York College Honors Program

webpage: https://www.york.cuny.edu/honors

Mission Statement

The Honors Program at York College seeks to provide academic, cultural, and social opportunities to enhance the intellectual development of serious, highly able, and motivated students. The program is designed to provide students opportunities for research and exploration in a wide array of courses, in multiple disciplines as well as interdisciplinary learning experiences. Students accepted in the program will be engaged; in challenging classroom discussions within designated honors courses, and will be introduced to a wide array of topics by means of their attendance at seminars, lectures and cultural programs, both on and off campus. The experience of being part of a group of peers, and the rapport with faculty members and designated advisors, constitute fine ingredients for a truly rewarding learning experience. For more information about the requirements of the program, you are encouraged to contact the Coordinator or Director of the program.

Honors Program Goals

1. Engage students in challenging classroom discussions within designated honors courses.

2. Introduce students to a wide array of topics by means of their attendance at seminars, lectures, and cultural programs, both on and off-campus.

3. Provide students opportunities for research and exploration in a wide array of courses, in multiple disciplines as well as interdisciplinary learning experiences.

4. Provide students the experience of being part of a group of peers, and the rapport with faculty members and designated advisers constitutes fine ingredients for a truly rewarding learning experience.

5. Provide students opportunities for cultural and social engagement to grow in and serve the community.

Requirements to Apply

Students can apply to the Honors Program as incoming first year students, or prior to the Sophomore and Junior years. To be considered for the program, students must meet the following criteria:

High School Students (incoming freshmen):

• 90 average or higher (submit official transcript)

• Proof for York acceptance/registration

• Academic course of study, including science and math courses

• Complete application, including writing sample & biographical essay

• Two academic letters of recommendation

Current York Students/New Transfer Students (12-60 credits):

• 3.5 GPA or higher (submit unofficial transcript)

• Complete application, including writing sample & biographical essay

• Two academic letters of recommendation (must include college faculty)

The York College Honors Program Admissions

The York College Honors Program admission process is highly competitive with attention to a student's scholarly record and evidence of potential for academic leadership.

To apply, students must meet the above criteria, and fully complete the application online.

Application Process

Rolling Admissions! Apply online today!

Students must complete the Honors Program orientation in order to be a member of the Program. Students who are accepted to the program, but did not reply to the acceptance e-mail or did not attend the orientation will no longer be admitted into the program. Students have ONE MONTH to reply to the acceptance e-mail and attend orientation. If there is still no response, their position in the honors program will be denied and they will have to reapply.

For Current and Transfer Students

• GPA of 3.5 and Higher (Submit Official Transcript)

• Completed Online Application

• Personal Statement

• Two-Year Graduation Plan

For High School Students/ Incoming Freshmen

• 90+ Average (Submit Official Transcript)

• Proof of York Acceptance/Registration

• Completed Online Application

• Personal Statement

Academic Requirements

• Complete three Honors-Contract Courses

• Submit the Honors Contract by the FIRST THURSDAY of each semester

• Conduct the research no later than the first semester of junior year

• Complete an Honors Thesis (Scholar) or present a Poster Presentation at a Professional Conference (Fellow)

• Attend Honors Seminar meetings each semester

• Attend one cultural event per semester

• Attend one extra-curricular academic event per semester

• Complete the required service hours

• Current Honors students need to maintain a 3.3 or higher GPA each semester to stay in the Honors Program as a Cadet

• Achieve a 3.5 or higher GPA, 75 service hours per semester, and a Poster Presentation/Honors Series to graduate as a York Fellow

• Achieve a 3.5 or higher GPA, 50 service hours per semester, and a Thesis Defense to graduate as a York Scholar

Important Dates

Why Should I Apply?

• For the community! York College Honors Program students attend special classes and events with other honors program students. Your peers in these classes will be, like you – academic leaders – and they will challenge you to excel academically. You and your peers will also be able to support each other in your academic pursuits.

• For the mentoring! York College Honors Program students spend their last year working in a one-on-one relationship with a professor. With your mentor you will develop and complete an honors thesis, a professional-level research paper.

• For the recognition! Your official York transcripts will show that you have graduated from the York College Honors Program. Also, after you graduate you will be able to proudly place on your resume that you are a graduate of the York College Honors Program. Employers and graduate programs will know that you reached higher academically than most students. Your honors thesis will serve as evidence of the high level of academic work you have proven you can do!