Apply to the Emerson Honors Program

The Emerson Honors Program is an intellectually rigorous, creatively driven community for students who want more from their college experience. Over four years, you’ll engage in interdisciplinary seminars, collaborative research, and faculty-directed independent study—all alongside your chosen major.

Each fall, approximately 50 students are invited to join. Your Honors application decision is independent of your general admission decision, meaning you can be admitted to Emerson without being invited to the Honors Program, and vice versa.

First-Year Applicants

The Honors Program is open to all first-year students applying for September admission, regardless of major. Students applying to Global Partnership programs are not eligible. Every Honors Program Scholar receives a Trustees Scholarship of $30,000 per year ($15,000 per semester), renewable for up to eight semesters. Students must maintain a 3.3 cumulative GPA and a 3.0 GPA in Honors courses.

What We Look For

  • Strong analytical and writing skills, as demonstrated by the Honors essay
  • Excellent academic performance in a challenging high school curriculum
  • Demonstrated leadership and commitment to community
  • Creative accomplishments

How to Apply

  1. Submit all general requirements for undergraduate admission by the appropriate deadlines.
  2. Submit a 400–600 word Honors essay by the Honors essay deadline. This is separate from your Common Application essays and may be uploaded at the time of application or through the Admission Portal afterward.

Rising Sophomore Applicants

A limited number of rising sophomores are admitted each fall, selected by the Honors Program Director. Students are notified by early to mid-June. Each admitted sophomore receives a Trustees Scholarship renewable for up to six semesters of full-time undergraduate enrollment. This scholarship supersedes any previous scholarship offered by the institution.

How to Apply

The application opens on April 1, and all materials must be submitted through the online application system by May 1. You will need to submit:

  • A completed application form
  • A letter of application – In one to two pages, double-spaced, please explain your reasons for applying, what you’ll contribute, and why you want to complete an Honors thesis
  • A short essay addressing the current Honors essay topic
  • An academic writing sample from an Emerson course (critical or expository essay)
  • Two faculty letters of recommendation: one from your first-year IN seminar instructor, and one from a liberal arts or major course professor
  • Unofficial transcripts from Emerson and any other institutions attended

Questions about applying? Contact Honors Program Director Adam Franklin-Lyons at adam_franklinlyons@emerson.edu or Associate Director Nicole Martignetti at nicole_martignetti@emerson.edu.

Honors Essay Topic

Please respond in 400–600 words: We often use metaphors to help us understand our world and persuade others. Write about a metaphor you find powerful, and explore its potential to be helpful and/or harmful in your thinking.

Why Apply to the Honors Program

Honors scholars enjoy individual advising, special lectures, interdisciplinary fulfillment of general education requirements, collaborative research opportunities, and mentorship from students across all four years of the program. Social events and community service projects make the Honors Program a true community, and one that extends well beyond the classroom.