Douglas Olsen
The Macaulay Honors College is a highly selective program that offers a unique academic experience to its students. With a focus on nurturing future leaders, the college provides a range of benefits, including free tuition, funds for global research and study abroad opportunities, and personalized career guidance. The college welcomes applicants from diverse backgrounds, including international students, and offers them most of the same advantages as US-based students. However, international applicants must meet specific requirements, such as obtaining a student visa and demonstrating English language proficiency if necessary. The application process for international students follows the same timeline as for domestic applicants, with an early decision deadline and a general application deadline. Overall, the Macaulay Honors College presents a compelling opportunity for ambitious individuals seeking a well-rounded and enriching educational journey.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Application deadline | November 17, 2025, at 6 PM |
| Early decision deadline | November 3, 2025, at 6 PM |
| Application requirements | Letter verifying completion of the program, high school diploma or equivalent, standardized test scores (optional) |
| Available spots | 520 |
| Number of applications received | Over 7,000 |
| Available campuses | Baruch College, Brooklyn College, City College, Hunter College, John Jay College, Lehman College, Queens College, College of Staten Island |
| Available majors | Chemistry, Mathematics, Business, Political Science, Economics, Psychology, English, History |
| Additional perks | Free tuition, opportunities fund, free laptops, career support, cultural passport |
| International student requirements | Student visa, English proficiency, CUNY's New York State residency requirements |
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What You'll Learn
International students are welcome
The Macaulay Honors College welcomes applicants from around the world. International students are offered many of the same benefits as US-based students, including technology support, an Opportunities Fund to pursue global learning, and intensive, personalized advising.
International students who are admitted to the Macaulay Honors College receive a Cultural Passport, which grants them access to museums, libraries, and other cultural institutions around New York City. They also receive an Opportunities Fund for global research, service, and internships. The application process and timetable 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, making Macaulay a great choice for international students.
To be admitted to the Macaulay Honors College, students must demonstrate leadership potential, be high achievers, intellectually curious, creative, and highly motivated. The college evaluates prospective students using a combination of academic and personal factors. International applicants who would need a visa to visit the US will need a student visa to attend Macaulay. If accepted, they will be enrolled in the US State Department's Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). CUNY then provides a Form I-20 for the student to present at the consular office during the required visa interview. Students who are already in the US on an F1 student visa are considered international students, while permanent residents of the US are not.
International students must submit official English translations of any documents not originally in English. If an applicant is on a temporary visa and was educated in a non-English speaking environment, they must demonstrate proficiency in English by submitting test scores.
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Application process and requirements
International students are welcome to apply to the Macaulay Honors College. The college offers applicants from around the world most of the same benefits that US-based students receive.
The application process for the Macaulay Honors College is described as unique. Applicants create a single CUNY application with their campus selections, as Macaulay students enrol in one of eight CUNY senior colleges. The college offers a merit scholarship package that includes tuition.
The application deadline for Macaulay Honors College is November 17, 2025, at 6 pm. The early decision deadline is November 3, 2025, at 6 pm. Applicants are advised to print a copy of the completed application summary package to check for errors and keep a record of their submission.
If you attend a New York City public high school, include your OSIS number in the Macaulay application; the college will extract your transcript from the New York City public school's system. 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 November 17, 2025.
First-time college students (incoming freshmen) and transfer students enrolled in an associate degree program at a CUNY community college are eligible to apply. Applicants who were not accepted in the past but have not attended any other post-secondary institutions may apply again (except for Queens College applicants, who may not re-apply).
Macaulay Honors College seeks to admit students with leadership potential who are high achievers, intellectually curious, creative, and highly motivated. Applicants are evaluated using a combination of academic and personal factors.
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Macaulay Honors College benefits
Macaulay Honors College offers a range of benefits to its students. Firstly, it provides a unique educational experience, allowing students to traverse one of the largest university systems in the world while also being part of a small, highly selective Honors College with its own curriculum and community. This gives students the advantage of a more intimate and specialized learning environment while still having access to the extensive resources of the wider university.
One of the key benefits of Macaulay Honors College is its merit scholarship package, which includes free tuition for students who meet the CUNY New York State residency requirements for in-state tuition. This scholarship covers four years of undergraduate study, excluding fees and expenses. Additionally, students have access to the Opportunities Fund, which provides financial support for studying abroad, as well as free laptops.
Macaulay Honors College also stands out for its interdisciplinary approach to education. Students are required to take four special seminars focusing on NYC and fulfill additional liberal arts general education requirements. They also have the flexibility to pursue a diverse range of interests and can take courses at any CUNY campus. For example, a student at one CUNY college can take classes at another CUNY college to fulfill specific requirements or pursue a particular area of interest.
The college is committed to fostering a community of thinkers, leaders, and dreamers. It offers a holistic approach to enrollment, evaluating students based on a combination of academic and personal factors. Macaulay students go on to win top awards, attend prestigious graduate schools, and secure jobs with innovative companies. The college provides academic and leadership development support, personalized advising, and a network of professionals dedicated to guiding students toward their future goals.
Lastly, Macaulay Honors College emphasizes experiential learning and community engagement. Students are required to complete at least one internship, research experience, or study abroad program, and a minimum of 30 hours of community service before graduating. These opportunities allow students to gain hands-on experience and build a strong resume while also exploring their interests and making a positive impact in their community.
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Student visa requirements
International students can apply to the Macaulay Honors College and are offered most of the same benefits as US-based students. The college welcomes applicants from New York, the US, and around the world.
To apply to the Macaulay Honors College, international students on temporary visas and educated in a non-English-speaking environment must demonstrate English language proficiency by submitting one of the following test scores: TOEFL, IELTS (Academic Level), PTE (Academic level), or Duolingo.
Additionally, international applicants who have received home-schooling must provide specific documentation. If you are a New York State resident who was homeschooled, you must submit a transcript outlining all completed coursework with grades earned and a letter from the superintendent of your school district or comparable chief school administrator certifying that you have completed the equivalent of a New York State four-year high school program through homeschooling. For out-of-state residents, a state-issued diploma is required. If you have not obtained a state-issued diploma, you must obtain a High School Equivalency diploma.
It is important to note that the application process for the Macaulay Honors College is unique. Applicants create a single CUNY application with their campus selections, as Macaulay students enroll in one of eight CUNY senior colleges. The college offers a merit scholarship package that includes tuition to all its students.
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Deadlines for applications
The Macaulay Honors College welcomes applicants from New York, the US, and around the world. The college offers a unique application process, where applicants create a single CUNY application with their campus selections.
The application deadline for Macaulay Honors College is November 17, 2025, at 6 PM. The early decision deadline is November 3, 2025, at 6 PM. For early decisions, supporting documents sent by mail must be postmarked by the application deadline of November 3, 2025, and letters of recommendation must be submitted no later than 6 PM on November 10, 2025.
If you are a first-year student enrolled in an associate degree program at a participating CUNY college, you can apply to transfer to Macaulay Honors College through the Friedman Transfer Scholars Program. You will select up to six of eight campus choices for general admission and one campus choice for Macaulay. Your application will be sent to each of the six campuses you select for general admission, and you will then be reviewed for your Macaulay campus choice.
It is recommended that you visit the campuses and only apply to those that offer the programs and extracurricular options that suit your interests.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Macaulay Honors College welcomes applicants from around the world. International students receive most of the same benefits as US-based students, including an Opportunities Fund to pursue global learning and intensive, personalized advising.
International applicants must meet CUNY's New York State residency requirements and have a student visa. International students must also submit official English translations of any documents not originally in English.
Macaulay Honors College offers a merit scholarship package that includes tuition for all students. The college also provides technology support, a Cultural Passport that grants access to cultural institutions in New York City, and priority registration for courses across CUNY's campuses.
Applicants create a single CUNY application with their campus selections. The application deadline for Macaulay Honors College is November 17 at 6 PM, and early decisions are announced by November 3 at 6 PM.
Macaulay Honors College seeks to admit students with leadership potential who are high achievers, intellectually curious, creative, and highly motivated. The college evaluates applicants based on a combination of academic and personal factors.
