Admission Standards: Become a Donaghey Scholar

Donaghey Scholars admission requirements

The medians are well above the minimums, but they shouldn't decide whether you apply. If you meet the minimums and want to talk through your chances, you can contact us to set up a meeting with the program director.

Freshman, transfer, and international eligibility

• Incoming freshmen who have been admitted to UA Little Rock. Most scholars start this way.
• Transfer students and current UA Little Rock students who meet the GPA and test score minimums and have completed fewer than 36 hours of college credit. Only college courses taken after high school count toward the 36 hours. AP scores and concurrent credit earned in high school don't.
• International students who have been admitted to UA Little Rock.

Every major is welcome.

How applicants are selected

An admissions committee of faculty, staff, and current scholars reviews every application and invites the most promising applicants to interview. The committee considers:

• High school performance, including coursework and GPA
• Activities outside the classroom and community involvement
• ACT or SAT scores
• Recommendations
• Work in college courses, if you've taken any
• Written essays
• A personal interview

All of these count, but your academic record (coursework, GPA, and test scores) carries the most weight.

How to apply

1. Apply for admission to UA Little Rock.
2. Send official ACT or SAT scores and high school transcripts, plus college transcripts if you've taken college courses.
3. Complete the Donaghey General Data sheet.
4. Complete the aid application in ScholarshipUniverse.
5. If invited, submit three essays and teacher recommendations.

For fall 2027 entry, January 15, 2027 is the priority date, when review and interview scheduling begin. February 15, 2027 is the final deadline. Decisions go out in mid to late March.

Essays and interview

Invited applicants write two short essays of about 350 words and one longer essay of up to 800 words that defends a position on a contested issue. Top applicants then interview for about 45 minutes with the program's director or associate director, a faculty or alumni member of the Policy Council, and a current scholar. Interviews start in late January and are usually on campus, with a virtual option if travel is a problem.

For essay tips and what the committee looks for, see merit scholarships. For everything the award covers, see full ride scholarships.

Frequently asked questions