Mar 28, 2024  
2017-2018 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2017-2018 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

EC Scholars


The EC Scholars program is a merit scholarship program established in 1998 that attracts high-ability students to East Carolina University who have the promise and capability to become outstanding scholars and leaders in Eastern North Carolina and beyond. The EC Scholar award is offered to the best of our entering freshman class. This is the most prestigious scholarship offered at East Carolina University. EC Scholars exhibit outstanding academic performance, engagement in the community, effective leadership skills, and complete a required study abroad experience. The amount awarded to scholarship recipients is $40,000 ($5,000 per semester for eight continuous semesters). In addition, EC Scholars are provided with a $5,000 stipend to help support their Study Abroad experience.

In addition to the Honors College program requirements , EC Scholars need to earn a final grade of B- (2.7) or higher to receive credit for each of the requirements. Students may not use the honors-by-contract option to fulfill any of these requirements. Requirements may be met on a different schedule than listed below, so long as all requirements are fulfilled prior to graduation. Requirements can also be made flexible to allow students to study abroad, graduate in less than four years, or pursue a joint degree. In these cases, students will need to consult the advising team in the Honors College to receive approval.

EC Scholars will benefit from a curriculum that emphasizes community engagement, leadership and rigorous academic coursework. EC Scholars are required to follow the guidelines of the Honors College and of the EC Scholars Program. EC Scholars will enroll for a minimum course load of 12 semester hours during each fall and spring semester and must obtain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5. All EC Scholars will complete a Study Abroad academic experience and a Senior Honors Project.

Admission Requirements

Students wishing to be considered for the EC Scholars Award will first need to be accepted into the Honors College. Admission to the Honors College at East Carolina University is competitive and by invitation. Students wishing to be considered for an EC Scholars Award will first need to meet the following minimum eligibility criteria to receive an invitation to apply:

  1. Apply to East Carolina University (ECU) by the priority deadline (December 1)
  2. Meet the following minimum criteria within both the standardized test and GPA categories:
  • Minimum unweighted GPA of 3.5 and/or minimum weighted GPA of 4.0
  • Minimum mathematics/critical reading combined score of 1200 on the old SAT, and/or minimum composite score of 1270 on the new SAT, and/or minimum ACT composite score of 27

Super-scoring is acceptable for the ACT. Super-scoring is also acceptable for the SAT but can only be completed within the same SAT version and not between old and new SATs. Test score eligibility will be assessed based on scores received by the institution as of November 15. Due to the timeline employed by College Board and ACT, we are unable to guarantee receipt of scores from any exams after October 2 to determine Honors College eligibility. Students using the October ACT exam must self-report scores to ECU Admissions in order to guarantee receipt by the aforementioned deadline. This process is outlined on the Honors College admissions webpage.

Students who meet the above criteria will receive an invitation by mail to complete the Honors College application. The postmarked deadline for submitting the completed Honors College application and associated materials is December 1. Applications are reviewed throughout December and January with a targeted notification date of January 31 for those students who are admitted into the Honors College.

Program Requirements

1. Freshman year:

The first-year ECU Scholar seminar will count for one of the two Honors Seminar requirements.

2. Sophomore year:

3. Junior year:

4. Study Abroad Experience:

EC Scholars are required to study abroad.  The experience is recommended in the sophomore or junior year.