Freshman Honors Program

Freshman Honors Program

What is the Freshman Honors Program?
The Queens College Freshman Honors Program establishes a community of learners committed to their educational pursuits and that are interested in gaining all that Queens College has to offer. The community of scholars will partake in the honors experience and have access to all the advantages of an honors education. Our students remain connected to the larger Queens College community and will work closely with our outstanding faculty—dedicated teachers and distinguished scholars who have received many prestigious honors, including Guggenheim awards and Fulbright grants. You will also be part of an exceptional student body that represents over 170 countries. 

Freshman Honors provides a specially designed liberal arts curriculum of interrelated classes that satisfy core requirements and incorporate experiences that integrate the work students do in these classes. Students in Freshman Honors are assigned an honors advisor who is knowledgeable about the college and its programs. Participants also enjoy early registration priority and are guaranteed seats in their honors classes.  

Learn more about the Freshman Honors community
The Queens College Freshman Honors Program establishes a community of learners committed to their education and interested in gaining all that Queens College has to offer. This community of scholars will enjoy all the advantages that honors education affords – small classes and close working relations with honors faculty. In non-honors classes, students will also join the larger campus community, and so enjoy the advantages that a large, diverse campus can give. Freshman Honors offers the best of Queens College.
How do I apply to the Freshman Honors program?

Apply to the Freshman Honors Program here.

Application Deadline: February 1, 2026 at 11:59 pm

Requirements:

  • GPA requirement: 90 and above
  • Required essays
  • 2 letters of recommendation
  • Strong extracurricular background and demonstrated leadership in high school is preferred.
  • SAT Score (Test Optional)

CUNY is Test-Optional

The City University of New York (CUNY) has implemented a Test-Optional policy for the next two years. Applicants for 2025 to 2027 can choose whether to submit SAT or ACT exam scores as part of their application. Please review the information and FAQs on the SAT/ACT Test Optional Policy available here.

What does the curriculum look like for Freshman Honors program students?
Our interrelated curriculum provides an enriching and challenging liberal arts foundation for our student’s college career. In the Freshman Honors Program, students take two semesters of honors courses in English, Comparative Literature, History, and Philosophy.  

Our carefully designed curriculum is curated to coincide harmoniously and satisfy the Queens College general education requirements. This course collaboration enables students to examine cultural values permeating multiple areas of cultural expression and enables students to trace cultural problem-solving objectives across societies and eras. This two-semester curriculum aims to present knowledge as a contextual matter: ideas are closely bound to the time period in which it emerged but are capable of transcending its time period as later culture employs them.  

What experiential activities does the Freshman Honors program offer?
Alongside coursework, students will engage with other forms of media to address issues discussed in their lectures. Usually forming the basis of student-led discussions, these activities aim to compare the way ideas and values are expressed in other forms of media while cultivating a richer cultural understanding and establishing relationships introduced in class. For example, this may include examining the art and artifacts from an era and comparing the values expressed to those displayed in class. These activities are inclusive of all areas of media: performances, art, readings, cultural events, etc.
What does advising look like for Freshman Honors program students?
Students enrolled in the Freshman Honors Program receive academic advising from their dedicated honors advisor. The honors advisor will support students on all fronts of the college experience: registering for courses, partaking in graduation audits, discussing opportunities, etc.    
What would you say the advantages are for being in the Freshman Honors program?
  • Priority registration 
  • Small class sizes
  • Coordinated, interrelated course work
  • Experiential components that integrate Honors course work
  • Guaranteed seats in Honors classes
  • Individualized academic advising
  • Mentoring relationships with faculty
Program Requirements:

To remain in good academic standing in the Freshman Honors Programs, student must meet the following requirements: 

  1. Full-Time Status (12 or more credits) 
  2. Maintain a 3.0 or higher GPA 
  3. Achieve a B or higher in required Freshman Honors courses
Office Information
Honors Lounge Room 16

Monday-Friday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Honors Hall

65-30 Kissena Boulevard

Flushing, NY 11367

Contact Information

Andre Perez                                                                                         Associate Director of Honors and Scholarships                                            qc_honors@qc.cuny.edu                                                                        Honors Hall Room 16 C

Ann (Nancy) Casey                                                                                              Academic Advisor                                                        ann.casey@qc.cuny.edu                                                                        Honors Hall Room 20 B

Honors Email                                                                                             qc_honors@qc.cuny.edu  

To reach us call (718) 997-5502

Freshman Honors Program Orientation

Freshman Honors Program Orientation