The Honors College welcomes applications from incoming first-year students, current JMU students, and incoming transfer students. The College seeks students interested in building a community of students, faculty, and staff united by their commitments to reach their full potential, learn with and from those around them, and address local, national, and global challenges.
The most important component of the Honors application are two student essays. For first-year and transfer applicants, the Honors Admissions Committee also reviews information on high school and college academic performance that students submit as part of their application to JMU. The Honors Admissions Committee reviews JMU grades for current JMU student applicants.
Honors College Application Information
We are excited to learn more about you! As part of the application process, applicants must respond to two short essay prompts. These essays are an opportunity for you to share how Honors education can align with your plans.
Responses must be between 900 and 1,400 characters. We will evaluate your essays for responsiveness to the prompt, originality, specificity, and writing quality.
Essay Prompts
- What does your ideal college experience look like? In what ways do you hope the JMU Honors College will help you achieve that vision?
- Of the values listed below, which one matters most to you. Why?
|
Achievement |
Diligence |
Hope |
Peace |
Direct Admission for Honors Transfers
Direct Admission allows JMU-admitted transfer students meeting certain criteria to join the Honors College without going through the standard application.
Elibigility
To be eligible for Direct Admission to the JMU Honors College, transfer students must:
- Be admitted to JMU.
- Complete one year of courses (minimum of 24 credit hours) at another institution of higher education (these credits must be completed post-high school graduation).
- Complete at least 9 credits of Honors coursework at their previous institution.
- Present a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 (4.0 scale) upon application to JMU. If a student has attended multiple institutions, they must have earned a minimum GPA of 3.5 (4.0 scale) at all previous institutions.
Additional Terms
- The JMU Honors College may recognize up to 12 Honors credits completed at another institution as Honors Electives at JMU.
- Students who are not eligible for Direct Admission to the Honors College may still apply through the standard process.
If you would like to be admitted to the Honors College under this policy, please DO NOT submit the standard application; instead, reach out to the Associate Dean of the Honors College, Dr. Allison Fagan.
Deadlines and Decisions
Deadlines and decision releases vary depending on your applicant type.
This application is for students who have not yet matriculated to JMU; to join the Honors College after matriculating, please refer to the Current Students process.
Fall 2026: Honors Early Action
- Early Application deadline: November 8
- Decisions released: Mid-Janaury
- If an Honors EA applicant is deferred to Regular Decision by the JMU Admissions Office, the Honors decision will also be deferred to Regular Decision
To be considered for the Dingledine-Bluestone Scholarship, students must apply Early Action to both JMU and the Honors College, and complete the Dingledine-Bluestone Scholarship through Madison Scholarships Hub by November 15.
Fall 2026: Honors Regular Decision
- Regular Application deadline: January 22
- Decisions released: Early April
Applications for incoming transfer students are accepted on a rolling basis.
- We will not act on your Honors application until you have been admitted to JMU.
- If you have been admitted to JMU, you can expect an Honors Admissions decision within one month of the submission of your application.
Applications for current JMU students are accepted on a rolling basis.
- If you have completed at least one full semester at JMU, you can expect an Honors Admissions decision within one month of submission of your application.
- If you are in your first semester at JMU, we will not act on your Honors application until mid-term grades are available.
Mon - Fri: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
