Honors Program Applying & Eligibility

Membership and Eligibility: First Year Applicants

Honors Program Application For New/Transfer Students

First year applicants may complete an Honors Program application as included on the Common App or as linked above. Our preferred application deadline for the Honors Program coincides with our Early Action deadline (November 15), and students applying later will be considered on a space-available basis.

The preferred deadline for students committing to the Honors Program is April 1. Students must submit their Honors Membership Agreement Form and their RWU deposit by April 1 to secure their spot in the Honors Program. Submissions after this date will be considered on a case-by-case basis as space allows. If students require an extension to commit to the Honors Program, they should reach out to the Honors Program Director (bhendrickson@rwu.edu). Students not pursing the Honors Program have until the general RWU deposit deadline of May 1 to commit to the university.

Students admitted to the Honors Program tend to possess a demonstrated record of academic excellence, but more importantly, a passion for learning, community engagement, and leadership that aligns with the RWU Honors Program’s mission to "prepare students to be dedicated, engaged, flexible, creative, reflective, and compassionate scholars and community members capable of effectively confronting complex and pressing issues locally, regionally, and globally.” Applicants planning to reside on campus should be invested in joining the first-year Honors Living Learning Community (read more the Honors Living Learning Community here). 

Students have the opportunity to complete an OPTIONAL short essay. This essay can be used to enhance your Honors Program application by demonstrating the above criteria that the selection committee considers or to share anything that the rest of your RWU application does not cover.

RWU is test optional (SAT / ACT) for admission to the university and for the Honors program. If submitted, test scores will be considered as one piece of the entire honors application. Students will not be penalized for choosing to not submit test scores.

Below are some examples of typical RWU Honors Program students. Although these profiles are examples, they are not exhaustive of the academics, community engagement and leadership experiences of students who would be successful in the program.

Membership and Eligibility: Current RWU Students

Currently enrolled Roger Williams University students performing with academic distinction ( 3.5 cumulative GPA or above) are encouraged to apply. Students with sophomore standing may choose the 15-credit Upper-Division/Transfer Pathway.

Honors Program Application For Current Students

For further information, please contact the Honors Program Director at honors@rwu.edu.