Frequently Asked Questions

Honors courses are at the heart of the honors experience. They are small (generally capped at 20 to 25 students) and driven by dynamic discussions and exploration. By definition, honors courses are not harder than regular courses, but the work is often different—more writing versus Scantron tests or more emphasis on in-class discussion. The level of work in the course will vary greatly depending on discipline and level.   

Honors housing in Atherton or Simmons Halls is not guaranteed for students transferring from a Commonwealth Campus. However, if you are interested in living in honors housing, we encourage you to select Schreyer Honors College as your Living Learning Community Preference in eLiving. If you decide not to live in honors housing, you still have access to both residence halls and the amenities, spaces, and programming within them.

In most cases, your honors adviser is assigned based on your declared major, so changing advisers typically happens as part of changing or adding a major rather than as a standalone request. If you have concerns about your current honors advising relationship, please reach out to the Schreyer Honors College Academic Affairs Office at SHCAcademics@psu.edu to discuss your options.

Absolutely! Our Scholars and the experiences they have at Penn State are as varied as the Penn State student body as a whole. Scholars are active participants in every aspect of Penn State — club sports, THON, student organizations, athletics, fraternity and sorority life, and more. Approximately 40% of Scholars study abroad at least once during their time at Penn State. Many Scholars find that the small honors class sizes, supportive community, and flexibility they have with priority scheduling actually make it easier to manage a full and active college life.

Yes. Schreyer is built with flexibility in mind, and many Scholars have two or more majors and more than one minor. Approximately 40% study abroad at least once, and these experiences can often count toward your honors credit requirements. Co-op and internship semesters can also be accommodated with some planning and coordination with your honors adviser. The key is early planning with your honors adviser, so we encourage you to discuss these goals as soon as possible.

Not as a general rule. The Schreyer Honors College requires that thesis work be formally tied to your enrollment to count toward your honors credit requirements. Up to 6 thesis research credits (typically course number 494H) may apply toward your upper-division honors credit requirement, and these must be officially registered in LionPath with your thesis supervisor as instructor of record. However, you may conduct research during a summer without formal enrollment — funding from Schreyer grants, the Erickson Discovery Grant, or your thesis supervisor may support full-time summer thesis work. Talk to your honors adviser and thesis supervisor about how to structure your thesis timeline, including how summers can factor into your plan.

You are welcome to reuse what you have written for another application. However, review our questions closely to ensure you are specifically answering our questions.

If you are unable to meet your final thesis submission deadline, your options are to graduate without honors or defer graduation until the next semester (including summer). You should plan carefully with your thesis supervisor and thesis honors adviser when deciding. To defer graduation, contact your academic college to have your name removed from the current graduation list and update your intended semester of graduation in the Schreyer Student Records System (SRS).

No. Honors housing is optional. However, our Scholars report that living in honors housing through their first or second year has a significant impact on their connection to the Schreyer community. They also stress the convenience of connecting with staff and the benefits of living with peers who share their dedication.

Another benefit of honors housing is that you are guaranteed on-campus housing all four years if you live in honors housing your first year and continue to live with us. 

Yes. You must complete two separate applications: the Penn State undergraduate application and the Schreyer Honors College application. We recommend working on both at the same time — submit the Penn State application first, then the Schreyer application. Please do not wait for a Penn State admissions decision before submitting your Schreyer application. Admission to Penn State is required before an offer of admission to the Honors College can be made, but the two applications are evaluated independently.

Schreyer Honors College does not have a thesis defense requirement. However, many colleges and departments have requirements that go beyond Schreyer requirements. Scholars should confirm with their thesis honors adviser whether there are any thesis presentation requirements specific to the department.

No. Student aid packages are final. We don't negotiate student aid packages to match grant or scholarship offers from other colleges or universities. If you have extenuating financial circumstances, we are happy to discuss other funding options that may work for your family.

Scholars are automatically considered for need-based scholarships with Schreyer Honors College. You do not need to apply for these scholarships. Your eligibility is determined through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), filed centrally through the Penn State Office of Student Aid. You do not need to apply or take any action to receive a need-based scholarship.

Schreyer Honors College also awards several merit-based awards and scholarships  each year, some of which require an application. For awards that have an application process, Scholars will be notified via our weekly newsletter and can apply through the Student Record System (SRS).

No. Your thesis does not have to be in your major. The Schreyer Honors College allows Scholars to pursue honors in a non-major area, provided you receive approval from an honors adviser in the area of honors/major. Common scenarios include:

• Writing a thesis that is interdisciplinary and earns honors in two majors
• Pursuing honors in a minor or a graduate program in a related field
• Choosing a thesis supervisor in a different department than your major if the thesis topic and methodology warrant it

If you are considering a non-major thesis, speak with both your honors adviser and the honors adviser in your intended area of honors. Some majors have specific policies about who they will grant honors. Second- and third-year entry Scholars are expected to write a thesis in their entrance major.

No. Schreyer Honors College does not have an application fee.

Schreyer does not use test scores in our application. Test scores won’t be used even if they are submitted.

Current first- and second-year Penn State students may apply to join the Schreyer Honors College through the current student application process. Applications open April 1, and the deadline is May 15, with admission decisions announced in June–July. Applicants are required to have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.70 at the time of application. The application includes short essays, an academic recommendation letter from a Penn State faculty member, and a list of your involvements and accomplishments since starting college.

As you research possible topics, you may naturally find a thesis supervisor, but most students need to take steps to identify a thesis supervisor. Your honors adviser is a good place to start when looking for a thesis supervisor. They can often guide you as to who may be a good fit.

Schreyer Honors College does not oversee LaTeX templates. The University Library has a detailed guide on obtaining and using LaTex on their site.

You can find your adviser in Schreyer’s Student Record System (SRS). If you do not have an adviser assigned by the third week of the semester you enter Schreyer, or if you have questions or concerns about your honors advising, please contact the Schreyer Honors College Academic Affairs Office.

All Schreyer academic deadlines—including honors option deadlines, thesis deadlines, and priority scheduling dates—are listed on the Academic Deadlines page. Deadlines are posted multiple semesters in advance. You can also find upcoming deadlines in our Student Record System (SRS). We strongly recommend checking this page at the start of each semester and setting calendar reminders for key dates.

A great place to start is the "Interest Areas" section in your SRS account. You can indicate your areas of academic and professional interest, which helps connect you with relevant opportunities. Your honors adviser is also an excellent resource for learning about research opportunities in your department. Additionally, Schreyer's weekly newsletter and social media accounts regularly feature research, internship, and other experiential opportunities specifically curated for Scholars. You can also make an appointment with a Schreyer staff member to discuss your goals and what opportunities might match your interests.

Incoming first-year Schreyer Scholars can request to live in the GLOBE by selecting Schreyer Honors College GLOBE as their Living Learning Community preference in eLiving. Students who live in the GLOBE their first year can remain in the GLOBE all four years if they stay active in the community.

Email is our primary method of communication with Scholars. Be sure to regularly check your Penn State email account. You can also:

• Read the weekly email newsletter for events, opportunities, deadlines, applications, and more
• Check our Student Record System (SRS) regularly for upcoming deadlines
• Sign up for our Interest Area Lists in SRS to receive emails about job opportunities, study abroad, research, and more
• Follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn
• Bookmark the Schreyer Event Calendar and the Current Scholar HUB on our website

Schreyer Honors College is rigorous, and it’s designed for students who want a challenging and deeply engaging academic experience. However, the rigor comes less from a heavier volume of work and more from deeper engagement, independent work, and long-term projects such as the honors thesis. Schreyer Scholars also benefit from a stronger support network when compared to Penn State at large. Because a student’s honors requirements work alongside the requirements of their chosen major, the challenge varies by student, major, and course choices.

Schreyer does not have a page number requirement for the thesis. The length of your thesis depends on the research question you’re addressing. Your thesis should establish the importance of your question, explain relevant work in the field, describe your study, present the results, and explain your findings. The goal should be to fully answer your research question. Some academic colleges and departments do have more specific requirements related to length, and you should consult your thesis honors adviser for any discipline-specific requirements.

Your honors requirements are determined by the year and semester you entered the Schreyer Honors College, and you can always view your progress towards your requirements in the Student Record System (SRS) Honors Audit. View the breakdown of honors credits per year on our Honors Requirements page. 

All first-year entry Scholars are guaranteed honors housing. Students must select Schreyer Honors College as their Living Learning Community (LLC) preference in eLiving. If you continue to select honors housing for subsequent years, you are guaranteed a spot. If you do not select honors housing in your first year, or you leave honors housing at any point, we cannot guarantee you a spot.

LA 197, or Foundations of Scholar Success, is strongly encouraged but not required. It is a one-credit, non-honors course that helps build key skills needed for success in Schreyer. The course is taught by credentialed Peer Educators and meets weekly for one hour through the fall.

No. While Schreyer does include an undergraduate honors thesis — a meaningful research or creative project — the skills and opportunities it provides are valuable for any career path. Among recent graduates, 50% went directly into the workforce and 45% pursued graduate or professional school. Schreyer Scholars go on to careers in finance, consulting, government, education, healthcare, the arts, nonprofit work, and nearly every other field. The thesis itself is a professional differentiator: it demonstrates project management, critical thinking, and the ability to see a complex task through to completion — skills valued by employers in every industry, not just academia.

No. Schreyer Honors College Scholars represent all 13 of Penn State’s academic colleges. Scholars pursue majors in the arts, humanities, social sciences, business, education, health fields, and STEM disciplines. Honors theses and academic experiences reflect this wide range of interests and approaches.

Yes, there are funding opportunities for all of these. See the SHC research funding page for more information. We also encourage you to check with your academic college for additional funding avenues.

There is also a known formatting issue with the Common App where it will take paragraphs and submit them in one big block of text. Our application readers are aware of this issue, and applicants will not be faulted for it.

There are six ways to receive honors credits, including honors courses, honors options, advanced-level courses, study abroad credits, thesis research credits, and independent research credits. Honors options are the most flexible; any course, including 100-level courses or general education courses, can be honors optioned. 

To graduate as a Schreyer Scholar, you must complete a required number of honors credits, maintain the minimum GPA standards, and successfully complete an honors thesis. These requirements are completed alongside your major requirements and are typically spread across four years. Honors advising helps you plan how to meet these expectations in a way that fits your academic goals.

Schreyer Honors College awards over $7.9 million in grants and scholarships to Scholars each year. Scholars can apply for travel grants (to support study abroad, international service, or conference presentations), research grants (to fund thesis-related expenses), and opportunity grants (to support unpaid or low-paying internships). More information about available funding can be found on the funding opportunities page of our website.

Students who do not complete Schreyer Honors College requirements can still graduate from Penn State with their degree. Schreyer advisors work closely with students to address challenges and explore options. Not completing the honors requirements affects the honors designation, not a student’s ability to earn their Penn State degree.

Students who do not complete the thesis can still graduate from Penn State with their degree. Schreyer advisers work closely with students to address challenges and explore options. Not completing the thesis affects the honors designation, not a student’s ability to earn their Penn State degree. Students who are unable to complete their thesis should contact their thesis honors adviser and SHCAcademics@psu.edu as soon as possible to discuss available options, including deferring graduation or formally withdrawing from the Honors College.

If you miss a thesis deadline or are concerned you may miss a deadline, you should contact your thesis committee members (honors thesis adviser and thesis supervisor) to let them know. You should also contact the Schreyer Honors College Academic Affairs office SHCAcademics@psu.edu to see if an extension can be granted.

Any letters of recommendation submitted above the maximum two required will be deleted at random. 

The Schreyer Honors College requires you to have a GPA of at least 3.40 for both cumulative and semester GPA. If you fall below 3.40 in either your cumulative or semester GPA, you will be placed on warning during the following semester. Schreyer staff will work with you to put a plan in place to return to good standing.

In honors housing, you may select to live with a Scholar or non-Scholar. Our residence halls are a mix of both Scholars and non-Scholars. Many student athletes and Paterno Fellows live in Atherton and Simmons.

We want every Scholar to have a productive and supportive advising relationship. If you feel your honors adviser is not responsive or helpful, please contact the Schreyer Honors College Academic Affairs Office at SHCAcademics@psu.edu. Our staff can help mediate the situation, provide direct support, or facilitate a change in advising if appropriate. You should never feel like you are navigating Schreyer requirements alone.

It is normal to encounter obstacles during the thesis process. If you feel like your thesis topic is not working or you are struggling to move forward, talk to your thesis supervisor, as they are your primary resource for navigating research challenges. Also keep your honors adviser informed of significant changes or difficulties. If the relationship with your thesis supervisor becomes unworkable, speak with your honors adviser about finding a new supervisor. In that case, a new thesis proposal must be submitted. You can always make an appointment with Scheyer’s Associate Dean of Academic Affairs if you are feeling overwhelmed, and we will help you find a path forward.

Your area of honors is the academic field in which your thesis is recognized. It appears on your thesis cover page and on your diploma. In most cases, your area of honors is your major — for example, a Psychology major writing a psychology thesis earns "Honors in Psychology." However, Schreyer does not limit your area of honors to your major. It can also be another major you are pursuing, a unique minor, or a unique graduate program.

The Schreyer Honors College is highly selective. For first-year applicants, we typically receive over 6,000 applications and admit less than 20%. We also admit current student applicants annually through the second- and third-year application process.

We do not have a citation method requirement. An honors thesis should replicate the appearance of scholarly writing in your discipline. Check with your thesis committee to determine what style guide you should use (MLA, APA, etc.).

All Schreyer admissions decisions are released on the same day in late February. Watch your email for updates on the exact day and how to view your decision. If you are placed on the waitlist, we will communicate with you via email about when you will receive a decision.

Most Scholars won’t start work on their thesis until their third year at Penn State; however, it’s a good idea to start to explore your interests and topics starting in year two. You can find a breakdown of expectations by year on our thesis overview page.

The official copy of the honors thesis is the electronic file (eHT) housed with the University Libraries. While we do not provide a hard copy of the thesis, Scholars may produce hard copies for their academic department or for personal use.

As a Schreyer Scholar you have access to additional advising. You have an academic adviser who oversees your major requirements, an honors adviser who oversees your major-specific honors requirements, your thesis committee, and the Schreyer staff. You can learn more about how they work together on our honors advising page.

While on warning, Scholars continue to receive honors scholarships, including the Academic Excellence Scholarship. However, your eligibility for opportunity grants and employment with Schreyer Honors College will be reviewed by the associate deans in consultation with your supervisor.

Yes. Schreyer requirements are designed to complement your existing degree requirements, not add to them. Your honors credits will come primarily from honors versions of classes you would already be taking. Those classes are typically smaller, discussion-based sections of a class in your major or general education requirements. Most Scholars take one to two honors courses per semester, which fits naturally into a typical schedule. The thesis is usually completed in your fourth year. Your honors adviser will help you plan an academic schedule that meets all of your requirements on time.