Skip to main content

Information about the Honors College Program

Learn more about Applying, Overnight Orientation, Priority Enrollment and so much more provided by being in the Honors College here at Pittsburg State University.

Apply Now!

Information for Incoming Freshman

The online application must be completed and received by January 15 to ensure consideration for the applicant in the Freshmen Honors College Class.

Learn More about all that the Honors College Provides!

What would you like to view?
incoming-freshman 960w

Detailed Application & Interview Process

Application Proccess

The Freshman Honors College application includes the following:

  • Completed Online Application Form which includes:
    • An official copy of your transcript (This is a separate process from Admission to the University) uploaded by your counselor
    • Reference forms completed by a school administrator/community member and a teacher uploaded by the reference writers
    • One Personal Essay uploaded in the online application
    • Official verification of ACT score either on official transcript or photocopied from ACT results material and uploaded in the online application
  • NOTE: The online application must be completed and received by January 15 to ensure consideration for the applicant in the Freshmen Honors College Class. Applications received after January 15 will not be considered for review by the selection committee.

Evaluation Process Info

Once the scores are collected from each committee member, a matrix will be created, scores averaged, and a line drawn at the top 44 applicants. These are the applicants who will be invited to campus for On-Campus Interviews. The interview will be evaluated on a 45-point rubric with points as follows: Fluency of Response, Depth of Response, Non-Verbal Communication, Perceived Attributes, and Overall Suitability for the Program.

Once the scores are collected from each Interview Panel Member, an average will be calculated and these points added to the original 100 points. A line will be drawn at the top 30 applicants and those are the students who will be invited to the Honors College. The remaining 14 students will be kept in a holding pool and moved up should someone in the top 30 not accept their invitation.


Requirements and Admission to the Honors College

The requirements to apply for and to be admitted to the PSU Honors College are as follows:

Students graduating from an accredited high school:

  • Either a superscore of 28 or higher on ACT or a 3.85 unweighted GPA
  • Meet all admission requirements as determined by the PSU Office of Admissions

International students:

  • Either a superscore of 28 or higher on ACT or a 3.85 unweighted GPA
  • Minimum TOEFL Score of 68 (Internet based); AND
  • Recommendation from the PSU International Program and Services

On-Campus Interview Information

Invitations for on-campus interviews will be extended the first week of February if not before. Interviews will typically be held on the second or third Sunday in February. Students will be placed in two cohorts on that day, with the first group reporting to campus at 12:00 noon and the second group at 2:30pm.

After a brief introductory session, students will proceed to one of four interview rooms where they will meet with an interview team consisting of members of the selection committee, current students in the Honors College, and an alumnus of the Honors College. Each interview will last approximately 20 minutes and each applicant will be asked the same set of questions. Following the interview process, the scores will be added to the matrix, it will be recalculated, and the top 30 students will receive invitations to become members of the PSU Honors College for the fall.

The on-campus interview is required for any student who desires to be a part of the Honors College program. For those individuals who live a great distance from PSU or who might have conflicts with making the trip to campus, a Zoom meeting will be set up in order to conduct the interview. All Zoom connections must be video in format. It will be the applicant's responsibility to have the necessary computer technology in their possession to facilitate the interview. All Zoom interviews must be established well in advance of the interview day to ensure scheduling coordination.

Overnight Orientation

Members of the Honors College have many opportunities to make great new friends and lay a solid foundation for their success. It all begins with the Honors College Overnight Orientation experience. More than two months prior to their first semester of college, the new incoming freshmen attend this orientation, allowing them the opportunity to stay in the residence halls on campus, meet other Honors College members, and learn more about Pittsburg State University and the Honors College.

On the first day, students participate in a variety of events throughout the day and evening, including a pre-enrollment information session, help sessions, team building activities, and a Who Am I? Show. The Who Am I? Show is simply an opportunity for students to share a special talent or just something about themselves that would help everyone understand who they are and what they are about. This fun and informal activity provides the freshmen with a great way to get to know each other better. There is also an information session for parents to attend.

In the evening, everyone meets back up for the Freshman Honors College Dinner, where parents are invited to join for the special event. On the second day, freshmen participate in the first session of Pitt C.A.R.E.S. (Campus Advisement, Registration and Enrollment Services), which is designed to assist new freshmen with their transition to Pittsburg State University. During Pitt C.A.R.E.S., students gain valuable insights about college life through small-group activities, meet with an academic advisor to plan their fall semester, and complete university enrollment procedures.


"Walking into the Honors College Overnight, I had no clue what to expect, but it turned out to be an exciting learning experience. There was food, plenty of friendly people, never a dull moment, and the talent showcase gave us all a good laugh and a unique way to get to know others. Afterwards, I was really thankful we had that opportunity, because the start of freshman year I was so much more comfortable, knowing how to get around campus and having friends from day one because of the overnight." -Nick Bartelli

Living-Learning Community & Priority Enrollment

Living-Learning Community

All first-year students at Pittsburg State University must live in a residence hall for their first two academic semesters on campus unless they live within a fifty mile radius of campus. For Honors College students living on campus, there is the opportunity to live with other members of the Honors College within a, Living-Learning Community formed in the dorms. By placing Honors College students in rooms right next to each other, they may find it easier to make friends with their fellow members, and even take advantage of their placement to form study groups.


"The honors residence hall clusters allowed me to quickly grow close with the other members of my cohort and it is at an extremely convenient location on campus." -Hannah Dickens

"I couldn't imagine a better environment to be in when it comes to my living experience at Pitt State. I hang out with members of my cohort daily in my residence hall, and I feel moving to college was a much easier transition knowing I had friends from the Honors College just next door." -Trip Baker

"As an out of state freshman, I was very apprehensive about dorm life. I was sure that I would feel isolated for at least a short period of time, but I was immediately greeted with a warm welcome from peers that I could truly relate to. I seriously love being a part of the honors cluster, these girls are so friendly and we have really formed a tight knit support system." -Tae Thompson


Priority Enrollment

Each semester, members of the Honors College are able to take advantage of Priority Enrollment. Students will have 30 hours added on to the total number of hours completed so that they are moved forward into the enrollment time slots. Typically, this means students will enroll one day earlier than their peers each semester. This ensures first choice of seats in classes during each enrollment period.

Peer Mentor Program

The Peer Mentor program is a vibrant and vital part of the success of the incoming cohort each year. Incoming students are paired with an upperclassman who has been selected to be a Peer Mentor and we use a 1-1 pairing, although group activities are strongly encouraged within the peer groups. The Peer Mentor Program is intended to help the new incoming freshmen acclimate to the college’s academic and social life.

Freshmen sometimes struggle through their first weeks or months at college as they adjust to the very different academic and social world of college. Students may feel lost on campus, the diversity of student social life may pull them in many directions, faculty may seem intimidating, and course demands may feel overwhelming. Students often feel that no one – not their advisors, their faculty, or even their parents – can offer them insights into the current realities of college life as well as other students can. Peer mentors are trusted and effective because they have been there, done that.

Peer mentor groups typically address, formally or informally, aspects of the college experience that lie outside (but often overlap) those academic areas where college faculty are most knowledgeable. Peer mentors are experienced students selected for their ability to share basic college information and their personal experiences and insights about college life.

For new students, mentors function as models of student success who are willing to share the pitfalls they have encountered in college and the strategies they have developed to overcome them. The mentors’ positive attitudes, their ground-level insights into college life, and their personal experiences effectively map paths to success through the college territory for their slightly younger freshmen.

For example, mentors usually cover time-management strategies; discuss the places, times, and strategies they have found best for studying; offer insights into the ins and outs of residence hall life; and give good advice about avoiding pitfalls in their academic and social lives by sharing the shocks and confusions of their own freshman year.


"I have loved getting to see the relationships grow from this program, as well as the pride and dedication the mentors have for not only the Honors College, but the University. The friendships formed from this program stick with you throughout your college experience, and gives you someone who has been in your shoes to trust and gain advice from." -Ellie Lewis

Study Abroad Opportunities

Pittsburg State University offers a wide array of Study Abroad Program opportunities that are designed for undergraduate and graduate students. Students that choose to study abroad can either travel for a few weeks with a group program, or individually, for a semester or full academic year. The Honors College sponsors short term, faculty led programs periodically. Past programs include:

  • History and Culture in Italy and Greece
  • WWII and the Western Front-England, France, Belgium, Germany and Austria
  • The Cold War in Eastern Europe-Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic and Austria
  • Music, Art and Culture in Switzerland, Italy and France
  • History and Culture in London and Paris
  • History and Culture in Spain and Portugal

Honors College students, who are in good standing, receive a one-time study abroad stipend, of up to $2,000, for a PSU-approved study abroad program.


“I was so excited for the opportunity to study abroad, but my experience was even more incredible than I could have anticipated! I loved learning about the countries I would be visiting before I even got there. Traveling to multiple countries with some of my best friends that I have met through the Honors College was an experience I hope everyone can try at some point in their college career." -Carlin Greene

“If you're thinking about studying abroad with the HCA, my advice: DO IT. Studying abroad can seem financially impossible or frightening, but it is such an incredible experience! There's nothing like learning and exploring with your Honors College friends and immersing yourself in a foreign culture. I know that I'll recall the memories we made in Europe for years to come!” -Abbey Chaloupka