Judy Genshaft Honors College Application Criteria

The Judy Genshaft Honors College First Time in College (FTIC) application consists of two components. Please read through the criteria below to learn more and apply. Each component is designed to align with our Honors requirements, mission, and commitments. This application is tailored to allow you to present yourself in a way that lets us understand your ideas, passions, and thought processes. We want to learn about the real you, not the “college admissions” version of you. So be authentic and answer honestly!

Learn more about how to apply 

Application Criterion 1: Short Essay

Students will be asked to submit a double-spaced 500-750 word essay, in response to the following prompt. 

In the Judy Genshaft Honors College, our small, discussion-based interdisciplinary classes combine knowledge and methods from several fields of study to create unique solutions to real-world ideas and problems. For example, in our course Experience Japan - From Hospitals to Hospitality (Omotenashi), students explore Japan through the disciplines of architecture, psychology, cultural studies, and medicine to examine the concept of “care” and how it is expressed and experienced in Japanese culture.

PROMPT: If you were to teach a course as part of the Honors curriculum, what would you name it, what topics would be covered, and how would the class be taught? For more examples, you can view our full class list here.

Application Criterion 2: Extracurricular Activities

Students will be asked to list up to five extracurricular activities that they have been involved in during high school, either inside or outside the classroom. For each activity you provide there is an option to add additional supporting information such as:

Titles or roles,

Duration of involvement,

Frequency of activity,

Total cumulative hours,

Certificates,

Documentation,

Photos,

Portfolios, or other files.

We encourage students to be as descriptive as possible. This is your opportunity to showcase your passions, involvements, commitments, and accomplishments, as well as to inform us why they’re significant to you and your academic goals. 

These activities can include, but are not limited to:

Clubs or organizations

Jobs or internships

Volunteer opportunities or care-taking responsibilities

Awards or distinctions

Research

Religious involvement

Learn more about applying as a First Time in College student