University of Washington Honors Program

“UW Honors students are marked most by their curiosity.” – UW Provost Tricia Serio

You could be a good fit for UW Honors if you…

  • Are brave, inclined to try new things, or get out of your comfort zone
  • Care about the impact you make on your community
  • Often find yourself asking how what you’re learning applies to global challenges
  • Believe that learning is a lifelong endeavor
  • Try new learning methods when met with an academic challenge
  • Are excited to engage outside of the classroom
  • Are committed to dismantling systems of oppression and inequality
  • Have a long list of creative project ideas that’s always growing
  • Are motivated by learning, as opposed to GPA
  • Are open to changing your beliefs when presented with new information
  • Are interested in getting involved and build deeper relationships in college
Honors Open House marketing
Emma Spickard at Real Change
Angélica Cházaro speaking while Megan Ming-Francis and Tom Ikeda listen
Reem Sabha sits on the steps of Suzzallo library on UW campus. She is smiling and it's a bright, sunny day.

To be an Honors student you DON’T have to…

  • Be recognized, whether by yourself or educators, as an “Honors” or “gifted” student
  • Have a particular type of identity, background, or have gone to a particular type of school
  • Have pursued or participated in Honors programs throughout K-12
  • Be dedicated to sacrificing your well being or happiness for grades

You may be especially interested in the Interdisciplinary Honors pathway if you…

  • Engage in self-reflection for academic and personal growth
  • Value in and enjoy finding connections across a range of academic subjects (which may make choosing one major difficult)
  • Are interested in building community with your peers across disciplines
  • Want to engage with diverse cultures, communities, people experiences, and ideas
  • Relish the questions in life that have no clear answer
  • Question the status quo (why you are taught information, what is being left out, and how curriculum can be improved)
  • Enjoy discussion-based learning
  • Desire to become more empathetic and aware

You may be especially interested in the Departmental Honors pathway if you…

  • Want to explore your major in greater depth and with greater personal ownership
  • Are looking to extend the disciplinary vision of your major in creative ways
  • Want to engage in high level work and research in your discipline
  • Want to deepen the mentorship and guidance you get from faculty in your major
  • Are interested in building deeper community with peers in your major

First-year

Second-Year

Transfer

Departmental Honors

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