Top Scholars
Within the University of Oregon, you’ll discover a community of top scholars pursuing knowledge and achievement, conducting original research, and applying new ideas to real-world issues. You’ll find students like you: passionate about learning.
Robert D. Clark Honors College
This highly selective four-year college of 600 undergraduate scholars offers small, discussion-based courses taught by award-winning professors. The rigorous, comprehensive curriculum satisfies all UO general education requirements and is taught by faculty who only teach Clark Honors College students. Students take 58 to 66 graded credits and receive an honors college diploma when they graduate. The capstone of the curriculum is a thesis—an individually designed advanced research or creative project. We receive about 2,000 applications for 175 positions each year.
Admission and Eligibility
For admission to the Clark Honors College (CHC), you must complete the CHC portion of the application for admission. In addition, you will provide two teacher evaluations, a description of your accomplishments, and an essay. Find all the honors college forms that you need here.
The Society of College Scholars
Qualified, motivated undergraduates are invited to join the Society of College Scholars, which encourages its 150 students to become an active part of the University of Oregon’s research mission. The honors program includes intensive interaction with faculty and like-minded students. The four-year coursework includes special general education courses, freshman colloquia, sophomore circles, and internships. The experience culminates with achievement of departmental honors, professional certificates, or both.
Admission and Eligibility
Invitations to join the Society are issued to all incoming freshmen with high school GPAs above 3.75. If you choose to participate in the society, you’ll complete an online registration form.
Departmental honors programs
Virtually every UO department and program offers its own departmental honors program to guide students toward graduation with honors. Each involves extensive coursework and a final thesis or research project. Visit the Academic Programs page to link to the department or program you are interested in.
The Freshman Interest Group program offers a number of Challenge FIGs specially developed to introduce new top scholars to a variety of disciplines.
More Top Scholar Resources:
The University of Oregon recognizes the achievements of entering students who have earned Advanced Placement credits or an International Baccalaureate in high school. These credits or degrees may fulfill some college course requirements.
Get a jumpstart on your UO courses
Even before you meet with your academic adviser, you can begin to assess how your interests can be met by the UO’s academic curriculum. Use the Jumpstart tutorial to learn more.
Scholarship opportunities
Information about the UO’s many financial aid opportunities is available from the Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships. Many of our merit-based scholarships are available to freshman applicants.
Additionally, Rhodes, Marshall, Fulbright, and other national scholarships offer wonderful opportunities for you to study at prestigious universities around the world. As a UO top scholar, you’ll be in good company—among the UO’s faculty members and alumni are two Nobel Prize recipients, ten Pulitzer Prize winners, nineteen Rhodes scholars, 58 Guggenheim fellows, and 129 Fulbright scholars.