Admission Requirements

Admission to University Honors is dependent on grade point average, as calculated by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions for first-year and transfer applicants, application essays, demonstrated leadership, and academic integrity. The Faculty Admissions Committee reviews all applications for critical thinking and writing skills. Current UCR students applying to University Honors must be in good standing with the Office of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity Programs. Listed below is a summary of the University Honors admission criteria for each entry portal. For questions and more information, please visit the FAQ page.

Students who meet the GPA requirement for University Honors will receive an invitation to apply, via email, during the application periods noted below. Should you meet the GPA requirement and not receive an invitation to apply, please contact honors@ucr.edu.

Effective for fall 2020, students who are in their third year, or beyond, but can still commit to at least two full academic years in University Honors, may still be eligible to apply. Please contact honors@ucr.edu for more information if this situation pertains to you.

Entry Portal Requirements Application Period Additional Admissions Criteria
Incoming Freshman Students
  1. 3.80 UC Calculated GPA
  2. Satisfaction of Entry Level Writing Requirement, and eligibility to register for ENGL004 fall quarter
Early-March to Mid-March

Excellent High School Record of:

  1. Scholarship
  2. Leadership
  3. Community Involvement

Rising Second-Year

UCR Students

  1. 3.50 Cumulative UCR GPA
  2. Completion of ENGL001B with a grade of "C" or better, and eligibility to register for HNPG002W fall quarter
Early-April to Mid-April

Excellent UCR Record of:

  1. Scholarship
  2. Leadership
  3. Community Involvement

Rising Third-Year

UCR Students

  1. 3.50 Cumulative UCR GPA
  2. Completion of ENGL001C, or equivalent Writing Across the Curriculum course, with a grade of "C" or better by fall quarter
  3. Two or more years remaining at UCR
Early-April to Mid-April

Excellent UCR Record of:

  1. Scholarship
  2. Leadership
  3. Community Involvement
  4. Interest in Pursuit of Undergraduate Research or Creative Activity
Incoming Transfer Students
  1. 3.25 UC Calculated GPA
  2. Completion of ENGL001C, or equivalent, by the quarter of admission
  3. Two or more years remaining at UCR
Early-April to Early-June

Excellent Transfer Institution Record of:

  1. Scholarship
  2. Leadership
  3. Community Involvement
  4. Interest in Pursuit of Undergraduate Research or Creative Activity