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Applying as a Transfer Student

How to Apply

The Honors College at UNCW welcomes applications from students currently enrolled at other institutions.

Our honors programs promote academic excellence in everything we do. We're happy to review your application.

 

About Honors Pathways

There are two pathways for transfer students: University Honors for transfer students an Bridge Honors.

Transfer students must apply by UNCW's posted priority deadlines in order to be considered for the Honors College.

Priority Deadlines

  • Summer - March 1
  • Fall - March 1
  • Spring - October 15
You may choose to apply to the University Honors program or Bridge Honors program once you have been admitted into UNCW.

Honors Application

Apply as transfer student.

Apply Today

About Honors Pathways

University Honors

University Honors is the standard honors curriculum, and it is available to transfer students. It was originally designed for students entering as traditional first-years, or those who will need to complete a large number of general education requirements.

Requirements of University Honors:

  • The standard curriculum required transfer students to complete 6 credit hours (2 classes) of Honors University Studies classes
  • The University Honors transfer option requires 20 credit hours spread cross honors seminars and University Studies courses

Bridge Honors

We specifically designed the Bridge Honors program for transfer students. We opened the program in the fall 2021 semester.

Over the years we have noticed that it is often difficult for transfer students to complete the standard curriculum. Many of those students already completed all of their general education requirements.

The Bridge Program requires a total of 12-13 credit hours that are completed through honors interdisciplinary seminars.

Bridge Honors includes a majority of the benefits of the Honors College:

  • Priority registration
  • Scholarship eligibility
  • Honors programming
  • Participation in the Medallion Ceremony
  • Honors recognition on the diploma

Honors Pathways Details

University Honors for Transfer Students Bridge Honors
Designed for Those with:35 or fewer credit hours and 2-3 remaining general education requirements Transfer students with an associate's degree, more than 35-40 credit hours, OR fewer than 2 general education requirements remaining
Curricular requirements 6 hours of Honors University Studies (e.g., Honors BIO 201, honors ENG 103)

HON 210, 211, or 212 (3 hours)

Two credits of HON 120, 121, or 191

3 hours of Honors electives

Departmental Honors thesis (6 hours)		 HON 399 or 191 (1 hour)

Departmental Honors thesis (6 hours)

5-6 hours of Honors seminars (including HON 210, 211, 212, 120, and/or 121)
Total credits required 20 hours 12-13 hours
Medallion Ceremony participation? Yes Yes
Type of honors received on degree University Honors with Honors in (major) ex.: University Honors with Honors in Biology Bridge Honors in (major) ex.: Bridge Honors in Biology

View this worksheet to visualize and track University Honors requirements.

University Honors Worksheet

View this worksheet to visualize and track Bridge Honors requirements.

Bridge Honors Worksheet

Directions and Notes

Direct Application

There is one application. You will be able to choose your path in University Honors or Bridge Honor during the application process.

The applications are in Microsoft Forms and will only accept submissions from verified UNCW Outlook accounts. You can login to your UNCW email account and then submit the application once you have gotten admission to UNCW.

Log in to your UNCW email using credentials provided in your admission letter if you have trouble opening the application. Then try opening the application link.

Notes on Transfer Admissions to the Honors College

The Honors College cannot admit you until after the Office of Admissions has done so. Please hold inquiries about your Honors status until after you've received an acceptance from UNCW.

Please feel free to email us with any questions.

Find More Information

Best Practices for Applying to Honors as a Transfer Student

  • Honors students must have a GPA of at least 3.3 when they have completed 27 credit hours at UNCW.
  • When students complete 58 credit hours they will need to have a GPA of at least 3.5. Please consider your GPA when making the decision to apply to Honors.
  • UNCW merit scholarships and Honors College scholarships are typically awarded on a rolling basis. Applying earlier will increase your eligibility to receive scholarships. You also need to submit the UNCW Scholarship Application.

Memos of Understanding with Community College Honors Programs

The UNCW Honors College has Memos of Understanding with the honors programs at the schools below, and we will accept honors credit earned in these programs to count toward our own requirements.

If you are a transfer student who previously attended one of the honors programs at these schools, and would like to join the Honors College at UNCW, please contact us by email after receiving an acceptance from UNCW.

You will stay in your current housing if accepted. You will just receive access to honors courses, programs, registration, etc.

Honors class sizes are relatively small. The average size of HON classes was 17 students in the 2018-2019 academic year. Classes ranged from 5 to 20 students. This helps you develop close interactions with the faculty from your very first semester.

Many are also interdisciplinary, giving students the opportunity to approach a topic from several different angles.

Contact Us

Office of the Honors College

Phone: (910) 962-2929

honors@uncw.edu

Honors College
601 South College Road
Wilmington, NC 28403-5958

We are located in Randall Library on the second floor, Suite 2006.

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