Any current first year UVM student who anticipates having a GPA of 3.40 or higher at the end of two semesters of undergraduate study is encouraged to consider applying for sophomore admission to the Patrick Leahy Honors College. Students must have a GPA of at least 3.40 at the end of the spring semester of their first year in order to be eligible for sophomore admission, and that spring semester must be the student's second full semester of full-time undergraduate study. Around 100 rising sophomores are admitted to the Patrick Leahy Honors College every year.
Note: Students completing the Liberal Arts Scholars Program (LASP) at the close of spring 2024 who wish to apply for sophomore admissions into the Patrick Leahy Honors College must have: a GPA of 3.7 or above, meet all LASP requirements AND provide the same sophomore application materials as listed below, indicating in the application form that they are in LASP, in order to be assured admission. Students in LASP who have a GPA of 3.4 -3.69, or who have a 3.7+ but have not met all LASP requirements may still apply but are not assured admission.
Application Deadline For Fall 2024
Online applications will be accepted between March 15th and May 10th, 2024. An application is complete only when all components have been submitted. Incomplete and late applications will not be considered.
The Patrick Leahy Honors College embeds the liberal arts in a culture of research and scholarly inquiry, serving undergraduate students at UVM who seek opportunities to excel in scholarship, leadership, and civic engagement.
Toward this end, we ask prospective candidates for sophomore-year admission to write three brief essays (250-word max for each answer) in response to the following questions:
- Identify a current social or ecological problem and explain why it is important to you.
- Discuss how this concern informs your chosen field of study and the opportunities you might like to pursue in the Patrick Leahy Honors College.
- Explain why an understanding of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are crucial for efforts to engage with this issue.
It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that all components have been received by the Patrick Leahy Honors College. Current UVM students do not need to submit transcripts.
Please also note that because the Patrick Leahy Honors College is a living and learning community, sophomore-year admits are required to live in one of the buildings in the University Heights complex.
Students will be informed of admission decisions by early June. Notification will be sent to the student's UVM email address.
Application Form. Login with your UVM netID and select the PLHC Application. Once you’ve completed the application and entered your answers, submit the application.