Davidson Honors College

• Application Details

  In order to complete this application, you'll be asked to provide the following: 

  • Information about your academic background and achievements
  • Short answer responses about you, your experiences, and your academic interests
  • A response to one essay prompt
  • Test scores or a short answer response
  • Unofficial transcript
  • Letter of recommendation/Reference Form (optional)

  Short Answer Questions

  We consider the full picture presented to us through your application. Please respond thoughtfully to each of the short answer questions below.

  • Introduce yourself to UM’s DHC with a brief biographical statement (in the third person). (50-word max)
  • List five of your most significant leadership experiences (e.g., academic, cocurricular, or community-based). (15-word max)
  • Describe one of the experiences above in greater detail and how it shapes what you would bring to the Davidson Honors College community of scholars. (200-word max)
  • Improbable (definition: unexpected) Fact (definition: things that are known or proven to be true). List and briefly discuss three improbable facts about you. (50-word max)
  • Optional question in place of test scores:
    • What is your most powerful learning experience to date? This could be a course, an accomplishment, a relationship, or an event that sparked significant personal growth. What did you learn? How did this prepare you for success as an honors student at the University of Montana and beyond? (100 word max)

  Essay Prompts

  (Respond to one essay prompt in 500 words)

  1. The Davidson Honors College's mission includes the statement “[we are] dedicated to strengthening our positive impacts on the world.” Discuss an issue that you are passionate about. Why is this important to you? How do you hope the Davidson Honors College will prepare you to make this impact? How would you seek to make a difference on this issue?
  2. The University of Montana’s mascot is the grizzly bear. Words used to describe Grizzlies (UM students) include respectful, responsible, playful, formidable, curious, wise, creative, strategic, active, and easygoing (all right, also hungry). Which of these traits best describe you and why? What experiences have fostered those traits in you? How do you imagine this or these characteristics might shape your life in the Davidson Honors College? How can you leverage your Grizzly characteristics as a citizen of the world?
  3. Our foundational academic course, Ways of Knowing, is grounded in the ancient Greek belief that knowledge begins with wonder. Describe how a sense of wonder or awe has shaped your life journey so far. How do you hope to find wonder during your time in the DHC and beyond?

Scholarship Details

• The Fine Print
  Scholarships may be waivers or a combination of waiver and donor funds. Our out-of-state scholar recipients receive waivers to further offset the cost of tuition (not including fees or room and board). Some of the largest donor awards may defray the cost of attendance beyond tuition. All scholarship funds beyond will be awarded based on donor criteria and available awards. 
  

  • Maximum PLS Scholarships waivers are offered using the following criteria: 
    • Non-resident student tuition may be waived to the WUE tuition rate.
    • WUE tuition may be waived to the in-state tuition rate.
    • Montana residents may have tuition fully waived by certain eligible waivers.
      
      • All Montana residents wishing to be considered for DHC scholarships must apply for the Montana University System Honor Scholarship. Students will retain the PLS, PHS, or DLS title if they use the MUS Honor Scholarship.
  • No waivers or combination of waivers may exceed the cost of tuition. 
  • Waivers decrease across the scholarship tiers (PHS and DLS).
  • No applications received after December 1 at 11:59 PM MST will be considered for incoming student scholarships.
• Renewal Criteria
  Students who are requesting renewal of the PLS, PHS, or DLS will be reviewed using the following criteria:

  • Making adequate progress in the honors college, which is defined as taking at least two honors experiences per academic year, including the completion of Introduction to Honors in your first year.
  • Maintaining at least a 3.4 cumulative GPA. If GPA is below 3.4, students may appeal to provide additional context and outline a plan to elevate their GPA. If students continue to fall short of the expectations of scholars, their scholarship may be withdrawn.
  • Completing an average of 30 credits per academic year/be on track for completion within four years.
  • Attending at least one 1:1 or group advising or career development session per academic year.
  • Demonstrate the highest standards of academic and personal integrity.
  • Be in good standing with the University of Montana.

Important Dates

• DHC Scholarship Deadline and Review Process

  To apply to the Davidson Honors College, you must first apply to and be accepted by the University of Montana. To ensure adequate time for admission to UM and time to complete your DHC application by the scholarship deadline, it is recommended you apply to the University of Montana by November 24. The DHC application due date for scholarship consideration is December 1. DHC Applications received by 11:59 PM (MST) on December 1 will be considered for the Incoming Student Scholarships: Presidential Leadership Scholarship (PLS), Provost Honors Scholarship (PHS), and Dean’s Leadership Scholarship (DLS).

  Applications received after that date will be considered for admission to the Davidson Honors College, but NOT for the Incoming Student Scholarships. Davidson Honors College applications will be considered only from those who have applied for admission to a four-year undergraduate program at the University of Montana.

  Applications received before December 1 will be reviewed by a scholarship committee between December and January. Students will be notified if they have been invited to interview in mid-late January. Interviews will be conducted virtually in mid-February. Students will be notified of scholarship offers by mid-March and have until May 1 to notify us of their plans to accept or decline the offer.

• Montana University System Honors Scholarship

  The Montana University System Honor Scholarship (MUSHS) is a four-year scholarship waiver if used at the University of Montana would be valued at the cost of in-state tuition (totaling nearly $30,000 over four years) and can significantly reduce the cost of your education. To be eligible for this scholarship you must have taken the ACT or SAT by December 31. 

  Start preparing your application and mark those important dates! For more details on the MUS honors scholarship please visit the MUS website.

Meet our 2026 Scholars

• 2026 Presidential Leadership Scholars

  UM Honors College Names Incoming 2026 Presidential Leadership Scholars

• 2026 Provost's and Dean’s Scholars

  UM-Bound Students Earn Prestigious 2026 Provost's, Dean’s Scholarships