career and accomplishments at Penn State. It is a substantial, scholarly work that defines a Scholar’s academic achievement.

Explore the Thesis

Building A Global Perspective

Learn about the world and supplement your education by seeing it for yourself. In a typical year, forty percent of Scholars study abroad during their time at Penn State. Join them via one of Penn State's 200+ global experiences or by engaging in one of the Schreyer Honors College's signature programs. Engage in online and onsite programming with Scholars and faculty on issues and topics that speak to our shared global experiences.

Study Abroad

Typically, 40 percent of Scholars study abroad across more than 50 countries during their time at Penn State.

Explore the World

Travel Grants

Our travel grant program provides funding for Scholars pursuing an international experience. Generally, the Schreyer Honors College provides funding for more than 300 grants annually, totaling more than $150,000.

Fund Your Travel

Signature Programs

The Schreyer Honors College offers a variety of Signature Travel Programs in addition to the hundreds of programs offered through Penn State. These special programs provide the enrichment of an honors course alongside an international experience.

Browse Signature Programs

Creating Opportunities For Leadership & Civic Engagement

The Schreyer Honors College places an emphasis on what happens outside of the classroom as well as on what happens in it. Scholars are encouraged to impact their communities and shape the world around them. Make the most of your time here — discover new interests, volunteer, learn, create, and lead.

Clubs & Organizations

There are more than 1,000 student organizations at Penn State including professional honors societies, fraternities and sororities, student government, Archery Club, Ballroom Dance Team, Japanese Friendship Association, and many more. You'll find Scholars active and involved with many.

Community Involvement & Service

From THON, Penn State's 46-hour dance marathon to fight against pediatric cancer, to Global Water Brigades and Habitat for Humanity, Scholars volunteer and serve locally, nationally, and around the world.

Athletics

Scholars can be found competing on Penn State’s NCAA teams as well as on more than a dozen intramural and club teams, including tennis, volleyball, and cross-country.

Performing Arts

Scholars can be found on stage as members of performing arts groups such as the Penn State Thespians, the Orchesis Dance Company, the Penn State Philharmonic Orchestra, Essence of Joy, and the Glee Club.

Career Development

Our Scholars prepare for their futures and build their networks through sessions with employers and alumni, mentoring programs, and activities designed to cultivate their leadership abilities.

Special Events

Scholars are afforded special opportunities to meet dignitaries, corporate leaders, distinguished faculty, and other campus visitors.

Making a Difference Meet Our Scholars & Scholar Alumni

Schreyer Scholar Julia Chen

Julia Chen STEM Ambassador and Researcher

Read Julia's Story
Schreyer Scholar Emmanuel Kraft

Emmanuel Kraft Community Leader

Read Emmanuel's Story
Schreyer Scholar Victoria Vanriele

Victoria Vanriele Student Athlete and Difference Maker

Watch Victoria's Story
Scholar Alumnus Michael Banjeree

Michael Banjeree '16 Volunteer and Mentor

Q&A with Michael
Schreyer Scholar Yuki Yoshida

Yuki Yoshida Undergraduate Researcher and Published Author

Read Yuki's Story
Scholar Alumni Noah Wiggins and Nolan Pye

Noah Wiggins and Nolan Pye '23 Entrepreneurs

Read Noah & Nolan's Story
Schreyer Scholar Jordynn Cheatle

Jordynn Cheatle Opportunity Seeker

Watch Jordynn's Story
Scholar Alumnus Lou D'Ambrosio

Lou D'Ambrosio '86 Lifelong Learner and Distinguished Alumni

Read Lou's Story
Schreyer Scholar Ryan Setzenfand

Ryan Setzenfand Changemaker

Read Ryan's Story
Schreyer Scholar Caroline Sliver

Caroline Sliver Passionate Storyteller

Read Caroline's Story
Scholar Alumnus Jake Synder

Jake Snyder '23 Researcher and Artist

Watch Jake's Story
Scholar Alumna Suzanne Zakaria

Suzanne Zakaria '14 Attorney

Q&A with Suzanne
Schreyer Scholar Brandon Bixler

Brandon Bixler Aspiring Educator

Read Brandon's Story
Schreyer Scholar Gregory Costanzo

Gregory Costanzo Global Traveler and Linguistics Scholar

Read Gregory's Story
Scholar Alumna Uma Moriarity

Uma Moriarity '14 Real Estate Investor and Sustainability Advocate

Q&A with Uma
Scholar Alumna Srishti Ponnala

Srishti Ponnala '21 Aspiring Attorney

Read Srishti's Story

Join the Pride Next Steps

Attend an Accepted Student Program

The best way to get to know Schreyer is to come see us on campus for an Accepted Student Program! You can also see what it's like to be a Schreyer Scholar by visiting our Instagram and YouTube channels. Get to know some of our Scholar alumni by listening to our podcast, Following the Gong on your favorite podcast platform.

Attend an Accepted Student Program

Accept Your Offers

Ready to become a Schreyer Scholar and a Nittany Lion? If you haven't done so already, accept both your Penn State and Schreyer Honors College offers!

Accept Schreyer Offer Accept Penn State Offer

Complete Housing & Food Contract

One of the incredible benefits of being a Schreyer Scholar is the community you are joining, which includes the ability to live side-by-side with other Scholars in our Schreyer Honors College housing. From peer support to community-building events, our honors housing has so much to offer in a location that can't be beat! Select Atherton Hall or Simmons Hall when completing your Housing and Food Service contract before May 20.

Complete Your Contract Explore Honors Housing

Get Oriented

We have designed a welcoming and inclusive orientation journey for all new Scholars. Schedule your New Student Orientation (NSO) at Penn State over the summer, make plans to attend Schreyer Honors Orientation (SHO TIME) right before classes begin, and sign up for our Foundations of Scholar Success course in the fall.

New Scholar Orientation Experiences