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Apply to the Honors College

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Apply to the John V. Roach Honors College

Any student wishing to join the honors college must complete the supplemental honors application after submitting their application to TCU. The supplement includes two essays, one required and one of your choice. 

Question #1: Common Question

Please respond to this essay prompt using no more than 500 words. 

Students in the John V. Roach Honors College are expected to be highly motivated, engaged, and creative learners. They are often inspired by an academic subject, moment, or person to pursue interests inside and/or outside the classroom. What has inspired you and why? How have you pursued it, and how do these experiences shape your desire to join the John V. Roach Honors College and create an impact? Please be as specific as possible while not going over 500 words. Do not include your name in either the response or on the document.

Question #2: Candidate Choice

Please respond to one of the following three essay prompts using no more than 500 words.

  1. John V. Roach Honors College students are expected to live in Milton Daniel Hall during their first year. There a student meets and becomes friends with an array of individuals who bring backgrounds, identities, interests, experiences, and/or talents that are essential to knowing and understanding them. What essential quality or experience will you bring to the Milton Daniel community and, more specifically, the Honors College?  How does that quality or experience define you and how will it motivate your participation in Milton Daniel and the Honors College? If you choose this question, please note that it must not repeat information shared in the common question. Please be as specific as possible while not going over 500 words. Do not include your name in either the response or on the document.


  2. The lobby of the John V. Roach Honors College features a wall of virtues. Listed on the wall are the following actions: 
  • Research Responsibly
  • Inspire Wonder
  • Synthesize Ideas
  • Listen Thoughtfully
  • Build Resilience
  • Explore the World
  • Encourage Connections
  • Think Critically
  • Practice Empathy
  • Respect Dialogue 
  • Commit Wholeheartedly 
  • Teach Creatively
  • Learn Enthusiastically 
  • Cultivate Curiosity 
These virtues inspire faculty, staff, and students. They shape the courses you will take and how you will approach learning as an Honors student. Please think about these virtues, your past experiences, and your passion for engaged inquiry. Then, choose one virtue from the list. Please explain that virtue’s significance to you and provide an example of how it illustrates your love for learning. Please be as specific as possible while not going over 500 words. Do not include your name in either the response or on the document.


 C. The John V. Roach Honors College has hosted guest speakers such as NBA legend and civil rights activist Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bill Nye the Science Guy, Serial podcast hosts Julie Snyder and Sarah Koenig, British barrister Amal Clooney, and US Poet Laureate Ada Limón. This fall we are hosting Chef José Andrés of World Central Kitchen. Honors students converse with these guests and learn from their experiences and perspectives. What living person would you invite to speak at TCU? Why? How would this speaker’s character reflect the values of the Honors College? What key questions would you ask and why?  Please be as specific as possible while not going over 500 words. Do not include your name in either the response or on the document.