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Admission to the University Honors Program*

Standard Admission
Acceptance into the University Honors Program is by invitation only, and is based on an evaluation of the student’s entire record (including strength of academic curriculum) that has been submitted to the University during the general admission process.

Letters of invitation to the University Honors Program are sent by mail approximately one week after notification of general admission to the University. Invited students must respond in writing by the stated deadlines to finalize acceptance to the program.

The average academic profile of students that were offered honors invitation in 2012 was as follows: 4.3 academic GPA*; 31 ACT composite, and 2070 SAT total.

*The Office of Admissions recalculates all grade point averages – it does not use the GPAs listed on your high school transcript or report card. For GPA recalculations go to http://admissions.fsu.edu/freshman/admissions/gpa.cfm.

Admission by Petition
High school students who are accepted into Florida State University as freshmen who do not receive letters of invitation to the University Honors Program may petition for acceptance by submitting a petition portfolio. The petition deadline is now passed.

The average academic profile of the petition applicants that were offered honors invitations in 2012 was: 4.2 GPA; 30 ACT composite; 1970 SAT total.

Current Florida State University Students: Lateral Admission
Freshmen at Florida State University may be eligible for admission to the University Honors Program via the lateral admission process. Lateral admits join the University Honors Program the spring semester following their first fall semester. They are held to the same retention requirements as students admitted by standard admission.

In order to be considered for lateral admission students must submit the required Lateral Admission Application (available Fall 2012).  Students will be evaluated on the basis of their FSU cumulative and term GPAs, college coursework, and expressed interest in the Honors Program as reflected in the application. Typically, students offered lateral admission enroll in at least twelve (12) graded credit hours and earn at least a 3.800 FSU GPA during their first fall term. 

Once grades are posted in December, lateral applicants will be notified by the Honors Office via email. Students offered admission are required to attend an Orientation at the beginning of the Spring semester.One of the goals of Lateral Admission is to introduce talented students to the special opportunities available at Florida State University because of its status as a major research university. Students have an excellent opportunity to learn about research and creative opportunities through the Second Year Honors Research Colloquium, a required Honors course for laterally admitted students.

Questions about admission to the University Honors Program? If you have questions about Honors Admission, e-mail honors@fsu.edu or call the Honors Office at (850) 644-1841.

Admission to the Honors in the Major Program
Current Florida State University students have the opportunity to graduate with Honors in their major by completing the Honors in the Major Program. This program is available to all upper-division students (including transfer students) who meet the requirements. Students accepted into the program design and conduct original undergraduate research in their major area of study.For more information go to http://honorsinthemajor.fsu.edu/.

Questions about admission to the Honors in the Major Program?  If you have questions about the Honors in the Major Program, e-mail hitm@fsu.edu or call the Honors Office at (850) 644-1841.

*This information on honors admission is effective August 2010 and supersedes all previous admissions information.