McBride Honors’ Program Application

Colorado School of Mines

Welcome! We’re excited that you’re applying to the McBride Honors Program. Applications for the upcoming 2026-2027 cohort are due no later than February 20th, 2026, 11:59 PM. All other applications will be considered on a rolling basis.

To complete your submission:

Submit a recommendation request form for an academic letter of recommendation from a recent high school teacher or college professor who can speak to your performance as a student. Please note that an automatic email will be sent to the faculty or high school teacher you list in this form. Make sure their email is spelled correctly and is free of typos. Once they submit their recommendation, you should receive a confirmation email.

Complete and submit the application which includes a digital copy of your unofficial transcript from Mines and a digital copy of your unofficial transcript from any additional colleges or universities you may have attended (if applicable).

For your convenience, you can save and continue this form by clicking on the “Save and Continue” button at the bottom of this page. Please be sure to make final edits before submitting the form.

McBride Honors Program Application

Company

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Name:(Required)

First Middle Intial Last

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Pronouns:

Permanent Address:(Required)

Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country

Complete Local Address: (including dormitory name):(Required)

Street Address Address Line 2 City State ZIP Code

Your Phone Number:(Required)

Major:(Required)

Mines Email Address:(Required)

Campus-Wide ID (CWID):(Required)

Academic History (Please answer all that apply.)

To be eligible for admission, to remain in the program, and to receive a Minor in Public Affairs with McBride honors distinction upon graduation, you must have a cumulative GPA of 2.9 and maintain a 3.0 GPA in all your McBride coursework. Students with grades below these standards will be given a probationary semester to improve their performance. When we evaluate applications, we look for academic excellence, but that’s not all. We’re seeking outstanding students who exhibit genuine intellectual curiosity, intrinsic motivation, leadership potential, community engagement, a diversity of experiences and perspectives, respect for others, and effective communication skills. We want students who are going to thrive and who are going to contribute something meaningful to the program and our community. Worry less about what you think we want to hear, and instead share what you’d like us to know about you.

Mines Cumulative GPA:(Required)

Your Unofficial Transcript from Mines(Required)

Max. file size: 250 MB.

Have you attended any colleges or universities in addition to Mines?(Required)

Yes

Other College Name:(Required)

Other College Cumulative GPA:(Required)

Your Unofficial Transcript from Other Colleges/Universities(Required)

Max. file size: 250 MB.

Please specify the standardized test scores you would like to submit below.

SAT

ACT

Both SAT and ACT

N/A or Do Not Have Test Scores

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SAT Scores

SAT Composite(Required)

SAT Writing/Essay(Required)

SAT Critical Reading/Verbal(Required)

SAT Math(Required)

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ACT Scores

ACT Composite(Required)

ACT English(Required)

ACT English/Writing(Required)

ACT Math(Required)

ACT Reading(Required)

ACT Science(Required)

Other Relevant Classes & Courses

AP/IB (Optional):

If applicable, please list any AP, IB, and/or honors-type classes taken. (OPTIONAL)

NHV / THORSON / GRANDEY/ FUTURES:(Required)

Have you completed Nature & Human Values (NHV), THORSON, GRANDEY and/or FUTURES? If so, what grade did you receive and what was an academic paper you wrote for the class? If you are currently enrolled, who is your instructor?

Photographs

Clear Headshot:(Required)

Max. file size: 250 MB.

Please submit a photograph of yourself. Make sure your face is clearly visible, as this will help jog our memories during and after the interview process. TITLE THE PHOTO in the following format: LastName_FirstName_Headshot. Example: Doe_Jane_Headshot

Creative Photo Submission:(Required)

Max. file size: 250 MB.

Please submit a photo of yourself that says something about you as a person. Please make sure you are the subject of the photo, and leave off any explanation. TITLE THE PHOTO in the following format LastName_FirstName_Creative. Example: Doe_Jane_Creative

Short Essays

In the McBride Honors Program, we seek students who have much to gain from joining our community, as well as much to contribute to it. We appreciate vivid detail that helps us learn about who you are.  Worry less about what you think we want to hear, and instead share what you’d like us to know about you.

In 250 words or less, please answer ONE of the following prompts: (a) What objects, sounds, or smells tell the story of your life? (b) Describe one of your quirks and how/why it is central to who you are.(Required)

In 250 words or less, please answer the following prompt: Describe a moment of epiphany for you and why you consider it an epiphany.(Required)

In 500 words or less, respond to the following prompt: What is an intriguing question you are curious about, and (2) why is it intriguing to you?(Required)

In 500 words or less, choose an issue that is meaningful to you and argue two opposing sides to it. We should NOT be able to tell what your opinion is on the issue.(Required)

Optional (150 words max): is there anything else that you would like us to know?

A Sample of Your Creativity

Please submit a sample of your creativity in any medium.

How will you be submitting your creative submission?(Required)

File Upload

URL Link

You can choose between uploading a file or a link to your creative submission. We only recommend using a link if your file is to large to upload or if it cannot be downloaded.

Please paste in a URL link to your creative submission:(Required)

Please upload your creative submission:(Required)

Max. file size: 250 MB.

Academic Writing Sample

Provide a short excerpt from any piece of academic writing you did in school—preferably within the last year. Note at the top what the writing was for (e.g. what class and assignment) and when you composed it (e.g. senior in high school, first semester at Mines). You may also add clarifying text so that we may understand the context from which this excerpt was taken.(Required)

Paste writing sample in the box (500 words max):