Applying To Macaulay Honors: International Student Eligibility

The Macaulay Honors College is a unique program that offers a pathway for high-achieving students to become future leaders. With a focus on academic excellence and intellectual curiosity, the college provides a range of benefits, including a merit scholarship package covering tuition and opportunities for global research, service, internships, and study abroad. The program is highly selective, and applicants are evaluated based on academic performance and personal factors such as leadership potential, creativity, and motivation. While the college primarily caters to students from New York and the US, it also welcomes international applicants, who are offered similar benefits as their US counterparts, provided they meet the residency requirements. International students, however, need to obtain a student visa and demonstrate English proficiency if they were educated in a non-English speaking environment. With a diverse range of majors, including Chemistry, Mathematics, Business, and Political Science, the Macaulay Honors College offers a transformative educational experience, as evidenced by the success of its graduates in securing internships, attending prestigious graduate schools, and landing jobs with innovative companies.

International students are welcome to apply

The application process and timeline are the same for international applicants, and the costs of attending the City University of New York (CUNY) are substantially lower than other top US institutions. International students who require a visa to visit the US will need a student visa to attend the college. To achieve this, students must first apply to the Macaulay Honors College. If accepted, they will be enrolled in the US State Department's Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). CUNY will then provide a Form I-20, which the student must present at the consular office during the required visa interview. International students must submit official English translations of any documents not originally in English.

The Macaulay Honors College offers a unique application process, as applicants create a single CUNY application with their campus selections. Students enrolled in the college take most of their courses at their home campus but can also attend classes at any CUNY campus. The college offers a merit scholarship package that includes tuition for all its students. Macaulay Honors College seeks to admit students with leadership potential who are high achievers, intellectually curious, creative, and highly motivated. In addition to academic performance, the college evaluates prospective students using a combination of academic and personal factors.

The college offers a wide range of majors, including Chemistry, Mathematics, Business, Political Science, Economics, Psychology, English, and History. Students are required to take four seminars within their freshman and sophomore years that pertain to New York City, such as art and science in NYC. In addition, students must take four additional honors courses throughout their undergraduate degree. Macaulay Honors College also requires its students to participate in a study abroad program or internship and complete a certain number of community service hours.

Application requirements

International students can apply to the Macaulay Honors College and are offered most of the same benefits as US-based students. However, they must meet CUNY's New York State residency requirements. International students who are admitted to the college receive an Opportunities Fund for global research, service, and internships, technology support, and a Cultural Passport that provides access to museums, libraries, and other cultural institutions around New York City.

Macaulay Honors College accepts applications from first-time college students (incoming freshmen) and transfer students enrolled in an associate degree program at a CUNY community college. Applicants must create a single CUNY application with their campus selections, as Macaulay students enroll in one of eight CUNY senior colleges. The application deadline for the college is November 15 at 6 PM, and it does not offer an early decision option.

If you are a senior completing a home-school program, you must submit a letter from the superintendent of your school district, certifying that you are currently completing a program that is equivalent to a NYS four-year high school program. Upon completion, you must submit a letter verifying that you have successfully completed the program. If you cannot obtain the letter from the high school district, you must obtain a High School Equivalency diploma.

If you are an out-of-state resident who received home-schooling, a state-issued diploma is required. For more information on how to obtain a High School Equivalency score, refer to the official website. The City University of New York (CUNY) has implemented a Test-Optional policy for the next two years (2025-2027). Applicants for this period now have the option of submitting copies of their standardized test (SAT/ACT) scores.

If you attend a New York City public high school, include your OSIS number in the Macaulay application. If you live outside New York City or attend a private or parochial high school in New York City, ask your high school guidance department to email an official copy of your transcript to [email protected]. Official high school transcripts must be submitted to CUNY no later than 6 PM on the application deadline.

If you are an international applicant who would need a visa to visit the US, you will need a student visa to attend Macaulay. To achieve this, you must first apply to Macaulay Honors College. If accepted, you will be enrolled in the US State Department's Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). CUNY will then provide a Form I-20 for you to present at the consular office during the required visa interview. International students must submit official English translations of any documents not originally in English.

Deadlines

International students can apply to the Macaulay Honors College and are offered most of the same benefits as US-based students, as long as they meet CUNY's New York State residency requirements. International students who are admitted to the Macaulay Honors College receive an Opportunities Fund for global research, service, and internships, as well as technology support, and a Cultural Passport that grants access to museums, libraries, and other cultural institutions in New York City.

The deadlines for the Macaulay Honors College application are as follows:

Application Opening Date:

The application for the Macaulay Honors College opens on September 2, 2024. Applicants are encouraged to learn about the eight campuses and select the ones that best align with their interests and goals.

Application Deadline:

The deadline to submit the application for the Macaulay Honors College is November 15, 2024, at 6 PM. It is important to note that Macaulay does not offer an early decision option. Therefore, applicants should ensure they meet the stated deadline.

Supporting Documents Deadline:

Official high school transcripts and other supporting documents must be submitted by the stated deadline of November 15, 2024, at 6 PM. For students attending a New York City public high school, the OSIS number should be included in the Macaulay application, and for those outside New York City or attending private or parochial high schools, official transcripts must be sent to CUNY by the deadline.

Admission Decision Notification:

Applicants will be notified of their admission decision into the Macaulay Honors College on March 15. It is important to note that this date may vary for specific programs, such as the Queens College Aaron Copland School of Music, which has a two-step admission process.

Freshman and Transfer Application Deadlines:

While the primary deadline for freshman and transfer applications is November 15, applicants who miss this deadline may still be able to apply to colleges that continue to accept applications after this date. In such cases, applicants will be considered on a space-available basis and will receive admission decisions from each college they selected on their application.

Benefits of the program

International students can apply for the Macaulay Honors Program. The program offers a range of benefits to its students, including:

Academic Support and Guidance

Macaulay Honors College provides a pathway for eligible students at CUNY's community colleges to enroll and receive exceptional academic and professional guidance. The college has one of the highest advisor-to-student ratios among US honors colleges, ensuring that each student receives dedicated support.

Merit Scholarship and Financial Aid

Macaulay Honors College offers a merit scholarship package that includes tuition coverage. Additionally, students can apply for financial aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the NYS Tuition Assistance Program (TAP).

Diverse Educational Opportunities

The program offers students the flexibility to select from 475 majors across 8 campuses within the CUNY system. Students can pursue a wide range of popular majors, including Chemistry, Mathematics, Business, Political Science, Economics, Psychology, English, and History.

Global Learning and Cultural Experiences

International students admitted to the program receive an Opportunities Fund to pursue global learning, including study abroad opportunities. Additionally, they are provided with a Cultural Passport that grants access to museums, libraries, and cultural institutions in New York City, enriching their overall educational experience.

Community of Thinkers and Leaders

Macaulay Honors College fosters a community of thinkers, leaders, and dreamers. The program encourages community service, requiring students to document a minimum of 30 hours of volunteer work. This aspect of the program helps students develop a sense of social responsibility and connect with their community.

Visa requirements

International students are welcome to apply to the Macaulay Honors College and are offered most of the same benefits as US-based students. However, international applicants must meet CUNY's New York State residency requirements to be eligible for the same benefits as their US counterparts.

International students who need a visa to enter the US must apply for a student visa to attend the Macaulay Honors College. The process involves several steps, which are outlined below:

• Application to Macaulay Honors College: First, the student must apply to the college and gain acceptance.
• Enrollment in SEVIS: Once accepted, the student will be enrolled in the US State Department's Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).
• Form I-20: After enrollment in SEVIS, CUNY will provide the student with Form I-20.
• Visa Interview: The student must then present Form I-20 at the consular office during the required visa interview.
• English Proficiency: International students educated in a non-English speaking environment must demonstrate English proficiency by submitting test scores (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, or Duolingo).
• Document Translation: All documents that are not in English must be accompanied by official English translations.
• Visa Application and Fees: The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) website provides detailed information about the visa application process and associated fees.

It is important to note that students already in the US on an F1 student visa are considered international students, while permanent residents of the US are not.

Frequently asked questions