Frequently Asked Questions

The main difference between Honors and Scholars is that the University Honors Program offers a primarily curricular experience, and the Ohio State Scholars Program offers a primarily co-curricular experience. The decision of which program is better for you will typically come down to your personal preference. Consider the following when making your decision:  

• The Honors Program is primarily a curricular experience. Honors students are required to take at least 18 hours of honors quality courses and pursue undergraduate research, culminating their academic experience in a thesis or other capstone experience. Honors students must maintain at least a 3.4 GPA (Business and Pharmacy require a 3.5). Interested students should have a desire to pursue a more rigorous curriculum and have a strong interest in conducting research during their undergraduate career. 
   
• The Scholars Program focuses mostly on experiential learning outside of the classroom. Students select which of 16 unique Scholars Program themes they would like to apply for, which will guide their experience. Scholars students participate in a required residential community and participate in experiences based around their program theme including a seminar course, social events, service experiences, and career preparation. Scholars students must maintain a 3.0 GPA and should be passionate about the theme of a specific Scholars program and desire a small, close-knit community. 

Incoming first-year students cannot enroll in both the Honors Program and the Scholars Program in their first semester. Upon applying to the university, you will be asked to specify which of these two programs you would like to be considered for admission.  

Please note that your only opportunity to join the Ohio State Scholars Program is as an incoming freshman.  

After meeting the minimum Honors GPA requirement for your college of enrollment (typically a 3.4, or 3.5 if Business or Pharmacy student) and completing at least 12 credit hours, you can apply to be a part of the Honors Program. Therefore, Scholars students who meet Honors Program criteria after being on campus for at least one semester may apply to the Honors Program directly through their college of enrollment and participate in both programs at that time. 

Students should consult their college of enrollment for instructions and requirements for joining the Honors Program.  

No, unfortunately our Scholars programs are only open to new first-year students starting at Ohio State on the Columbus campus during fall semester. 

No, there are not any additional fees associated with being in the Honors Program or any of the Scholars Programs. 

Both the University Honors Program and Ohio State Scholars Programs are “opt-out” programs. A prospective student accepts their offer simply by paying their acceptance fee to the university. Once this fee is paid, no other action is required and the prospective student is officially enrolled in Honors or Scholars. 

Both the University Honors Program and Ohio State Scholars Programs are “opt-out” programs. A prospective student can decline their offer by viewing their offer letter email and pressing the decline/reject button at the bottom of the email.

The Honors Program and Scholars Program each have a competitive holistic review process. Accepted students typically have: 

• Strong academic records - This category includes the academic/quantitative components of the applicant's file including class rank (GPA), standardized test scores (if they want those considered), and college prep curriculum. The student took full advantage of the academic opportunities (e.g., AP, IB, PSEO, etc.) available at their high school.  The student has impressive test scores and class rank. 
• ​​Extracurricular and/or work experience - ​This category includes the applicant's extracurricular involvement, honors/awards, and work experiences at the time of entry to the university. The student demonstrates dedicated, sustained involvement and leadership roles. The supporting activities essay conveys positive attributes (e.g., creativity, dedication, initiative, leadership, etc.).  The student has received unique recognition above and beyond traditional awards.          
• ​​CommonApp Essay Response​​​​​s - This category includes the applicant's ability to demonstrate strong analytical and critical thinking skills. The student expresses creativity and willingness to think beyond traditional structures. The essay causes the reader to think and reflect on the topic. The student is able to organize and articulate their thoughts. The essay is free of grammatical errors and is written in a clear and concise manner.​ 
• ​​​Other Attributes - This category includes the applicant's skills/abilities, and personal/professional characteristics at time of entry to the university. Some examples of personal and professional characteristics include resiliency, integrity, adaptability, persistence, motivation, and intellectual curiosity. 

No, while there are some scholarship opportunities specific to Honors and/or Scholars students, an offer of enrollment in one of these programs does not reflect any decision regarding merit or other scholarships. More information on merit Scholarships can be viewed at httpundergrad.osu.edu/cost-and-aid/merit-based-Scholarships. The Ohio State University Honors and Scholars Center and Office of Academic Enrichment do not oversee merit scholarships.

There is not a minimum set of requirements to be considered for either program. We highly encourage all academically motivated students to learn more about our programs and to submit an application. 

If you are admitted to The Ohio State University Columbus campus and indicated an interest in the Honors Program or Scholars Program on your university application, you will move on to a competitive holistic review process. 

• Decisions regarding acceptance into the University Honors or Ohio State Scholars Program will be sent via email to your address on file with the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. 
• We send notifications on a rolling basis beginning in mid-January and ending in April. 
• If selected, you will only be offered placement in one of our programs. 
• Please be sure to follow all instructions for further action, failure to complete required steps may forfeit your placement. 
• If you are offered placement into one of our programs, additional steps are needed.​ 

If you are offered placement into the Honors Program: 

• ​You will be given Honors affiliation within one week of paying your acceptance fee to The Ohio State University. 
• The deadline to submit the university acceptance fee is May 1. 

 If you are offered to move further in the Scholars Program process: 

• You will be instructed to complete an online Scholars Program Interest Form. 
• You will be asked to rank your interest in our 16 Scholars Programs.  
• Failure to complete the Scholars Program Interest Form by the indicated date will forfeit your chance for participating in Scholars.  
• Once you have completed the interest form, you will be notified if you have been accepted into an individual Scholars program placement no later than mid April. 
• You will be awarded your individual Scholars affiliation within one week of paying your acceptance fee to The Ohio State University.  
• The deadline to submit the university acceptance fee is May 1.  

Please Note: 
Selection for Honors and Scholars is competitive and placement is not decided or guaranteed based solely off of your academic record. 

• If selected, you will only be offered acceptance into one of our programs. 
• All official communication from the Honors and Scholars Center will be sent via email. Notifications will not be mailed to your home address. 

All autumn semester Columbus campus applicants are welcome to apply to the Honors Program or the Scholars Program. Accepted students typically have impressive academic records; quality essays demonstrating strong analytical and critical thinking skills; sustained extra-curricular involvement and leadership abilities; and unique talents and/or aptitudes. 

• Step One: Apply for admission to Ohio State by November 1.  Note that the application and all required materials (application fee, test scores, transcripts, etc.) are due by the deadline. Visit apply.osu.edu for more information. 
• Step Two: Indicate your interest in being considered for the Honors or Scholars Programs on the university application. Select which of the two general programs you'd like to be considered. 
• Step Three: If you are admitted to the Ohio State University Columbus campus and indicated an interest in the Honors and Scholars Programs on your Common Application, you will move on to a competitive holistic review process. 
  • ​Decisions regarding acceptance into the University Honors or Ohio State Scholars Program will be sent via email to your address on file with the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. 
  • We send notifications on a rolling basis beginning in mid-January and ending mid-April. 
  • If selected, you will only be offered placement in one of our programs. 
  • Please be sure to follow all instructions for further action; failure to complete required steps may forfeit your placement.

Honors Housing is optional for incoming Honors students. Honors Housing offers some benefits in providing access to programs and activities designed specifically for Honors students, but Honors students living in other residence halls will have access to these opportunities even if they do not live in one of our designated halls.The Honors residence halls are Bradley, Lincoln, and Taylor. 

At this time, our roommate policy for Honors Housing is under review. More details will be released in spring about roommates in Honors Housing.  

Regardless of your major or college or enrollment, the honors standards are the same for every Honors student. However, different college or specialized honors programs may have different opportunities or required coursework to meet the standards. Please visit our college or specialized honors programs page to learn more.  

There are many benefits students enjoy as a part of being a part of the Honors Program. These include but are not limited to:  

• Over 350 sections of Honors courses led by Ohio State’s world-class faculty, often with a more rigorous or faster-paced curriculum, averaging fewer than 25 students per class. 
• Access to a specialized Honors advisor in your college. 
• University-level priority course scheduling, to assist you in arranging your honors courses and research requirements with your major course schedule.  
• Graduate “with Honors” and/or “with Honors Research Distinction” on your diploma. 
• Opportunity to live in one of our Honors residential communities, with access to programs and activities designed specifically for Honors students.  

Yes, Scholars students are required to live in their designated residence hall during their first year unless they are a commuter student or student with an approved housing exception. The residential living component is an important part of our Scholars Program activities. Scholars students will be matched with roommates from their Scholars Program and will not be able to bring in non-Scholars roommates. 

In order to be correctly placed with your Scholars program, you must complete your residence hall contract and submit your housing fee by the deadline. Housing assignments are made based upon the date when students submit their residence hall contracts online. Depending upon demand for Scholars housing, it is possible for it to reach capacity. Therefore, Scholars housing is not guaranteed. While contracts submitted after the deadline will still be accepted, housing will be unable to accommodate these late submissions with their Scholars cohort.  

No, you can be enrolled in any major and apply to be a part of any of our 16 Scholars programs. We encourage students to pursue a theme they are passionate about, regardless of their major.  

There are many benefits students enjoy as a part of being a part of the Scholars Program. These include but are not limited to:  

• Choice of 16 Scholars Programs offering themed experiences for students outside of the classroom including social, service, and career opportunities.  
• Live with your fellow Scholars cohort members in a designated residence hall as a part of your Scholars Living Learning Community.  
• Take a first-year seminar course with your Scholars cohort all about your program theme and how to make the most of your Scholars experience.  
• Have opportunities to network with your peers and be involved as a part of your Scholars Leadership Council.  ​​​​
• Have access to your Scholars Program Manager, the staff member leading your Scholars Program and serving as an expert in your respective Scholars theme.  
• Receive college-level priority course scheduling to meet Scholars participation requirements. 
• Graduate with a Milestone: “completed Ohio State Scholars Program” on your university transcript.​ 

No. There is a separate application process for the Stamps Eminence Scholarship Program. Decisions on admission to each program will be rendered separately.

Yes. All students that receive the Stamps Eminence Scholarship must be Honors students. If a student has applied for the Ohio State Scholars program and the Stamp Eminence Scholarship Program and is selected as a finalist for the Stamps Eminence program, they will be moved into the Honors program.

The link and information regarding the Stamps Eminence Scholarship Program application details, deadline, and instructions can be found here.

No, only U.S. citizens and permanent residents are eligible to apply.

Yes, our front desk staff at the University Honors and Scholars Center is staffed by our own Honors and Scholars students. Prospective students can call our office at 614-292-3135 during our regular office hours and speak to one of our student office employees. You can also email us at honors-scholars@osu.edu to have your questions answered by one of our student office employees or staff member best equipped to answer your inquiry.

Honors-specific dates for orientation can all be viewed at orientation.osu.edu. If a prospective student hasn’t received a decision from our office yet and needs to schedule an orientation, we recommend that they schedule a general orientation date. If you are admitted to the University Honors Program after scheduling your orientation date, please call or email University Orientation to change orientation dates to one for your respective program of admission. Our office cannot change orientation dates nor do we set them. Scholars students schedule and attend general orientation dates based on their major. 

Yes, many MSP recipients take part in our Honors and Scholars Programs. Students can also participate in the ODI Scholars Program run through the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and belong to University Honors Program or one of our 16 Scholars Programs. If you are part of the Scholars Program, you have to live in your Scholars cohort rather than MSP housing.