Why Honors?
Nebraska Honors, now in its third decade, enhances your college experience by providing a challenging and creative academic program for the most talented and highly-motivated students in Nebraska and across the nation. The program encompasses a comprehensive college experience, both in the classroom and in the larger campus community.
The benefits include:
- Learn in smaller class sizes
- Participate in seminars on special topics offered only to Honors students
- Customize your education through Honors course contracts and your Honors Thesis/Senior Project
- Connect with research opportunities
- Build relationships with faculty members who are top teachers and researchers, as early as your first semester in college
- Belong to a community of students who are highly motivated and enjoy intellectual challenges
- Develop leadership skills through Honors student organizations
- Earn Honors credit for Education Abroad, Internship, Off-Campus Research, and Civic Engagement experiences
- Enjoy the opportunity to live in Honors housing
Application Instructions
Prospective freshmen students must apply to the University prior to accessing the Honors Program application. The Honors Program application (which includes the applications for the College of Business Honors Academy and the Raikes School) can be accessed in MyRED once the student has submitted the UNL university application. We encourage students to apply by the Early Notification Deadline.
Application Steps and Tips for Prospective Freshmen
Applications from current, on-campus UNL students and students transferring to UNL from another school are reviewed at the end of the semester in which they are submitted to allow receipt of the most recent grades. On-Campus and Transfer applicants must have a minimum 3.50 college GPA.
All Honors Program students, including transfer students and those who apply after arriving on campus, are expected to complete 24 hours of Honors credit and a research-based thesis or creative project in order to graduate from the Honors Program. As a result, students are encouraged to apply as early as possible, and should typically allow at least two years to complete the program requirements prior to graduation.
Deadlines
| For first-year students | Application+Unofficial Transcript received by | Notification by |
|---|---|---|
| Early notification deadline | November 15 | December 16 |
| Honors Application deadline | February 15 | March 25 |
| For Transfer or Current UNL students | Application received by | Notification by |
|---|---|---|
| Fall Applicants | December 10 | January 1 |
| Spring Applicants | May 1 | June 10 |
Honors Housing
Knoll Residential Center is the home of the University Honors Program on campus, offering both double-bedroom and single-bedroom suites. The Knoll Honors community has many quiet study rooms and lounge spaces for socializing. The Nebraska Honors offices are located within this building, and the majority of Honors seminars take place in classrooms located within the Knoll Residential Center. All Honors students, regardless of where they live, have 24-hour access to the academic portions of Knoll.
Knoll Residential Center