Prospective Students
Why Honors?
Join a community of scholars within LSU. The Ogden Honors College gives you smaller classes, closer mentorship, and access to opportunities that go beyond what a typical undergraduate experience offers, all while you're still part of everything LSU has to offer as a major SEC, Research 1 university.
Ogden Honors College students receive:
- Mentorship that lasts. Build real relationships with faculty and advisors who know your goals, not just your transcript.
- Opportunities that add up. The Ogden Honors College offers research, study abroad, and internship opportunities, along with honors courses you won't find anywhere else at LSU.
- A head start on what's next. Whether it's grad school, medical school, or a career in your chosen field coming up next, we will help you build toward it early.
Admissions
Admission to the Ogden Honors College is highly competitive. Selection for incoming first-year students is based on high school GPA, ACT or SAT scores, and a writing sample. The writing sample is weighed on an even scale with GPA and standardized exam scores, so special consideration should be given to this component of the application. The strength of courses taken in high school will be considered and is factored into the calculation of the high school GPA.
How Incoming Freshmen Can Apply
Getting into the Ogden Honors College starts with your regular LSU application. From there:
- Check the box for Honors College consideration on your Common Application
- Submit your writing sample through the LSU Admissions Portal by December 1*
- Watch for a decision starting in November, with admissions continuing on a rolling basis after that
Start Your ApplicationAlready applied to LSU? Email us to amend your application
*Priority deadline is December 1, 2026.
Considering Transferring In?
Are you already an LSU student, or planning to transfer to LSU? Your path to becoming an honors student will look a little different.
Scholarships
Prospective freshmen, with a strong record of high academic achievement, leadership, and service, are nominated for scholarships consideration through the admissions process.
Prospective students must complete their application to the university through the Common Application, and submit all required documentation by the scholarship priority deadline, December 1, to be considered.
The Office of Enrollment Management, in consultation with the Ogden Honors College, considers completed applications and selects students to advance to the scholarship competition.
Ogden Honors students are regularly among LSU's top scholarship recipients. Our two most competitive awards, the Stamps Scholarship and the Chancellor's Alumni Scholarship, cover the full cost of attendance for four years.
All applicants to the Honors College (including international applicants) will be considered for the Stamps and Chancellor's Alumni scholarships.
Explore Ogden Honors College ScholarshipsLearn more about the Stamps and Chancellor's Alumni Scholarships
Questions About Admissions?
For questions about admissions, please email honors@lsu.edu.
Where You'll Live
Students admitted to the Ogden Honors College have the opportunity to live with other students in their honors cohort either in Laville Honors House or in buildings 10 and 11 of the East Campus Apartments (ECA).
Living in Laville or ECA 10 and 11 are not required for honors students, but both residences are a short walk away from the French House, the 459 Dining Commons, the UREC, and the heart of LSU's campus.
Non-honors roommates are permitted.
