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Eligibility Criteria: Entering Freshmen
To be admitted to the University Honors Program (UHP) as a new freshman, you must have a high school degree (or equivalent), have a minimum composite ACT score of 25, or rank in the top 10 percent of your graduating high school class, and earn a "High Pass" on your application essay.
Exceptional cases will be considered. The UHP will accept a portfolio, if appropriate, of significant works demonstrating excellence in creative activities.
Eligibility Criteria: Current Northeastern Illinois University Students and Transfer Students
To be admitted to the UHP as a current Northeastern student or a new transfer student, you must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.5 on a 4.0, in courses numbered 100 and above or in transferable courses, and you must earn a "High Pass" on your application essay.
Up to six credits earned in a similar Honors Program may be considered for transfer into the 300-level Scholar Program of the UHP. Your request to receive transfer credit must be evaluated by the UHP Curriculum and Standards Board.
All applicants will demonstrate critical thinking and writing skills in an entrance essay. As the UHP culminates in a two-semester Senior Project, critical thinking and writing skills are an important part of UHP admission criteria. Entrance essays earn points in the categories of argument (two points possible), critical thinking (two points possible), organization (one point possible) and the conventions of writing in English (one point possible). A "High Pass" constitutes 4.5 points or more out of a possible six points.
To stay in good academic standing in the UHP, to maintain eligibility for UHP scholarships and resources, and to be eligible to complete the UHP, all students must maintain a cumulative Northeastern Illinois University grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 and a GPA of 3.0 in UHP courses.
How to Apply for UHP Admission
Complete the application form and the appropriate entrance essay (respond to the prompt as a prospective freshman or as a current Northeastern Illinois University student or transfer student), and submit both to the UHP for evaluation. You can submit your application online, mail it to us, or drop it off in person. The UHP accepts applications at any time, but to be admitted for a particular academic term we must receive your application at least one month prior to the start date for the term. You can expect to receive official notification within two weeks of submitting a complete application. To apply online, please fill out the following form:
Admission
As a successful applicant to the UHP, you will be admitted to either the general education Honors Student Program or the 300-level Honors Scholar Program, depending on your degree standing at the time you apply. If you are admitted to the general education Student Program, you will automatically enter the 300-level Honors Scholar Program upon completion of the Honors Student Program and declaration of an academic major.
Maintaining Good Academic Standing in the UHP
To stay in good academic standing in the UHP, you must maintain a cumulative Northeastern Illinois University GPA of 3.5 and a GPA of 3.0 in UHP courses. Only courses passed with grades of "A" or "B" will fulfill UHP requirements. No UHP course may be taken more than twice. If you do not maintain these minimum requirements, you will continue to participate in the UHP on a probationary status for two consecutively enrolled terms. In consultation with the UHP Coordinator, you will develop an academic success plan to raise your GPA by the end of the probationary period. If you do not reach the criteria after the probationary term, you will be dismissed from the UHP. During the probationary period you may continue to enroll in UHP courses but you are not eligible for UHP scholarships or to complete the UHP.
