Undergraduate Honors Applicants

Overview

Deadlines 2024-2025

Applicants accepted Early Decision Honors must deposit by March 3rd.

Applicants accepted Honors must deposit by the May 1st deadline.  Students who decline their offer of admission and/or attend another university, will forfeit their seat as well as the scholarship and will not be reconsidered for any merit-based award at a later date.

Criteria/Eligibility

Early Decision Honors

Students may apply to any of the three Honors Program as early decision candidates if they are currently enrolled in high school. Early decision candidates who are awarded an Early Decision Honors Award are considered to have made a binding commitment to and are expected to withdraw all applications to other universities, start no further applications, and enroll at in the fall or following their Torah studies in Israel.

Students must enroll by March 4th.

Honors

In order to apply to the Honors Program students cannot be enrolled in another college or university.

Seniors in high school may apply to the Honors Program in the regular decision round. First time applicants to who have not previously submitted an application may also apply from their year of study in Israel. Please note that students who apply from Israel or post-high school will not be eligible for any merit scholarship if admitted to the Honors program.

Students who apply and do not gain admission into the Honors Program are not eligible to re-apply or apply for reconsideration.

Successful Honors candidates exemplify robust academic performance, active participation in extracurricular activities, leadership potential, and strong aptitude in both written and oral communication. The current Honors cohort demonstrates notable academic prowess, with competitive scores on standardized assessments.

How to Apply

Honors applicants are reviewed in a two-stage process. 

Stage 1: Honors Application

Students must submit the following items by the application deadline:

1. Completed Application
   Applicants can begin by creating an account. This will give them access to their personal application portal where they will be able to submit their admissions application. The applicant will be prompted to upload their essay, short answers and a list of their extracurricular activities or resume. The applicant will also be able to provide the names and contact information of recommenders, who will receive a link to their e-mail to upload their letters of recommendation directly into the application system. The applicant’s high school transcripts must be sent directly to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions by their high school administration.  The applicant’s ACT/SAT official score report must be sent directly to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions by the testing service. Applicants can always check their application status or the status of their items by logging into their portal.
2. $65 Nonrefundable Application Fee
   Payment can be processed in the personal application portal.
3. Essay Prompts
   Students must thoroughly address the prompt provided in their application. This ensures that we receive a complete understanding of their qualifications and aspirations.  Alternate essay topics will not be accepted or reviewed.  Applicants must respond to one of the following prompts in 750-1000 words. Essay should be uploaded to the applicant’s application portal in either PDF or Word format.
   Essay Option 1: You just completed your 1000-page autobiography, please submit page 613.
   Essay Option 2: Discuss a challenge to one of your core beliefs and how you responded.
4. Short Answer Essay
   Pick one of the three words below and write a short essay on it that gives us insight into your character. (150 WORDS).  Essay should be uploaded to the applicant’s application portal in either PDF or Word format.
          KINDNESS
          TRUST
          TIME
5. Short Answer Questions (25 words or less).
   Pick 4. Try to be as specific, creative, personal and original as possible.   Responses should be uploaded to the applicant’s application portal in either PDF or Word format.
   1. My approach to managing rejection is...
   2. I feel most responsible when...
   3. I discovered my own resilience when...
   4. The greatest chessed I ever did was...
   5. People say I am honest because...
   6. ___________ brings me joy.
6. Resume/Extracurricular Activity List 
   Please upload a resume or extracurricular activity list that details your extracurricular involvement, internships and work experience at school and in your community.  
7. Official SAT or ACT Scores
   Official scores must be sent directly to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions by the testing service (i.e., College Board, ACT). does not require the writing section on the SAT or ACT.
   • 's SAT school code is 2990
   • 's ACT school code is 2992
8. Official High School Transcript
   High school transcripts must be sent directly to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions by the high school administration (e.g., college guidance counselor, principal).
9. Two Letters of Recommendation 
   Please identify two teachers who can comment on your academic ability as well as your potential, personality, creativity and leadership qualities to help the Honors Program Selection Committee understand why you are truly outstanding.
   
   Your personal application portal will allow you to send an email to the people you have selected. 

Stage 2: Honors Day & Honors Interview

Early Decision

A select group of candidates will be invited to participate in a virtual honors interview with a faculty member and/or an admissions officer. Applicants who are not invited to interview will be considered for general (non-honors admission).

Honors

A select group of candidates will be invited to participate in a virtual honors interview with a faculty member and/or admissions member as well as attend an honors day. Students will be required to attend this honors day either in person or virtually, depending on their proximity to campus.  Applicants who are not invited to interview will be considered for general (non-honors admission).

Learn More About the Honors Programs

For more information regarding the Honors Programs' curricula and requirements, please refer to the individual program webpages:

• S. Daniel Abraham Honors Program at Stern College for Women
• Jay and Jeanie Schottenstein Honors Program at Yeshiva College
• Business Honors and Entrepreneurial Leadership Program at Sy Syms School of Business 

Transferring Between Honors Programs

Students are accepted specifically to the Honors Program for which they applied. Students may apply to transfer between Honors programs on the same campus by submitting a formal request to the deans of both programs. All transfer requests are subject to review and approval.

Financial Aid

In addition to academic scholarships, need-based scholarships are also available.  is committed to creating a financial aid package that will make this extraordinary education a reality. To learn more about financing your education or the financial aid application process, please visit www.yu.edu/osf or contact the Office of Student Finance directly at 646-592-6250 or studentaid@yu.edu.