Honors College
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Note: If you are a current USM student or transfer student, and you have a 3.4 GPA and have completed at least 45 hours of coursework and at least three semesters at a college or university, you may be eligible to apply for our Honors Keystone program. Please visit our Keystone page for more information on the program and how to apply.
Who can apply to the Honors College?
The Honors College offers an enriching and challenging educational experience for students who exemplify such ideals as intellectual curiosity, creativity, openness to new ideas, passion for learning, and drive. If this describes you, we encourage you to apply! The application is available to incoming freshmen with a 26+ ACT (1240 SAT) and 3.75+ GPA. Students who do not meet these benchmarks but who believe that the Honors College is right for them should complete this form by December 15, 2024.
Applications are reviewed holistically, with special emphasis on the quality of the essays and supplemental materials. Therefore, submitting a strong and compelling application is essential. For more information about the Honors College and to learn how to create a strong application, please schedule a meeting with our Coordinator of Recruitment.
* Standardized test scores earned through December will be considered. SAT scores are converted to the equivalent ACT score based on the testing concordance in place at the time of the testing date. For cumulative GPA calculation, grades earned in college preparatory curriculum (CPC) coursework are computed on a four-point scale; thus, weighted grades earned in AP, advanced or honors classes are not calculated into cumulative GPA.
What is the application process and what are the deadlines?
First, you must apply to the University of Southern Mississippi.
Once you have been admitted to Southern Miss and have a student ID and password, you may apply to the Honors College. The Honors College: Incoming Freshmen application is housed in the Golden Opportunities Scholarships and Competitive Programs system, known as the GO system.
Before completing the Honors College application, you must first complete the General Application in GO. Your General Application will also help you apply to hundreds of donor-funded scholarships for which you may be eligible.
- February 1: Honors College Application Deadline
What are the steps to complete the Honors College Freshmen Application?
- Log in to GO and complete the General Application
- Complete the Housing Policy agreement
- Request one report from a high school guidance counselor
- Request two letters of recommendation from teachers
- In response to the prompts:
- Write one 200-word minimum essay
- Write one 500-800-word essay
- Record and upload a brief video
What are the required essay questions?
Honors College applicants complete two essays in response to prompts developed by the admissions committee. The prompts change each year and are designed to provide applicants with the opportunity to show that they are a good fit for the Honors College, the curriculum, community, and mission.
2025-2026 Application Essay Prompts
Essay 1 - Please respond to the following prompt in no less than 200 words:
Southern Miss Honors College students participate in a four-year interdisciplinary curriculum designed to cultivate intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and professional research skills. This curriculum culminates in the completion of an independent research project in your major – the Honors Thesis. What excites you about undertaking this curriculum, and why do you believe that you will thrive as a member of the Southern Miss Honors community?
Essay 2 - Please respond to the following prompt in 500 – 800 words:
In the Southern Miss Honors College, writing plays an important role in learning and thinking processes. Writing can be a powerful tool to communicate creativity, critical thinking, and experiences through choices in style, topic, and use of language. Write 500–800 words inspired by the word “pink” in which you choose both a topic and a writing style that show us your strengths as a writer and creative and/or analytical thinker.
What is the required video submission?
We believe that every applicant has interests, talents, or passions that may not be captured in other portions of our application. In response to the prompt below, your video should tell us something about you that other parts of the application have not demonstrated.
Video Submission: Find an item that holds personal significance for you. This could be an important keepsake, a unique object, or an ordinary item that symbolizes something meaningful. Record a short 2–3-minute video in which you share a brief story or explanation about how this item reflects or has shaped who you are.
Please submit your video to YouTube as a simple, unedited recording of your response to the prompt. Your experience creating this video should be enjoyable, and your focus should be on communicating your story effectively and thoughtfully. To ensure a fair evaluation for all applicants, we request that no significant edits be made to your submission.
Are there special Honors College scholarships available?
Yes! Every student who is admitted to the Honors College as a freshman receives a scholarship. Accepted students either receive the stackable Honors Scholar award, the Discovery Scholarship, or the Presidential Scholarship.
Consideration for these scholarships is based solely on the Honors College application; no additional materials are required.
In addition, Honors Scholars have the opportunity to apply for competitive study abroad, research, and tuition assistance awards.
For more information about these awards, visit Scholarships.
Next Steps
Please refer to the checklist above for all required items to complete your application for the Honors College Admission. You are responsible for monitoring the following steps to make sure they are complete by the deadline of February 1st.
FAFSA – As stated on the General Application, applicants must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for this opportunity. You are responsible for ensuring your FAFSA has been completed. (Not required for international students.)
Admissions and awards decisions will be posted in the portal by March 15. Be sure to log back into the GO System to get the results of your application.
Questions?
If you have questions about your Honors application, contact honorsFREEMississippi, or call 601.266.4533.