Pre-Admission for First-Year Students

Watch Video: Pavlis Honors College Overview video
Preview image for Video: Pavlis Honors College Overview video

Video: Pavlis Honors College Overview

 "That's seriously what hooked me. Pavlis is a bunch of people who are motivated about something. Whether that's technology, or leadership, or getting your hands on the projects that are related to our potential career interests..."

Meet some of our Honors students and learn why they chose Pavlis.

Congratulations on your acceptance to Michigan Technological University! We're excited that you're considering applying for pre-admission to the Pavlis Honors College.

Pre-admission (or "pre-admit") students quite a bit. The full Honors Programs are for students with at least sophomore-level standing. Since every student's pathway is different, we need to get to know you and you need to get to know the opportunities available through Pavlis before you can start making those decisions.

But you want to get started. To explore your passions. To make sure that you're more than a student ID on a degree flowchart—to make sure your college experience is unique to you. That's probably why you're interested in Michigan Tech. And it's why we created the pre-admit program.

 

What does pre-admission include?

A road map for your future

You'll take HON1150: Creating Your Path. This one-credit class will get you talking to other potential honors students across all majors, and help you map your unique path to success from your first week at Tech to your life beyond graduation.

Pavlis is all about defining success on your own terms. If you know exactly what you want to major in, and what you want to do in the future, we'll help you find opportunities to build your resume, gain experience in your field, and connect you with mentors and industry leaders. If you're not sure about your next steps—it's a big world out there and the opportunities seem endless—we'll help you explore your interests and define what success mean to you in college and in the future.

A built-in community (and maybe an en-suite bathroom)

Pre-admit students can opt to live in the Pavlis Honors College Living and Learning Community (LLC) on the first floor of Wadsworth Residence Hall. Created just last year, the LLC has already gained recognition for its tight-knit community and thoughtful programs that will make you feel like a part of something bigger, without intruding on the rest of your college experience.

Learn more about the Pavlis LLC

Honors-only opportunities

Get access to a number of Pavlis-only activities, from meet-and-greets with Career Fair recruiters to family-style meals with Pavlis students, faculty, and staff.

A head start

Pre-admit students have a shorter application to get into the full Honors Pathways Program.

Apply for pre-admission

 

What doesn't pre-admission include?

GPA requirements

You've decided to attend Michigan Tech—you're smart enough. Worrying about keeping a perfect GPA is also a perfect way to avoid taking risks or exploring the opportunities available to you at college. Take that class in a totally different department that's always interested you. Study abroad. Join a club and put a little extra time into its success.

We're looking for the do-ers, the innovators, the researchers, and the leaders who follow their passions and want to join and build strong communities. In your future career, raises and promotions probably won't be based on your college GPA, but they will probably include some version of the Pavlis Honors Abilities that you'll be developing from day one. 

Exclusivity

Ask most people why they came to Michigan Tech, and they'll say something like "I did a campus tour and I just knew it felt like home. These were my people." We agree! That's why we've structured the pre-admit and Honors Pathways programs to complement your time at Tech, not take it over. Pre-admit students will take one one-credit Honors class during their first year, but your other classes will be with the rest of the Tech community. Your Honors curriculum won't replace the Tech experiences that brought you to Houghton—it'll enhance them.

Commitment

If you explore the Pavlis curriculum as a pre-admit and are not interested in continuing in the Honors Pathways Program, that's okay! Pre-admit status doesn't require you to continue with the program for your entire time at Tech. 

Apply for pre-admission

The Honors College has been one of the most amazing experiences I've had at Michigan Tech. It has shaped my entire experience, in class and out of class. 

Elise Cheney-Makens photo
Elise Cheney-Makens '19
Custom Pathway, Biochemistry/Molecular biology major

Still deciding?

Check out the Pavlog to see how students are defining success in the Honors Pathways Program.

Watch our webinar for a full overview of the Honors College, details about the pathways and pre-admission status, and a Q&A with current students.

Looking for more tangible benefits? We made a list.

If you’re planning a trip to campus, we’d love to meet with you! Email us at honors@mtu.edu to let us know you're coming.