As an incoming high school student beginning your college education, the L&S Honors Program at UW–Madison invites you to start strong by exploring Honors paths designed to fit your goals and interests.
- Honors in the Liberal Arts: Broaden your horizons by taking Honors courses across many academic subject areas — a great way to build a strong foundation as you begin your college journey.
- Honors in the Major: Dive deeper into advanced coursework and research within your chosen field once you’ve officially declared your major(s) at UW–Madison.
- Comprehensive Honors: Earn recognition for completing both paths, showcasing your breadth and depth of achievement.
While it’s exciting to learn about all three tracks, incoming high school students without prior college experience are only eligible to apply for Honors in the Liberal Arts at the time of admission. Opportunities to pursue Honors in the Major — and ultimately Comprehensive Honors — become available later in your UW–Madison journey.
Honors in the Liberal Arts
Incoming students are eligible to pursue the Honors in the Liberal Arts track within the Honors Program.
Students pursuing Honors in the Liberal Arts will:
- complete at least 24 Honors credits by graduation (an average of one Honors course per semester over four years)
- explore Honors coursework across the academic areas of L&S, including (but certainly not limited to) subjects like art history, biology, mathematics, or psychology
- have access to discussion-driven classes exclusively for Honors students, as well as courses with enriching Honors projects
- have the opportunity to enhance their learning in courses of interest by completing projects for Honors credit
Honors course availability varies each semester. Courses taken for Honors can count toward general education, L&S breadth, and major requirements (if applicable).
To learn more about the specific requirements of Honors in the Liberal Arts, please review our dedicated Honors Degree Tracks pages.
Apply for Honors in the Liberal Arts
Application opens: January 1, 2026
Deadlines: The L&S Honors Program accepts applications from incoming students beginning on January 1. Applications are reviewed in batches following these deadlines:
- Sunday, February 22, 2026, at 11:59 PM. Decisions shared by mid-March.
- Sunday, March 15, 2026, at 11:59 PM. Decisions shared by early April.
- Sunday, April 26, 2026, at 11:59 PM. Decisions shared by mid-May.
Note: All applications received by Sunday, April 26, will receive full consideration. There is no preference given to students who submit applications by earlier deadlines. Applications submitted between April 27 and May 24 will be considered on a rolling basis if space in the incoming class is available.
Who Can Apply
- Must have applied to the University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Must intend to earn a degree from the College of Letters & Science (L&S)
Note: Applications are not reviewed until you have officially been admitted to UW-Madison and the College of Letters & Science.
Interested in Honors but not seeking a degree from L&S? Explore other Wisconsin Honors Programs.
The application includes the following:
- Questions about your academic goals, including your intended majors and/or certificates (minors).
- Essay questions
- You will be asked to articulate your interest(s) in the Honors in the Liberal Arts track and the L&S Honors community.
- You will be asked to share more about your diverse academic interests.
Note: L&S Honors does not consider high school GPA, transcripts, academic awards, or test scores. Please do not submit these materials to the Honors Program.
The incoming student application for Honors in the Liberal Arts will be made available on January 1, 2026, and will be found in the Wisconsin Scholarship Hub (WiSH). You can access WiSH through your MyUW or by logging in at wisc.academicworks.com.
You may consider following these steps:
- Log into MyUW and open the WiSH app. If you use a direct link to WiSH, make sure you are logged into WiSH with your NetID.
- Complete the general application if you have not done so already.
- Search for “Letters & Science Honors Program Honors in the Liberal Arts Application.”
- Save and submit your application.
Note: Applying to Honors in the Liberal Arts as an incoming student is not the only way to join the Honors Program — it is just the first opportunity. If you are not admitted as an incoming student, or would prefer to start your time on campus before joining the Honors Program, you may apply as a continuing student. Please see our Continuing Student Admissions page for more details.
Benefits of the L&S Honors Program
Engaging courses
Honors students can earn credit through Honors Only, Accelerated Honors, or Honors Optional courses, plus study abroad and custom projects. These options let students tailor their experience and dive deeper into topics they’re passionate about.
Grants & scholarships
The L&S Honors Program provides grants and scholarships for continuing students to support research, Honors theses, study abroad, conference travel, and service projects, fostering academic growth and leadership.
Comprehensive academic advising
The L&S Honors Program offers holistic, student-centered academic advising. Honors advisors work as a team to advise students throughout their time at the university.
Community & connection
Engage in welcoming events, faculty dinners, academic panels, author meetups, and fun social activities—building community, exploring ideas, and connecting with peers and mentors throughout your Honors experience.
Additional Honors Tracks
Honors in the Major
Most L&S majors offer an Honors track specifically designed for that field. Components of this option vary by major, but typically include a minimum GPA, specific higher-level courses in the major, and a capstone (often writing a senior Honors thesis).
How to apply: Incoming students cannot declare Honors in the Major. Students may declare Honors in the Major in consultation with a major advisor after starting courses at UW.
Comprehensive Honors
L&S’s highest credential for bachelor’s degrees, combining successful completion of both Honors in the Liberal Arts and Honors in the Major tracks.
How to apply: There is no formal application process for Comprehensive Honors. Students who complete both Honors in the Liberal Arts and Honors in the Major are awarded Comprehensive Honors.
Honors Student Perspectives
Anusha Naik
Credentials: B.S. with Honors in the Liberal Arts | Majors: Anthropology, Molecular Biology | Certificate: African Studies
The L&S Honors program pushed me to appreciate breadth in my education. As a member of this program, I took courses on obscure topics and gained unique perspectives on the world surrounding me.
Prachi Raina
Credentials: B.S. with Honors in the Liberal Arts | Major: Economics | Certificate: Business
I actually met my college best friend through the Honors Program! She and I were sitting at SOAR together trying to figure out classes for freshman year and I remember we were so nervous and excited about what was to come. Little did I know she would be my best friend all through college! The Honors Program brought me people that are willing to go the extra mile with me while having a blast along the way 🙂 Thanks L&S Honors for all the advising, ice cream socials, and friends!!
Christopher Murphy
Credentials: B.S. with Honors in the Liberal Arts | Majors: Biochemistry, History
My Honors experience has offered me a deeper and more comprehensive education and experience. It has not only allowed me to research topics that I would not have otherwise been able to study and to better get to know professors but also introduce me to other driven undergraduates. The Honors College, in total, has provided me richer and more intimate experience at the University of Wisconsin – Madison.