APPLICATION/SELECTION
Applications for the John E. Sallstrom Honors College are reviewed by an Honors Selection Committee. The committee considers academic achievement and potential, writing skills, evidence of intellectual curiosity, record of leadership and service, and special talents (e.g. artistic).
For international applicants, the preferred minimum high school academic core GPA is 3.50 as calculated by the Office of Admissions. The preferred minimum TOEFL score is 88.
For domestic applicants, the preferred minimum high school academic core GPA is 3.50 as calculated by the Office of Admissions. The preferred standardized test minimum is 1260 SAT total (Evidence Based Reading and Writing + Math) or 27 ACT Composite. In recent years, the average GPA of incoming first-year students has been about 3.80, the average SAT superscore has been about 1300, and the average ACT superscore about 29.
The Honors Selection Committee reviews all applications holistically. The deadline to submit an application for the Honors College is February 15 for fall 2025.
Applications will be reviewed on a monthly basis, starting in October and ending in February.
If your GCSU and Honors College applications are complete and ready for review by:
- October 15, a decision will be made by late November;
- November 15, a decision will be made by late December;
- December 15, a decision will be made by late January;
- January 15, a decision will be made by late February;
- February 15, a decision will be made by late March.
NOTE: (1) President’s Scholarship Competition attendees and students applying during the Early Action cycle with a high school academic core GPA of 4.0 (as calculated by the Office of Admissions) and 1330+ SAT or 30+ ACT will be considered for the Honors College without having to submit a separate Honors application. (2) Students admitted to the Honors College must submit their Georgia College confirmation deposit to secure their spot in the Honors College. For fall 2025, 150 slots are available. Students who deposit after all 150 slots have been filled will be placed on a wait list. (3) Bell Hall, the residence hall where incoming Honors students are encouraged to reside, tends to fill up by mid-March.
Transfer Students
Transfer students with a collegiate GPA of 3.50 or above are welcome to apply to the Honors College. Students transferring with fewer than 30 credit hours must also meet Georgia College’s high school graduation criteria.
Collegiate Entry for currently enrolled students
Currently enrolled students with an institutional GPA of 3.50 or above may also apply to the Honors College at the end of their first semester on campus.
As with all applicants, collegiate entry student applications are reviewed holistically. The committee considers academic achievement and potential, writing skills, evidence of intellectual curiosity, record of leadership and service, and special talents (e.g. artistic). Collegiate entry applicants should electronically submit a statement (500-600 words) explaining, in specific terms, how two-to-three aspects of the Honors College might help you to achieve your long-term goals. Applicants should also submit a resume, an official academic transcript, and a letter of recommendation from a faculty member (sent as a PDF attachment) to honors@gcsu.edu.