Frequently Asked Questions
What are the criteria for being admitted with honors to Whitworth?
First-year students whose applications reflect a 3.75 or higher weighted GPA will be considered for admission with honors. Additional information about this process can be found on our webpage: Information for Prospective Honors Students.
How competitive is the atmosphere at Honors Scholarship Weekend?
We frequently hear from students that Honors Scholarship Weekend feels more fun and less stressful than they anticipated. While serving as a scholarship competition, the weekend is structured to give you lots of opportunities to make friends, connect with faculty and staff, and envision what life would be like as a Whitworth Honors student. We hope you'll leave feeling valued, encouraged and excited about your future!
How can I prepare myself for the event?
One of the events for this year's Honors Scholarship Weekend will require advance preparation.
- Faculty discussion group: A Whitworth professor will lead you and a small group in a discussion of one article that will be provided to you in advance. This article will be emailed to you one week prior to your Honors Scholarship Weekend, and you will be expected to read the article on your own and come ready to participate in a discussion of themes explored in the article. Prior preparation is strongly encouraged.
Learn more about preparing for Honors Scholarship Weekend.
What is the schedule for the weekend? Will there be any free time?
The weekend begins Friday with optional early arrival sessions from 11:45 a.m.-2:45 p.m., perfect for students and families who have not visited campus before, or for those who wish to attend a Whitworth class. Then Honors Scholarship Weekend begins in earnest with our Welcome Social at 2:45 p.m. Friday. You'll move into scholarship activities (with an optional parent/guest track) until dinner and optional evening activities, including an honors student panel and time to hang out with current students in our residence halls.
Saturday morning will begin with an optional breakfast, chapel service and info sessions for students and guests. Then students will resume scholarship activities (with time for lunch), and the event will conclude at 2:15 p.m. Saturday (with an optional residence hall tour from 2:30-3:30 p.m.). Students and guests will have a bit of free time to explore campus between scholarship activities on Saturday. You are also welcome to skip any of the optional activities on both days and explore on your own!
View a tentative event schedule here.
How do meals work at Honors Scholarship Weekend?
All student meals at Honors Scholarship Weekend are complimentary. That includes optional lunch Friday, dinner Friday, breakfast Saturday and lunch Saturday. Guest meals on Friday are complimentary as well. Guests are welcome to join us for breakfast and lunch on Saturday at a cost of $12.80 (plus tax) per guest. Guest meals may be purchased by credit or debit card at the dining hall.
Who will attend Honors Scholarship events?
The events will include prospective first-year students who have been admitted with honors to Whitworth for fall 2026. We limit each program to 125 participants, so register early! We will award three, four-year, full-tuition scholarships at each event, as well as about ten smaller semi-finalist scholarships.
What should I wear?
Attire for the event is casual, and most students will wear the same type of clothes they regularly wear to school. You will also move between buildings throughout the event, so we recommend you wear shoes with good traction if there's a chance of snow or ice in the forecast.
Will there be events for parents/guests during the day?
Activities for parents and guests will be offered throughout the event, including mock lectures from Whitworth faculty, a panel discussion with Whitworth faculty and staff, a financial aid seminar and individual appointments with financial aid counselors.
View a tentative event schedule here.
Can I audition for a music and/or theatre scholarship at the event?
Music and theatre auditions will be offered at the two February Honors Scholarship Weekend events. Unfortunately, we cannot offer auditions at the March event, as scholarship committees will meet and award scholarships prior to that event date. Students attending a February event should fill out a music and/or theatre audition application, and will have the option to select an in-person audition time on the Saturday of their event. Audition times are set aside for honors students from 8-10 a.m. and from 2:30-4:30 p.m. on Saturday, before and after the required competition activities.
When will the scholarship winners be announced?
Scholarship recipients will be announced via email within two weeks of each event.
What is the value of the Honors Scholarship?
If you are selected as one of the Honors Scholarship recipients, you will receive full tuition for four years at Whitworth as long as you maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA. The Honors Scholarship is valued at over $100,000 over four years. Whitworth-sponsored scholarships and grants are awarded to assist students with direct tuition costs only. Therefore, if selected as a winner, your Honors Scholarship would replace all other Whitworth-sponsored awards and scholarships. We also will award about ten smaller semi-finalist scholarships to participants at each event; these scholarships may be added on to other grants and scholarships up to the cost of tuition.