Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Commonwealth Honors Academy (CHA)?

The Commonwealth Honors Academy is a three-week academic enrichment experience held every June on Murray State University’s main campus in Murray, KY. Students live and learn with their peers and teachers from the area as they take college-level honors courses, take field trips that enrich classroom experiences, attend speakers and listen to professional artists perform and talk about their work, and participate in social and personal growth seminars.

What are the benefits of the Commonwealth Honors Academy (CHA)?

  • Three weeks of academic and enrichment experience at Murray State
  • Six hours of tuition-free, transferable university credit
  • Receive an in-state full-tuition scholarship with a 3.5 cumulative high school GPA and a minimum 25 ACT Composite score. Students who do not meet this criteria will have the opportunity to receive the Academic Achievement scholarship for First-time Freshmen students. Learn more about scholarships →
  • Collaboration with other honor students and outstanding university and secondary faculty in a campus living-learning environment

What if the student does not plan to attend Murray State University? Can the student still apply?

Absolutely! Students who attend CHA are under no obligation to attend Murray State University. They still will get to participate in every aspect of the Academy, and they can transfer the received college-level credit to the school of their choice.

What qualifications are expected of Commonwealth Honors Academy applicants?

All students applying for the Commonwealth Honors Academy should have a 3.5 GPA (on a 4 point scale) and a 25 Composite ACT score (or the equivalent PSAT, SAT, or another standardized test score). High school juniors throughout Kentucky as well as the Murray State out-of-state service region are invited to apply.

What is the PSAT, or SAT equivalent of a 25 ACT score?

The Murray State Scholarship Office uses an SAT score of 1200 as an equivalency to an ACT score of 25.

What is the deadline for application?

The deadline for applications is March 1 of each year. Please note this is a postmark deadline. If March 1 falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the deadline will be the following Monday.

What is the best way to send in applications?

Please fill out the electronic student application found on the CHA homepage. Questions may be directed to msu.cha@murraystate.edu or by calling the Honors Office at 270.809.3166.

What are the differences between the Commonwealth Honors Academy (CHA) and the Kentucky Governor’s Scholars Program (GSP)?

The two programs share many characteristics; indeed, CHA was founded by former GSP administrators and faculty.

  • Both programs are for outstanding high school juniors.
  • Both programs seek to develop a living-learning community.

However, there are several distinct differences:

Commonwealth Honors Academy Governor’s Scholars Program

Three-week program on the Murray State campus

Five-week program on several campuses in Kentucky

Available to students from Kentucky and out of state

Only open to Kentucky residents

No more than 120 students

300-350 students per campus

Graduates receive an in-state full-tuition scholarship with a 3.5 cumulative high school GPA and a minimum 25 ACT Composite score. Students who do not meet this criteria will have the opportunity to receive the Academic Achievement scholarship for First-time Freshmen students. Learn more about scholarships →

Graduates offered scholarships of varying amounts at many major universities in Kentucky

$250 tuition processing fee*

No cost except for personal expenses.

* Tuition processing fee waived if student receives free or reduced student lunch, or receives an ACT fee waiver.

What is the duration of the Academy?

The Academy lasts for three weeks including weekends. Evening and weekend activities include extra-curricular and co-curricular activities.

What courses are offered during the three-week Academy?

Each student will be assigned to an Interdisciplinary Humanities and Fine Arts (IDHFA) course and to one elective in Business, Science, Education, Health Sciences, Humanities and Fine Arts, Social Science, Communications, or Engineering.

Must students remain on campus during the entire three week academy?

Yes. This is necessary to meet the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) requirements, so that students may be awarded college-level credit for their courses. It is also essential in building the community that is so integral a part of the Commonwealth Honors Academy.

How are students notified of acceptance and how long does an accepted student have to accept or reject the offer?

Students will be notified by letter regarding their acceptance by mid April. Any applicant who has not received notification by that date should contact the Honors Office at 270-809-3166.

What costs are a student’s responsibility during the Academy?

While there is no charge for the student's meals and lodging, students will often want to order take-out later in the evenings (pizza and Chinese are popular choices). Students may wish to bring some spending money for personal expenses. It is up to the parents and students to determine a reasonable amount of money to bring with them. ATM machines are available in the University student center.

Where do the students live?

All students, faculty and staff are housed in one residential college for the entire three weeks. CHA has exclusive use of the building. While the faculty are not required to live in the residential college, most of them do reside on a floor separate from the students. Male and female students live on separate floors, and visitation is not permitted. The first floor lobby (and second floor lobby when available) is reserved for coed interactions.

How are CHA students supervised?

With respect to classes, seminars, and other community events and programs, attendance is taken and any missing student is quickly found. Students are well informed of the expectations regarding attendance and what to do if an emergency arises or if they are sick and cannot attend an event, program, or class. In the opening days of the Academy, students will walk the perimeter of the campus and will know exactly where they are permitted to go and not go. Within the residence hall, a trained resident counselor lives on each wing and is responsible for 14-20 students. Students also have a curfew each day when they must be in the building and then on their respective floors. NOTE: Detailed information regarding safety and security is provided on the “Safety and Security Information Form” that all accepted students and their parents will receive in the initial mailing.

What happens to an application when it arrives at the CHA office?

Each application is assigned a file. The application is first screened by the Murray State Honors Program staff to determine if the application is complete and minimum criteria are met. A few days after the application deadline, applications are read and scored by screening committees to determine the rank of applicants. By mid April, rankings will be established and applicants notified of their status. All applicants will then be notified by letter that they are either: accepted, rejected, or placed on an "alternate" list. Accepted students are asked to reply within two weeks to determine if they are going to attend CHA. Alternate students may be notified any time up to and including the first day of the Academy if space becomes available.

When and where is the Commonwealth Honors Academy held?

The Commonwealth Honors Academy is a three-week academic enrichment experience held every June on Murray State University’s main campus in Murray, KY. Students live and learn with their peers and teachers from the area as they take college-level honors courses, take field trips that enrich classroom experiences, attend speakers and listen to professional artists perform and talk about their work, and participate in social and personal growth seminars.

Is my student eligible?

Students must

  • be high school juniors who are at least 16 by the beginning of the academy,
  • maintain a 3.5 GPA on a 4 point scale, and
  • Have received a 25 composite on their ACT (or corresponding scores on the ACT Aspire, PSAT, or SAT).

When are applications due?

The application deadline is March 15.

Will my student receive college credit?

Yes. Each student takes two college honors courses during the academy, for which they receive a total of 6 credit hours.

Will these courses transfer to other colleges and universities?

Yes. Each course during the academy and any courses taken during their senior year will transfer to any accredited college or university. That institution will determine what type of course it replaces at their institution.

How will the academy prepare for my students for college?

Students will live in a college residence hall with a roommate, use dining services, and learn how to navigate a campus. They will also be introduced to college-level material and honors courses with the expectation that they complete homework, teaching time management skills.

Who teaches at the academy?

Faculty members are experienced high school and college teachers who come from local high schools and universities. All of the faculty have at least a master’s degree in the area in which they teach and many have doctoral degrees.

What is the schedule like for a normal week?

What if the student has slightly lower than 25 on the ACT, or a slightly lower GPA than 3.5? Should the student still apply?

Yes, if the difference is negligible. Students who fully meet all the criteria will be given preference in the selection procedure, but students who have a slightly lower GPA or ACT score may still be considered.

How are students assigned to their classes/rooms?

One of the goals of the CHA Administrative Team is to create a community where students from different schools, regions, states, and interests interact with as many different students as possible. In order to achieve that healthy mix students are first assigned to elective classes. Every attempt is made to give the student their first or second choice while maintaining geographic and gender balance. After Elective Class, students are then assigned to their Interdisciplinary Humanities and Fine Arts Class (IDHFA), and Seminar. Lastly, room assignments are made with every attempt to achieve a geographic and academic balance. Students from the same high school are never assigned to the same room.

How many students are typically in a class or seminar?

Each class and seminar ranges in size from 14 to 20 students.

How much time is spent in class?

During the week, students take two classes a day, spending about 5-6 hours per day in the classroom or on short field excursions. One day per week (in each of the first two weeks) is devoted to an all-day co-curricular activity, such as a field trip for biological research or a trip to an opera and art museum. On weekends and during the evenings, students attend concerts, lectures, and performances, engage in extracurricular games, service activities, and talent shows, and participate in personal development forums and seminars.

What is the CHA scholarship?

Students with a 3.5 cumulative high school GPA and a minimum 25 ACT Composite score will receive an in-state full-tuition scholarship. Out-of-state students will be responsible for the difference between in-state rates and the rate for their home state.
View tuition rates →
Students who do not meet this criteria will have the opportunity to receive the Academic Achievement scholarship for First-time Freshmen students. Learn more about scholarships →

What should students do if they are scheduled to take the ACT during the Academy?

If a student has scheduled to take the ACT during the Academy they should:

  • Notify the CHA office at 270-809-3166.
  • Request a change in site (to the Murray State campus) from ACT.
  • Do NOT schedule the written portion of the test.

What information will be sent to accepted students?

Accepted students will receive instructions to download the following documents from the CHA website.:

  • Consent and Release Medical Form
  • Medical Release (The local hospital requires this form.)
  • Learning Contract
  • Publicity Information and Authorization of Use Form
  • Elective Class Choice Form
  • T-Shirt Size Request Form
  • Campus Safety and Security Information
  • What will I need?

Students who are certain they do not want to participate are asked to sign and return the "Notice of Non-Attendance Form" received with their acceptance letter as quickly as possible so that alternates may be notified.

Students who accept the offer to attend will receive an email in the middle of May (sent to the email address included on the application). This will include their class assignments and a schedule for Opening / Move-in Day.

What should a student bring?

Casual clothes are usually sufficient for class activities. Students will be expected to wear business casual clothing for speakers, concerts, and the final banquet. Students also have the opportunity to attend church services during the three weeks of the Academy. Students will not NEED money for meals or admissions. They may, however, wish to bring money for pizza or souvenirs. Students are not to bring televisions, video games, and/or automobiles.

What should students do if they are scheduled to take the ACT during the Academy?

If a student has scheduled to take the ACT during the Academy they should:

  • Notify the CHA office at 270-809-3166.
  • Request a change in site (to the Murray State campus) from ACT.
  • Do NOT schedule the written portion of the test.

What does a week at CHA look like?

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