Our application process simple, but it's best to be prepared before you begin. Make sure you have the following ready to go!
IF you do not meet or exceed the typical application thresholds listed here, you should be prepared to describe how your life experiences make you a strong candidate for the Honors College at Winthrop.
A 500 - 1000 words essay describing how your core values shape your understanding of leadership. You will type or paste your essay into a text area.
We recognize that generative AI tools are readily available and can be tempting to use during the application process. While we won't explicitly prohibit their use, we want to be transparent about why we strongly encourage you to write without AI assistance.
Our Philosophy: We're seeking to understand who you are as a thinker, writer, and person. Your authentic voice, which resonates with distinct rhythms, perspectives, and imperfections, tells us far more about your potential than a polished, AI-enhanced essay ever could. The most compelling stories emerge from genuine, unfiltered expression. Trust your own voice - it's more interesting than a computer.
Why We Discourage AI Use: The rough edges in your writing aren't flaws to be corrected; they're windows into your authentic self. The way you naturally express ideas, the questions you ask, and the connections you make are distinctive elements of your voice - and that's precisely what we're looking for. Even minimal AI assistance tends to smooth away these remarkable features, leaving us with prose that could have been written by anyone.
A Note on Perfection: Please don't feel compelled to leave in grammatical errors to "prove" you didn't use AI. We understand the difference between natural writing voice and intentional mistakes. What we're after is genuine expression, not performance of imperfection.
You can opt to apply for our Top-Flight Scholars Program during the application process. This require you to be prepared with the following:
