Honors Program Application Process
Applications to the Honors Program are by invitation only. The Honors Program and The Citadel Admissions office work together to identify high-performing students. The information submitted as part of The Citadel application process is a main factor in this decision. Invitations are issued in November and again by mid-February for prospective students to apply to the Honors Program and the top prestigious Citadel scholarships. Students must complete the Citadel Admissions application immediately – no later than October 1 – to be considered for the Honors Program and top merit scholarship opportunities.
The Citadel Class of 2026 (FALL 2022 Matriculating Freshmen)
A key part of the application process involves test scores. Due to the cancellation of some standardized tests, The Citadel, and therefore the Honors Program, have adopted a test-optional admission policy for The Citadel Class of 2026
As the Honors Program is extremely small –accepting only 25 students each year– and as we strive to create a diverse, dynamic learning cohort, Honors Program selection is holistic and personalized. Most Honors Program selections for the Class of 2026 will be made no later than mid-February 2022. In the event that spots are still available after that time, applications and interviews will take place as deemed appropriate.
All applicants should attend a virtual info session coordinated by the Office of Admissions.
During knob year, interested cadets may still apply to join the Honors Program based on academic performance at The Citadel. Interested cadets should email the director with a statement of interest as part of their application process. Also, interested cadets should plan to interview with the director. If selected, cadets would begin participating in the Honors Program no later than first semester of sophomore year.
Honors Program Admission Guidelines
Admission at The Citadel Honors Program is an individualized and holistic admission process that examines the entirety of an applicant’s academic prowess, creativity, motivation, unique talents, leadership potential, and life experiences. In making a decision to admit a student to The Citadel Honors Program, we are careful not to ascribe too much value to any single metric, such as class rank, GPA, or test scores. We use a broader perspective that includes such qualitative factors as the overall strength of a student’s academic program and the ways in which a student has engaged in the community.
Honors Program candidates demonstrate academic excellence during their high school careers. We provide these admission statistics to give prospective students a general picture of the freshman applicant and admitted student pool. We encourage students to keep in mind that these statistics only reflect certain parts of our holistic review process. The Honors Program does not have hard and fast standards for admissions. However, for prospective students interested in our “admissions criteria”, the averages of our Honors students are below. This information is helpful to determine if The Citadel Honors Program would be a feasible avenue.
Our previously-accepted applicants, on average,
- Rank in the top 10% of their high school class
- Average GPA > 4.4 (weighted)
- Scored > 1400 (SAT) OR > 30 (ACT).
If you believe you are a strong candidate for the Honors Program, email the Honors Program Director regardless of an invitation.
Curriculum
The Citadel Honors Program curriculum provides an exceptionally broad background of cultural knowledge and learning skills. Students can then apply this knowledge to their chosen areas of academic specialization.
The Citadel Honors Program Handbook
Important information about the operation and organization of The Citadel Honors Program is in our handbook.