First-Year Admission

Each year, a number of outstanding applicants to the University of Vermont are offered the opportunity to join the Patrick Leahy Honors College and its community of undergraduate scholars.

There is no separate application to apply to the Patrick Leahy Honors College (PLHC) as an incoming first-year student. Students receive their PLHC invitation decision at the same time as their UVM admissions decision; invitation statuses can be confirmed in the application portal. Early applicants who do not receive an invitation when first admitted to UVM may receive one as late as March.

The Patrick Leahy Honors College seeks to bring in students who have a demonstrated record of engagement and scholarly inquiry. Invitation to the Patrick Leahy Honors College is based on high school academic performance and involvement and seeks to create a diverse learning community. The college is represented by a variety of academic areas, from the humanities & sciences to environmental studies and education, from nursing and social work to business, in order to enhance this intentionally diverse community of scholars.

Working in the lab.

Student spotlight

Through the Vermont Center for Immunobiology and Infectious Disease, Remi Savard, Patrick Leahy Honors College graduate and 2022 Goldwater Scholarship winner, is helping unpack the biology of how our immune systems fight off a flu infection.

More about Remi and other UVM student scholars
How do I apply to be in the Patrick Leahy Honors College?
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There is no application required for first-year admission; invitation is based on high school academic performance. Seeking to create a diverse learning community, we consider many factors in order to build a balanced and diverse class. The final criteria used will depend on the profile of the incoming class as a whole.

When will I know if I've been invited to the Patrick Leahy Honors College?
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Students learn of their PLHC invitation status when they receive their UVM application decision (mid-December for early applicants, early-March for regular decision applicants). In addition, in early March we notify students if they have been placed on the PLHC waitlist and will be in contact with those student throughout the spring.