Students on campus

Honors Program Application Process

How do I apply?

  • Prospective Students
    • Contact your Admission Counselor and tell them you are interested in joining the Honors Program. They will walk you through the two-step application process.
  • Current Students
    • If you are interested in applying to the Honors Program during your first or second year at North Central, or if you recently transferred from another institution, please contact Professor Kristin Geraty, director of the Honors Program at kgeraty@noctrl.edu.
Student presenting at honors day

Application Process

1. Complete the application.

2. Submit letter of recommendation from a teacher/professor. The letter of recommendation should describe your critical thinking, communication, and leadership abilities, and give reasons for endorsing your application to the Honors Program. This letter of recommendation should be sent to honors@noctrl.edu.

Students in class

When will I know if I’ve been accepted?

We begin reviewing completed applications after Thanksgiving. From there, applications are reviewed monthly. Please note, by applying and receiving acceptance to the Honors Program you are not committing to North Central College. Rather, you are giving yourself the opportunity to be a part of the Honors Program if you choose to join the Cardinal community.

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Is there an application deadline?

There is no application deadline for the Honors Program. We encourage you to apply before March if you are interested in securing a spot in the honors living learning community.

Students in study space

Academic Criteria for the Honors Program

Most Honors Program applicants have at least a 3.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale. For freshman students entering Fall of 2021, we provide a test-optional admission process. Submission of a test score is not required for admission to the Honors Program. Please note in the history of the program, the recent average composite test score of our applicants is a 1280 SAT or a 28 ACT.

Student in Bloomberg lab