How to Apply

The William Paterson University Honors College accepts main campus, undergraduate students in all majors. WP Online students, graduate students, and students seeking a second Bachelors degree are not eligible to apply. There are two application processes for the Honors College. One is for incoming first year students and incoming transfer students who apply before entering WP. The other is for current WP students. Please see below for more information.

 

Honors College admissions are competitive. We accept qualified applicants on a rolling (first-come, first-served) basis while keeping in mind that we search for students of all majors and we aim to admit a cohort of students whose success we can support.

University Honors College scholarships are offered to applicants who meet the Honors College admissions criteria and have been admitted to the University during their senior year of high school or secondary school. The Honors College scholarship amount for Fall 2025 is $5,000 per year. Applications will not be reviewed until the student is admitted to William Paterson University. Admission requires a completed Honors College application. These awards are packaged with all other sources of merit and need-based financial aid. The priority application deadline for this scholarship is March 1, although applications will continue to be reviewed after that date. Qualified applicants will be placed on a waitlist. Applicants will be admitted from the waitlist based on their qualifications.

Joining the Honors College requires adding an Honors research or creative performance track, usually five or six courses, to students' degree requirements. Students complete an Honors senior thesis or project.

Admissions to the Honors College is competitive and the number of students awarded scholarships is limited.

First year students are considered for Honors College admission based on the areas below. All applicants are required to submit high school transcripts and answer several questions. If you have a letter of recommendation from a high school teacher or guidance counselor, submit it with or add it to your university application. The Honors College is test-optional. Students are encouraged but not required to submit SAT or ACT scores. WP Online students are not eligible for the Honors College.
  • Grade Point Average – The average high school GPA is 3.91 ( middle 50% range of 3.7 to 4.1)
  • Test Scores – The Honors College is test optional. Students may - but are not required - to submit SAT or ACT test scores as part of the Honors College application process. The average test scores are 1210 SAT score (middle 50% range of 1140 to 1260) or an ACT score of 24 (middle 50% range of 22 to 27).  Applicants with only PSAT or Pre-ACT scores may submit a PDF of their scores after submission of their Honors College application. If you do not submit test scores, be sure to complete the Statement of Academic Goals, which should be emailed directly to Honors@wpunj.edu
  • Curriculum – Most accepted students have taken multiple honors, dual-enrollment, college-level, Advanced Placement, or International Baccalaureate-level courses in their high school careers.
  • Academic awards or honors received and extracurricular interests and activities.
  • Answer the following question:  

    The WP Honors College is committed to high quality education and also to civic and social engagement. What is one social problem that matters to you? To your mind, what are the beginning steps to solving it?  Is there a way that you could use your life experiences, challenges, knowledge, intellect, skills or talents to contribute to the solution? Please answer in at least 200 words but no more than 400 words.

  • Statement of Academic Goals, Research, or Creative Performance Objectives (if you do not submit SAT or ACT scores. If you choose to submit this optional essay please email this essay with your name on it to Honors@wpunj.edu):
    • What are your plans for the next four years as a college student? Answer in at least 20 words but no more than 50 words. 

The Honors College application can be found through your application status portal. Visit www.wpunj.edu/status to submit your application.

Note: You must apply to the University prior to submitting your Honors College application.

Applications for incoming freshmen are now closed.  

 

Incoming transfer students (who are not fully online as part of WP Online) are welcome to apply to the Honors College and are eligible for the Honors College scholarship. Transfer students are eligible for the Honors College scholarship only as incoming students. Joining the Honors College requires adding an Honors research or creative performance track. Tracks typically take 4 semesters, comprised of five or six courses (equivalent to a minor) and a thesis project presentation during the 4th semester. Applications will not be reviewed until the student is admitted to William Paterson University.

Transfer students are considered for Honors College admission based on a review of the following areas:

  • Cumulative college GPA - Most transfer Honors students have a 3.5 GPA or higher.
  • Curriculum - Most transfer Honors students have completed honors courses at the college level.
  • Academic awards or honors received and extracurricular interests and activities.
  • Test scores - The Honors College is test optional. Students may - but are not required - to submit SAT or ACT test scores as part of the Honors College application process. The average test scores are 1210 SAT score (middle 50% range of 1140 to 1260) or an ACT score of 24 (middle 50% range of 22 to 27). Applicants with only PSAT or Pre-ACT scores may submit a PDF of their scores after submission of their Honors College application. If you do not submit test scores, be sure to complete the Statement of Academic Goals.
  • Answer the following question:  

    The WP Honors College is committed to high quality education and also to civic and social engagement. What is one social problem that matters to you? To your mind, what are the beginning steps to solving it?  Is there a way that you could use your life experiences, challenges, knowledge, intellect, skills or talents to contribute to the solution? Please answer in at least 200 words but no more than 400 words.

  • Statement of Academic Goals, Research, or Creative Performance Objectives (if you do not submit SAT or ACT scores. If you choose to submit this optional essay, please email it directly to Honors@wpunj.edu):

    • What are your plans for the next two years as a college student? Answer in at least 20 words but no more than 50 words. 
  • Students with limited college coursework may be asked to submit their high school transcript(s) and test scores.

The Honors College application can be found through your application status portal. Visit www.wpunj.edu/status to submit your application.

Note: You must apply to the University prior to submitting your Honors College application.

Applications for incoming transfer students are now closed. 

The Honors College is open to all current William Paterson students who have obtained a William Paterson GPA of 3.25 or higher working to complete a bachelor's degree. WP Online students are not currently eligible for the Honors College. Joining the Honors College requires adding an Honors research or creative performance track, usually five or six courses, to students' degree requirements. The Honors College research and creative performance tracks accept students who are sophomores or juniors. Students must apply to the Honors College and be accepted prior to applying for an Honors Track. 

Current William Paterson University first-year students:   William Paterson first year students not already enrolled in the Honors College who earn a WP grade point average of 3.5 or above in their first semester and will be starting their sophomore year in the fall semester are eligible to apply for the Honors Excel scholarship in the amount of $2000 per year. The Honors Excel scholarship is competitive with a limited number of awards. Not all qualified applicants will win a scholarship. Applying is a two-step process. First, in the spring semester of your first year, complete the Honors application on the WPConnect Student Tab. Second, fill out the Honors Excel Scholarship https://wpunj.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_01anyVA1mGuPJrw .

Applications for the Excel scholarship are now closed. Honors Excel Scholarship Awards will be announced in June.

Current William Paterson University students who are sophomores, juniors, or seniors  are not eligible for Honors scholarships but can still apply to the Honors College. Students typically enter the Honors College after their first year at William Paterson University. Seniors generally cannot complete the academic requirements and are rarely accepted. Applicants should review the Honors College Student Handbook  to familiarize themselves with the Honors College requirements, including the additional required coursework. Please check with your academic advisor before applying. 

To be admitted to the Honors College as a current student, applicants should:

  • Complete at least one semester and 15 credits toward graduation at William Paterson University
  • Have a cumulative William Paterson GPA above 3.25
  • Have no more than one grade below a C on their college transcript
  • Complete 90% of attempted credits
  • Complete the on-line Honors College application in WPConnect and write a short essay that addresses the question of why they want to be a part of the Honors College.

Current WP students should apply through the Honors application under the student tab in WPConnect.