Frequently Asked Questions
Githii Honors Program Frequently Asked Questions
Welcome! This FAQ page is here to help you find quick, easy answers about the Githii Honors Program. Whether you are thinking about applying or you are already part of the program, you will find helpful info about requirements, classes, perks, and what everyday life in the Honors Program at Spelman College is really like.
Admissions Frequently Asked Questions
Due to the high volume of inquiries during the admissions period, the Honors Program is not able to provide individualized advising or feedback regarding admissions decisions. Many common questions are addressed below.
Can a student appeal or request reconsideration if they are not admitted to the Honors Program?
No. The Honors Program does not offer an appeals or reconsideration process.
Each year the program receives far more qualified applications than we are able to accommodate. Admissions decisions are made through a careful review process by a faculty committee using a shared rubric. Once decisions are released, they are considered final.
Is there a waitlist for the Honors Program?
Yes. Some applicants may be placed on the Honors Program waitlist.
If space becomes available, students on the waitlist may be contacted by the program. Because movement on the waitlist depends on enrollment decisions, we cannot predict whether additional spaces will open in a given year.
Waitlisted students do not submit additional materials or revised essays.
Can students join the Honors Program after their first year at Spelman?
No. The Honors Program admits students only through the first-year admissions process.
While students cannot enter the program after enrollment, Spelman offers many opportunities for students to pursue rigorous intellectual work through undergraduate research, fellowships, departmental honors, and other academic initiatives.
Does the Honors Program provide feedback on applications?
Because of the large number of applications we receive each year, the program is not able to provide individualized feedback on admissions decisions.
The committee does maintain internal evaluation notes to support the integrity and consistency of the review process. These notes are used internally by the program but are not shared with applicants.
My student had excellent grades and accomplishments. Why might they not have been admitted?
Admission to the Honors Program is selective and determined through a faculty review of the application essay and supporting materials.
While academic achievement is important, the committee is especially interested in a student’s intellectual disposition and posture toward learning. The Honors application essay allows us to see how students approach complex questions, whether they show curiosity, ethical seriousness, and a willingness to wrestle with ideas that do not have easy answers.
Strong applications often demonstrate imagination, intellectual risk-taking, and a readiness to move beyond familiar or formulaic reasoning. We look for students who are open to being challenged, who are willing to think in new ways, and who are eager to develop their ideas through conversation, community, and coaching.
Each year we receive many applications from students with outstanding academic records. Because the program is intentionally small, the committee must make difficult decisions among many talented applicants.
Does the Honors Program offer scholarships?
The Honors Program does not administer scholarships.
Questions about scholarships, financial aid, or funding opportunities should be directed to the Spelman College Office of Financial Aid or the Office of Admissions, which manage institutional scholarship programs across the college.
Can parents or family members contact the Honors Program regarding admissions decisions?
The Honors Program communicates directly with applicants. Because of the volume of admissions inquiries we receive, we are not able to respond to questions from parents or family members regarding admissions decisions.
Applicants are encouraged to review the information available on the program website.
What distinguishes the Honors Program from simply taking challenging classes?
The Honors Program is not defined primarily by course difficulty. Instead, it is centered on participation in a distinct intellectual community.
Students in the program engage in shared conversations about ideas, ethical questions, and the role of knowledge in public life. The curriculum emphasizes reflective thinking, interdisciplinary exploration, and the cultivation of habits of mind that support intellectual independence and civic responsibility.
Students across the college can and do pursue rigorous coursework and meaningful research. The Honors Program offers an additional structure designed to support students who are especially interested in sustained intellectual inquiry within a collaborative scholarly community.
If you are still unsure about something after reading through the FAQs, feel free to reach out. We are always happy to help you navigate your Githii Honors journey.