frederick honors college essay length

Because our site has been optimized for modern browsers, Internet Explorer will not display it correctly.

Please consider using a different browser, such as Chrome , Firefox , Edge , or Safari , instead.

Information and updates about Fall 2024 applicant resources , and Pitt’s Self-Reported Academic Record .

DAVID C. FREDERICK HONORS COLLEGE

The David C. Frederick Honors College application process for first-year students entering in Fall ’24 is now closed as the December 1 deadline has passed. For helpful info regarding the 2024 application process, please check out the Fall 2024 Applicant Resources Page .

Crossing Boundaries with Frederick Honors College

The University of Pittsburgh has a distinguished David C. Frederick Honors College. The mission of the Frederick Honors College is to meet the academic and extracurricular needs of the University’s most academically talented, intellectually curious, and socially conscious undergraduate students.

Our Frederick Honors College provides academic challenges, inspires individual effort, encourages self-discovery, and fosters a nurturing community.

To graduate with the official Frederick Honors College designation, each admitted student must complete a certain amount of programming with Frederick Honors College. This may include taking honors courses, completing a research project, and engaging in co-curricular programs.

It is also important to note that many Frederick Honors College programs are open to the entire University population. For example, all students can apply for honors research fellowships and enroll in honors courses, even if they are not official members of the Frederick Honors College.

Frederick Honors College Admissions Process and Requirements

While there are no minimum academic requirements for consideration, admission to Frederick Honors College is highly competitive. More than 7,000 students applied for a spot in the Frederick Honors College incoming class in the most recent year.

The Frederick Honors College admission process is much more than simply selecting students with the highest SAT or ACT scores, most challenging curriculums, and strongest GPAs. We’re looking for those students with the drive and passion to achieve new academic heights. That’s why the submission of a deeply considered, creatively written essay is a vital part of the Frederick Honors College admissions review process.

The Frederick Honors College essay can be submitted with your application. This can be the University of Pittsburgh Application or the Common Application –we accept both and do not prefer one over the other. If you have already completed the application, you may complete the Frederick Honors College essay online.

Test-optional students are eligible to be admitted to Frederick Honors College and will be eligible to be nominated for the Chancellor’s Scholarship .

First-year applicants who wish to be considered for admission to Frederick Honors College must submit a completed application and essay response no later than December 1. The deadline for transfer students is March 1.

Notification

Students meeting the December 1 deadline will be notified of their Frederick Honors College admissions decision on or before March 1.

Visit Frederick Honors College

Launch Pitt Honors

What's Next?

We use cookies to help our site work, understand how it’s used, and to deliver targeted information to existing and prospective customers. By accepting this message, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device.

For more information on the cookies we use, please see our Privacy Policy . If you decline, you won’t be tracked when you visit this website, apart from the necessary cookie required to remember your preference.

In Summer 2022, the University Honors College was renamed to David C. Frederick Honors College. 

The David C. Frederick Honors College, through a diverse portfolio of formal and informal programs, cultivates and enhances interdisciplinary research and collaborations, supports student engagement, and offers personalized educational experiences locally and globally. All students are welcome to take advantage of the opportunities available through the David C. Frederick Honors College.

Contact Information

University of Pittsburgh David C. Frederick Honors College 3600 Cathedral of Learning Pittsburgh, PA 15260 412-624-6880 www.honorscollege.pitt.edu

Admission Requirements

Although David C. Frederick Honors College opportunities are open to all students, some may choose to be admitted into one of three programs in order to earn a formal credential from the David C. Frederick Honors College: the Bachelor of Philosophy (BPhil) Degree, the jointly-conferred Honors Degree, and the Honors Distinction.

Credentials

Students have the option to earn one of these three formal credentials from the David C. Frederick Honors College:

The Bachelor of Philosophy    is a research-based degree requiring a rigorous curriculum and independent research under the guidance of a faculty mentor culminating in a thesis defense before a committee of faculty members, including an external examiner from another institution. Upon successful completion of the program, students receive a degree/diploma jointly-conferred by the David C. Frederick Honors College and their primary school/college of admission.

The Honors Degree    consists of a structured program of curricular and co-curricular activities that provides an enhanced academic experience which includes opportunities for interdisciplinary study. Upon successful completion of the program, students receive a degree/diploma jointly-conferred by the David C. Frederick Honors College and their primary school/college of admission.

The Honors Distinction    consists of a structured program of curricular and co-curricular activities that provides an enhanced academic experience which includes opportunities for interdisciplinary study. The Honors Distinction offers a lighter credit load than the Honors Degree, which may be appealing to transfer students or those in highly structured, credit-intensive programs. Upon successful completion of the program, students receive a notation on their final transcript.

Special Opportunities

Politics and philosophy major.

Politics and Philosophy, BA    is an interdisciplinary major in the Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences and is advised through the David C. Frederick Honors College. It provides students with training in the conceptual, empirical, and normative foundations of various fields of public policy. It enhances understanding of the moral and political complexities of public life and offers preparation in both theory and practice to students interested in pursuing careers in social and public affairs, including law.

Research and Creative Fellowships

The David C. Frederick Honors College offers a range of fellowships available to students in any academic discipline. Students identify a Pitt faculty mentor and develop a project in collaboration with them. Many of the David C. Frederick Honors College fellowships involve regular meetings of the fellows in which they share their research with other students, creating an interdisciplinary learning environment.

National Scholarships

Scholar Mentors in the David C. Frederick Honors College work closely with students to identify scholarships relevant to their academic and personal goals and explore the steps to become competitive applicants for these awards. National scholarship advising can help students attain a broader perspective and refined understanding of their personal, academic, and professional goals; strengthen their writing skills through the creation and revision of personal statements and grant proposals; and develop the resourcefulness to identify opportunities to conduct meaningful research and/or incorporate service and international experiences into their educational plan.

Global and Experiential Opportunities

The David C. Frederick Honors College strives to instill a global perspective in students through engagement in scholarship as part of study abroad or study away programs. Students may choose to complete short- or long-term global honors programs , which includes a portfolio of  abroadSELECT  programs for highly motivated students.

Community Engagement Opportunities

Through community engagement , the David C. Frederick Honors College encourages students to use their academic talents to make lasting impacts in the community. Through research, internships, or programs such our Scholar Communities , students investigate vital issues alongside more than 100 local, national, and international partners.

Honors Housing

Honors Housing is unique in that it connects highly motivated students from across schools and majors in communities that are shaped by their shared academic, cultural, and personal interests. The David C. Frederick Honors College offers honors housing for first-year students in Sutherland Hall  and upperclass students in the Forbes Craig Apartments .

• •  Politics and Philosophy, BA

Other Programs

• •  Bachelor of Philosophy
• •  Honors Degree
• •  Honors Distinction

Other Courses

Honors Degree

Earn a jointly-conferred Honors degree by challenging yourself both in and outside the classroom with this rigorous but flexible program.

• Find People
• Community Engagement
• Advisory Board
• Messages from President Gregerson
• Presidential Ambassadors
• Life Sciences Building
• Technology for the Future Challenge
• Blue and Gold Celebration
• Social Media
• About Admissions
• Affordability
• Applying for Financial Aid
• Contact Financial Aid
• External Scholarship Opportunities
• New Student Resources
• Returning Student Resources
• Scholarship Opportunities
• Types of Financial Aid
• Request Info
• Prospective Students
• First-Year Students
• Five Campuses...ONE University
• Deposited Student Checklist - International
• Deposited Student Checklist - Part Time
• Deposited Student Checklist - Transfer
• Deposited Student Checklist
• About Academics
• Majors & Minors
• General Degree Requirements
• Class Schedules
• Village Video Archive
• Academic Village 20th Anniversary (1999-2019)
• Nancy Florez-Estrada Mentoring Award
• Honors Program
• Creating Honors Option Courses
• David C. Frederick Honors College at Greensburg
• Steps to a Global Experience
• Global Experiences Announcements/Events
• Financing Study Abroad
• Emergency Abroad
• Study Abroad Advising
• Study Abroad Alumni
• Commencement
• About Student Life
• Commuter Students
• Esports Program
• Volunteering
• Dining Services
• Preventing the Spread of Monkeypox
• Wellness at Pitt-Greensburg
• Community Resources
• Map of Campus Automated External Defibrillators (AED)
• Parking Permit Information
• Personal Safety
• About Student Resources
• Academic Advising
• Campus Store
• Are You Career Ready?
• Internships
• Remote Resources
• Students & Alumni
• Where Our Grads Are Now
• Disability Resources
• Learning Resources
• Millstein Library
• About Alumni
• Young Alumni Leadership Award
• Alumnus of Distinction Award
• Legacy Laureate
• Outstanding Faculty Award
• Student Community Service Award
• Volunteer Excellence Award
• e-Newsletter
• Pitt Commons
• Student Alumni Association
• Update My Information
• Honors Program/Honors College

David C. Frederick Honors College at Pitt-Greensburg

What is the David C. Frederick Honors College at Pitt-Greensburg? What if I am already a member of the Honors Program? General Requirements for New and Sustaining Members Honors College Programs Earning Academic Credits Outside the Classroom Curriculum (OCC) Key Benefits of Membership How to Apply

What is the David C. Frederick Honors College at Pitt-Greensburg?

The Frederick Honors College, which is the official name of the honors college on the Pittsburgh campus, is being extended to the Greensburg campus. The Pitt-Greensburg Honors Program is now The David C. Frederick Honors College at Pitt-Greensburg. However, students who enrolled in classes prior to Fall 2023 can still pursue honors recognition through the original Honors Program.

Grandfathering Existing Students

Since many of Greensburg campus students are already working toward an Honors Program recognition developed prior to this proposal, existing students can choose to remain within the original Honors Program and its requirements and benefits. They also have the option of transferring into one of the Honors College programs, if that is a manageable option. If you are a current Honors Program student and wish to transfer to one of the David C. Frederick Honors College at Pitt-Greensburg programs, contact one of the Honors Program mentors to discuss this option.

Any student admitted to Pitt-Greensburg beginning the fall 2023 semester or later, however, is required to participate in one of the Honors College Programs.

General Requirements for New and Sustaining Members

Students will be admitted into David C. Frederick Honors College at Pitt-Greensburg according to the previous requirements for the Honors Program: a 3.5 GPA for existing Pitt-Greensburg students, and typically a 3.8 GPA for incoming high school students (though this is weighed against other considerations).

To remain a member of David C. Frederick Honors College at Pitt-Greensburg, students must maintain a cumulative 3.5 GPA and be making regular progress toward the completion of their chosen honors program. Students whose GPA falls below 3.5 will be on probation for one semester with the expectation that they will restore their cumulative GPA to 3.5. If they are unable to do so, their membership will end.

Honors College Programs

I. Honors Distinction Requirements:

• Curricular: 9 academic credits of Frederick Honors College approved courses
• Global or Experiential: 3 academic credits from a global or experiential activity (can include research, independent study, study abroad credits, internships, and co-ops)
• Capstone: Already a graduation requirement for all students.
• Outside of the Classroom: Completion of the Pitt-Greensburg Honors OCC (see below)
• Minimum GPA: 3.5

II. Honors Degree Requirements:

• Curricular requirements: 18 academic credits of Frederick Honors College approved courses
• Co-Curricular requirements: 6 experiential credits (including research, independent study, study abroad programs, internships, and co-ops)
• Outside of the classroom curriculum: Completion of the Pitt-Greensburg Honors Outside the Classroom Curriculum (OCC, see below)

III. Bachelors of Philosophy General Degree Requirements Each BPhil degree candidate must:

• Complete the degree requirements (e.g., major requirements) of their home school (Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, Swanson School of Engineering, School of Nursing, College of Business Administration, School of Computing and Information, etc.)
• Complete a Program of Study approved by the Frederick Honors College
• Maintain a 3.50 cumulative GPA

An approved Program of Study will demonstrate that the student has exceeded the requirements for a standard undergraduate departmental degree. Existing curricular options may fulfill the Program of Study requirements, such as multiple majors or double-degree programs, or the approved Program of Study may be individualized. In general, it is expected that a student’s curriculum will reflect the breadth and/or depth. Curricula that are built around an intellectual theme (those that reflect focus) are also acceptable, especially for students in highly structured academic programs. It is incumbent upon each candidate to demonstrate the scholarly merits of the proposed curriculum as it relates to their own work.

Special Degree Requirements

The special degree requirement is met through the preparation and defense conducted by an Examining Committee no later than during the candidate’s last term. One member of the Examining Committee must be from outside the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg.

Each BPhil degree candidate must:

• Select a thesis advisor from the faculty in their major department of study
• Submit a synopsis of the proposed research, the Thesis Prospectus (which has been accepted by the thesis advisor) to the Frederick Honors College
• Be evaluated by the Examining Committee; this evaluation consists of a public presentation and discussion of the thesis or project, followed by a private oral examination conducted by the Examining Committee, similar to a master's thesis defense

Earning Honors Credentials

Academic Credits: Honors Designated Courses:

Any course can be taken as an H-designated course. The designation indicates that the student engages in learning activities beyond those normally required for the course. Such activities are determined by the nature of the course, but might consist of special projects, extended reading assignments, research, class presentations, etc. The student and instructor will together determine what the learning activity might be.

The instructor and student must sign an Honors Designated Course Agreement Form outlining the enrichment requirements. This should be submitted to the Greensburg administrator of the Honors College no later than the end of the first week of the semester.

The Registrar’s Office will oversee the formal honors designation toward the end of the semester once the plan for the learning activity has been completed.

Honors Option Courses:

Unlike H-designated courses, you can enroll in Honors Option courses at the same time you enroll in all your other courses. They are designed to include additional content for honors students. Rather than having students determine a unique enrichment activity with the instructor, the instructor will pre-design regular courses to have additional content for any student who wishes to take the class as an honors version.

Simply look for “Honors” in the “Gen Ed and Enrollment Notes” column in the Class Schedule to identify classes that you enroll in for honors credit. You may have to get the permission of instructor or ask your advisor to enroll you as a member of the Honors College. Note also that students not involved in any honors program can also enroll in an Honors Option course, but they will need permission from the instructor.

Honors Only Courses:

Some courses may be designated as an honors course without being attached to a standard version of the course. These courses will tend to be interdisciplinary and team-taught. For example, INDIST 1100 is an interdisciplinary special topics course that has been used for honors only courses. The theme and instructors can be very different each time it is offered.

Outside the Classroom Curriculum (OCC):

All students pursuing an Honors College program will be required to complete the Honors GEM OCC (Greensburg Experience More Outside the Classroom Curriculum) by earning 150 points in each of the following competency areas.

• Communication and the Arts
• Career Preparation, Research, Scholarship and Creative Work
• Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Global Engagement
• Leadership Development
• Service and Civic Engagement

Some Key Benefits of Joining

Students who complete any of the three honors college programs will be recognized for their achievement at graduation. But there are several other benefits available to the students throughout their career as a Pitt student:

• Honors Research Programs, including Brackenridge, Creative Arts Fellowships etc.
• Honors Study Abroad/Study Away Programs (including Abroad Select and Wyoming)
• Honors Internships
• Residential Community
• Dedicated Engagement Space
• Engagement activities, including Speaker Series, programming, and excursions
• National Scholarships Advising

How to Apply

Complete the David C. Frederick Honors College at Pitt-Greensburg >>

Please send questions to [email protected] .

2023-2024 Academic Catalog

Honors college.

Program website

Program Manager: Dr. Bruce Thompson Email: [email protected] Phone: 301.846.2535

Honors is an academic enrichment program that can be incorporated into most transfer degree programs at FCC. All honors learning is designed to go deeper, broader, or more complex, and the program strives to develop emerging scholars and leaders. Students who graduate from the Honors College, complete an honors independent study project, present at a conference, or earn service or leadership certificates gain a competitive advantage when applying for admission to selective four-year colleges and transfer scholarships.

Eligibility

Students automatically qualify for the Honors College with the following test scores: SAT = 1100 overall (out of 1600) with at least 550 on verbal, or ACT = Reading 23+, or FCC placement exams = Honors level reading (268) and proficient college level writing. Applicants with strong academic records (3.500 GPA) or faculty recommendations are encouraged to apply. We also offer an Open Campus membership for high school or home school students with a 3.5 GPA or higher. Students who started college poorly but whose recent work is honors caliber can apply to the honors coordinator for an exception. To apply, complete the Honors College application, available in the Honors Office (H 245) and at www.frederick.edu , and submit as directed.

Honors Advising

Students meet with an honors advisor to select a goal and develop an honors plan to achieve your goal. Check-in with an honors advisor each semester to update your plan. The Honors College also offers HONR 101 Honors Academic Engagement Seminar  as a first-year experience course to help students make the transition to college and honors learning. Second-year honors peer mentors are embedded in the course as another source of help. Any student whose GPA drops below 3.000 or violates FCC policy will no longer be in good standing with the Honors program.

Academic Opportunities

Your academic opportunities begin with Honors courses, which are designated with an “H” in the schedule. Because honors courses have the same core learning outcomes and content requirements as regular courses they are easily transferable. Honors courses are smaller (limit 15) and often operate as seminars with heavy class discussion. Some courses are linked so the same cohort of students is together in two classes that share blocks of time.

With permission of the instructor and the honors coordinator, Honors Contracts can be arranged for courses not in the schedule (e.g., MATH 185 Calculus I ). Contact the honors coordinator to request an Honors Contract application.

Students can conduct scholarly research or produce creative works through Honors Independent Study projects under the supervision of a faculty mentor. Students share their work with the campus community at the Honors Forum and are encouraged to present at student conferences. Each year one student may be nominated to compete for the Portz Award for Outstanding Honors Student at Two-Year Colleges, which is sponsored by the Maryland Collegiate Honors Council.

We encourage students to engage in learning both inside and outside the classroom. To promote learning outside the classroom, all honors courses require students to attend co-curricular events. The Honors College also sponsors a variety of student organized activities each year, and the Center for Student Engagement at FCC offers even more engagement opportunities. With 25 service hours in two projects and a reflection paper, students can earn a service certificate. Leadership opportunities are available through the Honors Student Association, Phi Theta Kappa, and Honors College internships. Student leaders can also complete workshops and earn a leadership certificate.

Besides honing your academic skills through active learning, some other benefits of participating in the Honors College are:

• use of the Honors Lounge (H-247);
• eligibility for honors internships and scholarships;
• conference presentation opportunities;
• student recognitions for excellence (Anne Slater Award for Honors Excellence, MCHC Portz Award for Outstanding Honors Student, All-USA Academic Team);
• transfer and scholarship benefits with four-year honors partners;
• automatic admission to even more four-year colleges; and
• enhanced resumes when applying for selective admission program at four-year colleges as well as scholarships.

Students who complete 12 honors credits with an overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.250 or higher are eligible to graduate from the Honors College. Graduates receive a notation on their transcripts recognizing this achievement. Further, at the graduation ceremony they wear an Honors College medallion and stand to be recognized. The transcript notation and color of the medallion are based on the student’s grade point average at the time of graduation:

To learn more about how the Honors College can help you reach your goals, contact the Honors Coordinator, Dr. Bruce Thompson, in H-244 or at [email protected] or 301.846.2535.

Print Options

Send Page to Printer

Print this page.

Download Page (PDF)

The PDF will include all information unique to this page.

2023-2024 Frederick Community College Academic Catalog

A PDF of the entire 2023-2024 Catalog.

Apply Request Information

• Philosophy, Mission & Goals
• Message from the Dean
• Accreditation
• Faculty, Research & Funding
• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee Members
• Cultural Humility
• Improving Cultural Sensitivity
• Addressing Health Inequities
• Acute & Tertiary Care
• Health & Community Systems
• Health Promotion & Development
• Nurse Anesthesia
• Office of the Dean
• Student Affairs & Alumni Relations
• Community Partnerships
• Professional Development & Continuing Nursing Education
• International Partnerships
• Sim/Skills Lab Guidelines
• Directions, Maps, and Parking
• Enrollment Profile
• HSIT Helpdesk & Media Support
• Our Facilities
• Distance Education
• COVID Information
• High School Requirements
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• Internal Transfer Applicants
• External Transfer Applicants
• Master of Science in Nursing
• Doctor of Nursing Practice
• Dual DNP/PhD Program
• PhD in Nursing
• International Applicants
• Non-Degree Student Information
• Clinical Experiences
• About Our BSN Program
• BSN Application/Admission
• BSN Program Student Learning Outcomes
• Traditional Undergraduate BSN Program
• Curriculum: Class of 2021
• Curriculum: Class of 2022 and 2023
• Curriculum: Class 2024
• Curriculum, Class of 2025 and 2026
• Curriculum: Class 2027
• What are the two pathways of the Nursing Honors Program?
• Admission Requirements for Honors Curriculum
• Admission Requirement for for the Honor Curriculum
• FAQ about Nursing Honors Curriculum Option and Thesis Option
• About our Accelerated 2nd Degree BSN
• Accelerated 2nd Degree BSN Application/Admission
• FAQ: Accelerated 2nd Degree BSN
• Facts about Accelerated 2nd Degree BSN Students
• Curriculum - (Cohorts admitted prior to Spring 2019)
• Curriculum (Effective Spring 2019 Admits)
• Information Sessions
• RN Options - RN-BSN
• RN Options Curriculum- Early Admission to MSN or DNP
• Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL)
• Nursing Informatics
• MSN Application/Admission
• Masters Student Learning Outcomes
• School Nursing, MSN
• Clinical Nurse Specialist
• Nurse Practitioner BSN to DNP Distance Education Format
• Health Systems Executive Leadership
• Nurse Anesthesia Major
• Nurse-Midwife Major (onsite)
• Nurse Practitioner Major
• DNP Application/Admission
• DNP Student Learning Outcomes
• Doctor of Nursing Practice and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Dual Program Application/Admission Criteria
• Purpose & Student Learning Outcomes
• PhD Application/Admission
• PhD Dissertation
• Curricula BSN-PhD
• Curricula MSN-PhD
• Detailed MSN to PhD Curriculum
• Detailed PhD Curriculum
• Graduate Minors & Certificates
• Electronic Thesis and Dissertation (ETD)
• PHD Student Profiles
• Online Graduate Programs
• Post-Baccalaureate Certificate In Health Care Genetics
• School Nurse Certificate (online)
• Certificate Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
• Certificate Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP)
• Certificate: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
• Nursing Education Certificate
• Nursing Informatics Certificate
• Certificate in Gerontology for Nurse Practitioners
• Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certificate
• Gerontology Minor for Nurse Practitioners
• Health Care Genetics Minor
• Nursing Education Minor
• Nursing Informatics Minor
• Nursing Administration Minor
• Elective Undergraduate Courses
• Graduate Independent Studies/Elective Courses
• Graduate NCLEX Pass Rates
• Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Yearly Pass Rate
• Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Year
• Clinical Nurse Leader Year
• Clinical Nurse Specialist Year
• Family Nurse Practitioner Year
• Nurse Anesthetist Year
• Neonatal Nurse Practitioner - MSN Year
• Nurse-Midwife
• Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Year
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Year
• About Pittsburgh
• Black Student Nurses Association
• Chi Eta Phi, Kappa Beta Chapter
• Graduate Nursing Students Organization (GNSO)
• Men In Nursing Club (MINC)
• Sigma Theta Tau, Eta Chapter
• Nursing Student Association (NSA)
• Nursing Study Abroad FAQs
• Student Lockers
• T32 NR008857 Grant
• T32NR009759 Grant
• Office of Research and Scholarship
• HUB for Excellence in Digital Health Research
• Genomics of Patient Outcomes HUB
• Sleep and Circadian Science Research Hub
• Nursing Health Services and Policy Research HUB
• Cancer Survivorship HUB
• Maternal/Perinatal and Reproductive Health Research Hub
• Aging and Gerontological Nursing Research HUB
• Nursing Education Research and Scholarship HUB
• Active Grants
• In Their Own Words
• URMP Research Projects
• Celebrating Student Research
• Professional Development – Vision, Mission, Goals
• Live CE Activities
• New - Healthcare Provider Training on LGBTQIA+ Health: An Introductory Module on Best Practices
• SBIRT for Undergraduate Nursing Students
• SBIRT for Graduate Nurse Practitioner Students
• Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and Alcohol Screening and Brief Intervention (Alcohol SBI)
• NCPD Needs Assessment
• Call for Volunteer Content Experts & Speakers
• Stay Connected
• About our Alumni
• Distinguished Alumni Awardees Archive
• Outstanding Young Alumni Awardees Archive
• Honorary Alumni Awardees Archive
• Notable Alumni
• Volunteer Opportunities
• Keep Us Up-to-Date!
• Upcoming Alumni Events
• Nursing Professional Alumni Society
• News & Announcements
• Submitting to Pitt Nurse Magazine

Admission Requirement for the Honor Curriculum

What are the admission requirements for the honors curriculum option.

For the curriculum option, prospective students may apply to Nursing Honors through the regular initial University of Pittsburgh application process. If you choose to apply, you will be asked to answer the following essay question: (1) If you could change anything in the world, what would it be? (2) Explain why and how you would change it. Responses should be stated in 500 words or fewer. These essays will be reviewed by University Admissions Office who make admission decisions at this point. If you are already a freshman or sophomore in the BSN program and you are interested in the Honors curriculum option, Pitt's David C. Frederick Honors College still admits a limited number of upperclassmen into its degree program. Interested upperclassmen must have a minimum GPA of 3.50, and must have completed a minimum of 2 semesters (24 credits). Students are required to complete the same essay prompts above and submit a letter of recommendation from an instructor or academic advisor. Applications for upperclassmen students are reviewed once a year with an application deadline of May 31.

What are the admission requirements for the Honors thesis option?

Students interested in the thesis option can apply directly to the Frederick Honors College at any time during their BSN curriculum. Students must have a minimum GPA of 3.50 and are required to identify a research mentor and submit a brief research proposal and plan of study to the Frederick Honors College in collaboration with the mentor. More details are provided below and you can learn more here.

How competitive is the admission to the Nursing Honors program?

Our nursing students are top-notch, and with enough passion and dedication, any student could successfully complete an Honors thesis (the highest undergraduate distinction). However, typically 2¬ to 5 nursing students complete a BPhil (Honors thesis) every year. You will find a list of recently completed undergraduate honors theses here. The Nursing Honors curriculum option is a fairly new pathway, and the Class of 2023 will be the first cohort. Based on number and quality of applications, the Frederick Honors College admitted around 14 to 18 nursing students in this option annually in the last 2 years.

What are your chances of acceptance?

Calculate for all schools, your chance of acceptance.

Your chancing factors

Extracurriculars.

How to Write the University of Pittsburgh Essays 2023-2024

The University of Pittsburgh, or Pitt, is a public research university just a few miles east of downtown Pittsburgh. With a campus encompassing 132 acres, Pitt enrolls almost 20,000 undergraduates, and is composed of 17 different undergraduate and graduate schools. 

Pitt is moderately selective and is consistently ranked as one of the top public universities in the country. The most popular departments at Pitt are business, engineering, health, and the social sciences. 

There are no optional supplements applicable to all applicants, other than the main personal statement on the Common App , Coalition Application , or Pitt Application. Honors applicants must write a separate essay, however, and international applicants are asked to answer another prompt in lieu of the personal statement.

In this post, we’ll break down how to write these essays to improve your chances of acceptance.

Read this Pitt essay example to inspire your own writing.

Pitt Supplemental Essay Prompts

All applicants, if you have written a common application personal essay you are not expected to also submit a personal statement below. we will receive your common app personal essay if completed., submission of either the optional personal statement or common app personal essay is required for scholarship review, if applying without sat or act scores, and may increase the likelihood that you are considered for guaranteed admission programs or given special consideration due to extenuating circumstances..

The personal statement is your opportunity to communicate directly with the Admissions Committee. Applicants are welcome to submit anything that helps tell their story, being mindful and thoughtful about the quantity and quality of information shared. Share information not included elsewhere in your application. (750 words)

International Applicants

Describe an experience where you had to adapt to a new environment (i.e. a different culture, situation, or way of thinking). (1500 characters recommended)

Honors Applicants

Please select one of these questions. (200-300 words recommended).

• Option 1 : What is something you would like to see change in the world? Explain why.
• Option 2: If you had 10 minutes and the attention of a million people, what would your TED Talk be about?
• Option 3: What does it mean to be “educated”?

The personal statement is your opportunity to communicate directly with the Admissions Committee. Applicants are welcome to submit anything that helps tell their story, being mindful and thoughtful about the quantity and quality of information shared. Share information not included elsewhere in your application. (750 words).

This personal statement is optional for those submitting the Common App Essay. While we typically encourage you to write all optional essays to demonstrate your interest, this is an exception since this prompt is presented as an alternative to another essay. If you aren’t submitting the Common App, however, then you should complete this personal statement. 

The goal of the personal statement is to share a story about what makes you unique. As we mention in our guide to the Common App Essays, a good personal statement should answer these four core questions:

• “Who Am I?”
• “Why Am I Here?”
• “What is Unique About Me?”
• “What Matters to Me?”

This essay should tell a story and use a narrative/creative writing format rather than your standard academic essay format. We recommend reading our Common App Essay guide for more advice on crafting a great personal statement.

Finally, keep in mind that while you have up to 750 words, you don’t need to use the full word count. While we typically recommend maximizing your allotted space, this essay is presented as an alternative to the Common App essay, which only goes up to 650 words. An essay of 550-650 words should be the sweet spot for saying what you want without dragging it on. 

Describe an experience where you had to adapt to a new environment (i.e. a different culture, situation, or way of thinking). (1500 characters recommended, about 200-400 words)

Being an international student is a unique experience, and Pitt wants to know that you are prepared for the challenges of adapting to a new country, culture, and environment. 

For this prompt, you will want to share a story that illustrates your adaptability, awareness, and open-mindedness. Hone in on one experience and take a deep dive into your thoughts and emotions as you were going through this transition.

Try to steer clear of cliche storylines; many students will generally discuss how it was difficult at first to study abroad, move to a different location, or overcome homesickness at an overnight program. Instead, focus on a specific aspect of the experience you choose to write about. For instance, a student who loved their study abroad experience would tell an anecdote about how they got lost in a foreign city and had to piece together their knowledge of the language to talk to taxi drivers and random strangers. Describing a specific moment like this will showcase your mentality and emotions in the moment where you were adapting to a new environment, which is what admissions officers want to learn from this essay.

Don’t feel obligated to write about experiences that are obviously relevant to being an international student. The prompt also mentions new “situations” or “ways of thinking.” You could also write about joining a new club, trying a new sport, or learning about a different way to approach a problem. The key is to pick a topic that will allow you to be reflective and illustrative of how you will adapt as an international student on Pitt’s campus.

As you decide on a topic and write your essay, ask yourself:

• Which experience best allowed me to demonstrate my adaptability and openness?
• What did I learn from this experience?
• What were my thoughts and emotions as I was going through this experience?
• How will this experience help me thrive as an international student?

Your essay should answer all of these questions, while still being exciting and engaging. For example, you might want to write about how you switched from a public to a private school. Don’t give an overview of your experience. Instead, tell the story of your first homecoming game where you were surrounded by students with pride for their school. Even though it was a new environment you were still getting acquainted with, seeing the school spirit and cheering on your team helped you feel like you belong at your new school. Despite the fear you might have felt the first few weeks of school, you decided that if you could cheer alongside your peers, you could talk to them in class as well. You now know that despite the challenges that might arise the first few weeks of college, when you’re standing in the stadium cheering on the Panthers you will feel the same sense of camaraderie and you will be able to connect with your peers.  

Honors Applicants, Option 1

What is something you would like to see change in the world explain why. (200-300 words).

There’s so many ways you can go about this essay, and the key is to begin by brainstorming what it is you’re passionate about, and why you’re passionate about it. Pitt Honors College is specifically looking for students who “want to advance research, better the community, and leave a global footprint.” They’re asking you to think big, and think altruistically—so don’t be afraid to write about lofty dreams. Just be sincere and specific. 

It would be even better if you have past experiences working towards implementing changes, which would give you more credibility and grounding. Even if it’s as small as being a member of a community service club, or volunteering, you could use these experiences as a jumping off point for your future goals. Also, if there’s a personal reason why you’ve chosen your topic, you should definitely talk about it, as it could lead to strong anecdotes that would make your essay come alive. 

At the end of the essay, you could even go into how you see Pitt Honors College fitting into your trajectory towards changing this proposed problem. You could talk about a Pitt Honors first year seminar, like “Power and Resistance,” mention how you would love to engage in meaningful conversations by living in Honors housing, and list an honors pod you would want to join—like the community engagement pod or the health sciences pod. 

Here are some examples to think about:

• Maybe you want to study education, and in particular, you want to make a dent in reforming public education. You can acknowledge that this is a huge, structural problem probably unsolvable by a single person, but that you nevertheless want to give it your best try. You want to start by participating in Pitt’s Combined Accelerated Studies in Education, granting you a bachelor’s and a master’s in five years. You could discuss how you want to start as a student teacher, then manage your own classroom to learn how best to help children learn. Maybe after a while, you can go into education policy, and specifically work on creating less segregated public schools, and bringing more funding into underserved areas. 
• Maybe your intended major is computer science, and the problem you’d like to address is a lack of rural connectivity to the internet, even in America. You want to take the normal slate of computer science classes, but also many classes in public policy, to know how the government plays a role in broadband access. After graduating, you’d want to both work as a programmer, but also advocate on behalf of rural communities, especially through granting local and state funding to develop better internet service in rural areas.
• Maybe you are really interested in racial justice since you have grown up feeling the effects of systemic racism and discrimination. You want to provide justice to Black Americans by becoming a death row lawyer and working with people who have been wrongly convicted. You plan to take law classes at Pitt that will teach you more about the complex workings of the justice system and how to perfect your public speaking skills. On campus, you want to join the Prisoner Legal Support Project to work with other like-minded students who care about these issues. After graduation, you plan to go to Louisiana, the state with the highest incarceration rate, to get some experience working with lawyers and inmates before law school.

Honors Applicants, Option 2

If you had 10 minutes and the attention of a million people, what would your ted talk be about (200-300 words).

This creative prompt from Pitt asks you to brainstorm about a topic that deeply interests you. Ideally, you should choose a timely topic that relates to your ongoing academic or extracurricular interests.

Additionally, because TED talks are meant to bring value to a broader audience, the topic should be influential for many people to hear. For example, you may want to avoid talking about building an interplanetary defense system to protect against asteroids from hitting Earth because it’s not a hugely current societal problem.

Before you begin writing, familiarize yourself with the format of a TED talk. Watch a few of the most popular ones , or search for some that align with your interests. If you’re having trouble thinking of a topic, ask yourself:

• What are the important lessons you’ve learned?
• What are you good at?
• What are you passionate about?
• What is an unusual experience you’ve had?
• What do you want to teach others?
• What can you talk about for a full 10 minutes?

A good TED talk will most likely be a strong response to more than one of these questions. For example, maybe you’re passionate about backyard gardening, and even started a local neighborhood gardening group. You might give a TED talk called “Your Friendly Neighborhood Gardner: A Lesson In Crop Rotation,” where you discuss your experience and how others can coordinate gardening groups and share ground with neighbors to make the most of their harvests. Or, maybe you love chemistry and cooking, and want to teach others how to use science to improve their dishes. Your speech might be called “Molecules and Meatballs: The Chemistry Behind Our Food.”

Make sure to include a few key details when putting together this essay about a TED talk. Include the following: 1) a catchy title that captures the reader and summarizes what you will talk about; 2) the message you want to get across to your audience and why it is meaningful to you; and 3) what the overall impact your talk could have on the community at large. By including all three of these key ideas you will better express your thoughts, interests and dreams to the admissions readers who are eagerly looking forward to reading your essay.

As long as you pick a topic you’re genuinely excited about, and frame it in a way that makes it applicable to others, your TED talk should be strong. Definitely have some fun with this one!

Honors Applicants, Option 3

What does it mean to be “educated” (200-300 words).

This prompt essentially has two parts: one, establishing what being educated means to you, and two, linking that definition to your life experiences.

For the first part, reflect on the times you’ve genuinely enjoyed learning, which could be in or outside the classroom.

For example, you could discuss how education to you means broadening your horizons beyond the classroom by attending independent film screenings or local art exhibits in your town. You could define education as exploring new ideas by connecting to those with different opinions and points of view. Education could mean learning new languages in order to be able to learn about new cultures and belief systems. Whatever position you decide to take, be sure to explicitly address what being educated means to you in your introduction.

As you begin to build on your essay beyond the introduction, think about what moments in your own life have provided you with experiences that have “educated” you in the way that you define it. Perhaps you define “education” as learning new languages in order to be able to learn about new cultures and belief systems. To better explain this definition, use the rest of the essay to write about the time when you traveled internationally to South America and lived in Brazil and it was only after learning some broken Portuguese that you fully embraced the culture there. You learned to speak with the locals, were taught how to Samba, danced to unique music like Pagode and Bossa Nova and tried all the delicious local street food delicacies.

Once again, this is a very open-ended prompt so feel free to make it your own and provide your own voice and background to make your definition of “education” unique to you.

Where to Get Your University of Pittsburgh Essays Edited

Do you want feedback on your Pitt essays? After rereading your essays countless times, it can be difficult to evaluate your writing objectively. That’s why we created our free Peer Essay Review tool , where you can get a free review of your essay from another student. You can also improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays. 

If you want a college admissions expert to review your essay, advisors on CollegeVine have helped students refine their writing and submit successful applications to top schools.  Find the right advisor for you  to improve your chances of getting into your dream school!

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

• myTU for Students
• Towson Online Services
• OneCard/TU ID Card
• Academic Calendar
• University Store
• Graduate Programs
• Application
• Request Information
• Take a Campus Tour
• Housing & Dining
• Tuition info
• Financial Aid
• Family Network
• Family Weekend
• Undergraduate Admissions
• Emergency Text Alerts
• Tiger Connect
• Alumni Events
• Alumni Benefits
• TU Magazine
• Request a Transcript
• Office of Alumni Relations
• myTU for Faculty & Staff
• BTU-Partnerships at Work for Greater Baltimore
• Entrepreneurship at TU
• Center for Applied & Economic Research
• Center for GIS
• Regional Economic Studies Institute
• Dr. Nancy Grasmick Leadership Institute
• Sponsorship & Advertising Opportunities
• Hiring TU Students
• Calendars & Events
• Directories
• Facts & Figures
• Mission & Strategic Plan
• Rankings & Achievements
• Administration
• Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion
• Accessibility
• Sustainability
• Consumer Information & Accreditation
• Undergraduate Studies
• Graduate Studies
• International Initiatives
• Colleges & Departments
• Off-Campus Locations
• Extended & Professional Education
• Summer Session
• Academic Services & Resources
• Commencement
• Graduate Admissions
• Tuition & Expenses
• Counselor & Advisor Resources
• Visit Campus
• Student Involvement
• Student Services & Resources
• Health & Wellbeing
• Safety & Security
• New Student & Family Programs
• Anchor Mission
• BTU-Partnerships for Greater Baltimore
• Entrepreneurship
• Strategic Partnerships & Applied Research
• Community Programs & Resources
• Arts & Culture
• Campus Landmarks & Features
• Planning Events & Conferences at TU
• Admissions & Aid
• Student Life
• Campus & Community

Information For

High School, Transfer & Current Student Applicants

Towson university honors college - are you up for the challenge.

The Honors College accepts applications from incoming first-year students, students transferring from other institutions, and current Towson University students with 60 or fewer completed or in-progress college credits on the schedule of deadlines established by University Admissions:

• Incoming first-year students must complete the Honors College Application as part of the Towson University Admissions Application . The Early Action deadline for fall entry and regular deadline for spring entry is November 15. The Regular Decision deadline for fall entry is February 1.
• Students transferring from other institutions must complete the Honors College Application as part of the Towson University Transfer Admissions Application . The application deadline for spring entry is November 15. The Early Action deadline for fall entry is March 1.
• Incoming first-year and transfer applicants who miss submitting the Honors application materials initially through the general Towson University Admissions Application may still apply for admission to the Honors College through this supplementary portal . Please note : students using this method will need their TU Admissions portal login credentials to gain access. If you experience any problems using this method, please contact University Admissions .
• Current Towson University students can apply to the Honors College using the Honors College Application for Current TU Students through November 15 for spring entry, and March 1 for fall entry.
• Incoming international students can apply to the Honors College through the TU Admissions Application through November 15 for priority consideration, and afterward through the Honors College Application for International Students through May 1 for regular consideration.

Admission to the Honors College is competitive. Honors College students make up less than five percent of the incoming freshman class each year, and the approximately 700 active Honors students represent just under four percent of all undergraduate students at Towson University. Our application looks holistically at an applicant's experiences and considers quality of engagement over sheer quantity, self-awareness and reflection of involvement, and authenticity.

Most Honors students apply in high school and are admitted for their freshman year, but transfer students and current TU students may also apply to the Honors College. To be considered, an applicant must complete the Honors College application for admission. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Enrollment is not available to students who are pursuing second bachelor's degrees at TU. Students must complete Honors seminars at the main Towson University campus in Towson, MD.

Internal transfer applicants with more than 60 completed or in-progress college credits at the time of application will not be considered for the Honors College. Options for TU students with more than 60 credits include departmental honors programs and the campus chapter of the Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity .

Admission Requirements

Admission for first-year students.

While the Honors College attracts top-performing high school seniors, there are no minimum criteria that a student must meet in order to apply to Honors. Since Towson University and the Honors College are permanently test optional, students may submit their standardized testing scores through the Common App as part of their application materials, but are not required to do so. In terms of academic performance in high school, though first-year students admitted to the Honors College in the fall term have historically had these middle 50% ranges in their weighted GPAs, any student whose performance falls outside these ranges is strongly encouraged to apply for admission:

Applications from first-year students are evaluated through a comprehensive holistic review that also considers the following:

• Course selection and the rigor of the student's high school curriculum
• Strength and clarity of ideas and writing demonstrated in an essay
• Engagement and demonstrated leadership in co-curricular and extracurricular involvement
• An optional letter of recommendation from a major subject teacher

Admission for Students Transferring from Other Institutions

Transfer students admitted to the Honors College in the fall term have historically had these middle 50% ranges of their college GPAs:

Transfer students applying to Towson University who will enter with 60 or more credits must apply to the Honors College at the same time as they apply to TU, as they will no longer be eligible for admission once they become current TU students.

Transferring students with fewer than 30 credits are evaluated based on the items listed below and on their high school academic record. Transferring students with 30 or more college credits are evaluated through a comprehensive holistic review that also considers the following:

• Course selection and the rigor of the student's curriculum at the college level
• An optional letter of recommendation from a major subject teacher or college professor

The Honors College recognizes the outstanding academic achievements of students currently participating in Maryland Community College Honors Programs. In acknowledgment of these achievements the Honors College at TU has developed Memoranda of Understanding with the following Maryland Community College Honors Programs:

• Carroll Community College, Pappalardo Scholars Program
• Community College of Baltimore County, Honors Program
• Frederick Community College, Honors College
• Harford Community College, Honors Program
• Howard Community College, Rouse Scholars Program
• Prince George’s Community College, Honors Academy

Students applying from one of the above programs will be granted admission into the Honors College at TU provided the student meets all of the following criteria, subject to confirmation from their institution's Honors program:

• Has been accepted to Towson University for a fall term
• Has applied to the Honors College by the published application deadline
• Has met or will meet all requirements of their community college honors program prior to transfer to Towson University
• Will complete an Associate Degree and/or a minimum of 60 undergraduate credits from their community college before joining the Honors College
• Has at least a 3.5 cumulative college GPA at the time of application to the Honors College at TU

Applicants from a program that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the Honors College who do not meet the above requirements are still eligible to apply to the TU Honors College, without guaranteed admission.

Admission for Current Towson University Students

Current Towson University students may apply to the Honors College as internal transfers if they have been enrolled at Towson University for no more than four semesters and will have 60 or fewer completed college credits after the end of the term during which they will apply. Applicants with more than 60 completed or in-progress credits are ineligible except for in extraordinary circumstances.

Applicants are evaluated on:

• Course selection and the rigor of the student's curriculum at Towson University (and at the high school level, if fewer than 30 completed college credits)

Application FAQs

Honors admissions faqs, application process.

How will my Honors College application be reviewed? A panel of Honors College faculty and staff review each application on the basis of a number of factors: •    Essay •    List of activities •    Secondary/post-secondary school GPA •    Rigor of secondary school course load* •    Standardized test scores (if provided)* •    Class rank (if provided)* •    Letter of recommendation (optional) *Only for applicants from high school or with fewer than 30 completed college credits Applicants are assessed primarily on the basis of their ability to succeed in the Honors College curriculum. There is no absolute cutoff score for consideration or automatic admission.

I want to apply to the Honors College but I have a low GPA. Should I still apply? The Honors College strongly encourages potential applicants to apply. The Honors review process is holistic, taking into account a number of aspects of related to the applicant as a person and his or her ability to succeed in the Honors College while contributing as a valuable member of our community. While high school and college GPA are strong indicators of future academic success, we recognize they are only one piece of the puzzle.

I filled out the Honors section of my TU application but submitted it after November 15. Will I be considered for Honors College admission? No. The deadline for Honors College consideration is November 15. While applications begun on or before November 15 may continue to display an option to apply to the Honors College after that date, only applications submitted and received by Towson University Admissions by 11:59 pm on November 15 will be considered for admission in to the Honors College.

I submitted an application and want to check to make sure you received all of my documents. Who should I contact?

If you are a new student to TU and applied through the Towson University application, contact University Admissions at admissions AT_TOWSON or 410-704-2113. If you are a current TU student, contact the Honors College at honors AT_TOWSON or 410-704-4677.

Required Essay

Can I submit the same essay for my Towson University application and my Honors College application?

For the 2023 admissions cycle the Honors essay is separate from the TU essay, as the two sets of prompts address different topics. You will need to submit a different essay for each.   How strict is the essay word count requirement? The range between 500 and 750 words is fairly wide, and provides the appropriate amount of space to form and support a clear position in direct response to the essay prompts provided. Any essay much shorter than 500 words will likely have insufficient support for your argument, and anything much longer than 750 will likely be too unfocused.

Optional Letter of Recommendation

How do I know that my recommender received my letter request? When is their letter due?

Letter of recommendation requests are emailed to the recipient as soon as you click the send button in the recommendation section of the TU application, and can be sent out far in advance of your application submission. Recommendations can be submitted after the application deadline. The Honors College generally begins application reviews within two weeks of the application deadline, so any recommendations not received by then may not be included in the review process.

I have several teachers who want to write me letters of recommendation. How can I provide you contact information for multiple recommenders? We will only consider one letter of recommendation in support of your Honors College application. Additional letters of recommendation will not be read. Can you use the same letter of recommendation submitted as part of my Towson University application? Yes! The recommendation requested by the Honors College asks for specific information and insight, so we encourage you to ask your recommender to respond to the Honors prompt. Their letter can support both your Honors application and general TU application. My recommender/high school insists on mailing a physical copy of my recommendation or giving me a sealed recommendation in person. What do I do? The Honors College strongly prefers letters of recommendation submitted through the online request portal to guarantee the recommendation is correctly attached to your application file. Physical letters can be mailed to: Honors College 7800 York Road Building, Suite 134 Towson, MD 21252-0001 Please ensure that your recommender includes your full name and the name of your high school in the letter. If your recommender gives you a sealed envelope, please write your name and high school on the exterior. This will help ensure the letter is added to your application file. My recommender/high school only submits recommendations through Naviance (or a similar service). What do I do? As long as the letter is submitted by the recommender whose name you indicate on your application, it will be added to your application file and included in your Honors application review. I provided contact information for my recommender, and now they can’t/won’t write me a letter. Now what? Contact the Honors College at honors AT_TOWSON or 410-704-4865 with your full name and the name and email of a replacement recommender, and we will send them the relevant information to submit a letter of recommendation. Can my boss/coach/family friend write my letter of recommendation? Character references - those from individuals who are not teachers - are not useful for the Honors review process. We strongly suggest that your letter of recommendation writer be a primary subject teacher, as our recommendation prompt encourages submission of information regarding your presence in the classroom. If you would like someone who’s not a primary subject teacher to write your letter, you please provide a written justification to honors AT_TOWSON of why that person is equipped to assess your academic abilities.

Admissions Decisions

When will I hear back regarding my application? The Honors College finalizes admissions decisions during TU's winter minimester, and all decision letters are mailed out by February. All applicants receive a decision letter regardless of outcome. What do I need to do in order to accept an offer of admission to the Honors College? In order to accept admission into the Honors College, all you have to do is submit your official Towson University Enrollment Contract with deposit to University Admissions by May 1 (or the deadline listed in your TU admission letter). If you plan to live on campus, you must submit your housing request and deposit to the Department of Housing & Residence life by their spring deadline, posted on their housing application page .

I was not admitted to the Honors College. Can I appeal my decision?

The Honors College does not consider appeals. Every applicant who was not admitted through the admissions process has had their application file considered through an extensive and thorough holistic review, therefore no appeals are accepted. Entering the Honors College as a freshman is not your only option. We also accept applications from Towson University students who have 60 or fewer credits at the time of application.

Current Towson University students may apply to the Honors College if they have freshman or sophomore class standing—i.e., 60 or fewer credits—and have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher. Applicants are evaluated based upon their academic record, participation in leadership, extracurricular, and community service activities and a well-written application essay. The Honors College accepts applications from September 1 to November 15 of each year. TU students admitted through this process may join the Honors College for the ensuing spring semester and will receive most benefits of Honors status, although they will not receive a scholarship and most likely will not be able to move into Douglass House mid-year if they don’t already live there. However, they will be eligible to move into Douglass House for the next academic year if they currently live on campus.

College essay resources

How to write the pitt honors college application essays, school supplements.

UPDATE: The Pitt Honors College application essays have been updated for 2020-21.   Learn all about the changes!

To win admittance to the University of Pittsburgh Honors College, you'll have to respond to two short answer questions. Like the other Pitt essays ( check out our guide here ) the Pitt Honors essays are to the point, with a recommended length of 200-300 words. The prompts give you the perfect opportunity to display two traits that are essential for any Pitt Honors College student: contribution to the public good, and intellectual curiosity.

Let's start by looking at the Pitt Honors College application essay prompts!

In lieu of an essay or personal statement, we ask interested applicants to answer short answer questions. The Admissions Committee reviews responses for quality rather than length. However, the most effective responses typically range from 200-300 words per question. Responses that are longer or shorter are acceptable.

• An important emphasis of PittHonors is working for the public good. Please describe how you have worked for the public good in the past and how you expect to continue to do so as a student at the University of Pittsburgh and after graduation.
• A hallmark of students in PittHonors is intellectual curiosity. Please describe how you have demonstrated intellectual curiosity in the past and how you expect to manifest that intellectual curiosity as a student at the University of Pittsburgh.

Step One: Past Evidence

The key to both of the Pitt Honors application essay prompts is that phrase "in the past." This tells you that Pitt wants you to describe specific incidents from your life when you have demonstrated these key qualities. That is, don't just tell them you like to give back, and that you are passionate about learning, give them the evidence!

Try a brainstorming exercise to come up with ideas. Open up a new document, or grab a notebook, and write down as many answers as you can think of to the following questions.

Public Good : What's an issue that you care about? What have you done to raise awareness of that issue? Can you think of a time where you made one or more people’s lives better? What communities are you a part of (school, neighborhood, church, clubs, etc.)? How would they be different if you weren't there? What is something you frequently do that others in your community will miss when you are in college? What in your world wouldn't exist without you, or wouldn't be the same without you?

Intellectual Curiosity : What is a subject or topic you learn just for the fun of it? Describe a time you found yourself immersed in a topic. What did you learn? How did it change how you think about the world, yourself, or others? What was your favorite school project, and how did it inspire you or affect your plans for the future?How do you seek out additional learning outside school, whether it's through programs or independent learning? Are there any barriers you have overcome to gain knowledge? How did you overcome them?

Step Two: Future Plans

Both Pitt Honor essay prompts also ask you to look to the future. This is a perfect opportunity to connect your goals to specific resources at Pitt. This time, start with research. Browse the University of Pittsburgh website (paying particular attention to the Honors College section ) and use it to help answer the following questions.

Public Good : What's the problem in the world that you would most like to solve? How would a degree from Pitt (especially a BPhil from the Honors College) equip you to solve it? What classes (especially honors classes ) or academic resources would you use to prepare yourself? How would you utilize PittServes ? Are there any community service or advocacy organizations at Pitt that you want to join? How do they connect to work you've done in the past, or work you hope to do in the future?

Intellectual Curiosity : What are some specific classes or honors classes , inside or outside your major, that relate to the topic or project you want to discuss in your essay? If you were to apply for an Honors undergraduate fellowship , what project would you use it to fund? Are there any intriguing centers or institutes at Pitt that relate to the topic you want to discuss? Are there any specific professors that interest you, or Pitt grads working in the field you are passionate about?

Remember, these essays should work together! They can complement each other, or even cover the same passion, but you don't want to repeat your specific evidence between essays. Let's take a look at an example student's brainstorming list.

Public Good

• Past evidence
• Volunteering to teach self-expression through art at a camp for children dealing with grief.
• Future plans
• Advocate for art therapy in schools
• Seminar in Composition: Service Learning
• Community research project with a local outreach group for refugees

Intellectual Curiosity

• Art history project- drawing a portrait of mom in ten different historical styles
• Honors research fellowship in art history
• Internship with Collecting Knowledge Pittsburgh consortium
• Studio Arts option in History of Art and Architecture major

As you can see, both brainstorming lists cover the student's interest in art, but mention different resources at Pitt and tell different stories from the student's life.

Step Three: Put it all Together

When you sit down to write the Pitt Honors essays, keep the structure simple and straightforward. You don't have time to set the scene! Instead, begin by summarizing the biggest, most important takeaway from the story you are telling. For example:

• "When I decided to create a Monet-style picture of my mom for her birthday, I had no idea it would lead to a year-long, ten-painting project that would cover the entire history of European art."

Aim to spend two thirds of each essay on "past evidence" (that is, a story about something you've done that shows your contribution or intellectual curiosity) and one third on "future plans" (specific resources at Pitt that connect to your interests and motivations).

Remember, the most important part of writing the Pitt Honors application essays is finding the right topics, so don't skimp on the brainstorming and research. (If you need more help figuring out what to write about, sign up for a Prompt account to get access to our free brainstorming tools .) Happy writing!

{{cta('7b062d0b-a345-4fba-b122-23b12034e4b7')}}

Related Articles

How to Write Your Waitlist Essay

Cassandra Cloutier

Your Waitlist Essay (aka, Letter of Continued Interest) serve two primary purposes: (1) share new (or additional) information that will make you a more compelling candidate and (2) confirm your level of interest in the school.

The Simple “Why Us” Essay Strategy that Works

Brad Schiller

A successful Why Us essay indicates you’ll likely enroll if admitted and shows why you’re a good fit. Focus on how your academic interests match what the college offers.

How to Write Every Ross School of Business Essay for the University of Michigan

This guide will help you develop compelling topics for both Ross School of Business essay prompts.

• Become a Writing Coach
• Writing Center
• Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
• Sign Up for an Essay Coaching Package
• College Essay Feedback for High Schools
• Prompt for IECs

Length of Honors Essays?

I’m just wondering what the length of the Honors essays should be for Pitt. The website says nothing about this, and I tried googling but nobody else seems to have asked this same question. So, how long do you think they should be? Currently mine are 300-400 words, and I’m wondering if they should be longer. Thanks in advance.

I submitted my application around a week ago, and I’m 80% sure that it says on the top of the essay page that they prefer around 200-300 words. Mine was a little longer than 300 though.

That’s what it says for the normal college, not the honors college,

I think H2P said that the Honor’s essay should be a normal structured essay at 650 word length cap.

@coryindahouse there is no length limit but use our tips while you’re writing!

Pitt Honors Essay Tips: -Use the essays to tell us something your application, grades, and test scores cannot. -Don’t summarize or restate your accolades, activities, and awards; use this opportunity to provoke thought and engage your reader. -Proceed as if these essays are the most important factor in the Pitt Honors admissions process.

@hailtopitt1787 The honors college website indicates the average SAT is 1450 for honors students. May I ask whether you know if 1450 is the cutoff for honors. Should one with a lower SAT expect not to get in – maybe shouldn’t bother applying?

@sugaree20 that is an average so some students could have scored lower. The essays are really the chance for you to stand out!

@Sugaree20 Unless you have some other, incredible hook, you need an SAT score of at least 1450.

little worried now because I thought the honors essays were supposed to be the same length as the other ones so mine were between 200 and 300 words.

Quality essays are about content not length. In fact, many believe it’s much more difficult to write a compelling short essay (than a longer one). Editing is challenging.

An outstanding writer I know views it as valuable real estate. Make every word count. Editing is more than correcting sentence structure. It’s about discernment. Do the ideas matter? He judges every sentence with the “who cares” filter. Be brutually honest with yourself and don’t get married to any word, sentence, or thought. The final product will be far shorter than the original.

POPULAR STATES

Search sat scores, search act scores, search gpa’s, subscribe to our newsletter.

Stay informed with the latest from the CC community, delivered to you, for free.

CONNECT WITH US

© 2023 College Confidential, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Welcome to the Frederick Honors College!

We’re glad you’ve chosen to attend pitt and become part of the honors community..

Get to know us by exploring all the resources and opportunities available to you, explore summer opportunities, and  reach out to us  with any questions you have.

What's Next?

• If you haven’t already, set up and start checking your  Pitt email ! Your advisors will email you about how to get ready for fall at your Pitt email address - you don't want to miss your advisors' emails! 
• Interested first year FHC students may select the Honors Living Learning Community (LLC) in Sutherland Hall as their top preference. Remember, living in the Honors LLC is not a requirement. 
• You must complete the Honors LLC form through your Pitt housing application under the "LLC" section by June 1. 
• Take a virtual tour of Sutherland Hall.  
• If you have any questions about making your housing selection, please contact Panther Central at 412-648-1100. 

June & July 

The Frederick Honors College advising team will host a number of online information sessions in June and July. The team will talk about how to have a fantastic first year in the Honors College, why all Honors students should consider studying abroad, career opportunities for Honors students, opportunities in research for Honors students and more! You'll be able to ask questions during all of these sessions, as well as schedule one-on-one follow-up chats with your Honors advisor. Watch your Pitt email for upcoming details about these Honors information sessions.  

Stay tuned for more information about Frederick Honors Welcome Week events. 

Explore Honors Programs

• Honors Degree  
• Honors Outside the Classroom Curriculum (OCC )  
• Honors Research Opportunities  
• Bachelor of Philosophy Degree (BPhil)  

Learn More About Pittsburgh

• Visit Pittsburgh
• Explore opportunities throughout Pittsburgh  

Keep Informed

• Read our Student Blog  
• Follow us on Instagram
• Connect with us on LinkedIn  
• Like us on Facebook  
• Check out our Twitter