Macaulay Honors College
Applying to Macaulay
What You'll Need to Complete Your Application
First college experience: We accept applications from first-time college students (incoming Freshmen). We do not accept transfer students, or anyone who has attended classes at a post-secondary institution after high school, whether or not any credit was granted.
Reapplying: If you applied but were not accepted to Macaulay in the past, and have not attended any other post-secondary institutions, you may apply again (except for Queens College applicants, who may not re-apply).
Residency: Macaulay accepts students from all over the globe. However, you must meet CUNY New York State residency requirements for in-state tuition to receive the full tuition scholarship.
Macaulay Honors College students take most of their courses at their home campus. When you apply, you must select which of the eight partner campuses you would like to designate as your home campus; and you may select up to six on your application and list them in order of preference.
Although all part of CUNY and all tied closely to Macaulay, each of our partner campuses is different, and applicants should learn as much as possible about the eight colleges before applying. Your one application will be sent to each of the campuses you select. Your home campus, along with Macaulay, must accept you for admission.
We recommend you visit the campuses and only apply to those with the programs and extracurricular options best suited to your interests.
See the checklist below for a list of items you should prepare prior to applying.
The application is available on CUNY’s website and must be completed online. You’ll be directed to create a CUNY portal account first and then to a special section for Macaulay applicants.
After completing the application, print out the application summary package. It contains important documents and provides you with a printed record of your submission.
Any documents that cannot be submitted online may be mailed to:
The City University of New York
University Application Processing Center (UAPC)
Attn: Macaulay Honors College
P.O. Box 359021
Brooklyn, NY 1123
There is a postmarked deadline of December 1 for any supplemental materials mailed out separately from the application.
The application deadline for Macaulay Honors College is December 1st at 6 pm EST. Macaulay Honors College does not offer an early decision option.
When you finish applying online, you’ll have the option of printing a copy of the completed application summary package. We strongly recommend you do so to check for errors and to have a record of your submission.
Application Checklist
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Please note: There is a postmarked deadline of December 1 for any supplemental materials mailed out separately from the application.
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Official high school transcript(s)
If you attend a New York City public high school, your transcript can be sent to Macaulay Honors College via your OSIS number. 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 mail an official copy of your transcript to:
The City University of New York
University Application Processing Center (UAPC)
Attn: Macaulay Honors College
P.O. Box 359021
Brooklyn, New York 11235 USAMid-year grade reports are not required, but if you believe it will help your application, you may send one to UAPC.
If you are currently attending or have graduated from a Missionary or other American private school, your school must meet CUNY standards for school accreditation. If your high school does not meet accreditation standards, you will be required to take the High School Equivalency test.
Applicants with the following types of high school credentials must successfully complete the High School Equivalency examination to be considered for admission to a CUNY college. High School Credentials/Diplomas from any non-public correspondence, online, or virtual high school will not be considered.
Generally, your home-schooling curriculum should adhere to your school district’s preliminary education requirement for earning a high school diploma. This will allow us to review your entire record as a home-schooled student within the context of the academic requirements as outlined above.
If you are a New York State resident who received home schooling, a transcript outlining all completed coursework with grades earned is required. You must also submit 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 home schooling.
If you are a senior who is currently 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, please 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. See the High School Equivalency section below.
If you are an out-of-state resident who received home-schooling, a state-issued diploma is required. If you have not obtained a state-issued diploma, you must obtain your High School Equivalency diploma. For more information on how to obtain a High School Equivalency score click here.
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SAT or ACT scores
You must have the College Board send your scores to Macaulay Honors College before the application deadline. You may take the test more than once; we will consider your highest score. The Critical Reading and Math sections of the SAT are currently the only scores that are reviewed in the Macaulay application process.
You may submit SAT II scores if you believe they provide additional support for your application, but it is not a requirement for admission. Sometimes, SAT II scores provide a more complete picture, particularly if some aspect of your application does not reflect your best performance (for example, if on the SAT IIs you have a higher score or percentile than on the SATs).
Arrange to have the scores sent electronically to the University Application Processing Center (UAPC) using the code 2950. You do not need to use both the CUNY institutional code and an individual CUNY college code. The UAPC code for both the SAT and ACT is 2950. When the scores are sent electronically using the UAPC code (2950), ALL the campuses on your application are able to view it.
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Two letters of recommendation
When you enter the name and email for your recommender on the online application and press “Email Now,” an email is sent to the recommender with an explanation and the electronic recommendation form, which he or she completes and sends directly to Macaulay Honors College. It’s a good idea to check with your recommenders to make sure they have received the email and sent the letter to Macaulay by the deadline.
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Essays
You need to complete two essays that are part of the online application. Both essays have a 500 word limit (each). Be sure to proofread carefully and save a hard copy for your records.
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$65 application fee
All applicants must pay the non-refundable $65.00 application processing fee. The fee is the same no matter how many home campus choices you make. CUNY may waive its application fee for students in special financial or other circumstances.
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Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
If you are on a temporary visa and you were educated in a non-English speaking environment, you must demonstrate proficiency in the English language by submitting test scores from either the TOEFL or IELTS academic format test. For applicants from English-speaking countries, a Macaulay Admissions Counselor can confirm whether the test is required.
Get a Head Start on Your Essays
