Honors Program Admission
- Admissions for Incoming Students
- Admissions for Current Students
The Meredith College Honors Program offers the intellectually gifted and ambitious student some special opportunities to develop academically to her full potential. Each year, approximately 25-30 entering students are invited to participate in the Honors Program. A few additional students with outstanding academic performance in their first semester at Meredith are invited to join the program at the beginning of their second semester. Interested students (including transfer and 23+ students) are invited to express their interest to the Honors director. The honors curriculum spans the four-year undergraduate experience and is well integrated into the whole of the academic program.
A student is expected to take honors work each year. She would typically take two to three honors classes during the freshman year, including the honors writing course, an honors lab science, and an honors elective. Retention in the program requires that the student maintain a minimum overall grade point average of 3.25; failing that, she must receive permission from the Honors Committee to continue in the program.
Incoming Freshman Honors Admissions
Baseline criteria for freshman admission to the honors program include an SAT of 1200 (or 27 ACT), an unweighted academic GPA of 3.75, and inclusion in the top ten percent of the graduating class. Profile data for admitted students reflect a generally higher standard for students who are actually admitted to the program. However, it is the intent of the Honors admissions committee to “cast a wide net” in search of exceptional students, and then to weigh the additional criteria delineated below in making final decisions.
Students meeting baseline criteria are invited to apply for admission to the Honors Program by submitting a co-curricular resume and an application essay. Honors applicants who meet the baseline criteria and show promise in the areas listed below are then invited for an on-campus interview. Application essays are reviewed by the Honors Program Director and another faculty member. Interviews are conducted by student/faculty teams. Final decisions on Honors admission are made by the Honors Director.
Criteria for evaluation of applications include the following:
- Strength of academic record
- Number of Honors/AP/IB classes and performance in these classes
- Strength of senior year courses and performance
- More specific testing information including SAT (verbal and math only)/ACT subscores; End of course tests (EOCs); AP exam scores; SAT II (when available)
- Essay or writing sample
- Academic honors and awards
- National honors (e.g, NHS, National Merit finalists)
- State and other honors (Governor’s school, Park nominee, Morehead nominee)
- Leaderships positions in school, church, community and other
- References (teachers, counselors, alumnae)
- How each student fits within the honors pool
Presidential Scholars and Alumnae Legacy Scholars Admissions
The Presidential Scholarship and Alumnae Legacy Scholarship are comprehensive scholarships that represent the top tier of Honors Students. The selection of these highly competitive and prestigious awards is based on exceptional academic achievement, intellectual promise, and leadership ability. Prospective Presidential and Alumnae Legacy scholars are selected from the pool of Honors Program applicants. These students are not only stronger in academics but also in leadership and community involvement. The Director of the Honors Program and the Director of Admissions narrow the applicant pool and provide the College President with detailed information concerning each of the students on the short list. Invitations to interview with the President will be issued no later than Scholarship Weekend. The President will interview those nominees individually during Scholarship Weekend
(in the event that a candidate for the Scholarship is unavailable during this weekend, an alternate time will be arranged for an interview). The final decision with regard to the awarding of Presidential Scholarships is made by the College President.
> Application for Incoming Students
Honors Admissions for Current Students
Most Honors students are admitted as incoming freshmen. However, a small number of talented and motivated students are accepted to the program at mid-year. We invite and encourage applications from current Meredith students who meet the following requirements: Completion of a minimum of 15 credit hours at Meredith (inclusive of the current semester) and with at least 60 hours remaining until graduation. A strong academic track record. This would typically include: Outstanding Meredith GPA (most students admitted at mid-year are above 3.85); a challenging course selection; a consistent record of academic and/or personal challenge and accomplishment prior to attending Meredith; and motivation and desire to participate fully in the Honors Program. We are looking for individuals who will both benefit from and contribute to the community of scholars that form the Honors Program.
> Application for Current Students
