Schwanke Honors Institute Application

Welcome to the application for the Kermit and Kathleen Schwanke Honors Institute!
The Schwanke Honors Institute offers high school students an intensive, hands-on, transformational learning opportunity hosted by UM's Davidson Honors College.

Before beginning the application, please review the questions and requirements to ensure that you have all the information you need, including:

Your parent/guardian’s approval (they need to authorize that you have their consent to apply)
Your high school counselor's information
Your high school transcript
Your personal statement (we recommend writing this in a separate Word document and then copying and pasting it to the field on this application)

Although the application is short, navigating away from it may result in lost work. You will NOT be able to edit the application once it's submitted.

The University of Montana does not discriminate in admissions, or the provision of services, or employment policies on the basis of race, gender, national origin or ancestry, material status, creed, religion, color, political ideas, sexual preference, age, or physical or mental disability.

NOTE: This application is for students entering their senior year of high school in the fall of 2025, or seniors who are graduating in the spring of 2025.

Always Create Rounds: Yes

Submitted: Yes

Generate Pin: Yes

Mode: On-Campus

Residency: Out-of-State

Student Information

First Name

Last Name

Preferred First Name

Birthdate

Legal Sex

Gender Identification

How would you like to self-describe?

Preferred Pronouns

Citizenship

Student Contact Information

Phone Number

Mailing Address

Country

Street

City

Region

Postal Code

High School Information

High School Name

Grade Entering in Fall 2025 | Graduating Senior

For students who are graduating Spring 2025, are you planning to attend the University of Montana and/or the Davidson Honors College?

High School Counselor's Name (First and Last)

High School Counselor's Email

Please upload a current high school transcript

Parent/Guardian Information

Please note that email is our primary form of communication, and parents/guardians are copied on all correspondence during the admissions process. Please inform us if your parent's/guardian's email address changes after you submit your application.

Parent/Guardian First Name

Parent/Guardian Last Name

Parent/Guardian Relationship to Student

Parent/Guardian Preferred Email

Parent/Guardian Preferred Phone Number

Your Reference

A reference from a school counselor, teacher, or coach is required for admission to the Schwanke Honors Institute.
When you submit your application, the reference you list will automatically receive an email including guidance for submitting a separate form on your behalf. Please provide their information here:

First Name

Last Name

Title

Phone Number

Scholarships!

Are you planning to apply for a Schwanke Scholarship?

*Please note the deadline and separate application form on Schwanke website!

Course Information

Admitted students will be enrolled in one of the two courses listed below. Please select your first and second choice. This selection does not guarantee your acceptance into the program nor your first choice of course placement.

HONR 191: Creative Writing in the Environment , 2 credits

HONR 191: Wildlife Wonders: Exploring Ecology and Conservation in Montana, 2 credits

Student's Personal Statement

In 500 words or less, please explain why you want to attend the program. Feel free to include relevant experiences you have had, what you are interested in learning, and why you think this program will benefit your education.

We recommend writing your Personal Statement in a separate Word Document and then copying and pasting it here.

Safety & Security

Have you been convicted of or pled guilty or no contest to any crime, including in any military proceeding, regardless of location?

Yes

Select all that apply:

Arson (or attempted arson)

Assault (or attempted assault) with a deadly weapon or an assault that caused serious bodily injury

Distribution (or attempted distribution) of drugs

Hate crimes

Murder or manslaughter (or attempted murder or manslaughter)

Robbery or burglary (or attempted robbery or burglary)

Sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual exploitation, or stalking (or attempted sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual exploitation, or stalking)

Two or more instances of driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs

Violation of federal, state, or local weapons laws

Other

Please explain:

Information on pending criminal charges can help us connect students with resources to support their safety and success. Do you have any pending criminal charges against you (felony or misdemeanor, including military proceedings), regardless of location?

Yes

Select all that apply:

Arson (or attempted arson)

Assault (or attempted assault) with a deadly weapon or an assault that caused serious bodily injury

Distribution (or attempted distribution) of drugs

Hate crimes

Murder or manslaughter (or attempted murder or manslaughter)

Robbery or burglary (or attempted robbery or burglary)

Sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual exploitation, or stalking (or attempted sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual exploitation, or stalking)

Two or more instances of driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs

Violation of federal, state, or local weapons laws

Other

Please explain:

Have you ever been expelled, dismissed, suspended, or placed on probation (including pending charges) from any academic institution, collegiate or high school?

Yes

Select all that apply:

Arson (or attempted arson)

Assault (or attempted assault) with a deadly weapon or an assault that caused serious bodily injury

Distribution (or attempted distribution) of drugs

Hate crimes

Murder or manslaughter (or attempted murder or manslaughter)

Robbery or burglary (or attempted robbery or burglary)

Sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual exploitation, or stalking (or attempted sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual exploitation, or stalking)

Two or more instances of driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs

Violating institutional weapons laws or policies

Other

Please explain:

Have you ever been required to register as a sexual or violent offender?

Yes

Please explain:

Additional Information

How did you learn about the program? Please check all that apply.

Counselor

Friend

Parent/Guardian/Family

Search Engine

Schwanke Institute Website

Social Media

UM Alumni

UM Summer Website

WRFI Alumni

WRFI Website

Other

Please indicate here:

If you were referred to the program, please share that person's name, relationship to you, and contact information.

Race

American Indian or Alaska Native

American Indian or Alaska Native - Assiniboine - Fort Belknap Reservation

American Indian or Alaska Native - Assiniboine - Fort Peck Reservation

American Indian or Alaska Native - Assiniboine - no reservation

American Indian or Alaska Native - Blackfeet - Blackfeet Reservation

American Indian or Alaska Native - Blackfeet - no reservation

American Indian or Alaska Native - Chippewa - Little Shell Band

American Indian or Alaska Native - Chippewa - no reservation

American Indian or Alaska Native - Chippewa - Rocky Boy Reservation

American Indian or Alaska Native - Chippewa - Turtle Mountain Reservation

American Indian or Alaska Native - Cree - no reservation

American Indian or Alaska Native - Cree - Rocky Boy Reservation

American Indian or Alaska Native - Crow - Crow Reservation

American Indian or Alaska Native - Crow - no reservation

American Indian or Alaska Native - Gros Ventre - Fort Belknap Reservation

American Indian or Alaska Native - Gros Ventre - no reservation

American Indian or Alaska Native - Kootenai - no reservation

American Indian or Alaska Native - Kootenai - Salish/Kootenai Reservation

American Indian or Alaska Native - Northern Cheyenne - no reservation

American Indian or Alaska Native - Northern Cheyenne - Northern Cheyenne Reservation

American Indian or Alaska Native - Salish - no reservation

American Indian or Alaska Native - Salish - Salish/Kootenai Reservation

American Indian or Alaska Native - Sioux - Fort Peck Reservation

American Indian or Alaska Native - Sioux - no reservation

Asian

Black or African American

Decline

Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific

White

Other - Unknown

Hispanic or Latino?

Is the student a child of a Veteran or Service Member?

Certification

By entering my name below, I certify that the information on this application is complete and accurate and that I have completed this application with the full knowledge and consent of my parent(s) or legal guardian(s).

Student's Name

Today's Date

Parent/Guardian's Name

Today's Date