UHP

University Honors Application

UC students talking in a classroom

Thank you for your interest in joining the University Honors Program! Before you submit your application materials, we suggest reading our tips to prepare to show us your best self. 

Application Preparation

University Honors prioritizes experience-based learning, so students who aspire to join are encouraged to be engaged beyond the classroom. Engagement can take many different forms such as participation in campus or community organizations, employment or training programs, research, global travel as well as independent learning or creative projects.

Update Your Resume

The application requires an updated resume, particularly highlighting any college involvement, as well as responses to five essays. We recommend including organizations even if you are just starting your involvement this fall. Students are also welcome to highlight impactful or important experiences from high school as well.

Application essays

The required essays are provided here for you to preview prior to starting your application. We suggest working on these in advance to starting your application. 

Note that there is a character limit, not word limit, meaning all punctuation, spaces, and letters contribute to the response limit.

  1. Describe something you started, built, organized, or fixed that would not be where it is today without you. What was your role, and what were your most important contributions? (max 2000 characters)
  2. Describe a significant failure, setback, or challenge you’ve faced. Focus less on the circumstance than on how you responded. What did you do, what did you learn, and how have you applied that lesson since? (max 2000 characters)
  3. Identify a complex problem you care about and have personally worked on. A complex problem usually affects many, is ongoing, and doesn't have a direct or ready solution. Describe how you've engaged with the problem, what you've done to understand and address it, and what you've learned as a result of your involvement. (max 2000 characters)
  4. Tell us about something you chose to learn or pursue entirely on your own, outside of any requirement. What drew you to learn this, how did you go about it, and where has that self-directed learning led you? (max 2000 characters)
  5. Why do you want to join the University Honors Program, and what would you bring to our community? Is there a skill, perspective, or experience that shapes who you are but doesn't appear elsewhere in your application?  (max 2000 characters)
Start your Application to Join UHP