Transfer Students

About

The Honors College at East Carolina University accepts 10 transfer students into the college each year. These students will come in as Honors College Fellows and will be required to complete the Honors College curriculum associated with being an Honors College Fellow.

Honors College Fellows receive a scholarship valued at $1,850 per semester, along with all of the benefits associated with participation in the Honors College.

The Honors College provides an array of benefits for all of its students, including:

  • Priority registration;
  • High-impact experiences, such as study abroad, research, and internships; and
  • Additional advising.

For more information about these and other benefits of the Honors College, visit our Program Benefits website.

Eligibility

Admission to the Honors College at East Carolina University is competitive and by invitation only. If you wish to be considered for admission into the Honors College, you must first meet our minimum eligibility criteria to receive an invitation to apply:

  • Submit a completed application for undergraduate transfer admission to East Carolina University by the deadline of February 13, 2026. You may apply to ECU through the ECU Navigator portal. A completed application includes transcripts from all institutions attended.
  • Meet the following minimum criteria:
    • 24 credit hours completed post-high school (can be in progress during application)
    • 3.5 cumulative GPA from all institutions
    • Last institution attended must be a N.C. Community College*
    • Entering in fall term as a full-time, campus-based student

*For more information about other transfer options, please email Director of Admissions Margaret Turner at turnerm@ecu.edu.

If you meet the above criteria, you will receive an email notification with instructions on how to complete the Honors College application online through ECUAWard.

The deadline for submitting the completed Honors College application and all associated materials is March 20, 2026. A completed application includes an essay, a letter of recommendation provided by an administrator at your current community college, and a resume.

Completing the Honors College application is not binding. If selected as part of the Honors College, you have until April 15, 2026 to enroll and make your decision.

Academic Days

Honors College Academic Days are a great way to learn about all of the aspects and benefits of the Honors College. Academic Days include an Honors College information session where you can learn about the benefits of the Honors College and admissions information as well as a panel of current Honors students who can answer your questions about the college, student life and opportunities at ECU.

Our upcoming Transfer Honors College Academic Days are forthcoming.

Register for an Honors College Academic Day

Honors College Transfer Admissions Timeline for the Fall 2026 Entering Class

  • August 2025: ECU undergraduate admissions application opens.
  • February 13, 2026: ECU transfer undergraduate admissions application deadline for Honors College eligibility. A completed ECU transfer undergraduate admissions application must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on this date to be eligible to be invited to complete the Honors College online application. A completed application includes transcripts from all institutions attended.
  • March 20, 2026: Honors College application deadline for invited students. The Honors College application and all associated materials must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on this date.
  • Mid April 2026: Targeted notification date for Honors College transfer admission decisions.
  • May 1, 2026: Enrollment deposit deadline for students offered entrance to the Honors College
  • Summer 2026: Summer Orientation (required of incoming Honors students)

Curriculum

Honors College students are required to take a set of Honors courses prior to graduation. As Honors College Fellows, transfer students will take part in the following courses:

  • HNRS 2000 leadership and service colloquium (2 credits)
  • 1 Honors seminar of your choosing (3 credits total)
  • HNRS 4000: Introduction to Signature Honors Project (1 credit, online course)
  • HNRS 4500/4550: Signature Honors Project I/II (3 credits each, 6 credits total)
  • ENGL 1100 & HLTH 1000 (will potentially be taken at the community college level)
  • An additional six credit hours of Honors electives
    • Can include additional Honors seminars, study abroad credit, internship course credit, research course credit, service-learning course credit, 5000 level courses, 299 (honors) sections of courses

Visit the Honors College Curriculum page for more information on colloquiums, seminars, and other Honors classes.