Office of Admissions

Top Scholars at the UO

At the University of Oregon you’ll discover a community of top scholars pursuing knowledge and achievement, conducting original research, and applying new ideas to real-world issues. You’ll find students like you: passionate about learning. High-achieving students choose the UO, the state's flagship institution of higher learning, for its commitment to academic excellence. The UO is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities, one of only sixty schools nationwide and one of only two in the greater Northwest, and is ranked in the top tier of research universities by U.S. News & World Report.

Robert D. Clark Honors College

The Robert D. Clark Honors College, a highly selective four-year college of 600 undergraduate scholars, offers small, discussion-based courses taught by award-winning professors. One of the oldest honors colleges in the country, the Clark Honors College is open to students enrolled in all UO major programs, and provides students with the class size and access to faculty characteristic of a small liberal arts college, coupled with the significant research and teaching resources of a major state university. The rigorous, comprehensive curriculum satisfies all UO general education requirements and is taught by faculty members who teach only Clark Honors College students. Students take 58 to 66 graded credits, and receive an honors college diploma when they graduate. The capstone of the curriculum is a thesis—an individually designed advanced research or creative project. We receive about 1,600 applications for approximately 200 positions each year.

Admission and Eligibility

For admission to the Clark Honors College (CHC), you must complete the CHC portion of the UO application for admission. In addition, you must provide two teacher evaluations, a description of accomplishments, a self-introductory statement, and an essay.

Society of College Scholars

Qualified, motivated undergraduates are invited to join the Society of College Scholars, which encourages its approximately 175 student members to become an active part of the University of Oregon’s research mission. The honors program includes intensive interaction with faculty and like-minded students. The four-year course of study includes special general education courses, freshman colloquia, sophomore circles, and internships. The experience culminates with achievement of departmental honors, professional certificates, or both.

Admission and Eligibility

Invitations to join the society are issued to select incoming freshmen based on grade point average (GPA) and test scores. If you choose to participate in the society, you’ll complete an online registration form.

Departmental Honors Programs

Virtually every UO department and program offers its own departmental honors program to guide students toward graduation with honors. Each involves extensive course work and a final thesis or research project. Through departmental honors programs, students form close relationships with faculty members, leading to positive experiences for graduate school and the workforce. Visit the online listing of academic programs to link to the department or program of your choice.

The Freshman Interest Group (FIG) program offers a number of Challenge FIGs specially developed to introduce new top scholars to a variety of disciplines. Challenge FIGs are a perfect opportunity for students seeking an academically rigorous opportunity from the moment they set foot on campus. Course work is taught at the introductory level, but because Challenge FIGs are often smaller in size, faculty can engage students in deeper analysis of material than would be possible in a large lecture course.

Scholarship Opportunities

Information about the UO’s many financial aid opportunities is available from the Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships. Many of our merit-based scholarships are available to freshman applicants, and students are automatically considered for some merit-based awards simply by meeting the application deadline.

Additionally, Rhodes, Marshall, Fulbright, and other national scholarships offer wonderful opportunities for you to study at prestigious universities around the world. As a UO top scholar, you’ll be in good company—among the UO’s faculty members and alumni are two Nobel Prize recipients, 10 Pulitzer Prize winners, 19 Rhodes scholars, 58 Guggenheim fellows, and 129 Fulbright scholars.

More Top Scholar Resources

A number of annual recruiting events are designed to demonstrate to high-achieving students that a top scholar education at the UO is intensive, structured, and customizable:

  • Scholar receptions in Oregon and California introduce high-achieving students to the UO’s top scholar opportunities 
  • Each January, the highest achieving scholars are invited to Scholars Recognition Day, a daylong campus visit highlighted by the Clark Honors College, First Year Programs, and Society of College Scholars
  • Each spring, Top Scholar Duck Days present an opportunity for high-achieving high school juniors and seniors to visit campus
  • Customized visits for high-achieving students allows prospective new Ducks to take part in campus activities specifically related to their academic and personal interests

The University of Oregon recognizes the achievements of entering students who have earned Advanced Placement credits or an International Baccalaureate in high school. These credits or degrees may fulfill some college course requirements.

For more information on top scholar resources and recruiting at the University of Oregon, contact Assistant Director for Top Scholar Recruitment Kenley Jones directly at (541) 346-1247, toll free at (800) BE-A-DUCK, or via e-mail.