The CUNY system remains one of the biggest bargains in higher education, and is often the most affordable college option for many families. That could be even more important this year given the financial challenges brought about by the pandemic that affect not only our students, but the colleges themselves.
CUNY’s prestigious Macaulay Honors College program presents a host of perks to its students. Students applying to Macaulay should note the following important information that often confuses applicants:
-Macaulay is NOT a stand -alone institution; Macaulay programs are run out of most of the four- year universities in the CUNY system…Hunter College, Baruch College, etc.
-you CANNOT apply to Macaulay via the Common Application. You can only apply via the CUNY website.
-students who apply to Macaulay will also automatically be reviewed for general freshman admission for each CUNY college in the application (you can enter up to six choices)
-applicants will only be considered for the Macaulay program for one campus choice Choose wisely!
-Your transcript will automatically be sent to CUNY for Macaulay and the general CUNY application as a result of your entering your OSIS number in your application
-Students completing the Macaulay application must enter their recommenders' email addresses where prompted within the application. Teachers/counselors will then receive an email through which they may submit their letter.
-Macaulay requires two academic letters of rec by 12/10. The program also requires a Character Reference Letter by January 15. You may be best served using your teacher recommenders for the academic references, although that is not required. For the Character Reference, your school counselor’s letter may be most appropriate, unless you feel someone else may be better equipped to provide this (such as a supplemental recommender who has known you for a long time). To request the Character Reference, email the recommender the following link, and include your CUNY First ID number in the body of the email:
https://macaulay.cuny.edu/admissions/applying-to-macaulay/character-reference-letter/
-Students must enter their college counselor's email rather than their school (guidance) counselor's if they want to use their school counselor’s letter for Macaulay.
-Please note the November 16 deadline is a hard deadline for students; academic recs must be submitted by December 10.
-financial aid applicants will eventually need to include each CUNY campus in their FAFSA, although this can be done in January or potentially later if need be
Please read below for more information about the application process for Macaulay:
https://macaulay.cuny.edu/admissions/applying-to-macaulay/
Need a CUNY application fee waiver? Revisit the email sent to you on October 7, or visit this link and scroll down.
