Schreyer Honors College at Smeal
A Smeal Degree. An Honors Foundation.
Schreyer Scholars at Smeal don't have to choose between academic rigor and business education—they get both. You'll work with a dedicated Smeal honors adviser who helps you build an academic plan that fits your major, honors requirements, and goals for study abroad or additional credentials. A specially trained faculty honors adviser in your major field will support your thesis work from beginning to end.
Smeal is committed to helping scholars achieve the Schreyer Honors College mission: academic excellence, a global perspective, and meaningful engagement in leadership and civic life.
Who Schreyer Scholars Are
Schreyer Scholars represent the top 5% of students at Penn State. Selection is competitive but holistic; there is no minimum GPA or standardized test score cutoff. Candidates are evaluated on their academic record, extracurricular involvement, essay responses, and letters of recommendation.
What Schreyer looks for:
Academic excellence and intellectual curiosity
Strong leadership skills and self-discipline
Commitment to citizenship and civic responsibility
Motivation to conduct independent research leading to an undergraduate honors thesis
Pathways Into the Schreyer Honors College
High school seniors apply to Schreyer alongside their Penn State application. Admission is based on your full academic and extracurricular record. If admitted as a first-year student, you will receive the Academic Excellence Scholarship: a $5,300 per year, four-year renewable merit grant.
To learn more and apply, visit the Schreyer Honors College website.
Smeal advisers participate in Scholar's Day, held each fall. Current high school students and their families are welcome to attend.
Exceptional Penn State students can apply to the Schreyer Honors College during their second year. The Smeal College faculty reviews applicants and nominates students for admission. The application typically opens around April 1 and closes May 15. Students are notified in late June.
Smeal applicants must meet all of the following:
Minimum 3.70 cumulative GPA at the time of application
Completing (or have completed) all Smeal entrance-to-major requirements at the time of application
Minimum of four full-time semesters remaining before graduation
Motivation and ability to conduct research leading to a completed undergraduate honors thesis
Aptitude for leadership, civic engagement, and international experience
Academic recommendation letter from a Penn State faculty member or adviser
The application requires the completion of several essay questions. Answers to the essay questions should be thorough, but concise. The application also requires an academic recommendation letter. The recommender should be a Penn State faculty member or adviser familiar with the student’s potential honors work in their major
For more information, visit Schreyer's admissions for current Penn State students.
Note: Current Penn State students are not eligible for the Schreyer Academic Excellence Scholarship, but may be eligible for travel and research grant funds.