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Apply to the Honors College

The Honors College at Azusa Pacific University is a tight-knit community of scholars grappling with life’s most important questions. It is a highly selective program, attracting students from among the top 10 percent of high school graduates. Students interested in joining the Honors College community are invited to complete an Azusa Pacific University application and indicate your interest in the Honors College.

Admission Requirements

Students who have a high school grade-point average (GPA) of 3.8 or higher are strongly encouraged to apply. Applicants are not required to submit test scores for Fall 2024, but if applicants are able to submit test scores, they are encouraged to do so—on average, students accepted into the Honors College have a weighted GPA of 4.2 and an SAT score of 1320, ACT of 29, or CLT of 86.

For priority consideration, applications must be submitted by November 15, at 11:59 p.m. Applications will be accepted until the regular decision deadline of February 15; after this deadline, applications will be considered based on available space.

Application Requirements

The Honors College application requires the following additional materials, which should be prepared before starting the form at the bottom of this page. Note: Only students who have applied for general admission to Azusa Pacific University will be considered for admission to the Honors College.

  1. Names and email addresses for two academic references
  2. A writing sample of approximately 500 words (two pages), which may be (1) an essay written for a high school class, or (2) a response to the following prompt:
These are the times in which a genius would wish to live. It is not in the still calm of life, or the repose of a pacific station, that great characters are formed. The habits of a vigorous mind are formed in contending with difficulties. Great necessities call out great virtues.
Abigail Adams

Write an essay in which you explore Abigail Adams’ contention that hard times are ideal for shaping good character. Recount how that observation might apply to you and to challenges of our time.

The essay should be typed and submitted as a .doc or .pdf file. The text should be double spaced with one-inch margins on all sides. The preferred font size is 10- or 12-point. Essays should not exceed three pages. Essays will be evaluated based on thoughtfulness and clarity of written expression.

A Note to Trustees’ Scholarship Applicants

If you are a Trustees’ Scholarship applicant, your Honors College application is simplified and will not require you to submit another essay or additional references.

Online Application

To receive an invitation to submit an Honors College application, complete an Azusa Pacific University application and indicate your interest in the Honors College.

Note: This information is current for the 2024-25 academic year; however, all stated academic information is subject to change. Refer to the current Academic Catalog for more information.