Humanities & Social Sciences Scholars Program

Addressing the Need for Underrepresented Humanities & Social Sciences Scholars

There's a crisis in the humanities and social sciences with regard to the underrepresentation of African Americans and other minorities.  The need for more Underrepresented Minorities (URMs) to earn PhDs to possibly join the professoriate, conduct needed research, participate in policy development and/or become leaders in related governmental and private organizations is critical. HBCUs are the only large class of schools where undergraduate humanities enrollment has held steady since 2008, as well as the only institutional class where a majority of students continue to report that "developing a meaningful philosophy of life" should be a major priority for college education. As a premiere HBCU, Howard University is uniquely positioned to tackle the decline in humanities majors and to produce underrepresented professors in the humanities.

How to Apply to the Humanities & Social Sciences Scholars Program (H3SP)

• You must first complete an application for admission to Howard University using the Common Application.
• In addition, you must complete the Humanities & Social Sciences Scholars Program application. The application is open to those who will be graduating high school in 2024, this is the incoming Howard class of HU28. The Application can be found here. Application period opens November 1, 2023. The application period will close on January 30, 2024 at 11:59pm EST. In order to view/complete the application, you must sign up for a Submittable account.
• You must also complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
• You will also need to submit, as an uploaded attachment to the application, a copy of your high school transcript. SAT and/or ACT test scores are optional when applying for the 2023-24 admissions cycle (Cohort 2). Students who were able to take the SAT/ACT and would like to submit their scores may choose to do so.
• You will also need one recommendation letter. Before submitting the comprehensive recommendation letter, please refer to the following recommendation guidelines: This comprehensive recommendation letter must come from a teacher who has taught the student in a writing-intensive high school or college course. This could include any English, History/ Social Studies, Psychology, or Philosophy course. This letter must focus on the student's academic performance, academic habits, and writing skills while also addressing the student's character, resilience, and fortitude with illustrative examples. This letter is due on or before January 30, 2024 at 11:59pm Eastern Time. Have your recommender save your letter as "LastName_FirstName_CompRec".
• You must have your letters submitted through the Submittable portal. The letter is due no later than January 30,  2024 at 11:59pm ET.
• You must complete and submit your scholarship essays. Guidelines for the essays are found in the application. 
• There are several ways to gain consideration for the Howard University Humanities & Social Sciences Scholars Program. Students who are aware of the program (from social media, college counselors, high school teachers, family, etc.) can apply online, or applicants who apply for Early Action and who meet the H3SP criteria will be invited to apply.  While all applicants are encouraged to take advantage of the Early Action deadline of November 1, no matter how they apply, all prospects are given equal consideration if they meet the minimum criteria and present a complete application.

Eligibility Criteria

• An overall high school GPA of 3.30 or higher
• Committed to pursuing a PhD in a humanities or social science discipline
• Documented previous community service experience.
• Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
• Additional consideration given to applicants with documented leadership and research experience.
• Applicants interested in the Humanities and Scholars Program should be interested in research, or research and clinical practice.
• Applicants for the Humanities & Social Sciences Scholars Program (H3SP) cannot apply to Howard University's Karsh STEM Scholars Program (KSSP). You may ONLY apply to ONE of the two programs (either KSSP or H3SP)
• Howard University has made the submission of SAT/ACT test scores optional for the 2023-24 admissions cycle. This means SAT/ACT test scores will not be required to complete your application for admission, nor will SAT/ACT test scores be required for application/consideration for the Humanities & Social Science Scholars Program’s 2nd cohort. Students who were able to take the SAT/ACT and would like to submit their scores may choose to do so.

Humanities & Social Sciences Scholars Program's Recruitment Calendar

After all application packets have been reviewed, the top applicants will be invited to participate in a selection process. We expect that the Selection Weekend Program will be in person and will include among other activities, a panel interview and a Q & A session with current scholars. 

After Selection Weekend has concluded, information gleaned from the Selection Weekend experience will be assessed. Offers will be made to selected finalists to build a cohort of 15 students. Responses to offers must be received by May 1st. To matriculate in the Fall as a H3SP Scholar, students must participate in and successfully complete the Summer Bridge Program.