How to Apply to the Honors Program

Admission to the Honors Program provides an academic scholarship equal to half of tuition per academic year. Eligibility for renewal of the Honors Scholarship depends on maintaining a cumulative GPA of 3.25, full-time status as a Concordia University student, making normal progress towards graduation in 4 years with 24 credits of Honors classes, and completion of the Honors Capstone Seminar during the senior year.

Honors Program Admission Criteria

In order to be admitted to the Honors Program, you must:

  1. Be admitted to Concordia University as a full-time student leading to a BA degree. You can apply online.
  2. Have a minimum high school GPA of 3.65 on a 4.00 scale.
  3. Achieve a combined SAT score of 1725 or ACT composite score of 26.
  4. Provide a copy of your high school (and college, if applicable) transcripts. You must also include:
    • Two letters of recommendation from teachers who have had you as a student in class. You only need to submit one letter if the recommendation you submitted for your undergraduate application to CU was written by a teacher.
    • A 500-word essay describing the academic, social and spiritual qualities of your ideal university. Consider the following questions as you write your essay (though you should not answer each of these questions in a mechanical manner): What does your ideal university “look like” and “feel like”? What is its purpose? What is the role of teachers? Of students? Of the wider community? What is YOUR role? The Admissions Committee is looking for substance and creativity in your responses. This essay is a way to let the Admissions Committee know “who you are.” This theme should be word-processed and double-spaced.

Once all of the above items are received, the successful candidate will be notified within two weeks of their approval by the Honors Program Advisory Committee.

For more information, or to ask a question, contact Dr. Michael Thomas, Honors Program Director, by e-mail mithomas@cu-portland.edu or by phone 503-493-6429.