Please use the online application form available here. You will be asked to submit an essay online and to provide information about class rank, GPA, SAT or ACT scores. You are encouraged to send supplementary materials, including a letter of academic support from an instructor or teacher attesting to your academic abilities, as well as sample projects or other evidence of past accomplishment (for example, research papers, videos of performances, samples of creative work, transcripts etc.). All supplementary materials should be emailed to perryhonorscollege@odu.edu with "Supplementary Admission Materials for [student's name]".
The typical high school student applying to the Perry Honors College ranks in the top 10% of his/her graduating class, has at least 1200 SAT combined math and verbal score, or a 27 on the ACT Composite, and 3.5 or greater high school GPA. Transfer and ODU continuing students must have at least a 3.5 college GPA. Students seeking an honors experience are typically accomplished in several areas, so applicants are strongly encouraged to provide supplementary materials that reflect their interests, abilities, and strengths. Examples: videos/recordings of musical/dramatic/dance performances, samples of art work, designs for inventions/constructions/apps, research papers, publications, samples of creative writing, recommendations from civic leaders describing the impact of the student's civic engagement, recommendations from research mentors, etc..
The priority deadline is Feb. 1 for the fall semester, November 1 for the spring. However, we accept applications year round and the admissions process is on-going. As we have limited spots, we do utilize a wait list, which is usually started in the middle of February.
It does not matter if your GPA is weighted or unweighted.
All correspondence, including acceptance or denial letters, from the Perry Honors College will be done through email. For current ODU students, all correspondence will go to your ODU email account. For transfer and incoming first-year students, the email will be sent to the email address on your application.
Starting February 15, decisions for the fall are sent to students on a bi-weekly basis. Decisions for the spring semester are made after fall grades have been submitted (late December).
You will need to apply to the Honors College Living Learning Community. You will select Honors housing as a preference when you apply for university housing using the online application available on the webpage for the Office of Housing and Residential Life.
Note: Only students who have been accepted into the Perry Honors College and who have completed the signed acceptance form can be assigned according to the date the housing application and deposit are received online by the Office of Housing and Residential Life.
The "Test Optional" program allows high school students with at least a 3.3 GPA in a rigorous, college-preparatory curriculum seeking first-time entry to the university the option to be considered for admission without regard to SAT or ACT results. The PHC application will not invite you to include SAT or ACT scores.
Not necessarily. Honors instructors have been challenged to make courses more enriching. Significant reductions in class size allow for more interaction with faculty and among students; collaborative projects, civic learning, and research-based activities are encouraged.
Not necessarily. Honors courses tend to be faster paced and more intellectually challenging, but they should not require significantly more time than non-Honors courses.
Yes and No.
The general education requirements for Honors students are the same as for other students; the only difference is that Honors College students are required to use at least four Honors courses to meet these requirements.
Honors College students will also transform two upper-level courses (often required in their major) into "Honors Contract Courses." These courses provide planned opportunities for the student to meet with the instructor to review, discuss, and revise the Honors course assignments/components, which are often done as an alternative to some or all of the regular course assignments.
In addition, Honors College students are required to complete a one-credit civic learning project (HNRS 387) in order to enhance their academic portfolio in preparation for graduate school or a profession. If the tuition for HNRS 387 is not already covered by a scholarship, the Honors College will cover the tuition costs for these two classes.
No. The Honors College acceptance form is not binding. We use that form to estimate how many people may be in the Perry Honors College any given year. Also, acceptance to the Honors College does not confirm enrollment at ODU; the Office of Admissions must be contacted to confirm enrollment. You can always cancel your Honors acceptance with us by emailing us at perryhonorscollege@odu.edu or calling 757-683-4865.
For any other questions, please email us at perryhonorscollege@odu.edu or call 757-683-4865.