YORK COLLEGE HONORS PROGRAM

An exciting new program for talented, intellectually curious, highly motivated students.

The York College Honors Program will enroll its first students in the Fall, 2002 semester. The Honors Program provides the opportunity to learn and grow within a small community of students who share a love of learning and strong academic skills. The program will prepare students for graduate study and exciting professional careers through internships, research experience, and individualized attention from faculty members. The interaction of students and faculty within the program will enrich the college experience and help guide students throughout their college career.

Each Honors student will work closely with a faculty mentor in his or her area of interest. This mentor will guide the student through college, developing an individualized academic program and helping the student prepare for graduate study and professional success. Each semester, honors students will participate in a small interdisciplinary honors seminar on a topic of timely interest. In addition, students will take small honors sections of general education courses and develop independent honors projects within their major subject are each semester. In the junior and senior years, they will complete an independent study project and honors thesis under the guidance of their faculty mentor. Honors students also will attend cultural and performing arts programs as a group each semester to make the most of our rich and culturally exciting city.

Honors courses will be designated with an ‘H’ on the student’s transcript. Successful completion of the Honors Program will be noted on the student’s diploma and final transcript, and Honors students will be recognized at a special awards ceremony and at commencement. Other special benefits to Honors students include early registration so that they can choose courses that best fit their schedules, and others.

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

High School Students:
85 average or higher (official transcript)
Academic course of study, including science and math courses
Complete application with essay
Two letters of recommendation

Current York Students/Transfer Students (12-72 credits)
3.25 average or higher (official transcript)
Complete application with essay
Two letters of recommendation (must include college faculty)

For more information, please contact Professor Deborah Majerovitz, Honors Program Director, York College, City University of New York, 94-20 Guy R. Brewer Blvd., Room 4D-06, Jamaica, NY 11451. 718-262-2694. majerovitz@york.cuny.edu

To download an application to the York College Honors Program, CLICK HERE.

Other Programs for High Achieving Students at York College
York College has many opportunities for advanced research and study, funded by grants from the federal government, as well as honors programs within individual departments at the college. The York College Honors Program encourages students to take advantage of these programs as well.

Minority Access to Research Careers (MARC)
The MARC program, funded by the National Institutes of Health, helps students from underrepresented minority groups to prepare for doctoral study and careers in research. Students with a 3.0 average or higher join the MARC program at the beginning of their Junior Year. Each student is matched with a faculty mentor with an active program of research in the natural, behavioral, or social sciences. MARC scholars receive free tuition, a generous stipend, free GRE workshops, travel to conferences, and other benefits. York College Honors Program students will receive priority in their applications to MARC. For more information, contact Dr. William Divale, 718-262-2982, divalebill@aol.com.

McNair Scholars Program
The McNair Scholars Program, funded by the U.S. Department of Education, encourages high-achieving, first generation college students and underrepresented minorities to graduate from Ph.D. programs. McNair Scholars receive an annual stipend and work with a faculty research mentor. They also receive help in preparing for the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) and graduate school applications, and attend professional conferences. Students with 28-80 credits and a 3.0 average are eligible. For more information, contact Dr. Daniel McGee, 718-262-2489, dmcgee@york.cuny.edu.

Minority Biomedical Research Support (MBRS)
The MBRS program, funded by the National Institutes of Health, provides research grants to faculty at colleges serving underrepresented minority students. Several faculty members in the natural sciences, social sciences, and psychology currently have MBRS grants. York College Honors Program students will have priority in obtaining paid research assistant positions on MBRS funded grants in their areas of interest.

Departmental Honors Programs in English, Foreign Languages, and Natural Science
These departments offer an honors-level program within the major. Honors students who are majoring in these disciplines are encouraged to participate in their departmental honors programs as well as the college-wide program.