There are four pathways for admission to the UHP, described below.
Direct Admission
Students are considered for participation in the University Honors Program when they are reviewed for admission to UNH. Successful candidates will be invited to join the Program at the time they are admitted to the university. No separate application is required.
Admission to the University Honors Program is both holistic and highly competitive. The Admissions Office, in consultation with the University Honors Program, carefully evaluates all portions of the application: strength of high school coursework, high school grades, class rank, 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 University Honors Program have excelled in all areas of their secondary school's most challenging academic curriculum.
Prospective students who are not invited to the Honors Program may contact the Admissions Office (603-862-1360) if they feel their case should be revisited. Petitions will be considered on a rolling basis but will not be accepted after August 1.
January Joins Admission
In January, the University Honors Program 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.
In 2023, offers were made to students whose GPAs were at least:
CEPS: 3.86
CHHS: 3.92
COLA: 3.82
COLSA: 3.86
Paul: 3.92
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.
Admission by Application
Students who have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 but who do not qualify for January Joins should contact honors.program@unh.edu to discuss applying for the program.
- The application consists of:
- A cover letter explaining why you want to join the Honors Program, 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 college (we will look up transcripts for UNH students)
All application materials may be submitted via email to honors.program@unh.edu.
Admission by Nomination
Faculty and staff who believe a student is academically motivated and would benefit from being in the Honors Program can nominate a student by sending their name directly to the Honors Program office. If nominated, the Honors Program 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 Program, and giving us a sense of who you are
These materials can be submitted to honors.program@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. Students who have completed the majority of their Discovery requirements may wish to consider Departmental Honors instead.
