Application Process - Incoming Students

Please read all instructions before applying to the Honors Program.

Students interested in applying to the Honors Program should first apply for admission to Clarkson University. After submitting your Clarkson University application, you will receive your username and password for your application status page, and you should see the Honors Program Application.

If you do not see the Honors Program Application on your status page you may submit this form to let us know you are interested. The application will be added to your application status page within 24 hours.

The Honors Program Application consists of two short essays and a resume, and these need to be submitted by January 27 (or March 31 for transfer admission). Early applications are welcome and they will be reviewed by the Admission Committee as they are completed.

The two short essays (200-250 words) are as follows:

  • The Honors Program has a special scholarship for Educational Enhancement Activities (HEES). Please read the HEES Guidelines and tell us how you will spend this money to enhance your education at Clarkson University.
  • The Honors Program has a thesis requirement, so all students engage in original scholarship with a faculty member. There are a wide range of options. Given your interests and passion at the moment, what can you imagine working on and why?

Résumé

Your résumé summarizes your relevant achievements to date. Heading should include personal information (including your contact information, mailing address, email address, and a phone number where you can be reached), and you must have sections on Education, Honors and Awards, Co-curricular Activities (school activities), Extra-curricular Activities (outside of school), Work and Volunteer Experience, and Other Activities (e.g. hobbies, interests and travel). A sample is provided for your reference.

Interview

Applications will be reviewed by the Admissions Committee and select candidates will be invited to interview. Interviews are held on campus on Friday afternoons, tentatively scheduled for February 28, March 6, March 27 and April 3; and on Monday, February 17 (Presidents Day). While an in-person visit is preferred, it is also possible to do interviews via Skype or by phone on these dates if you cannot make it to Clarkson.  

If you plan on staying overnight on campus you must complete the overnight hosting form and the medical form.  These forms must be into the Honors Program office before the interview date.   

Interviews may be combined with overnight stays and some additional activities in the Honors Program such as tours, an informal dinner, and a student organized activity.  On Saturday morning there will be a breakfast for families, additional tours, and opportunities for informal meetings with staff and Ambassadors.  There will be no overnight hosting for February 17.       

Interviews with a faculty/staff member and a student last about 30 minutes.

In the interview we will cover the following topics with you:

  • Your recent high school experience
  • How you have learned from a personal experience or challenge you have faced
  • Your personal qualities and values
  • Your interests and activities
  • Your future plans and goals
  • Your passions and mission
  • Current events
  • Your interest in Clarkson University
  • Your reasons for applying to the Honors Program

The interview is a chance for us to get to know you and for you to get to know us.

Deadlines

The priority deadline for Honors is January 15. The final date to submit an Honors application, as well as all supplemental materials, is January 25.

The deadline for transfer admission applications is March 31. 

Only in exceptional cases will the Honors Program accept applications after these dates. 

If you have any questions please contact the Honors Program office: phone: 315-268-2290/2320; fax: 315-268-2344; email: honors@clarkson.edu


Equal Opportunity Policy

Clarkson University does not discriminate on the bases of race, gender, color, creed, religion, nation origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, veteran or marital status in provision of educational opportunity or employment opportunities.