Student Questions About the Program
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Do I have to pay to join the program?
There is no membership fee to join the Honors Scholars Program. It is completely free for eligible students.
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What do I need to do to be eligible for the Honors Scholars Program?
To join the Honors Scholars Program, you need a cumulative GPA of at least 3.4 and a minimum of 12 completed credits. Transfer students are also eligible if they have completed at least 12 credits at City Tech and meet the GPA requirement. In addition, you must still have more than 18 credits remaining toward your degree when you apply. Students who meet these criteria will receive an invitation email before the start of the semester with instructions on how to apply. For more details, please visit our About page.
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What do I need to do to stay in the program once I’m accepted?
To remain in the Honors Scholars Program, students are expected to maintain a strong GPA, participate in program activities, share their work, and stay actively engaged in the Honors community. These expectations help you get the most out of the program and continue growing academically. For more details, please visit our About page.
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If I’m already a member, do I need to reapply each semester?
If you are a current member, you do not need to reapply each semester. Students only need to apply to the program once. However, if you no longer meet the program requirements, you may be removed and would need to apply again to rejoin. If you reapply, you should explain what has changed since your previous application or participation and how those changes will help you succeed in the program.
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How can I earn Honors credit in one of my courses?
You can earn Honors credit in a regular course by completing an Honors project, which is an extra, semester-long project designed in collaboration with the professor of your choice. The project should be more challenging than regular coursework and must be related to the course you select. Once you complete all the requirements outlined in the project contract, the Honors credit will appear on your official transcript. For more details, please visit our Curriculum page.
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How do I get started with an Honors project?
To get started with an Honors project, begin by asking one of your current professors if they would be willing to supervise your project. If the professor is unsure what an Honors project involves, you can show them the Honors in a Regular Course contract or refer them to the Honors Scholars Program Coordinator. Once the professor agrees to mentor you, you and your professor will work together to decide on the topic and scope of your project.
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Do my Honors projects have to involve research?
No, Honors projects do not have to be research-based. They can focus on a wide range of topics, such as photography, writing an original computer program, or other creative or academic work, as long as the project meets the Honors program requirements.
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How do I register for an Honors course?
You can register for Honors courses through CUNYfirst, using the same process as for regular courses. Honors courses are easy to identify because they include the letter “H” after the course number. For more details, please visit our Curriculum page.
Faculty Guide to Mentoring Honors Scholars
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Who are the students in the Honors Scholars Program?
Honors Scholars Program students maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.4 or higher, may be members of the National Society for Collegiate Scholars (NSCS), and participate in events that support professional skills, intellectual growth, networking, and preparation for graduate school or careers in industry.
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Why should I consider becoming a faculty mentor for the program?
Consider becoming an Honors Scholars Program faculty mentor if you want to support the goals of City Tech’s most motivated students. Honors Scholars students are known for their academic success, motivation, and leadership. Before agreeing to serve as a research mentor, consider whether you have the time to make the commitment, as mentoring requires holding regular meetings with your student outside of the regular class schedule, either virtually or in person.
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I’m not currently doing research. Can I still serve as a student mentor?
Yes, you can serve as a research mentor even if you are not currently conducting research. While ongoing projects and labs are a great way to mentor, many Honors Scholars already have their own project ideas. It’s important to have a conversation with the student about the topic and its development to ensure it’s a good fit. Remember, the project must be related to the course in which the student is currently enrolled.
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What forms or paperwork do I need to complete with my students?
You will need to work with your student to complete the Honors project contract. This document requires your signature as well as the signature of your department chair. The completed contract should be submitted by the student early in the semester, before the end of week four.
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What information do I need to provide for the Honors project contract?
To complete the Honors Scholars Program contract, you will need to provide a few key pieces of information. Work with your student to develop the project title and description. Outline an assessment plan, briefly describing how you will determine and evaluate the objectives of the project; as a mentor, you have the flexibility to decide what works best for your discipline. You should also guide your student on the presentation format for their project, which can be an academic poster or a 5-minute talk at the Honors project panel. For poster projects, please indicate whether the project is STEM or non-STEM.
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How should I set expectations for my student’s Honors project?
To set expectations for your Honors Scholars Program project, start by identifying a clear plan of action. Decide what the project will involve, establish deadlines and milestones, and have a vision for the final product, whether it’s a poster or a presentation, while remaining flexible throughout the semester as adjustments may be needed. It’s also important to understand the resources available to your student. In addition to the work you do together, Honors Scholars complete programmatic curricula independently, including online modules on academic conferences and research presentations, which are updated each semester by the Assistant Director of the Honors Scholars Program, and they consult with the Director to finalize their projects. Students also receive guidance on submitting their finished work to Academic Works.
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What responsibilities do I have as a project mentor?
As a faculty mentor, you are expected to guide and support your Honors Scholars student throughout their project. The project must be distinct from regular coursework assignments, though you may build on a larger idea from an existing assignment as long as the final product, such as a poster or presentation, is original. You should encourage drafting and revisions by providing detailed feedback and guidance, ensuring that the final project is never a surprise. The Honors Scholars contract also requires that you provide an opportunity for the student to present their work to their classmates, which can be scheduled during a class meeting in a supportive way. Finally, you are responsible for overseeing the progress of the student’s project, which includes scheduling meetings outside of regular class times, whether during office hours or at a mutually convenient time, to help your mentee succeed.
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Which program events should I plan to attend?
Faculty are encouraged to attend the semi-annual Dr. Janet Liou-Mark (JLM) Honors Scholars & Undergraduate Research Conference, Honors Scholars Presentations, a two-day event at the end of the semester that includes our Game Lab showcase. Consider bringing your class so they can watch their peers present and find inspiration. Please try to attend as much of the program as possible, not just your student’s presentation, since Honors Scholars work hard throughout the semester. Faculty are strongly encouraged to attend the connected JLM Conference Awards Ceremony.
You are also invited to attend or participate in our semi-annual series, which each semester highlights the interdisciplinary nature of a specific City Tech degree program, features a graduate program related to that degree from outside our university system, and explores emerging career pathways, presented in collaboration with the Interdisciplinary Committee. This is an excellent opportunity to support student engagement and connect with both graduate program representatives and industry professionals.
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I’m interested in the Honors Scholars Program, but I’m not mentoring this year. How can I still get involved?
Even if you’re not serving as a mentor this year, you can still get involved with the Honors Scholars Program by volunteering as a poster judge; you will be assigned virtual posters to review online. If you enjoy clear and effective communication, you can also help judge our panel presentations. To participate, please reach out to tamrah.cunningham17@citytech.cuny.edu.
Last updated: April 6, 2026
