Future Honors Program Students
Honors students are academic scholars who demonstrate leadership, community engagement, critical thinking, creativity, passion and dedication. With access to specialized Honors courses, undergraduate research, study abroad experiences, and the mentorship of our esteemed Honors faculty, students are immersed in a transformative college experience that aids them in achieving their fullest potential.
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Ways to join
High school seniors, Centralis Competition
The Centralis Competition is a two part process to receive either the Centralis Scholar award or the Centralis Gold award. The Centralis Scholar award provides full tuition, food, housing and $5000 for study abroad. The Centralis Gold award provides full tuition and $5000 for study abroad.
To qualify, you must:
-Be a high school senior at the time of application cycle.
-Be admitted to CMU as an incoming freshman starting at CMU in the fall semester.
-Have a minimum high school GPA of 3.7 or above.
Our application is open from August to November 1st each year. If you apply to CMU during that time and meet the qualifications, you will automatically be sent a link to the Centralis application. After those applications are reviewed, a select group will be invited to the Centralis Competition event, where they will learn about the program, tour campus and write a timed essay.
Students who participate in the Centralis Competition are automatically reviewed for Honors Program admission.
High school seniors, Regular admission
High school seniors can also apply for regular admission to the Honors Program. Applications will be reviewed beginning March 1st and will continue on a rolling basis until Aug. 15th for the following academic year. There is no Honors Program scholarship associated with Honors Regular Admission. *The 2025-2026 Honors cohort is currently full and no longer accepting applications. If you are interested in joining Honors, we encourage you to apply as a Track II student starting in Spring 2026.*
To qualify, you must:
- Be a high school student coming to CMU in the fall semester.
- Have a minimum GPA of 3.7.
- No standardized test score is required.
Applications will be evaluated holistically, with emphasis on academic strengths and potential, leadership and involvement, community engagement, critical thinking and creativity, passion and commitment, and alignment with Honors Program core values.
Transfer and current CMU students
Each year the Honors Program reserves space for a number of current and transfer students to be admitted through the Honors Program Track II admission process. Students can be eligible to apply as early as the spring semester of their freshman year.
Criteria: Applicants must have a cumulative college GPA of 3.25 or higher and complete the Track II Honors Program Application. Holistic evaluation of applicants will include emphasis on academic strengths and potential, leadership and involvement, community engagement, critical thinking and creativity, passion and commitment, and alignment with Honors Program core values.
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until Aug. 15th or until the incoming class for the upcoming academic year is full. *The 2025-2026 Honors cohort is currently full and no longer accepting applications. If you are interested in joining Honors, we encourage you to apply in Spring 2026.*