Apply to the Provost Scholar program: (or try our online version. You will also need to submit an Honors faculty recommendation form from your Honors Professor with whom you have completed an Honors course.)
Philosophy
The Honors Program is a community of approximately 550 students, forming a smaller college experience with the opportunities of a larger university. Provost Scholars join the Honors Program in the course of studies at Baruch.
Benefits
Honors courses are distinguished by smaller class size (typically 20 or fewer students) and enriched learning activities. Honors courses embrace academic rigor, are communication- and collaboration-intensive, and promote innovative pedagogies, cultural enrichment, and community service.
In addition to smaller class sizes, Honors students receive Honors advisement, an honors orientation, and access to the Honors study room and lounge. Honors advisement takes a developmental approach, focusing on academic, professional, and personal development. Honors enrichment activities include monthly discussions with faculty, the Free (Thinking) Lunch series, and Faculty Foray trips around New York City. At this time, Provost Scholars do not receive scholarships. Qualified students may wish to apply for one of the merit scholarships offered through the Office of Student Development. For more information about scholarships, visit Baruch College Fund Scholarships. Rosenberg grants for academic enrichment activities are available for Provost Scholars from fall 2012-spring 2014.
Expectations
Once entering the program, scholars are required to maintain a minimum GPA of 3.5, complete at least 15 hours of community service each academic year and attend a minimum of one on-campus cultural event each semester. Students are strongly encouraged to study abroad and conduct independent research. To be eligible for admission, students should have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.4. Admission is competitive and is based on:
- academic and community engagement,
- demonstrated commitment to the values of the Honors Program, and
- ability to complete the required number of honors classes. As part of the application process, the Honors Program reviews the applicant’s academic records, including work from previous institutions. Students are asked to submit an academic plan to complete 10 Honors courses; in some cases, it may not be possible. A student who has completed more than 75 credits is ineligible for admission to the Honors Program, but can enroll in available Honors courses, with a cumulative GPA of 3.4 or higher. Students may also be eligible for departmental honors, by writing an honors thesis in the major or minor area of study. Students offered admission are required to attend Provost Scholar orientation in order to join the program.
How to apply
Students with at least a 3.4 GPA are allowed to enroll in an Honors course on a space-available basis, without any special permission from the Honors program.After completing one to two Honors courses, students who have completed fewer than 59 credits may apply to join the Provost’s Scholar Program. Students will need to be able to complete 10 Honors courses. As part of the application process, students will need a written recommendation from their Honors faculty member and may be invited to an interview. Applications to the Baruch College Honors Program for currently enrolled students are due by the third Friday of December (spring admission) or the third Friday of May (fall admission) to be considered for admission into the program effective the following semester. Application and Provost Scholar Recommendation letter forms are available here.
Baruch Students wanting to take an Honors course
Enrollment in some Honors courses is restricted to students in the Honors Program (for example, BUS 1000H and BPL 5100H) and Macaulay seminars (IDC 1001H, 3001H, 3002H, and 4001H) are restricted to Macaulay Scholars.
Students with a GPA of 3.4 or higher are automatically able to register for other Honors courses on a space-available basis. If you are not in the Honors Program and need assistance enrolling in an honors class, please contact Jody Clark Vaisman.
Two honors courses, the Feit Seminars in the Humanities [see Michael Staub] and the Sidney Harman Writer-in-Residence seminars [see Roslyn Bernstein] require special permission to enroll.
