For a while, I have wanted to add to the conversation about Macaulay Honors College, but felt, as a parent, I needed more time to pass to get a real feel for the program. For my son, it was a somewhat unconventional choice (we are not from New York City), and we weren’t sure what to expect. It is a very different experience, so for what it’s worth, here it is from a parent’s perspective:
Macaulay Honors College is the honors college for the City University of New York in its entirety. It stands above the honors programs for each individual college. In 2015, it had a 7.9% acceptance rate and students are recognized in the corporate world. The diversity of the students is notable and what’s also notable is that Macaulay is ranked as one of the top ten honors colleges in the nation.
Every Macaulay Scholar receives the following (It is not based on need):
• Full tuition for in-state residents (you are required to file the Fafsa allowing Macaulay to stretch their merit-based funding further). There is substantial partial scholarship to out-of-state students (I don’t know the amount).
• New apple computer
• Opportunities fund – for travel abroad, commuting and expenses while traveling for internships, or to pay yourself for research or unpaid internships.
• Cultural Passport – for complimentary access to museums and events.
Macaulay’s admissions deadline is early – Dec. 1. You apply to Macaulay through one of the participating CUNY colleges. My son applied through John Jay because he is interested in computer science and cyber security, and also political science and international relations. He now double majors in these fields. He will graduate on time (four years) with a degree conferred jointly by Macaulay Honors College and John Jay College with duel degrees in:
• Computer Science and Information Security, and
• Political Science with a Concentration in Comparative/International Politics and Human Rights.
Students are able to plan their schedules in advance and take classes at any of the CUNY campuses. My son takes Russian at Hunter; political science and computer science classes at John Jay; seminar classes at the Macaulay College, which is near Lincoln Center; and is actively involved with perusing and attending music, art and cultural activities throughout the city. He’s involved in many school activities and is an NCAA athlete. I don’t know if he would have been able to pursue all these interests elsewhere.
For regular classes they do matriculate with general (non-Macaulay) students; however, they are provided exceptional opportunities to learn and have their own building where they collaborate and have seminars, an opportunities fund that finances their studies abroad (they are all expected to study abroad), tuition for summer and winter courses, etc.) and there are opportunities to meet with top companies.
My son continues to build relationships with this professors and his advisor is exceptional. She is not only available (she advises about 20 students); she has a clear understanding of his ambitions. The students all seem to love her and she is dedicated to the Macaulay students. My son began meeting with her well before school started freshman year and she presented him with a number of opportunities to pursue over the next several years. My daughter attends a well-regarded university elsewhere and the advising and opportunities do not compare.
The personalization of the Macaulay Advisement Program is said to be a major part of why the students are winning the most prestigious fellowships and internships, and being accepted to the top grad schools/Law Schools/Med Schools in the nation. Students have received awards and fellowships such as the Rhodes, Truman, Goldwater, Fulbright, Salk, Coro, Beinecke, National Science Foundation, and NYC Urban Fellowships.
Being in the heart of NYC provides opportunities in itself and the Macaulay kids attend many artistic and cultural events regardless of their majors. My son did dorm the first year at the New Yorker Hotel in mid-town (34th and 8th). The rooms are old and expensive and no meal plan but I think most of the Macaulay kids get a scholarship for some of it. (My son got a housing scholarship of $5,000 – not need based). He had large windows, he made friends and had a great time. He shared a room with another Macaulay freshman. There is a newly renovated floor with common areas: lots of cook tops, dining tables, sitting areas, pool table, etc. There is also a gym and laundry.
Sophomore year he got an apartment a block away from John Jay with two friends who are teammates on his John Jay NCAA team.
Freshman summer my son and daughter, along with three grad students, did a study abroad in the Baltics through Hunter College which was fantastic. It included intense Russian language study and was an exploration of the political and cultural landscape of Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania through the lens of Russian authors. A few months later in New York City they sat as panelists to discuss their interactions abroad as it related to the political backdrop and soviet influence. They both gained so much.
And then there’s price. Ivies leagues offer no “free ride” on merit, athletic or talent scholarships and cost approximately $280,000 (after tax money) for the four years. I do not think any undergraduate degree is worth that. That’s a cost that is especially burdensome for students who want to continue with graduate, medical or law school. BTW, I believe Brooklyn College has a fast track into Downstate Medical School. In other words, as a Macaulay student, your undergrad degree is free and you automatically are accepted into Downstate Medical School afterwards. With my son’s friends, it seems that many are interested in Med school and others (like him) are interested in law school/international relations/politics.
Although the Ivies do offer need-based aid, U.S. News & World Best College Rankings contains some perplexing data: cut and paste link: https://www.marketwatch.com/story/dont-be-fooled-by-this-list-of-schools-where-students-have-the-lowest-debt-loads-2017-09-12 .
It is a very different experience, but as you can see, I highly recommend Macaulay Honors College. I’m told from outside sources that Macaulay is highly recognized by Ivy graduate programs, as well as highly selective companies with sophisticated hiring practices. It’s known throughout NYC, and now that they have the numbers, I think they are trying to expand their branding reach. My son is interested in diplomacy and/or international information security right now, as well as giving back to society. With the approx. $300,000 he saved on undergrad expenses, I think there will be ample opportunities.