Honors College Inform and Interview Day

Instead of a traditional one-on-one interview, you will participate in a 50-minute small-group discussion with one faculty member and 3–4 other applicants. This session is designed to mimic our honors seminars. We want to see how you engage with a text or topic, how you listen to others, and how you contribute to a collaborative intellectual environment.

The best preparation is to come ready to engage. We aren’t looking for a “lead” speaker or someone who has memorized the most facts; we are looking for students who are curious and respectful of different viewpoints. You don’t need to bring anything with you—just your willingness to participate in a conversation.

If you are nervous, we recommend two specific ways to prepare:

Review your application: Be familiar with the essays and ideas you submitted; we may use those as a starting point for conversation.

Revisit the “Doubting and Believing Game”: Before your small group interview, you will take part in a “large-group” lecture presented by one of our faculty on Peter Elbow’s essay that you read as part of your application. You may find it helpful to look over the “Doubting and Believing Game” to refresh your memory. You may find a copy of the reading here.

Following the large-group faculty lecture, you will have 25 minutes to write a brief response based on the content of that lecture. This is not a test of the Peter Elbow essay itself, but rather an opportunity to demonstrate how you process and apply the information presented during the session.

We are committed to making our events accessible; if you require specific accommodations for this writing portion (such as extra time or the use of a computer), please let us know in the space provided on your RSVP form or email Bo Blew at bblew@uca.edu.

We use a holistic admission process, meaning your final score is a composite of several factors. The I² Day is the final piece of your application. Specifically:

• The Small-Group Discussion: Worth 16% of your total admission score. We evaluate engagement, collaboration, and how you communicate within the seminar setting.
• The On-Site Essay: Worth 6% of your total score. This is a brief writing exercise following the faculty lecture.
• The Remainder: Your prior academic record, letters of recommendation, and the essays you submitted with your initial application make up the remaining 78% of the evaluation.

Our goal is to look at the whole person, not just a single test score or a single 50-minute conversation. You can find a detailed breakdown of our scoring analysis at uca.edu/honors/apply.

I² day begins with check-in at 9:30 AM and concludes by 4:15 PM. You can view the full itinerary above.

We ask that you select a date that allows you to attend the entire event. In limited instances, we can arrange for you to finish by 3:15 PM if necessary. If you require this accommodation, please email Bo Blew at bblew@uca.edu to make arrangements.

We are committed to making our events accessible to everyone. If you or your guests require specific accommodations (such as an interpreter or mobility assistance), please let us know how we can help. If you require academic accommodations (such as an IEP or 504 plan for extended time or the use of a laptop), we are happy to provide those.

Please share these needs in the space provided on the registration form emailed to you after you accept your invitation and choose your preferred date. If you still have questions or cannot find where to note these accommodations, please email Bo Blew at bblew@uca.edu.

We will provide all necessary supplies for the day, including materials for the on-site essay. However, since a portion of the day includes walking tours and visiting residential halls, we recommend checking the weather and bringing an additional layer, such as a light jacket or sweater, to stay comfortable while outdoors.

We do not have a dress code. We want you to wear something that makes you feel both comfortable and confident, but please note that we will take your picture at the beginning of the day. Keep in mind that you will be walking across campus and touring residential halls, so we recommend wearing comfortable shoes.

For detailed information regarding the Schedler Honors College and Honors Program scholarship requirements, renewal policies, and deadlines, please visit our Scholarship FAQ page. We will also discuss these financial opportunities during the I² sessions for students and guests.

Yes. Participation in an I² day is a mandatory step in the selection process. If you have been invited and have a significant conflict with the scheduled dates, please contact our office immediately to discuss your options.