College Honors: How to Apply
The College Honors Program shall consider both quantitative and qualitative measures. For admission, above-average GPA or SAT scores are a necessary, but not sufficient criterion. Qualitative measures shall assess the intellectual independence or engaged learning values of the applicant. It is possible that a student could have high grades or test scores but lack in the intrinsic or 'engaged learning' values necessary to flourish in the College Honors Program. It is also possible that a student could have less than excellent test scores but demonstrate the intellectual, creative and moral engagement which is the distinctive disposition of a College Honors student.
Application Requirements
Because freedom from extrinsic rewards is valued in a College Honors student, grade point average and entrance examination score are only one measure of assessing the intellectual, creative and moral engagement of applicants. Application for admission into the College Honors Program is a separate process from undergraduate admissions to Ramapo College, and any scholarship or special admission process.
All applicants shall:
- Complete the College Honors Program application, available online. The applications particular to entering First Year students, Transfer students and Continuing Ramapo students can be found at the Applications link on our College Honors Program site.
- Complete the College Honors admission essay, answering the question provided on the application form.
- Provide a sample of work that demonstrates the applicant’s intellectual independence and curiosity pointing to promise for future scholarly or professional work.
Continuing students, currently attending Ramapo at the time of their application, shall also submit two Ramapo faculty recommendations.
Acceptance to the Program
Review of applications for candidates who will be selected to enter the program the following September commences in January, and closes at the end of May, or until the cohort is complete. Candidates selected for an interview will be notified of the Admission Panel decision on or before July 1.
Qualified applicants will be invited to participate in an admission interview based on their application materials. These candidates will be interviewed by a three-member panel of the College Honors Advisory Board.
Continued Participation
This 'Honors attitude' toward learning can only be assessed through extended and personal teacher-student relations and exchanges. The requirements for admission and continued participation in the program include:
- the ability to take responsibility for his or her own learning in a meaningful way;
- the ability to participate actively in developing learning and problem-solving strategies;
- the extent to which the student derives pleasure from learning and is intrinsically motivated;
- and the collaborative abilities of the student and the value placed on working with other students and faculty;
- the quality of contributions to the College Honors community, the College generally, the wider community or society generally.
On-going, annual qualitative assessment shall include assessment of each student's engagement in their own scholarly work, as well as service and contributions community. Admission to the program is no guarantee of successful completion.
Application Forms
- First Year Students (PDF)
- Continuing Students (PDF)
- Transfer Students (PDF)
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