FAQ

Yes. We only invite students who have been admitted to UCR and meet our eligibility requirements. If you have questions about your UCR admission, UC-calculated GPA, or high-school transcripts, please contact Undergraduate Admissions.

Yes you can! Applying to University Honors doesn't commit you to UCR. However, to accept an offer of admission to Honors, you must first accept your admission to UCR by submitting your Statement of Intent to Register (SIR).

Admission to University Honors is selective, with invitations extended to high-achieving students who meet the eligibility criteria. Not all applicants will be admitted. Applications are reviewed holistically to assess academic excellence, leadership, and engagement.

No. You will need to contact the honors program at your chosen UC campus to learn about their admission process.

Yes. Current UCR students with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher by the end of winter quarter will be invited to apply. If accepted, they would join the program as second-year students in the following fall. Students may also be able to apply during the spring quarter of their second year to join as a third-year student.

Current first-year and second-year UCR students with a cumulative UCR GPA of 3.5 or higher at the end of winter quarter may be invited to apply for fall entry. Students in their third year or beyond should contact University Honors if they can complete at least two full academic years in the program.

Winter transfer students, and fall transfer students who did not apply before entering UCR, may request consideration during spring quarter after earning a UCR GPA above 3.50 and confirming two full academic years remaining with an academic advisor.

Use the deadline in your invitation email. The normal review periods are the first week of March through May for incoming first-year students, the first week of April through mid-May for rising UCR students, and the first week of April through mid-June for incoming transfers. Late applications will not be considered.

Invitations are sent based on GPA data provided by the University of California. If you believe you should have received an invitation but did not, please contact us at honors@ucr.edu.

University Honors offers priority course registration, smaller class sizes, faculty mentorship, opportunities for research and creative projects, and a vibrant honors community. Additionally, graduates receive special recognition at commencement and on their transcripts.

No, an interview is not required as part of the application process. However, students may be asked to provide additional information if needed.

The application typically includes short essay questions, extracurricular involvement, and a statement of interest in University Honors.

No, there are no additional tuition or program fees for participating in University Honors.

Yes, incoming first-year University Honors students may be eligible for an Honors Living-Learning Community. Housing  placement, roommate assignment, and availability are managed by UCR Housing Services and are not guaranteed by University Honors.

First-Year Honors students are not required to live on campus, but if you decide to, you will be required to live at the Honors Living-Learning Community in Pentland Hills. The University Honors Living-Learning Community in Glen Mor is optional for second-year, third-year, fourth-year, and Incoming Transfer University Honors students. 

Yes. HNPG002W is a University Honors requirement that all second-year Honors students must complete. While the course also fulfills the University's WRIT030 requirement for students who have not yet completed it, it does not replace or duplicate credit for those who have already satisfied that requirement.

No, HNPG002W is a required course for second-year Honors students and is only offered in the fall quarter. If you are not eligible for or do not enroll in HNPG002W, your admission to the Honors program will be rescinded.

New students will receive priority registration starting in the winter quarter of their first year in the program. Please note that priority registration time tickets are set before your acceptance into University Honors, and your status will not be updated in the system until summer.

Current UCR students can register for required Honors courses during the fall quarter second-pass registration period. New first-year and transfer students can register for their courses during their advising session at Highlander Orientation.  

No, the Honors LLC in Pentland Hills is exclusively for University Honors students.

Yes. We support students on accelerated academic paths and will work with you to adjust your requirements. This requires confirmation from your academic advisor.

If you no longer wish to participate in the Honors Program, please notify us via email. We are happy to discuss your decision and next steps with you.