Lee Honors College
Three smiling students walking away from the Student Center.

Honors College Admission

Discover how the Lee Honors College at WMU helps academically motivated students thrive through courses, research, mentorship, and community.

Join the Lee Honors College at WMU

Thank you for your interest in the Lee Honors College! We look forward to helping you to show the world what you can DO, rather than just what you KNOW. Please find some helpful information below about joining the honors college at WMU. Our program will offer you an extra layer of support and advocacy at WMU with a combination of academic, social, and professional-development opportunities that will not only help you become a successful student, but will also nurture your personal growth to becoming a well-informed, engaged citizen. Your level of engagement in our programming and courses will determine the level of success you achieve in the college. 

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Stats

3.93

average GPA of incoming honors students

3.63

average GPA of an honors student

1 in 6

WMU undergraduates in the honors college

Honors admission requirements

Students may join the Lee Honors College through automatic invitation or through the honors application process. Admission eligibility is based on academic performance and varies depending on where students are in their educational journeys.

Students who meet the following honors college GPA requirements will automatically receive an invitation to join the Lee Honors College shortly after admission to WMU, or after qualifying semesters at the university:

  • First-year students with a high school GPA of 3.6 or higher.
  • Incoming transfer students with a transfer GPA of 3.5 or higher.
  • Current WMU students who earn a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher for two consecutive fall/spring semesters.

Eligible students may join the Lee Honors College prior to the start of any fall or spring semester. Students may not join the honors college after the drop/add period. We encourage interested students who do not receive an automatic invitation, but who are interested in joining, to complete the honors college application for consideration. The application allows students to share additional information about their academic goals, achievements and interest in honors education. Students should confirm admission to the University prior to applying to the honors college. If you received an invitation to join the honors college after being admitted, you can accept that offer by following the instructions in your email. 

International students may also apply to the honors college after being admitted to WMU. Because grading systems vary internationally, most international applicants complete the honors application process directly.

For additional information regarding admission including an application for those that do not meet the requirements for automatic invitation to join, please visit our Admissions Criteria page.

Key application deadlines

Eligible students may join the Lee Honors College prior to the start of any fall or spring semester. Students cannot join the honors college in the middle of a semester. 

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, but students are encouraged to apply as early as possible to maximize access to honors courses, advising, and scholarship opportunities. 

View WMU admission deadlines

How to apply to the WMU Lee Honors College

We encourage interested students who do not receive an automatic invitation to still apply to the honors college for consideration. The application allows students to share additional information about their academic goals, achievements, and interest in honors education. 

Students should first confirm admission to WMU's undergraduate program before applying to the Lee Honors College.

If you received an automatic invitation to join the Lee Honors College after being admitted, you can accept your offer by following the instructions included in your admission email.

Complete your WMU application
Find the honors college application

First-year students

Honors advisor Yuri Estrada talks with an honors student about scheduling classes.

First-year students who have been admitted to the university for fall 2027, and are eligible for automatic invitation, will be sent an invitation to accept membership (3.6 or higher high school GPA) to the Lee Honors College.

Apply to WMU

Transfer students

An honors student sits in a hammock in the Student Center.

Upon admission to WMU, a transfer student with a GPA of 3.5 or better will automatically receive an email invitation to join the honors college. Invitations are sent to the email address used for the application for admission to WMU.

Check out transfer services

Current students

An honors student presents her research poster in the honors college lounge.

WMU students who have maintained a 3.5 or better cumulative GPA for two consecutive fall and spring semesters will receive an email invitation to join the honors college. These invitations are sent out in December and May.

Meet with an honors advisor

International students

A large group of honors students stand on a staircase, the students in front are holding a WMU flag, many other students are making the W with their hands.

New international students who are eligible for the honors college will receive an email invitation approximately eight weeks prior to the start of their first term at WMU. Incoming international beginner students with a GPA of 3.6 or higher, and international transfer students with a GPA of 3.5 or higher, will automatically be invited to enroll.

Check out International Student and Scholar Services

Next steps for admitted honors students

LASSO - LHC Academic Support and Success Orientation

Following admission to the Lee Honors college, all students are required to complete a comprehensive eLearning module that contains information about honors graduation requirements, advising, services, and opportunities within the first 6 weeks of the semester that they join the college. Students receive notification via email from their honors advisor with details for completion.

Meet with your advisor

Honors students are required to meet with their honors advisor at least annually in order to ensure that students are on track with meeting honors college requirements in order to graduate. Honors advisors are also able to assist in other areas where students may need guidance by offering resources and connections to other advisors, programs, and services. 

Meet your advisor

Visit the Lee Honors College in person!

Visitors are welcome to explore study spaces, meet current students, and experience the honors community first-hand. Take a tour of the building, check out the lounge, and chat with a Peer Student Support Team mentor! Add the honors college to your list when scheduling a campus tour!

Visit WMU

Want to meet with an honors advisor before deciding to join?

Please schedule an appointment via one of the individual links to advisor calendars below. Please use your WMU email address when scheduling. More information about each advisor can be found on the advising webpage.

Schedule with Kerrie Harvey
Schedule with Lucy Parrott
Schedule with Sarah Misiak
Schedule with Yuri Estrada

Frequently Asked Questions

We expect engagement, not perfection. The Lee Honors College is home to students who lean into their college experience in ways that are meaningful to them, through a myriad of opportunities including academics, research, leadership, service, and creative work. We also value self-awareness and resilience, including the willingness to ask for help when needed, and make use of the resources and support available to students.

The Lee Honors College offers a small-college experience within a large research university, including priority registration, specialized advising, scholarships, and a supportive community of motivated students. Students can participate in experience-driven learning opportunities such as Study in the States courses, honors study abroad programs, undergraduate research, and creative scholarship experiences that help them connect classroom learning to the world around them.

Honors courses are highly engaging, discussion-based learning environments where students are surrounded by other motivated, academically curious peers. With small class sizes and a low student-to-faculty ratio, students can build meaningful relationships with faculty, actively contribute to class discussions, and explore complex ideas from multiple perspectives. Rather than focusing on memorization, honors courses emphasize critical thinking, collaboration, and experience-driven learning. These courses are not more difficult than most other courses at WMU. The difference resides in the discussion-based learning within a smaller classroom.

The Lee Honors College at WMU welcomes academically motivated students who are excited to explore new ideas and get involved on campus. The Lee Honors College does not have an enrollment cap. Most eligible students receive an automatic invitation to join based on their GPA (see above), and students who do not have the minimum GPA to receive an automatic invitation are encouraged to apply.