Each year the College of Natural Sciences has events recognizing outstanding students in our community.
CNS Honors Day Celebration
Honors students have demonstrated themselves as superior academically. The morning of the University-wide Honors Day, the College of Natural Sciences holds a pre-celebration of our fantastic CNS honors students.
Students being honored at the College of Natural Sciences event receive notification and an invitation from Associate Dean Michael Drew. Please note that there are separate registration processes for the College and University ceremonies. Honors students and their families are invited to attend both events, but you may choose to attend just one or the other.
UT Honors Day Celebration
The University-wide Honors Day ceremony is held each year on a Saturday in April.
For more information please visit the University-wide Honors Day website. Please direct your questions about this event to the Office of University Events, 512-471-7753.
Honors cords and medallions are distributed at the University event
If you cannot make it, there will be opportunities to pick up your cords after the event. You will be emailed about specific times and locations for pick up after Honors Day has passed. You may attend both events, neither, or one or the other as is your preference.
For questions about honors qualifications, please read the FAQ below. If you still have questions, contact your academic advisor.
For accommodation requests, please contact CNS Events at events@cns.utexas.edu at least five days prior to the activity. While every effort will be made, CNS Events may be unable to fulfill last-minute requests.
Criteria for Honors Recognition
To be designated a College Scholar, a student must meet all of the following requirements:
- The student must be registered as an undergraduate in the current semester. Students who hold a bachelor's degree or are registered in-absentia are not eligible.
- The student must have completed at least 30 semester hours of coursework in residence at the University, and at least 60 semester hours of college coursework, including transferred work and credit by examination.
- The student must rank in the top 20% of their class in each college or school in which he or she is pursuing a major, based on in-residence cumulative grade point average.
- The student must have an in-residence University grade point average of at least 3.50. (Keep in mind this is the University-wide minimum GPA criteria; the CNS GPA cut-offs are much higher – see below).
To be designated a Distinguished College Scholar, a student must meet all of the following requirements:
- The student must meet the first, second, and fourth College Scholar requirements stated above.
- The student also must rank in the top 4% of their class in each college or school in which they are pursuing a major, based on in-residence cumulative grade point average.
Since Distinguished College Scholars rank in the top 4% of their junior or senior class, and College Scholars rank in the top 20% of their junior or senior class, the specific GPA cut-offs vary each calendar year and also between the junior and senior classes.
If you are a double major in more than one school or unit, you must meet the criteria, including variable GPA cut-offs, for both schools to be eligible as a Distinguished or College Honors Scholar.
If you have questions about your eligibility for Honors Day, please contact your academic advisor.
College vs. UT Honors Day Celebrations
The CNS celebration is a more casual, come-and-go event, where students and their families can enjoy a light breakfast and celebration. Students often have an opportunity to get their photo taken with UT mascots and CNS leadership, and sometimes special Honors Day shirts are distributed.
The CNS celebration takes place in the morning and concludes well before the University-wide ceremony in the afternoon. We encourage you to take advantage of the free time between these events to explore the Forty Acres and enjoy a celebratory lunch with loved ones.
The University-wide ceremony is a larger, more formal event, where students are recognized in groups. Honor cords and medallions will be distributed by the Dean at the University-wide event as students walk the stage at the Moody Center. For more information, please visit the University-wide Honors Day website.
Will food be served at the College celebration?
Yes, a light brunch including coffee, fruit, pastries and breakfast tacos will be provided for students and their families to enjoy.
What can my family and friends do in between events?
The University event will follow the College event, and will begin at 2:00pm. In the available time between events, we encourage your family to extend the celebration and explore the forty acres. We have provided a few dining and entertainment options here that are close to both event destinations:
Please feel free to visit the UT Family & Visitor Resources Website for additional suggestions.
I can’t attend the University-wide ceremony. When can I pick up my honor cords and/or medallion?
You will be able to pick up your cords and/or medallion after the events. More information about pickup location, dates, and times will be emailed to CNS Honors Day students.
Do I just show up or do I need to RSVP in advance?
You need to RSVP for each event you want to attend (see above for differences between the two events).
What is the suggested attire for the event?
Dress is casual for the CNS event. If you are attending the University event afterward, we suggest business formal attire.
Who can I contact about accommodation requests?
For disability accommodation requests, please contact CNS Events at events@cns.utexas.edu at least five days prior to the activity. While every effort will be made, CNS Events may be unable to fulfill last-minute requests.
