University Honors Application
Due to a record number of applications for Fall 2025, all applications to our University Honors Program will be placed on a waitlist. As seats open throughout the spring and summer, we will admit students from the waitlist based on application submission date and VIP applicant credentials.
For First-Year students with more than 30 college credits, transfer students, or current UNLV students: the application for our Service Learning Honors Program is still open!
The University Honors program (UH) delivers the comprehensive Honors College experience to students from any major throughout all of their undergraduate years. UH students complete our innovative Honors core curriculum – an exclusive array of advanced, thought-provoking courses – in place of UNLV’s standard general education requirements.
Before You Apply
- All students must first apply to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and receive an NSHE ID (UNLV Student Number) before they apply to University Honors.
- Review the admission requirements below based on your student status and prepare documents accordingly to submit with your application.
First-Year Freshmen Applicants
Any interested student may apply for University Honors, however we find that students that hold an unweighted GPA of 3.7 or higher perform well in our advanced curriculum.
VIP Applicants
VIP applicants - including National Merit Semifinalists, Valedictorians, and students with an unweighted high school GPA that is 3.7 or higher - are eligible for automatic admission to the Honors College upon submission of the requested documents below with their application. We use ACT and SAT scores to determine the English and Math placement levels for admitted students.
Requested Documents for VIP Applicants
- Unofficial High School Transcripts (required for all applicants)
- Unofficial ACT/SAT/AP/IB Test Scores (if applicable)
- Unofficial College Transcripts (only if you have college credits)
All Other Applicants
For students with an unweighted high school GPA range between 3.5-3.69, we require submission of all the documents listed below in order to further review your application for admission to the Honors College.
Requested Documents for All Other Applicants
- Unofficial High School Transcripts (required for all applicants)
- Unofficial ACT/SAT/AP/IB Test Scores
- Unofficial College Transcripts (only if you have college credits)
- Two Essays (prompts found within the UH Application)
- Resume
- One Letter of Recommendation (see notes within the UH Application)
For students with an unweighted high school GPA that is less than 3.5, we may require further documentation or other items (such as an interview) in addition to all the documents listed above.
Scholarships
Incoming freshmen who are accepted by UNLV and the Honors College by November 15 will be given priority consideration for Honors College Scholarships. Funding for Honors College Scholarships is limited, and selection is determined by donor criteria. Many prospective Honors College students are also eligible for Academic and Need-Based Scholarships offered by UNLV.
External Transfer and Current UNLV Students
If you are transferring to UNLV and the Honors College from another university/college OR you are a current UNLV student, the Honors College requires a cumulative university GPA of 3.5 or higher.
For External Transfer applicants, this GPA is determined by calculating grade points based on the credits that are transferable to UNLV, not the sum total of all grade points from your transcripts.
Requested Documents - External Transfers
- Unofficial College Transcripts (required with this application)
- Letter of Recommendation (Faculty)
- C.V.
- Sample of Academic Writing
- Essay (prompt found within the UH Application)
Requested Documents - Current UNLV Students
(First-time applicants only)
- C.V.
- Essay (prompt found within the UH Application)
International Applicants
International applicants must apply as one of the above types (First-Year Freshman, External Transfer, or Current UNLV Student) with two additional requirements:
- TOEFL, ILETS, PTE or MTELP Scores (required )
- Online Interview (scheduled after complete application submission)
Submitting Your Application
If you do not have all required documents at the time of application submission, you may send the outstanding documents to honors.admissions@unlv.edu.
Allotting Yourself Time
Applications typically take 10-30 minutes to complete, depending upon your type of application.
Fee
There is no fee associated with this application.