FAQs

You can email University_Scholars@baylor.edu or call 254.710.3744.

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For information about the Honors College, visit their FAQ page.

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The University Scholars program provides students the opportunity to pursue a variety of interests and studies within the College of Arts and Sciences. As such, UNSC students study a broad range of subject areas in the sciences and humanities. Biology/pre-med, Chemistry, Political Science, Classics, Great Texts, Spanish, and Philosophy are popular disciplines among UNSC students but our students also concentrate in areas such as Museum Studies, Physics, Arabic, and Journalism.

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The University Scholars program requires its students to take three literary survey courses: The Intellectual Tradition of the Ancient World (GTX 2301), The Medieval Intellectual Tradition (GTX 2302), and UNSC Capstone (UNSC 3301). Of these, GTX 2301 and 2302 are taken in the first year as part of a cohort experience featuring a mixture of small and large group meetings. UNSC 3301 is typical taken in fall or spring of the second year. UNSC students must also complete an Exit Interview. Since all UNSC students are automatically enrolled in the Honors Program, they must also complete Honors Program requirements, which include acquiring honors credits, a Colloquium course, and completion of a Senior Thesis. For an explanation of Honors Program requirements, see resources for students in the Honors Program. All Baylor students, including University Scholars, must complete two semesters of Chapel as well as Christian Scriptures (REL 1310) and Christian Heritage (REL 1350).

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Yes, UNSC students may participate in BIC. Students who choose this track may take some BIC classes in lieu of some required University Scholar classes. For more information on these requirements, please email BIC@Baylor.edu.

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All courses accepted for Baylor University credit will count toward graduation hours in the University Scholars program. Information about transfer and dual-credit courses can be found through Undergraduate Admissions. 

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The Exit Interview is an oral exam based on a reading list that a student assembles from a master list of texts. Students typically sit for their Exit Interview in the fall of their third year. The Exit Interview provides University Scholars the opportunity to develop habits of lifetime reading and learning and to demonstrate their knowledge and critical thinking skills through an exam that takes the form of a guided conversation with faculty members.

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During their freshman year, Scholars work to compile the Independent Reading List for the Exit Interview they will take during the fall of their junior year. Scholars choose from a list of approved texts, choosing a balance of texts from the Ancient, Medieval & Renaissance, and Modern periods.

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The senior thesis is an extensive research project that allows students to delve deeply into a subject that is of great interest to them. Under the guidance of a faculty mentor, students choose a topic to explore through reading, research, synthesis and writing over the course of 1-2 years.

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Phi Beta Kappa is the nation's oldest and most prestigious academic honor society. Founded in 1776 at the College of William and Mary, Phi Beta Kappa is devoted to the liberal arts and widely recognized in the academy, the business world, and in politics as a mark of distinction and high academic achievement. As such, all UNSC students are encouraged to pursue admission to Phi Beta Kappa.

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Colloquium (Hon 3200) is a two-credit course designed for sophomores and juniors in the Honors Program. Students attend five small-group colloquia during the semester for discussions of texts selected by Baylor professors.

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Visit the Honors College website for more information about the Summer of Discovery courses. 

A student can have a concentration and a Secondary major in the same area and a concentration and minor in the same area. That is, any area of focus for a University Scholar, including any areas of focus that are also recognized as a secondary major or a minor are still concentrations. You might think of concentrations as internal or relating to your University Scholars major and secondary majors or minors as external or as (some) official ways you engage with other areas on campus.

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Students may overlap, or double-dip, one single course course and that course may be shared between only one secondary major and one minor. This statement applies to all majors except the University Scholars major. In other words, no more than a maximum of three hours from the secondary major(s) may be applied to the minor(s). More examples can be found linked below.

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Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis after students are admitted to Baylor University. University Scholars applications are reviewed by a faculty panel and acceptances are sent out monthly. Interested students are encouraged to apply soon after completing their Baylor application.

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In order for students to derive the full benefit from the program, University Scholars will not accept students who have less than three years (e.g., juniors/seniors) or less than 90 hours remaining to complete their undergraduate degree at Baylor. All Scholars must therefore complete at least 90 hours as students within the program. Any student with less than 34 credit hours may submit an application for consideration to the program.

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Many University Scholars choose to live in the HRC, but it is not required.
The Honors Residential College is a multi-year community that fosters intellectual, moral, and spiritual formation through friendship, integrated study, community service, and spiritual engagement. The HRC is home to 330 Baylor students enrolled in one of the Honors College majors or programs. The HRC is located in Alexander and Memorial Halls.

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