Apply to Perry Honors College
Bring your curiosity to ODU. Explore an Honors experience that connects your academic interests with opportunities for research, service, and community. Start here to find your eligibility requirements, application steps, and next steps after admission.
Before You Apply
Review these requirements, then follow the instructions for your applicant path.
- Be applying to, admitted to, or currently enrolled in an undergraduate program at Old Dominion University, as required by your applicant pathway.
- Plan to pursue your undergraduate degree full-time and in person at ODU’s main campus.
- Be able to complete the Perry Honors College curriculum and at least 60 credit hours in person at ODU.
- If an Honors application is required for your pathway, submit the application, essay, résumé, and any other materials
Direct admission note: Some incoming students may be admitted to the Perry Honors College without a separate Honors application. These students are identified through approved university pathways. The Perry Honors College does not determine which students qualify for these pathways and does not set the eligibility criteria used for selection.
How We Review Your Application
We review applications holistically, considering your academic preparation, experiences, and potential contribution to the Perry Honors College community. Your application gives us a fuller picture of who you are and how you may engage in Honors.
- Academic performance, course rigor and progression, and readiness for Honors academics and activities.
- The quality and completeness of your responses, essay, and résumé.
- Leadership, service, research, creative work, employment, family responsibilities, community involvement, and other meaningful experiences.
- Your potential contribution to the Honors community and ability to meet the curriculum and in-person credit requirements.
No single factor, including GPA, an activity, résumé experience, or essay, guarantees admission through the application review process.
Applicant Pathways
Incoming First-Year Applicants
Start your Honors experience as you begin your undergraduate journey at ODU. Admission to ODU and admission to Perry Honors College are separate decisions.
Eligibility reminder: Plan to enroll full-time, in person at ODU’s main campus, and be able to complete the Honors curriculum and at least 60 credit hours in person at ODU.
If You Have Been Directly Admitted to the Honors College
Incoming students who receive an approved ODU scholar designation are automatically granted admission to the Perry Honors College. A separate Honors application is not required.
Eligibility for these scholar designations is determined by the specific scholarship or university program. The Perry Honors College is not involved in selecting recipients and does not establish the criteria used to determine eligibility.
Directly admitted students will receive an Honors offer in their Future Monarch Portal (FMP). Once your Honors offer becomes available, follow the acceptance instructions below.
If You Need to Submit an Honors Application
- Open the Perry Honors College application using https://monarch.odu.edu/app
- Complete the application responses and submit your essay prompt and résumé.
- Submit the application. Follow the Future Monarch Portal as well as your email for updates.
After Admission
Open your Future Monarch Portal and select your Perry Honors College Supplemental Application status in the sidebar. Click “Accept Perry Honors College,” review and accept the participation and academic requirements, and complete the onboarding steps sent after acceptance.
Offer response deadline: May 1
Transfer Applicants
Bring your college experience to Perry Honors College. Your application route depends on whether you qualify for direct admission.
Eligibility reminder: Plan to enroll full time, in person at ODU’s main campus, and be able to complete the Honors curriculum and at least 60 credit hours in person at ODU.
Transfer students applying through application review
- Open the Perry Honors College application using https://monarch.odu.edu/app
- Complete the required Perry Honors College application responses, essay prompt, and résumé.
- Submit the application. Follow the Future Monarch Portal as well as your email for updates.
After admission
In your Future Monarch Portal, select your Perry Honors College Supplemental Application status in the sidebar. Click “Accept Perry Honors College,” review and accept the participation and academic requirements, and complete the onboarding steps sent after acceptance.
The offer response deadline is May 1.
Current ODU Students Applying to Honors
Already a Monarch? You may apply to Perry Honors College after completing at least one semester of undergraduate enrollment at ODU and meeting the continued-enrollment requirements below.
You must also be able to complete the Honors curriculum and at least 60 credit hours in person at ODU while pursuing your undergraduate degree full time at the main campus.
Eligibility
- ODU GPA must be established.
- Be able to complete the Honors curriculum and at least 60 credit hours in person at ODU.
How to Apply
- Per above, confirm that you have an ODU GPA and are able to complete the credit requirements.
- Open the Monarch Advising Portal (MAP) using https://monarch.odu.edu/student and access Honors application.
- Complete the application and submit the required essay, résumé, and supporting materials.
- Follow the Monarch Advising Portal (MAP) for your admission decision.
After Admission
Access your Perry Honors College application in the Monarch Advising Portal (MAP) under 'My Applications.' Click 'Accept Perry Honors College,' to review and accept the participation and academic requirements, and complete the onboarding steps sent after acceptance.
The offer response deadline is May 1.
Dates
Important dates for the Fall 2027 cycle.
| Applicant Group | Applications Open | Application Review & Decisions* | Accept Offer By |
|---|---|---|---|
| Incoming First-Year | September | September - April | May 1 |
| Transfer | September | September - April | May 1 |
| Current ODU | September | September - April | May 1 |
*Honors applications are reviewed on a rolling basis from September through April. Decisions are released throughout the review cycle as we evaluate applications.
How to Accept Your Honors Offer
To confirm your admission and enroll in the Perry Honors College, refer to the following to complete the required next steps.
- Incoming first-year and transfer students: use the Future Monarch Portal for details and instructions.
- Current ODU students: use the Monarch Advising Portal under 'My Applications' for details and instructions.
- Select your Perry Honors College Supplemental Application status in the sidebar.
- Click “Accept Perry Honors College.”
- Review and accept the PHC participation and academic requirements.
- Complete the onboarding steps communicated after acceptance.
Questions about your next step?
Not sure which pathway applies to you? View a list of frequently asked questions below. You can also contact Perry Honors College for help understanding your eligibility, application steps, or offer acceptance.