Honors Admissions

Honors Admissions

Students must first apply to the University of South Florida before submitting an application to the Judy Genshaft Honors College. Acceptance into the Judy Genshaft Honors College is contingent on acceptance to USF. We are currently admitting students on all three USF campuses (Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee) through one centralized process. All students interested in joining us should complete the application below. The below admissions information is for first-time-in-college students. For transfer and continuing student admissions, please click here.

APPLICATION LINK AND CRITERIA

Please click here to learn more about our application criteria, including our application link.

DEADLINES & DECISION DATES

  • Priority Deadline: December 1, 2019 by 11:59 p.m. (ET)
    • Decision Date: On or before January 15, 2020
      • Please Note: All decision notifications for the honors application that were submitted by the priority deadline have been sent out via the email address the student used to apply to USF. For questions, please email Grace Beck.

  • Secondary Deadline: March 9, 2020 by 11:59 p.m. (ET)
    • Decision Date: On or before April 1, 2020

SHOULD I APPLY?

Any prospective USF First-Time-In-College (FTIC) student is encouraged to apply to the Judy Genshaft Honors College. Please note that the decision to apply (or not apply) to the Judy Genshaft Honors College has no impact on your general USF admissions decision. Check out our benefits and Honors Journey to see if the Judy Genshaft Honors College is the right fit for you.

The Judy Genshaft Honors College actively recruits students who have demonstrated academic excellence through high test scores and high school GPA. Students admitted to USF who have at least a 31 ACT or 1400 SAT and a 4.0 recalculated USF GPA will be automatically accepted into the Judy Genshaft Honors College.

USF Recalculated GPA Criteria:

  • Adds one-half point for honors courses
  • Adds one point for AP, IB, AICE, or Dual Enrollment courses
  • Removes any non-academic courses (i.e. P.E., Band, etc.)

The recalculated USF GPA is often lower than your high school’s calculation. For that reason, we strongly encourage all students to apply, regardless of your high school GPA. Judy Genshaft Honors College acceptance emails and letters are sent a few weeks after USF acceptance materials.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY

 

APPLICATION FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS)

What should I do if I am a transfer student or am already in classes at USF and I would like to join the Judy Genshaft Honors College?

For information about our admissions process for continuing and transfer students, please click here.


What does the Judy Genshaft Honors College look for in an applicant?

The Judy Genshaft Honors College offers more than just academic distinction. We offer an extraordinary undergraduate experience that includes unique interdisciplinary classes, meaningful opportunities for community engagement and service, and rewarding extracurricular experiences. We want students who bring a sense of curiosity, enthusiasm, and creativity to this academic adventure, who are willing to put in a little extra work, and who will immerse themselves in all that we have to offer.


What is the average score profile for students admitted through application?

Students admitted to the Judy Genshaft Honors College via application for Fall 2019 had the following scores:

  • SAT scores ranged from 1160 to 1570; the average was 1317.
  • ACT scores ranged from 24 to 35; the average was 29.
  • Average weighted high school GPA was 4.2.

What are my chances of getting in?

Application to admission ratios change each year based on the number of applications we receive. We plan to enroll around 750 first-year students on the Tampa campus and an additional 100 first-year students at the USFSP and USFSM campuses for the Fall 2020 year.


If admitted, is there a specific honors housing community I can be part of?

Yes! All Judy Genshaft Honors College students are eligible to live in an Honors Living Learning Community (LLC) (Tampa and St. Petersburg campuses only). If you're interested in joining one of our communities, please visit USF Housing and Residential Education (Tampa, St. Petersburg).