Really quick question: I just received an acceptance from SUNY New Paltz. I am assuming they would have let me known in the EA acceptance letter that I would be in their Honors Program. Is that safe to assume? (That was not included in the letter…Also received no merit aid (according to the letter), although I’m aware SUNY New Paltz rarely gives merit aid. )
I thought my stats would be high enough to be in their Honors Program but I guess not! 3.9 UW 2120 SAT (CR 750 W 770 M 600 lol math isn’t my thing) 8 APs total
Nevermind ignore this thread lol apparently I never applied to their Honors Program
You should apply to the honors program; you’ll almost definitely get in just based on your stats. All you need are a couple of writing samples (you can use essays from high school English classes) and 2 recommendation letters (you could probably use the same people as you used for your college applications).
I don’t believe there is any financial aid associated with the honors program, but it’s definitely worth applying to if your stats are good enough.
- First of all, you get to take some really cool classes, which change every semester. They’re usually based on historical issues; last semester, they had a course about how culture/tradition affects education in non-western countries, and another course about mental illness.
- Secondly, you get access to a 24-hour air-conditioned study lounge with printing and copying; this isn’t necessarily useful for everyone, since it is all the way to one end of campus.
- Thirdly, it will look good on your resume when applying to jobs or grad school, and it’s only 5 courses plus a thesis, so it’s about the same amount of work as a minor.
- Finally, and most importantly, you get to pre-register for all of your classes. This won’t affect your first semester, as you have to register with an advisor during Orientation, but in later semesters, your registration time is determined by the number of credits you have (older students get to register earlier). If you’re in the honors program, you’ll be able to get the classes you want before they become full, so you’ll be able to get the schedule you want, every semester. This will make you more likely to graduate on time, because you’ll never have to take ‘filler’ classes because you couldn’t get a class you need. It will also save you a lot of stress towards the end of the semester, because you’ll have your schedule planned already.
My daughter is trying to decide between Binghamton, Geneseo & New Paltz. For my own selfish reasons, I would love to see her at NP (much closer!!) but she is under the impression that the reputation at the two other schools is much better. I think if she were in the Honors Program at NP, that would even the playing field. It was my understanding when we went to visit that you can’t apply to honors until you are already an admitted freshman in the school. Is that correct?
@AnxiousMomof2, my Ds both were in the honors program, one decided not to stay in it because her major became too demanding. I don’t think either found it really intellectually rewarding (and I’m not implying that they were special geniuses or too good for it; that’s just how it was) but there were some advantages - early registration, a nice place to study, etc. They both considered Bing and Geneseo too but liked NP better and were happy there on the whole. I doubt that any differences in reputation will have any effect on your daughter’s future options, so she should pick wherever she thinks she’ll be happiest. I think you’re right that you have to apply after admission. It isn’t hard to get into.