Getting Started

Note for Fall 2025 Applications: Due to software updates with ScholarshipUniverse, applications for the Donaghey Scholars Honors Program will not be available until mid-October.

To apply to the Donaghey Scholars Honors Program:

  1. Complete the online application for admission to the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Once you have been accepted to the university, you will receive a Student ID number from the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.
  2. Have your official test scores for the ACT/SAT sent to UA Little Rock.
  3. Have your official high school transcripts and, if applicable, your college transcripts sent to UA Little Rock.
  4. Complete the Donaghey Scholars Honors Program General Data sheet.
  5. After being admitted to UA Little Rock, complete the general financial aid application at ScholarshipUniverse.
  6. Qualifying applicants will receive an invitation to submit their materials for the Donaghey Scholars Honors Program application. Materials must be submitted through ScholarshipUniverse, which will provide instructions on how to upload essays and letters of recommendation. We strongly suggest that your letters of recommendation come from teachers.

Questions? Contact us at [email protected] or by phone at 501-916-3389.

Priority deadline is January 15. Final deadline is February 15.

Admissions Essay Topics

Applicants must complete one long and two short essays. Note, if invited for an interview, you will be asked to elaborate on these essays, so please do not write about anything you would be uncomfortable discussing.

1) The Donaghey Scholars Honors Program Mission Statement identifies four core values for our program- Curiosity, Interdisciplinarity, Engagement, and Responsibility. Choose one, and only one, of these values and explain what this value means to you (not to the dictionary) and then use an example from your life to show how you embody this quality. (~350 words)

2) If you had a summer to learn about something (academic or not) unrelated to your career goals, what would it be? Why? With money as no object, what would you do? (~350 words)

3) Choose a contentious issue about which you feel passionate and defend your position in no more than 800 words. Be sure to acknowledge the opposing side and support your argument with citations. (Note: your bibliography is not part of your word count.)

Interview Process and Decisions

Beginning in late January, interviews are arranged for the most promising applicants. The candidate interviews with three people from the admissions committee: the Director of the Scholars Program, a faculty or alumni member of the program’s Policy Council, and a student representative of the Student Committee. Interviews typically last 45 minutes. Most interviews are conducted in person on the UA Little Rock campus, but virtual accommodations can be made where travel would be an undue burden.

In March, after further review, the admissions committee decides which students will receive an offer from the Program. The admission standards are holistic, and decisions are based on academic record, test scores, leadership ability, community service, desire to study abroad, recommendation letters, the essays the student has submitted, and the interview.

The Program will notify selected students in late March.