Honors Scholars
First-Year Honors Scholars
First-Year Honors Scholars have demonstrated themselves to be intellectual leaders and innovators in their high schools. They are highly curious, seek challenges, and show a desire to engage in rigorous thought that leads to extraordinary insights and ideas. They are tenacious in their pursuit of learning and in taking their place on Tulane’s campus as provocative thought leaders.
A Cohorted First-Year Experience
Newcomb-Tulane College provides a unique environment to cultivate intellectual leadership, innovation, and academic exploration for these top scholars. A cohorted first-year experience serves as your foundation by providing opportunities and tools to support high engagement and academic exploration and introduce you to the vast array of academic pathways at our research-elite institution.
At the end of your first year, you should be ready to embark on a self-designed academic and intellectual journey that takes advantage of the many opportunities Tulane offers.
Entry as an Honors Scholar
Entry as an Honors Scholar is determined by admission; there is no application process. Students receive notification about their status as an Honors Scholar with their admission letter.
Any questions about the First-Year Honors Scholars Experience and its programs can be directed to Justin Lamb at honorsscholars@tulane.edu. Any questions about honors admission decisions can be directed to your admission counselor.
Honors Scholar FAQs
Scholar Societies are reserved only for First-Year Honors Scholars. Entry as an Honors Scholar is determined by admission; there is no application process. Students receive notification about their status as an Honors Scholar with their admission letter. Any questions about honors admission decisions can be directed to your admission counselor.
Students admitted as Honors Scholars may formally opt into the First-Year Honors Scholars Experience by applying to a Scholar Society. Scholar Societies are a proven way to meet other high-achieving students and build early connections with dynamic faculty. The small cohort allows for early, meaningful relationships with like-minded peers and provide an easier transition to college. Complimentary courses integrate concepts and allow for more interesting and holistic learning.
We will review the 2025–26 Scholar Society offerings and sign-up process during Top Scholars Weekend (March 30–31).
Applicants complete a brief form (open April 1-15) to rank their Scholar Society cohort and required course preferences.
Society placement is determined by lottery. A tuition deposit is not required to apply but must be submitted by the May 1 deadline to secure a spot in the First-Year Honors Scholars Experience.
Prior to course registration, you will receive official confirmation of your society and be pre-registered for the 4.5 hours of Society courses. You will then work with your College Advisor to build the rest of your fall schedule around this course cluster.
No. When you enroll, you commit to taking the full set of specific classes in the Society. You must enroll in both classes to be in the Society.
If you want to drop either Society classes, you must speak with your college advisor before doing so. Once you drop, you are no longer in the society and you lose your designation as an Honors Scholar.
No! Societies are one way to meet faculty and students as you transition to campus, but it is certainly not the only way. If you think you might want to put your time and energy into other campus opportunities, a Society might not be a good fit for you. However, only those participating in a Society will be considered a First-Year Honors Scholar.
Each Scholar Society includes two required fall courses totaling 4.5 credits, leaving ample room in your schedule for major and minor requirements. A recommended courseload is 15–16 credits per semester, and your college advisor will help you round out your schedule accordingly.
No! All Society activities are free to the student.
Here is a breakdown of the First-Year Honors Scholars requirements:
- Fall & Spring: Attend monthly cohort convenings with your Scholar Society, including a dinner to kick off the year
- Fall & Spring: Attend regular First-Year Honors Scholar Forums to learn about special opportunities for high-achieving students
- Fall Only: Take two required courses connected to your Scholar Society with members of your cohort
While the first year is a structured, cohorted experience, in the second year and beyond, you will be integrated with the Tulane community. This is a self-designed academic journey that takes advantage of the many opportunities Tulane’s status as an elite research institution offers.
Many of our First-Year Honors Scholars go on to apply for College Scholars, the premier academic community for Tulane sophomores, during the spring of their first year.
