Applying to the Honors College

Application and Deadlines

The JMU Honors College requires a separate application. Completed applications must be received by these dates to be considered.

Incoming Students

Early Action (EA): November 8

Scholarship eligibility: After applying to both JMU (by Nov. 1) and the Honors College via EA (by Nov. 8), applicants must apply through Madison Scholarships Hub to be eligible for the Honors College Dingledine-Bluestone Scholarship and many university-level merit-based scholarships. Important note: Once a prospective student has applied to JMU and the Honors College, it will take 2-3 business days for the Honors College Dingledine-Bluestone scholarship application to open in Madison Scholarship Hub. Scholarship applications must be completed by November 15 to receive full consideration.

Regular Decision (RD): February 2

EA/RD decisions will be released in MyMadison 2 weeks after JMU Office of Admissions releases decisions.

Late applications may be submitted until May 2 with notification of status after May 15.

Please download and complete the Honors College application form and submit to honors-admissions@jmu.edu with "Incoming Student Application" in the email subject line.

Current JMU Students

January 12
For spring admission
May 15
For fall admission

To enquire about admission prior to these deadlines, contact Dr. Alysia Davis.

Please download and complete the Honors College application form and submit to honors-admissions@jmu.edu with "Current Student Application" in the email subject line.

Transfer Students

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis after notification of acceptance to JMU.

* Students in honors programs at select Virginia community colleges may transfer directly into the Honors College.

Please download and complete the Honors College application form and submit to honors-admissions@jmu.edu with "Transfer Student Application" in the email subject line.

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Application Criteria

Student are admitted on the basis of grades from previous and current institution(s) and the strength of their application essay.

Applicants typically have a cumulative unweighted GPA above 3.5 at all previous institutions.
Strong, well-written essay that demonstrates a coherent argument, appropriate word choices, and sufficiently addresses the question prompt.

In most cases, the minimum length of study required to complete the Honors curriculum at JMU is 5 semesters. Students who anticipate graduating in four semesters should explain in the optional "additional information" section of the application how they expect to complete their Honors coursework within their anticipated timeframe. It is always advised that you contact the Honors Advisor for assistance in planning and projecting your time to degree.

For more information on admissions to the Honors College, please contact honors@jmu.edu.

Transfer and current students may be eligible for second-year Honors housing in Shenandoah Hall or Apartments on Grace.

All transfer and current students admitted for the spring semester are required to do the following:

Make an advising appointment with the Honors College Academic Advisor.
Attend the Track II orientation workshop offered during their first semester.

Decisions

Incoming First Year Students

Decisions can be found in the Applicant Center in the MyMadison web portal.

Students must have applied to JMU by the stated deadline for Honors.
If an Honors early action applicant is deferred by the JMU Admissions Office, the Honors decision will be deferred to regular decision.

Decisions made by the Honors College have no bearing on decisions made by the JMU Office of Admissions.

Final admissions considerations by the Honors College are made AFTER Office of Admissions decisions have been released. The Honors College does not share admissions decisions with the JMU Office of Admissions.

Current JMU Students

Current students will be notified by email within 3 weeks of the application deadline. Students must declare the minor in MyMadison in order to be formally admitted.

Transfer Students

Transfer students will be notified by email and through their MyMadison accounts within 3 weeks of applying. Students must be accepted to JMU prior to submitting an Honors College application.

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