Honors Application

University Honors Program Application

Admission to the OCU Honors Program is determined by evaluation of this application, which includes two short essays. The essays are essential components of the admission decision. They are intended to help us get to know a little about you and your aspirations for your college education. For students planning to enter OCU in the fall, the priority deadline for this application is March 1. The final deadline is May 1.

Transfer students who have already participated in an honors program at their previous institution should email Dr. Youmans directly to inquire about an honors program transfer.

Current OCU students seeking admission to the honors program should also complete this form.

Karen D. Youmans
Director, University Honors Program
Oklahoma City University
2501 North Blackwelder Avenue
Oklahoma City, OK 73106-1402

Name*

First Name

Last Name

Permanent Address*

Address Line 1

Address Line 2

City

State

ZIP Code

Email*

Phone*

Your Pronouns

Which of the following categories best describes you?*

First-Time Student Admitted to OCU Transfer Student Current OCU Student

Name of High School*

High School GPA (For First-Time OCU Students)*

Name of College*

College GPA *

ACT or SAT score (Optional)

Intended Major*

Current Major*

Please list the Names and Departments of two OCU Faculty references.*

Did you participate in an honors program at your previous institution?*

Yes No

How many honors credits have you completed?

Essay Questions

In 400-500 word essays, please address the following prompts (for a total of two essays).

Answer ONE of the following questions:

What do you think it means to be an educated person? What do you hope most to gain from your college education?
If you could design your own course requirements for college, what would they look like? For example, what areas of study would be included and why? How would the courses be designed?

Answer ONE of these questions as well:

In 33 states, former felons are barred from voting through the duration of their parole or probation periods. In 10 states, former felons may never regain their right to vote. This adds up to approximately six million people who would otherwise be eligible to vote, or 2.5% of eligible voters in the country. Recently, the movement to restore former felons voting rights has been picking up steam. Do you believe that convicted felons should lose their right to vote? If so, should that prohibition extend beyond the period of their incarceration? If the right should be restored, at what point after their release from prison should they regain that right? Explain your reasoning.
The freedom of speech is usually understood as a legal concept enshrined in the First Amendment of the Constitution, which states that Congress shall make no laws abridging the freedom of speech or of the press. However, the constitution is silent on the obligation of private companies, families, churches, and many other institutions where people express themselves. To what extent should mainstream social media networks like Facebook or Twitter regulate the expression of its users? Do the platforms have a social obligation to monitor and police hate-speech, for instance, or “fake news”?