Macaulay Honors College

About the Program

The Macaulay Honors College (MHC) was founded in 2001 by former Chancellor Matthew Goldstein to attract exceptional students to the City University of New York. As a CUNY-wide program, Macaulay Honors College currently includes Honors Centers at eight of the senior colleges of CUNY as well as a central building on Manhattan’s upper west side.  

Students admitted to Macaulay have dual affiliation with the Honors College and their CUNY home campus. The MHC program at The City College of New York helps students achieve the highest levels of academic accomplishment, and fosters cross-campus community, career exploration, service, and leadership.  

Macaulay students at City College can expect the following benefits: 

• Full-tuition scholarships for New York State residents* 

• Access to Macaulay’s opportunities fund to pursue study abroad and other experiential learning research and interning experiences 

• Enrollment in special interdisciplinary Honors seminars using NYC as resource and text 

• A "cultural passport" providing entrance to New York City’s many cultural venues and museums, including concert, theater, and art venues 

• Intensive mentoring and advisement from dedicated honors advisors and faculty 

• First-day registration privileges 

• Use of the Honors Lounge for study and social events 

• Peer mentoring from experienced upper-level students in the program 

*The scholarship covers tuition (university Fees are covered out-of-pocket by the student). The amount of the scholarship is equal to tuition cost less any PELL, TAP, NYS HESC Scholarships, NYC Council Merit Scholarship, and other tuition-only scholarships received, if applicable. To receive the MHC scholarship, students must meet CUNY NYS residency requirements. For out-of-state students, click here for CUNY Tuition and Fees.

In order to be considered for the Macaulay Scholarship, you must complete the free application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and a NYS Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) application. 

Eligibility 

The Macaulay Honors College program at City College admits only new first-year students. Admission is highly competitive. Students in any major may be accepted into Macaulay. Students accepted into both the Macaulay Honors College and the Sophie Davis School for Biomedical Education B.S./M.D. program (which requires a special application) cannot enroll in both programs and must select one.  

Admission 

Students must apply by special application, AVAILABLE ONLY ONLINE at https://macaulay.cuny.edu/admissions/applying-to-macaulay/.  Please check the Macaulay website for application deadlines which vary from year to year. Students applying to the Macaulay Honors College need not file a regular admission application to CUNY. This is an “all-purpose application” applying to The Macaulay Honors College, the Honors Program at City College, and the City College of New York application. 

Curricular and Extra-curricular Requirements  

All Macaulay Honors College students take four special interdisciplinary seminars focusing on NYC and fulfill additional liberal arts general education requirements in the City College Honors program (depending on their major). In the upper division (junior and senior years), students may take additional honors college sponsored courses and must complete a senior capstone project. Students also must complete at least one of the following—an interning, research, or study abroad experience. Macaulay is committed to community service and students are required to document a minimum of 30 hours of volunteer service before completing their four-year program. 

Retention Criteria 

To maintain good standing in the program, students are expected to achieve a minimum term G.P.A. of 3.3. for each of the first three semesters, and a minimum term G.P.A. of 3.5 for each ensuing semester until graduation.  

For additional details about the Macaulay Honors College, please visit: https://macaulay.cuny.edu/