The Williams Honors College
September 6th - Dine and Discover
Join other Williams Honors Scholars for dinner and a fireside chat with Pamela Williams on September 6 at 6:00pm in the Honors Complex Common Room.
A Tradition of Community
Say YES to Honors! Be inspired by your professors and by your high-achieving classmates, who come from a variety of backgrounds and possess broad academic interests and achievements, inside the special intellectual community that is UA's Williams Honors College.
Our Mission
The Williams Honors College inspires intellectually curious scholars within an inclusive community of excellence at The University of Akron. We provide unique academic experiences for our students, including opportunities to engage in challenging curricula and research within all academic colleges of the university. We foster an environment that promotes transformational growth through experiential learning, service, cultural experiences, and study abroad. The Honors Experience develops graduates who contribute to their local and global community through their lifelong respect for learning.
Why Choose the Williams Honors College?
In the Williams Honors College you will join other high-achieving and motivated students, professors, staff, alumni and friends to promote excellence on campus, in the Akron community and throughout the country and world. When you plant your roots here, your growth is unlimited. You will feel the support and connection from UA no matter where you go. Say Yes to Honors!
The Honors community makes the transition from high school to college seamless and fosters the feeling of belonging.
- When you live, play and learn together, you can create lifelong relationships that benefit you both personally and professionally.
- You will join a proud family of more than 3,500 UA honors alumni.
- Connection and opportunities through the vast alumni family continue and grow long after you graduate.
You will get priority scheduling, which ensures that you have the earliest selection of courses and instructors.
This gives you freedom to set your schedule and chart your path to graduation.
Design your own research focus, where you will get one-on-one support and attention from faculty advisors. Your research project is a valuable asset when applying for jobs or graduate school. Upon graduation, you're invited to an exclusive recognition ceremony. You will earn a special designation on your diploma and transcripts that sets you apart in applications for jobs and graduate schools.
The complex includes:
- An academic wing, seminar rooms, study lounges, a computer lab and two-story common rooms for socializing and studying.
- Live with other driven, focused and engaging Honors students.
- Located in the heart of campus.
- You will take Honors colloquia and many other Honors sections of courses in the complex.
- Residence hall rooms are single or doubles with private bathroom inside the room.
Distinguish yourself through participating leadership training, Dine and Discover, Leadership Summit, Dean's Team, and other events and activities.
There are many ways for you to gain tangible experience in Honors club and organizations.
- Our study abroad program allows you to earn credit for courses that could fulfill your Honors Distribution and degree requirements while you gain unique cultural and hands-on educational experiences.
- The Honors to Law program is an early pathway for aspiring lawyers who wish to get a foot in the (law school) door as undergrads.
- Honors Colloquia are interdisciplinary seminars that offer you a chance to broaden your perspectives and hear from others in diverse fields of study.
- Honors Distribution ensures that your education has breadth in addition to depth. Since honors students are exempt from the general education requirements, you get the flexibility to expand the courses you take to capitalize on your developing interests. Sometimes these courses would not traditionally be associated with your major but in a unique way really supplement your degree.
Requirements for Admission to the Williams Honors College
The Williams Honors College (WHC) welcomes applications from intellectually curious, self-motivated students like you who have demonstrated an ability to excel and are seeking opportunities to distinguish themselves at The University of Akron and onward.
Wholestic application review based on:
- High School GPA (3.6 minimum unweighted)
- ACT or SAT Score
- Written Essays
- Extracurricular involvement
Consideration for admission to WHC for transfer students:
- You have completed fewer than 64 credit hours
- A minimum 3.60 GPA
- If you have potential that might not be highlighted in your academic record, such as entering college after pursuing a career or meeting other responsibilities, please include a letter describing your circumstances, accomplishments and goals in your application.
To apply as a transfer student, contact the Williams Honors College Admissions Office to make an appointment.
Consideration for admission to WHC for current UA students:
- Must be currently enrolled at UA
- Have a minimum GPA of 3.60
- Have completed fewer than 64 credit hours
To apply as a current UA student, contact the Williams Honors College Admissions Office to make an appointment.
Wholestic application review based on:
- High School GPA (3.6 minimum unweighted)
- ACT or SAT Score
- Written Essays
- Extracurricular involvement
Consideration for admission to WHC for transfer students:
- You have completed fewer than 64 credit hours
- A minimum 3.60 GPA
- If you have potential that might not be highlighted in your academic record, such as entering college after pursuing a career or meeting other responsibilities, please include a letter describing your circumstances, accomplishments and goals in your application.
To apply as a transfer student, contact the Williams Honors College Admissions Office to make an appointment.
Consideration for admission to WHC for current UA students:
- Must be currently enrolled at UA
- Have a minimum GPA of 3.60
- Have completed fewer than 64 credit hours
To apply as a current UA student, contact the Williams Honors College Admissions Office to make an appointment.
Scholarship Opportunities for Williams Honors College Members
Every student admitted to the WHC is awarded an Honors Scholarship when they accept their seat. Scholarships are based on an applicant's academic qualifications with award typically ranging from $1,500 to $2,000 per year.
Every applicant to the Honors College is considered for an honors scholarship award. No additional application need be completed other than the application to join the Honors College. Students eligible for the presitigious Buckingham-Orr Scholarship and the Hower Taber Scholarship will be contacted mid-January about an interview.
TIP: Students should review additional scholarship information available through the Office of Student Financial Aid to be considered for non-honors scholarships as well.
Your application to the WHC must be completed by:
Feb. 1 — for prestigious scholarship consideration.
Apr 1 — for Honors scholarship consideration.
An Honors scholarship is in addition to other academic scholarships awarded at The University of Akron.
To receive an Honors scholarship in any given semester, a student must be enrolled in a bachelor's degree program for a minimum of 12 credits. Honors scholarships are renewed annually, without reapplication, if the student maintains a sufficient cumulative grade-point average:
- after completing one year of college: 3.25 or higher
- after completing two years of college: 3.30 or higher
- after completing three years of college: 3.40 or higher
A student must earn a 3.4 or higher GPA upon graduation in order to be a Williams Honors Scholar and have the notation added to their transcript.
Transfer students, non-traditional applicants, and continuing undergraduates at UA who apply to the Honors College are considered for scholarships case by case.
The Drs. Gary and Pamela Williams Study Abroad Grant and the Jacobson Study Abroad for Women in Engineering Scholarship provide support for students who want to expand their horizons internationally. Current WHC Students can get more information and request funding by contacting the Dean’s office.
Honors Curriculum
Our curriculum is designed to inspire and challenge! In addition to the requirements for their major, the students complete the Honors Curriculum, which replaces the University’s General Education requirement.
Honors Distribution
Choose from a wide variety of courses, or bring CCP or AP coursework, to fulfill the Honors distribution.
Honors Colloquia
Explore interesting topics in the Humanities, Social Sciences, and Natural Sciences with a small group of peers from a wide range of academic majors.
Honors Research Project
Explore a topic in depth with the help of a faculty sponsor and distinguish yourself as you enter the workforce, apply for graduate, or consider professional school.
Honors Credits
Credits earned in Honors sections or by agreement with the instructor, these classes give you the opportunity to explore the course topic in more detail.
"Because of the Williams Honors College, I have met so many excellent people who have supported me and pushed me to grow. The Honors College makes UA feel like a home and provides so many opportunities to get involved in and out of my comfort zone."
"What motivates me to be a high-achieving student are the goals I have for my future. I want to be a corporate lawyer and I know that I must work hard to get into law school and learn what is needed to be successful in my future career."
