Admission

Admission

Membership in the Honors College is mostly by invitation and determined by the Rutgers-Camden Admissions staff. About three-quarters of our students join us right after high school and complete the Honors College Program Requirements which are designed to help students make the most of their time in college without imposing excessive additional requirements.

Key to this four-year program is the Engagement Requirement which asks students to give some time, each term, to campus and community life.

Participation in the Honors College is voluntary from the beginning of college to the end. Students admitted to Rutgers-Camden may decline the Honors invitation without losing scholarships. However, most students do accept our offer and more than 80% of students complete our program.

Professional advising, which is key to managing complex academic requirements and making steady progress toward graduation, is the hallmark of the Honors experience. Our staff of three Honors College assistant deans is available to our students by appointment and on a walk-in basis for the duration of their time at Rutgers-Camden. After newly-admitted students accept their admissions to Rutgers-Camden and to the Honors College, the Honors College staff meets with new students in a one-on-one summer advising appointment.

Our space at 319 Cooper St. is our students’ home base, where our classes meet and our advisors can help with red tape or give advice about a particular class or even a change in major. Collaborating with organizations across campus, the Honors College plans many events and encourages our students to spend time between classes studying in our computer lab and socializing in our lounge. 

Watch our short Meet the Honors College video.

When May a Student Join the Honors College?

First Year Students

For first-year students, membership in the Honors College is by invitation. Criteria for admission is based on high school records. Most Honors College students are also offered scholarships to attend Rutgers-Camden. Acceptance of a Rutgers scholarship does not require enrollment in the Honors College itself. Students invited to join will meet with our advising staff during the summer in a one-on-one meeting. In this meeting, they will learn about our program requirements. First year students will be required to take up to 5 classes with us including English Composition 1 and 2, First Year Forum and two Upper Division Honors Seminar courses, participate in our IMPACT Night, and complete Experiences and Engagement requirements. Students who are admitted to the Honors College as incoming first-year students but reject their admission or fail to respond by posted deadlines will not be admitted in future semesters.

Rising Sophomores

For rising sophomores, after two semesters at Rutgers-Camden, the following is needed:

•  A minimum of 24 and no more than 45 earned credits
• A GPA of at least 3.75
• No more than one grade of W (Withdrawal) on the transcript

Rising sophomores will receive an invitation to join the Honors College in the summer after their first year. Once that invitation is accepted, they meet with our advising team to review our program requirements. Rising sophomores are required to take two Upper Division Honors Seminar courses, participate in our IMPACT Night, and complete Experiences and Engagement requirements. 

Transfer Students, with 30-60 transferable credits

Admission is by invitation, but it also requires a consultation with an Honors advisor and an individual agreement about remaining requirements. Most Honors College transfer students are also offered scholarships to attend the university. Acceptance of a Rutgers scholarship does not require enrollment in the Honors College itself. Students who are invited to join meet with our advising staff during the summer in a one-on-one meeting in which they learn about our program requirements. Transfer students are required to take one Upper Division Honors Seminar course, participate in our IMPACT Night, and complete Experiences and Engagement requirements. 

Students may also apply to our program by completing the Application.  The application will be reviewed in June and applicants are notified after a decision has been made.