Interested in joining us? Start here.
There are four pathways for admission to the Hamel Honors & Scholars College. Whether you are a future or current student, learn more about your pathway options below.
Students are considered for participation in the Honors College when they are reviewed for admission to UNH. Successful candidates will be invited to join the Honors College at the time they are admitted to the university. No separate application is required. For Fall 2025, 9.5% of UNH admits were invited to the Honors College.
The Admissions Office, in consultation with the Honors College, carefully evaluates all portions of the application: strength of high school coursework, high school grades, class rank (when available), standardized test scores (if submitted), recommendations, and the essay/personal statement. We look also at a demonstrated willingness to take on challenges and opportunities for leadership.
Typically, students admitted to the Honors College have excelled in all areas of their secondary school's most challenging academic curriculum.
Prospective students who are not invited to the Honors College may contact the Admissions Office (603-862-1360) as early as possible if they feel their case should be revisited. Please see below for pathways into the Honors College after enrolling at UNH.
In January, the Honors College invites first-year students to join beginning in their second semester. To be eligible, students must earn a first-semester GPA that places them in the top 10% of freshmen in their college. Invited students are contacted by email in early January.
Students who do not meet the above criteria but who have a GPA of at least 3.5 may apply to join the program, or may be nominated to join the program, using one of the processes below.
Students who have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 but who do not qualify for January Joins can apply directly for admission to the Honors College.
The application consists of:
- A cover letter explaining why you want to join the Honors College, and giving us a sense of who you are
- The name of a professor who will provide a reference (you do not need a letter from them, but you should ensure they are willing to be contacted by us to speak on your behalf)
- Your transcript, if from another institution (we will look up transcripts for UNH students)
Please apply by completing this linked form and someone from the Honors College team will be in touch.
Faculty and staff who believe a student is academically motivated and would benefit from being in the Honors College can nominate a student by sending their name directly to the Honors College office. If nominated, the Honors College staff will reach out to you and let you know you have been nominated. You will be asked to submit a cover letter explaining why you want to join the Honors College, and giving us a sense of who you are.
These materials can be submitted to honors.college@unh.edu.
Deadlines
Applications and nominations for admission are considered on a rolling basis. Non-transfer students must have one semester of UNH grades before applying. Transfer students are considered on a case-by-case basis. For future Wildcats, visit the UNH Admissions website for general application dates and deadlines.
