fsu honors program essay questions

FSU | Center for Undergraduate Research and Academic Engagement

Center for Undergraduate Research and Academic Engagement

Division of Undergraduate Studies

UROP Project

U.s. migrants in contemporary japan.

Project Description

Mentoring philosophy, additional information, link to publications.

FSU | Florida State University News

Site Navigation

Global navigation.

Florida State University News

The Official News Source of Florida State University

Home / News / Students & Campus Life / FSU Fraternity and Sorority Life win 122 regional, national awards  

FSU Fraternity and Sorority Life win 122 regional, national awards  

Thirty Florida State University Fraternity and Sorority Life organizations have won 122 awards recognizing their leadership, scholarship and service. Several chapters received the highest honors from regional and national organizations, showcasing their commitment to excellence and significant contributions to their communities.

FSU is home to over 50 fraternity and sorority chapters across four governing councils : Interfraternity Council, Multicultural Greek Council, National Pan-Hellenic Council and Panhellenic Association. In 2024, NICHE ranked Florida State University No. 1 as the Best Greek Life College in America and No. 6 College with the Best Student Life in America.

“Fraternity and Sorority Life at FSU has been a pillar of the FSU community for over 100 years,” said Amy Hecht, vice president for Student Affairs. “We are honored to see our chapters recognized at unprecedented levels by their individual governing organizations at the regional, national and international levels. We are proud of these students and deeply thankful to the countless stakeholders who give their time and energy to this community.”

The vision of FSU’s Fraternity and Sorority Life is to develop a community that enables individuals to make values-based decisions, learn tangible skills and contribute to the betterment of the global community.

“The continual recognition of our chapters demonstrates the strong commitment this community has to excellence in their organizations,” said Freddy Juarez, director of Fraternity and Sorority Life. “The FSU community will continue to foster not only a safe community but one poised to thrive and foster leadership at all levels.”

Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs Zduy Chu emphasized the growth and impact various organizations have experienced within their communities.

“It’s been amazing to see how the student leaders and these organizations have grown over these past few years,” Chu said. “I’m proud of what they do for our community and am happy to see them acknowledged for their impact.”

Awards are listed in alphabetical order by organization.

ALPHA CHI OMEGA

• Continuing Excellence Award
• Seeking The Heights Award – Member Retention
• Amy Dubois Rieth Emerging Leader Award – Recipient: Tati Garcia

ALPHA DELTA PI

• Chapter Operations Excellence
• Facility Management Excellence
• Marketing Excellence
• Membership Experience Excellence
• Panhellenic Excellence
• Recruitment Excellence
• Dorothy Shaw Leadership Awards – Recipient: Grace Ramos

ALPHA GAMMA DELTA

• Academic Progress Award
• Excellence In Continuous Open Bidding

alpha KAPPA DELTA PHI INTERNATIONAL SORORITY, INC.

• aKDPHI Chapter Alumnae Association of the Year
• Top Alumnae Breast Cancer Awareness
• aKDPHI Leadership Development Award – Recipient: McKasie Le
• Outstanding Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Efforts
• Outstanding Potential Member Outreach
• Most Improved Formal Recruitment
• Excellence In Philanthropy (South Quadrant)
• Outstanding Performance in Primary Recruitment

ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY, INC.

• Florida Federation of Alpha Chapters Outstanding College Chapter of the Year
• Florida Federation of Alpha Chapters Outstanding College Brother of the Year – Recipient: Justus Johnson

ALPHA OMICRON PI

• Inspiring Ambition in Programming and Enrichment
• Outstanding Advisory Board

BETA THETA PI

• Francis H. Sisson Award
• Best Utilization of Weekly Small Groups
• Chapter Of Excellence For 10+ Consecutive Years
• Most Hours Donated to Make-A-Wish Foundation in the Gulf Coast Region (Fall and Spring 2023)
• Kirk Belle Cocke Hassel Scholarship – Recipients: Asia Rackard and Mia Moliterno

DELTA GAMMA

• Financial Responsibility Excellence
• Patricia Peterson Danielson Award
• House Corporation Excellence

DELTA SIGMA THETA SORORITY, INC.

• International Awareness and Involvement Award
• Collegiate Delta Week Award
• Collegiate Chapter of The Year Award
• Social Action Trendsetter Award – Recipient: Deyona Burton
• Southern Region 2023-24 Scholarship Award – Recipient: Rain Bellamy
• Scholarship Recipients – Recipient: Destiny Obafemi and Shania Castor

PANHELLENIC ASSOCIATION AT FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY

• National Panhellenic Conference College Panhellenic Innovation Award – Community Impact

MULTICULTURAL GREEK COUNCIL AT FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY

• Multicultural Greek Council of The Year
• Council Impact Award
• Civic & Philanthropic Engagement
• Leadership Development
• Social & Cultural Awareness

KAPPA DELTA

• Merit Scholarship – Recipient: Kierra Hilts
• National Undergraduate Scholarship – Recipient: Kaley Tran

KAPPA DELTA CHI SORORITY, INC.

• Melissa Marino Scholarship – Recipient: Griselda Cruz-Miranda
• Most Service Hours in The Region – Recipient: Daniela Ramirez and Valentina Salazar
• Highest GPA in The Region – Recipient: Laura Rodriguez-Saenz

LAMBDA THETA ALPHA LATIN SORORITY, INC.

• Favorite Recruiter Contest Winner – Recipient: Anisa Gonzalez
• Community Service Award
• President of the Year – Recipient: Kyarelise Colon
• Vice President of the Year – Recipient: Zabrina Barbian
• Recruitment and Retention & Prophyte of the Year – Recipient: Anisa Gonzalez
• Secretary of the Year – Recipient: Emma Valderrama

LAMBDA THETA PHI LATIN FRATERNITY, INC.

• Sector Leader of the Year Award – Recipient: Miguel Diaz
• Alumni Advisor of the Year Award – Recipient: Miguel Diaz

OMEGA PHI BETA SORORITY, INC.

• Beta Achiever Award (GPA 3.0-3.5) – Recipient: Diana Morillo and Rosalineda Simon
• Golden Achiever Award (GPA 3.5 or Higher) – Recipient: Alyssa Bran, Evelyn Belman and Addy Merced
• Rising Sun Award – Certificate of Academic Achievement (GPA Higher After New Member Education) – Recipient: Rosalineda Simon, Lyssa Bran, Evelyn Belman and Rose Prevost
• Sunflower Award (Outstanding Academic Improvement) – Recipient: Daniella Mielke

OMEGA PSI PHI FRATERNITY, INC.

• Inducted In The 7th District Honor Society and Brother of the Month (July) – Recipient: Aaron Sawyer
• Statewide March Down Champions

PI LAMBDA PHI

• George A. Beck Outstanding Chapter Award
• Jules Lennard Elimination of Prejudice Award
• Chapter Improvement Award

PHI BETA SIGMA FRATERNITY, INC.

• Collegiate Rising Star Going Above and Beyond Award (Southern Region) – Recipient: Edgardo Edmond
•  Collegiate Model Chapter of the Year Silver Level

PHI GAMMA DELTA

• John Templeton McCarty Chapter Proficiency Award
• Certificate Of Academic Achievement
• Carnation Cup
• Lucinda Hill Peddy New Member Experience Award
• Nellie Hart Prince Academic Programming Award
• Phi Mu Forever Award
• Outstanding Parents’ Association Award
• Outstanding Collegiate Communications Channel
• Polly Bird Freear Boothcowherd Panhellenic Award
• Philomathean Society Award
• Dance Marathon Award
• Outstanding Collegiate Member for Service to Phi Mu Award – Recipient: Madison Swain
• Top Fundraising Chapters for Phi Mu Foundation

PI BETA PHI

• 2024 Top 10 Fundraiser

PI KAPPA ALPHA

• Raymond L. Orians Award
• Best Intermural Athletics
• Scholarship For Academic Excellence
• Peterson Blue Award

SIGMA DELTA TAU

• Diamond Chapter
• Outstanding Alumnae Programming Award
• Empowering Women Award – Honorable Mention
• Hall of Fame – Recipient: Ivy Morton
• Outstanding Chapter Treasurer – Recipient: Sydney Schneider
• Outstanding Chapter Advisor – Recipient: Whitney Prall Gatz

SIGMA LAMBDA BETA INTERNATIONAL FRATERNITY, INC.

• Multicultural Leaders Program

SIGMA PHI EPSILON

• Buchanan Outstanding Chapter Award
• Phil L. Randall Success in Recruitment Award
• Chapter Achievement Award
• James M. Holland Chapter of The Year Award (Runner-Up)
• USO Fundraising Award
• Sidney Ann Gilpin Lewis Memorial Trophy

ZETA PHI BETA SORORITY, INC.

• First Place International Zetas Have Heart Programming
• First Place International Z-Hope in Mental Health Programming
• Second Place International Adopt-A-School Initiative Programming

ZETA TAU ALPHA

• Crown Chapter
• Zeta Tau Alpha Founders Club ($250,000 Level)
• Sherry Server Tilley Zeta Tau Alpha Foundation Award
• Highly Commendable Academic Achievement
• Recruitment Excellence Award
• New Member of The Year – Recipient: Ava Miles
• Shari H. Robbins Significant Impact Award – Recipient: Sarah Nemeth

To learn more about Fraternity and Sorority Life at FSU, visit fsl.fsu.edu.

Does FSU invite high stat students to accept honors college? Or does everyone that gets the freshmen scholarship have to apply? Is anyone automatically admitted?

I believe the only auto admits to the honors college are those who receive the Benacquisto scholarship, which is for National Merit Finalists. Everyone else must apply, and you are only allowed to apply if you receive the University Freshman Scholarship, the 100% Out of State Tuition Waiver or are a National Merit Semifinalist.

The FSU honors college webpage says admission to the honors college is by application only. I don’t believe there are auto admits.

@funfit , my daughter just received her admissions decision, and Searching2020 is correct - Benacquisto does include auto-admit into honors.

Congrats!!! That’s awesome. We got the freshmen scholarship so will fill out the application. Fingers crossed

@TrendaLeigh

I may have spoken too soon. I don’t believe honors is an auto admit. I believe our NMSF kids still need to do the honors application. Admittance is “guaranteed” but not automatic. I will be calling the honors office on Monday morning to double check this but just wanted to put it on your radar, just in case we might all be mistaken about this. I will come back and post her once I hear from FSU.

@amsunshine , thank you so much for the heads up! The phrasing is definitely open to interpretation, but I think you may be correct. She was looking for info on the Presidential Scholarship, and it seemed like it was tied into the Honors app somehow as well.

@TrendaLeigh Yes, you are correct. The Presidential is tied in with the Honors App anyway. I believe there may be an additional requirement for the Presidential, but in any event, I’ve already sent an email to the honors administrator and will post what I find out asap.

I hope someone will correct me if I’m wrong, but I was under the assumption that the Honors College application was used to choose the students that are brought in to interview for the Presidential Scholars program. In that case, so that you’d be under consideration for Presidential Scholars I can see why they’d want you to fill out the Honors College application even if you were already guaranteed admission to the Honors College. I’ve heard wonderful things about the Presidential Scholars program, it’s quite prestigious.

I finally was able to speak to someone in the honors office. It was a student, mind you, but she seemed to speak to someone who knew what they were talking about. She said the Benacquisto students are “auto” admitted to honors, but to be considered for the Presidential award, all students, including Benacquisto students, need to complete the honors application. So I suppose if your student is not interested in competing for the Presidential award, he/she would not need to do the application.

Daughter printed out the FSU Honors application so I could see it - wow, it’s fairly involved! Hoping she is selected to the Honors College. Fatigue has definitely set it for completing essays and applications lol.

Does anyone know what percent of freshmen scholarship winners, that fill out the honors application, get accepted?

The application is horrible, SEVEN ESSAYS. And no BS on any of them, they require you to link them all together, etc. It will take more work than most college applications; I know plenty of adults who would struggle with it. Also, it seems like they really don’t want you just because you are smart, they want you to be one of those kids who started a nonprofit at age 16, so if not, you’re SOL.

It’s bit frustrating.

S just submitted the Honors app and yes, it’s a doozy. It really requires students to reflect on who they are and what’s important to them.

I agree- very in depth. And students are only given just over two weeks to complete it! It’s almost cruel, especially since so many high school seniors are just completely fatigued from applications like this by now. I wish it was more like UF’s process- you apply to the Honors program concurrent to your regular application. I’m determined to get through it, but boy, I am feel the second-semester-senior-year drain.

I wonder if FSU Honors does this intentionally, so they get a truer response that does not have time to be over-edited.

S20 submitted his honors app yesterday. I do think FSU runs the honors program admission this way to narrow the candidates down to kids that have a strong possibility of committing. Why do all that work if FSU really isn’t a top contender for next year? And yes, those questions required some effort - certainly not the shoe-in honors apps at other schools. Happy to have this last push done as S20 is definitely burnt out at this point.

I wonder how many students are accepted to the honors program?

@funfit Seems like I saw somewhere that there were 400 or so in Honors but I can’t find that info now.

What are your chances of acceptance?

Calculate for all schools, your chance of acceptance.

Your chancing factors

Extracurriculars.

How to Write the Florida State University Essays 2021-2022

Located just west of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a suburban public university that hosts over 41,000 students on its campus. FSU offers its students a wide selection of 351 programs, including 107 undergraduate majors across various disciplines.

Florida State is well known for its vibrant social scene and its top varsity athletic programs. The beloved “Seminoles” have won many Atlantic Coast conferences and national championships. The intensity of the football team’s rivalry with the University of Florida’s Gators spreads throughout the entire student body and reaches a climax at the annual Sunshine Showdown.

Approximately 37% of applicants gain admission. Calculate your chances of acceptance to FSU using our free chancing engine.

Florida State accepts its own FSU Application, the Common Application, or the Coalition Application. For the FSU and Coalition Applications, there are 5 essay topics you can choose from. You only need to choose one and write a 650-word essay. We’ve broken those 5 down below. For the Common Application, you can choose from the Common App prompts .  

FSU Application Essay Prompts

Essay prompt instructions.

Candidates are to compose one 650-word essay after deciding on one of the five prompts published on the school’s website.

The purpose of the essay is to help the admissions committee learn more about you as a person. Although the essay is described as only “highly recommended,” in reality admissions officers are expecting serious applicants to submit an essay (unless under extenuating circumstances). Your writing will paint a personal picture for the admission officers and demonstrate serious interest in the school.

Tell a story from your life, describing an experience that either demonstrates your character or helped to shape it.

The first prompt asks for you to discuss a memory or story of a situation that either showcased or affected you personally. FSU’s goal here is to assess your storytelling ability and better understand your values and character through a specific example.

It is crucial for you to connect your story and its effect on your character to who you are as a person. It would be an easy mistake to use all 550 words to discuss this important narrative and ignore the crux of the question: its “demonstration of your character.”

Impactful essays do not have to be based on extreme physical or mental experiences. In fact, it is the accumulation of small experiences that defines how we react during turbulent times. An act of any scale that was especially memorable to you can work; it’s about how you analyze the incident, not what the incident was.

For instance, you might choose to write about being friends with someone who faced mental health issues and how that changed your feelings toward such illnesses and led you to participate in a campaign for raising mental health awareness. You could take it a step further, explaining how the experience shaped your behavior not only around that particular friend, but also around everybody else you know.

Keep in mind that the scope of the question also includes experiences that helped shape your character, so you can even choose to write about something you’ve witnessed others do. Remember to use concise but vivid imagery to describe the situation in the first 150-250 words and then devote the rest of the words to analyzing its impact on character.

It may be wise to write longer drafts at first (in the 700-word range). This allows the editing process to filter for the essence of the writing, instead of trying to add more content, thereby ensuring the fluency of the writing.

Describe a time when you made a meaningful contribution to others in which the greater good was your focus. Discuss the challenges and rewards of making your contribution.

This question appears to be more challenging than the previous one, as you have to detail a selfless act of sacrifice while explaining your motivations and avoiding corny wording.

Note that this “greater good” contribution does not limit you to instances in which you interacted with groups of “great” numbers. No matter the scale of your impact, if there existed a beneficiary to your actions, then you can write about it. Remember that “greater good” excludes class assignments or other activities that were required of you.

The key to this essay is making sure your motivations for the contribution are portrayed as personal and unique to you.

Many students will choose to write about a volunteer experience they participated in. If you choose to discuss a community service activity, make sure you differentiate your experience by highlighting your motivations and your emotions during the experience (rather than describing simply the activity you participated in).  

For example, you might choose to write about a mission trip to another country that you took in your sophomore year of high school. However, rather than discussing the trip as a whole, it would be more effective to focus on a particular moment or problem that you encountered during the trip.

For instance, you could elaborate on the experience of visiting one of the children’s homes and the feeling of speaking to his parents directly. Describing a particular moment, as well as the specific emotions you felt and how your perspectives changed because of it, would help the essay stand out in a pile of volunteering essays.

In addition, focus on the process of the contribution and how you felt emotionally throughout the act.

Try to answer the following questions:

• What would have happened if you did not make that sacrifice/contribution? How would you have felt then?
• How did the contribution make you feel? How did it make others around you feel? How did it make the beneficiaries feel?
• What did you learn?

Emphasizing the internal development that occurred during your experience is key to making this essay shine.

Has there been a time when you’ve had a long-cherished or accepted belief challenged? How did you respond? How did the challenge affect your beliefs?

This third prompt asks to hear about a philosophical difference you have had with a family member, teacher, peer, society at large, or even yourself. In a sense, this prompt is similar to the previous one about the “meaningful contribution.” In both cases, FSU wants to learn about a process occurring in your mind. The previous prompt emphasizes actions and their effects, while this focuses more on an ideological struggle.

For example, though you’ve believed in religion all your life, perhaps you learned of a different viewpoint while reading a research paper and began questioning the validity of adhering to the religion in which you grew up. The research paper may have been the stimulus that led you to develop your own feelings toward particular values or even the presence of the supernatural.

An average essay would discuss an incident in which you completely disregarded the challenging viewpoint or, on the other end of the spectrum, completely threw away your previous tenet and grasped onto the new idea. Such an essay does not show any meaningful growth or internal re-evaluation. Instead, a great essay would elucidate the internal struggle stemming from confronting a new viewpoint and the difficulties associated with challenging your own beliefs.

As with the first prompt, remember to focus the essay on your response to someone/something’s questioning of your tenant. Using too much of the essay for a description of the conundrum will render it ineffective in answering the latter two parts of the question.

What is the hardest part of being a teenager now? What’s the best part? What advice would you give a younger sibling or friend (assuming they would listen to you)?

This prompt is the wild card. It allows more room for creativity and “fun” writing than any of the other questions. FSU’s goal here is not only to evaluate your ability to reflect on experiences, but also to understand what you value in life.

This essay can be particularly difficult to write well because it requires additional effort to compose an engaging, intriguing, fun, but also appropriate essay. There are universal challenges to being a teenager: arguments with parents; teenage angst; finding one’s place in school, family, and life, etc. It is completely fine to write about “common” obstacles, but you need to be able to differentiate your stories from others.

Humor and style of writing will play large roles in this essay, so we recommend this prompt if you sincerely enjoy creative writing, particularly short stories, novels, and comedies. Keep in mind, however, that the majority of admissions officers reading these essays are going to be in a generation older than you. It is not a bad idea to consider what kinds of teenage experiences would be relatable to them.

Additionally, the essay is asking for the “hardest part” as well as the “best part;” answering both of those separately in 550 words can make both answers short and ineffective. We recommend that you choose one single story that can relate to both of those questions. For example, you could use stories from your part-time job at Dairy Queen to connect the difficulties of adjusting to added responsibility in conjunction with the increased respect you received from your parents.

Submit an essay on a topic of your choice.

This last question is a catch-all.

Do not let your guard down because you can write about anything here. Unless you already have a great essay prepared from answering another school’s prompts, without a prompt here your creative idea may lose focus. Oftentimes, candidates are so engrossed in telling the story that they lose sight of what is really important: selling yourself.

As with the previous essays, you should decide and write down concretely what exactly you want the admissions officers to think about you upon finishing this essay. Build the rest of the essay around how you want them to perceive you, and dedicate more than half of the writing to demonstrating that main point through various anecdotes, not general statements.

We here at CollegeVine wish you the best of luck on your FSU essay!

Want help with your college essays to improve your admissions chances? Sign up for your free CollegeVine account and get access to our essay guides and courses. You can also get your essay peer-reviewed and improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays.

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

Get the Reddit app

A subreddit for FSU students, faculty, alumni, and other interested parties. Welcome new students! Need to fill your free time or make friends? You can find a list of every student organization and a contact for it on Nole Central! https://nolecentral.dsa.fsu.edu/

Some honors program questions

So I got an email saying I didn't get an interview for the presidential scholar's program, and I'm not sure what the difference is between that and the honors program. If I am in the honors program do I still get first pick classes and have the ability to live on Landis?

By continuing, you agree to our User Agreement and acknowledge that you understand the Privacy Policy .

Enter the 6-digit code from your authenticator app

You’ve set up two-factor authentication for this account.

Enter a 6-digit backup code

Create your username and password.

Reddit is anonymous, so your username is what you’ll go by here. Choose wisely—because once you get a name, you can’t change it.

Reset your password

Enter your email address or username and we’ll send you a link to reset your password

Check your inbox

An email with a link to reset your password was sent to the email address associated with your account

Choose a Reddit account to continue

FSU | College of Medicine

College of Medicine

• Honors Medical Scholars
• About the Program
• Honors Medical Scholars Society
• Maps & Directions
• Experts & Speakers
• Standardized Patient Application
• Video Library
• Virtual Tour
• Purchase Merchandise

My Resources

• O365 MedNet Intranet
• Evaluations
• Secure Apps
• Submit IT Request
• Submit Facilities Request
• Submit Contract Management Request
• Online Video Catalog
• Reset Your Password

Give Online

Requirements for admission to the B.S. phase:

This highly competitive program is open to a limited number of graduating high school students. Admission to the program is restricted to First Year applicants to FSU.

The program seeks candidates who fit the Honors Medical Scholars Program mission and the mission of the FSU College of Medicine .  Competitive candidates will have a record of high academic ability, a heart for service, and a sincere concern for vulnerable populations through volunteering.  Exposure and experience in healthcare and health-related settings is recommended.  

Application Process

Important Deadlines

Plan Ahead!   Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.

FSU | Office of Admissions

Office of Admissions

• First Year WWLF

What We're Looking For

Our application review process is a holistic and selective process, where no single criterion guarantees admission. Our holistic review process is centered on three of our institutional core values - Vires, Artes, Mores.

The first torch, Vires , is strength . Our focus in this area is rigor, grades, and courses taken while in high school. Each applicant is evaluated based upon the performance within the context of the student's academic environment.

Transcripts - GPA - Course Rigor - Test Scores - High School Profile

The second torch, Artes , is skill . We want to see how students use their out-of-classroom time, whether through sports, clubs, organizations, family responsibilities, employment, or other achievements.

Resume - Academic and Non-academic Involvement

The third torch, Mores , is character . We are taking the information students have shared with us to learn who they are, any formative experiences they may have had, and what their life goals may be.

Essay - Resume - High School and Neighborhood Context

Additional consideration will also be given to applicants applying to the CARE Summer Bridge Program, as well as exceptionally talented visual and performing artists and athletes.

Fall 2024 Admitted Student Profile

Academic Core GPA

Summer 2024 Admitted Student Profile

These ranges reflect the Middle 50% of students admitted to Florida State University in 2024. These are NOT minimum criteria, nor does falling within these ranges guarantee that a student will be admitted.

The Florida Board of Governors sets the minimum eligibility requirements in the State University System (SUS). Satisfying these minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to Florida State University. Admission is selective, and admitted students typically exceed the minimum requirements.

Minimum Courses Required

English (4), Math (4), Natural Science (3), Social Science (3), World Language (2 sequential)

Average Courses Completed

by 2024 Accepted Students

Test Score Information

When evaluating students for admission, we use the highest earned ACT, CLT, and SAT sub scores to calculate the highest ACT, CLT and/or SAT total score (a process known as "super scoring").

In May 2023, the Classic Learning Initiatives, Inc. published The Concordance Relationship Between the Classic Learning Test (CLT) and the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) , establishing a concordance table between the CLT and the SAT.

FSU does not accept self-reported test scores from the Common App. Students should self-report their test scores on the Application Status Check using the Self-reported Test Scores form.

At least one test score must be submitted before the materials deadline, but additional tests may be considered if provided by the test score deadline:

How-to: Self-Report Your Test Scores to Florida State University

Essay & Resume

The essay and resume provide another opportunity to learn more about you.

The essay, a required component of the application, should be no longer than 650 words, and may be uploaded after the application has been submitted. Please choose a topic from the list below:

Application Essay Prompts

• Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
• The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
• Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
• Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?
• Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
• Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?
• Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

The resume should be no longer than two pages, and may be uploaded after the application has been submitted. It should include a list of activities such as (but not limited to) service work, employment, family contributions such as caring for siblings or sick relatives, and extracurricular and summer activities.

Please allow 3-4 business days for us to pull your essay and resume/activities if you submitted your application through the Common App.

Schoolhouse.world certifications

Schoolhouse.world is a free, globally available platform founded by Sal Khan of Khan Academy. Students can show subject mastery and tutor other students in courses including calculus, computer science, and statistics. Applicants to Florida State University can submit Schoolhouse.world certifications as an optional supplement to their application.

While these certifications do not fulfill official requirements like transcripts, they do help us better understand your academic preparedness and fit for Florida State University.

If you have certifications from Schoolhouse.world that you would like to share with us, please send us a copy of your Schoolhouse Portfolio to [email protected] with the subject line, "Schoolhouse.world Portfolio".

Earning both a High School Diploma and an Associate in Arts (AA) degree

A high school student earning both the standard high school diploma and an Associate in Arts (AA) degree must apply to FSU as a first-year student and adhere to the first-year admission deadlines. In addition, applicants may be subject to additional major deadlines/requirements. Carefully review all major requirements at Academic Program Guide .

Those students who are receiving an AA degree through dual enrollment from the Florida College System or the State University System of Florida but do not meet the admissions requirements under the Florida Board of Governors Admission Regulation 6.002 , may be considered for admission under Florida Board of Governors Admission Regulation 6.005 . Students admitted under this regulation are first-time-in-college (FTIC) students although they are not required to submit ACT, CLT, or SAT scores. However, they should meet the requirements for their selected major as listed in FSU's Academic Program Guide . If admitted, they must submit a $200 enrollment deposit, attend a first-year orientation session, and are eligible to apply for on-campus housing. Admitted students without a test score are not eligible to be considered for first-year merit scholarships from the Office of Admissions. Students considered for admission under FL BOG 6.005 will be required to submit all official college transcript(s) for evaluation prior to an admission offer being made; they must also provide a final official college transcript displaying the AA degree before enrolling at FSU. Any FTIC student admitted under this regulation must immediately notify the Office of Admissions if they will not receive their AA degree. All students admitted under this regulation who do not receive the Associate in Arts degree will have their offer of admission revoked.

Home Education and GED Information

Florida State University considers applications from students who participated in a Home-Education program, or who have earned a GED. Home-Education applicants must complete the SSAR, while students earning a GED must submit official GED results along with an official, partial high school transcript. In addition, all applicants must submit at least one ACT, CLT, and/or SAT test score by the application deadline to be considered for admission. First-year admission is a holistic and selective process, and no single criterion guarantees admission to our university.

Admissions Resources

Academic resources, student resources, fsu & tallahassee, florida board of governors statement of free expression.

The State University System of Florida and its twelve public postsecondary institutions adopt this Statement on Free Expression to support and encourage full and open discourse and the robust exchange of ideas and perspectives on our respective campuses...

Read the full statement

  Mailing Address

A2500 University Center 282 Champions Way Tallahassee, FL 32306-2400

  Email

Undergraduate - -->[email protected] --> Graduate - -->[email protected] -->

  Phone

Admissions - (850) 644-6200 Directory Assistance - (850) 644-2525

  Hours

Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Eastern Time

Florida State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, baccalaureate, master's, educational specialist, and doctoral degrees. Florida State University also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels.

Questions about the accreditation of Florida State University may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC's website ( www.sacscoc.org ).

Florida State University

FSU | Honors Portal

Honors Portal

Lorum Ipsum Dolor Sit Amet

• Honors Portal Home
• Honor Program Site
• University Honors
• Honors in the Major
• Student Resources
• Alumni and Friends

Honors, Scholars, and Fellows House The Honors Program 127 Honors Way, Suite 2003 Tallahassee, Fl 32306-1234

Contact Honors (850) 644-1841 Honors.fsu.edu Email Webmaster

Important Resources Center for Undergraduate Research and Academic Engagement Office of National Fellowships Office of Research

Why Log In?

• All collections

You are here

Undergraduate honors theses.

• Research Repository Home
• About the Research Repository
• Submit to the Repository
• Contact Repository Team

The Honors in the Major program provides students with the opportunity to learn from faculty members who are experts in their field. While many students conduct traditional research, the program also supports the creative endeavors of those students in majors such as Creative Writing, Dance, Film, Music, Studio Art, and Theatre. Upon successful completion and defense of honors thesis, students will graduate "with honors" in their major, a distinction that is announced during the commencement exercises and is cited in students' official transcripts.

This is the permanent archive of theses written for graduation requirements in the Honors in the Major Program at Florida State University.

Calculate for all schools

Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, what's the fsu honors program like.

I've been accepted at Florida State University and I'm weighing my options with the Honors Program. Does anyone here know what it's exactly like? How competitive is it? What perks/benefits do they offer to students who are part of the program?

Congrats on your acceptance to Florida State University (FSU)! The Honors Program at FSU is indeed competitive, but the benefits can make it worth it.

To start, the Program includes smaller class sizes, which allow for more in-depth discussions and personal interaction with professors. FSU Honors students often enjoy a more intimate, collegial academic environment than is typically available in larger university settings. You'll find that these smaller classes foster robust discussions, more individualized attention, and a stronger sense of community.

In terms of benefits, students have priority registration for classes – a great advantage when trying to secure spots in popular courses or trying to create an ideal schedule. Students also have access to Honors-only housing, which includes both traditional dormitory-style quarters and apartment style living on campus.

Furthermore, FSU Honors students are given opportunities to engage in undergraduate research as early as their freshman year, which can be especially beneficial if you're interested in pursuing graduate studies later on. This hands-on experience, guided by experienced faculty, can be a cornerstone of your academic career.

In terms of competitiveness, admission into FSU's Honors Program does require meeting academic criteria and submitting an additional application. Usually, it's more selective than general admission, selecting students who have shown a high level of academic achievement. However, once in the program, the focus is on maintaining a certain GPA and meeting any other program-specific requirements.

Of course, it's worth pointing out that while joining the Honors Program can enhance your academic experience, you can still have an enriching and productive college career outside of the program. Engagement in other activities such as clubs, internships, or research could be equally rewarding. Consider your personal academic and career goals when making your decision. Good luck!

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.

FSU | Presidential Scholars Program

Presidential Scholars Program

Division of Undergraduate Studies

Application Process

The Presidential Scholars Program offers the premier undergraduate merit scholarship at Florida State University and invests in undergraduate students with extraordinary potential to be the transformational leaders of their generation. The program provides four years of support, and the application is open to high school seniors who are admitted into the Florida State University Honors Program . 

To be considered for the Presidential Scholars Program, incoming first-year prospective students must: 

1. Apply to Florida State University

To be considered for the Presidential Scholars Program, first-year applicants must first submit an application to Florida State University by December 1, 2024, and select "Yes" to the question “Are you interested in applying to the Honors Program?”

• When applying through the FSU Application, this question is located on the Additional Academic History page.
• When applying through the Common App, this question is located under Academics in the Questions section.

Once the university application has been submitted, please allow some time for the University Honors Application to become available on the Application Status Check. For students applying through the Common App, this may take up to 48 hours.

Note: The application essay for the  Presidential Scholars Program  is the same as the University Honors Program application essay.

2. Complete the University Honors Program/Presidential Scholars Program application essay. 

Students must indicate their interest in and complete their supplemental University Honors Program application essay by  11:59 p.m. EST on December 1, 2024 , to be considered for the University Honors Program and the Presidential Scholars Program.

Incoming prospective first-year students will be notified of their admission status to FSU and to University Honors on Feb. 13, 2025.

Applicants will also be notified on this date if they are selected to be semi-finalists for the Presidential Scholars Program.

3. Semi-finalists complete the supplemental video responses.

Semi-finalists will be required to submit video responses to two prompts to be considered finalists for Presidential Scholars. These are due Feb. 23, 2025, by 11:59 p.m. EST.

The following informational video addresses frequently asked questions about how to create your applicant videos:

4. Finalists attend interview and recruitment weekend in Tallahassee. 

Finalists for the Presidential Scholars Program will receive notification and an invitation in early March to a required on-campus interview March 28 – 29, 2025.  

All finalists for Presidential Scholars are also admitted into the University Honors Program.

The following informational video addresses frequently asked questions about Recruitment and Interview Weekend:

Questions about Presidential Scholars?

Email FSU Presidential Scholars

FSU | Events Calendar

Global Navigation

Events calendar.

Optional Subhead

• Florida State University Calendar
• Past Events

Honors Supplemental Application Deadline for Incoming First-Year Students for 2022-2023 Academic Year

Monday, November 15, 2021 11:59pm

• Share Honors Supplemental Application Deadline for Incoming First-Year Students for 2022-2023 Academic Year on Facebook
• Share Honors Supplemental Application Deadline for Incoming First-Year Students for 2022-2023 Academic Year on Twitter
• Share Honors Supplemental Application Deadline for Incoming First-Year Students for 2022-2023 Academic Year on LinkedIn

About this Event

HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

To apply to the Florida State University Honors Program, potential students must complete following steps:

1. APPLY TO FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY

To be considered for University Honors, First-Year applicants must first submit an application to Florida State University by November 1, 2021 and select "Yes" to the question, “Are you interested in applying to the Honors Program?”

• When applying through the FSU Application, this question is located on the Additional Academic History page.
• When applying through the Common App, this question is located under Academics in the Questions section.
• When applying through the Coalition Application, this question is located under Honors in the Additional Information section.

Once the university application has been submitted, please allow some time for the Honors Application to become available on the Application Status Check.  https://admissions.fsu.edu/statuscheck/

For students applying through the Common App or the Coalition Application, this may take up to 48 hours.

For more information about applying to FSU as a first-year incoming student, visit the FSU Admissions website:  https://admissions.fsu.edu/first-year/

2. COMPLETE THE HONORS APPLICATION

Students must indicate their interest in and complete their supplemental Honors Application by 11:59 pm EST on November 15, 2021 to be considered for University Honors.

The Honors Application consists of a series of student dispositions and short answer questions. Applicants must answer every question to be considered for the University Honors. Applicants to University Honors will be evaluated based on a holistic approach including, but not limited to, grades and strength of curriculum, honors and awards, extracurricular achievements, unique individual talents, quality of responses to the short-answer questions, and ACT/SAT test scores.

The academic profile of the middle 50% of applicants admitted to University Honors in 2019 was: 4.20-4.60 weighted GPA; 32-34 ACT composite score; 1440-1520 SAT total score.

Applicants will be notified of whether they were admitted to FSU and University Honors, and if they were named as a finalist for the Presidential Scholars Program, on  February 17, 2022.   Presidential Scholars Interview Weekend will take place  April 1-2, 2022 .

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For more information, visit the Honors Admissions webpage at  https://honors.fsu.edu/university-honors/admission-university-honors .

Event Details

Departments Filters

Contact Name:

Honors Staff

Contact Phone

850-644-1841

Contact Email

[email protected]