Honors Symposium is a two-week academic program on the Searcy campus designed to challenge, encourage, and uplift high school students who are now in their junior year (students graduating in the class of 2024).

Honors Symposium is a life-changing journey where students from all across the nation come together for the purpose of growing spiritually and academically. This is accomplished by daily engagement with our finest university professors and mentoring with some of our top university student counselors. Students learn about the world in which we live and how each of us fits into the world as Christians. This goal is achieved through stimulating academic classes and fun activities designed to develop group bonding and sharing. We intend to enrich the spirit and expand the mind of each student participant in Honors Symposium.

In previous years, students from more than 40 states and six foreign countries have attended the Honors Symposium.

Covid-19 safety: The health and safety of our students is our utmost concern! Harding University's current COVID policy information can be reviewed at www.harding.edu/covid and is informed by CDC, local, and state recommendations and guidelines. Additional important information for Honors Symposium students includes the following:

• Students are encouraged to read the university policy
• Students should be diligent in taking preventive measures prior to their arrival for Honors Symposium
• Prorated refunds will be granted for early withdrawals only due to a positive COVID test or exposure that requires quarantine
• No academic credit will be awarded for early withdrawals

2023 DATES

The application for the 2023 program will open the second weekend of September.

• Session A: June 23 - July 7 
• Session B: June 30 - July 14
• Session C: July 7 - July 21 
• Session D: July 14 - July 28 

UNIVERSITY CREDIT

Three hours of university credit (HNRS 1000) are awarded to all who successfully complete the program. The course content is designed to appeal to students of both the humanities and the sciences. This credit is transferable to the college or university of the participant's choice, with that institution determining how to apply the credit. At Harding, credits earned in HNRS 1000 may be applied to one of the following liberal arts courses:

• English 2010 or 2020 (World Literature I or II)
• History 1010 or 1020 (American History to 1877 or American History since 1877),
• History 2100 or 2110 (Western Civilization to 1500 or Western Civilization since 1500)
• Art 1010 (Art Appreciation)
• Music 1010 (Music Appreciation)
• Theater 1010 (Theatre Appreciation)

In previous years, students from more than 40 states and six foreign countries have attended the Honors Symposium.

Admissions Requirements

Begin the application process at any point. Your application will be built as items are received until it is complete.

• Junior standing with completion of 12 solid units
• Minimum composite score of ACT 21 or SAT 1060 (ERW+M) or PSAT 1100 (ERW+M), or CLT score of 68.  
• Minimum cumulative high school GPA of 3.0 (on a 4-point scale) 
• Completed application (see required items below)

Items needed for a complete application: 

• Online application available below
• Recent photograph of yourself
• A current OFFICIAL High School transcript (minimum of 12 completed credits and a 3.0 cumulative grade point average on a 4.0 scale.
  • Your school guidance counselor may send the transcript to admissions@harding.edu, with a copy to symposium@harding.edu, or an official sealed transcript may be mailed to:
    Harding University Undergraduate Admissions
    Box 12255
    Searcy, AR 72149-5615
• Official ACT or SAT test scores submitted by testing agency directly to Harding (minimum requirement is composite ACT 21 or SAT 1060 ERW+M), the CLT (minimum score 68),  or a copy of an official PSAT report (minimum score is 1100 ERW+M). The PSAT will be used for Symposium admission only, and will not apply to incoming freshmen. 
• Immunization record showing receipt of 2 MMR vaccinations on or after first birthday (State law requirement)
• $250 deposit* (check or credit card)

All items listed are required prior to review of the application and acceptance to a session.

*Deposit is applied toward the total cost of $895. Students not accepted to the program will be refunded the deposit. Students who have a change in plans may be refunded the deposit until March 13, 2023.

You may submit by email symposium@harding.edu or mail to:
Harding University Honors Symposium
Box 10782
Searcy, AR  72149

Can't remember what items you still need to submitted? Call us at 501-279-5272 or email symposium@harding.edu

Payment Details

Deposit of $250.00 is required. Refunds will be processed for students who are not accepted to the Honors Symposium, and for accepted students who must change their summer plans. The refund deadline for accepted students is March 13, 2023. Final payments are due Friday, May 26, 2023.

Payment Method Options

• If paying by credit card follow this link.
• If paying by check please make it payable to Harding University and mail it to the address below:
  Harding University
  Honors Symposium
  Box 10782
  Searcy, AR 72149-5615

Arrival

Flying to Honors Symposium? Download the required Flight Arrangements (pdf).

Registration will be held from 2:00 - 4:00 PM on Friday in the lobby of the American Heritage Center on the Harding University campus.  The GPS address is 915 E Market Ave, Searcy AR.  There will be directional signs to assist you once on campus.  We look forward to seeing you on your arrival day in the Heritage lobby. Click here to view the Registration Map (pdf).

News & Articles 

Counselors play a key role in success of Honors Symposium

Typical Schedule

The first day consists of registration, a reception time for parents to visit with the faculty, a dinner for students and faculty, followed by orientation sessions.

The schedule of activities typically begin around 9 or 10 AM each day.  Your day will include lectures, discussion groups, interactive classes on a variety of topics relating to the central theme and much more. Evenings are filled with fun activities to give you an opportunity to relax and socialize.

Saturdays are full days as well with relaxed time constraints, and Sundays include worship time together.

The Honors Symposium sessions conclude after breakfast on your closing Friday. Students must depart campus by 10:00 AM.

All in all you are about to embark on a magnificent learning experience, which will allow you development in many areas.

Contact Us

Fax: 501-279-4016

Mailing address:
Harding University
Honors Symposium
HU 10782
Searcy, AR 72149-5615