What is the admissions selection process like?
Selection Criteria
Each program is highly selective, admitting about fifty first-year students each year and a hanfdul of second-year students who have distinguished themselves in their first year of college. The program looks for students with a high level of academic and community accomplishment and a strong interest in science, as well as an aptitude for and achievement in one or more areas outside the sciences. Students typically achieve high class rankings, but admission is not based solely on these criteria.
There is no formulaic combination of scores, grades and achievements that guarantees admission to any of the programs. Faculty and staff evaluate students’ academic merit and potential by reviewing test scores, GPA, class rank, signs of a committed interest in science or math, and success in advanced classes in those subjects. They also assess applicants’ writing, work ethic, leadership, critical thinking and maturity, and they look for evidence that they’ve researched and understand the target program. The materials that permit this assessment include essays, resumes that document extracurricular involvements and honors, and letters of recommendation. Evaluators also assess whether an applicant appears appropriate for the target program and reserve the right to recommend that an applicant be admitted to a different honors program.
What degree will I receive?
All scholars complete a Bachelor of Science honors degree plan in their major. Find requirements specific to each CNS major that offers a BS.
Which program should I apply to?
Learn more about which program best matches your academic and career goals.
How do I apply?
Application materials and information about deadlines are available on the How to Apply page. Students may enter the program as freshmen or as college transfers prior to their fourth long semester.
Can I be in more than one honors program?
CNS students may only be in one college-wide honors program (Dean's Scholars, Health Science Scholars or Polymathic Scholars). However, they may choose to be in a college-wide honors program and a departmental honors program (Turing, CSB, Nutritional Sciences, Human Development & Family Sciences). They may also choose to be in a CNS college-wide honors program and/or a CNS departmental honors program in addition to an honors program outside of the college — Plan II, Business Honors Program, etc. — if the non-CNS program permits it. As a reminder, students must be pursuing a CNS degree to be eligible for CNS honors programs.
What are the benefits of being in an honors program?
The benefit is having the best of two worlds: the close-knit community of a small college, and access to the ample intellectual and physical resources of one of the world’s leading research universities. And at UT Austin, students have the additional benefits of affordable tuition and several notable diversities — of faculty and students above all, but also of research and internship opportunities, courses and degrees. CNS honors programs offer a supportive, inspiring community of scholars and provide students with priority access to a variety of university resources.
I am a current student with questions about the thesis process. Can you help?
Please see our resources for current students.