What is the difference between Stony Brook Honors and Scholars?

Stony Brook's Honors College offers a deep, seminar-based curriculum with a senior thesis for highly selective, interdisciplinary scholars, while University Scholars focuses more broadly on leadership, community, and academic enrichment through advising, unique seminars, and priority registration without a separate core curriculum. The main difference is Honors is curriculum-intensive and research-focused (thesis), whereas Scholars provides enriched opportunities and perks like priority registration to a wider range of high-achievers.

What is the difference between Honors College and university Scholars at Stony Brook?

Here's how they differ: Honors College: A four-year, seminar-based curriculum culminating in a senior thesis or project. University Scholars: Focuses on leadership development, service, and academic excellence through seminars and events.

What is the difference between the honors program and the Scholars Program?

Honors focuses on an enhanced curricular experience in the classroom and laboratories. Honors students are challenged with a rigorous curriculum. Scholars focuses on a co-curriculum experience outside of the classroom but still academic in nature.

What is the Stony Brook Scholars Program?

University Scholars

The program allows students to make connections with our world-class faculty, participate in numerous activities and obtain leadership and research opportunities on campus. The purpose is to create a community of learners focused around our three pillars of leadership, scholarship and service.

What are the disadvantages of Honors College?

Disadvantages of an honors college include a heavier workload with more demanding courses, greater time commitment cutting into extracurriculars, potential social isolation from the general student body, added application effort, and the risk that a lower grade has a bigger GPA impact; plus, perks and requirements vary widely by school, so benefits aren't guaranteed. 

University Honors Programs Virtual Information Session

What is the #1 hardest college to get into?

There isn't one single #1 hardest school, as it changes slightly by year and criteria, but Harvard University, Stanford University, MIT, and Caltech consistently rank among the top with extremely low acceptance rates (often 3-4%) and intense competition for spots, though other top global universities like Oxford and Tsinghua are also incredibly selective. Harvard is frequently cited as the hardest due to its high volume of applications and focus on global leadership potential, while Caltech is known for its extreme difficulty in STEM. 

Is 3.7 GPA considered honors?

Yes, a 3.7 GPA is generally considered honors, often qualifying for Magna Cum Laude ("with great honor") at many U.S. colleges, falling just below Summa Cum Laude (highest honor) and above Cum Laude (with honor), though specific thresholds vary by university. While some schools start Cum Laude at 3.4 or 3.5, a 3.7 GPA consistently places you in the upper tier of academic distinction for graduation. 

What GPA will get you a full ride scholarship?

To get a full-ride scholarship, you generally need an exceptional GPA, often 3.8 or higher, but it varies, with some requiring a perfect 4.0, alongside strong test scores, rigorous coursework (AP/IB), leadership, community involvement, and sometimes financial need, as colleges look for well-rounded students, not just high grades, to secure these highly competitive awards. 

What is the #1 public university in NY?

There isn't one single #1 public university in New York, as different rankings highlight different institutions like Binghamton University, Stony Brook University, and the University at Buffalo, with Binghamton often cited as top SUNY for overall value and innovation, Stony Brook recognized nationally by Forbes/U.S. News, and Buffalo leading in QS rankings and research. The "best" often depends on the specific ranking criteria (value, research, innovation, etc.).
 

Which SUNY school is best for pre-med?

For top SUNY pre-med options, Stony Brook University, Binghamton University, and the University at Buffalo are frequently cited for strong science programs, research, and successful medical school placement, with SUNY Geneseo highlighted as a small-school powerhouse for high acceptance rates and support, and SUNY Downstate and Upstate Medical University offering direct pathways via their affiliated medical schools for clinical experience. 

What qualifies you as a scholar?

A scholar is a person who is a researcher or has expertise in an academic discipline. A scholar can also be an academic, who works as a professor, teacher, or researcher at a university.

Why are schools getting rid of honors classes?

Schools are eliminating or merging honors classes, a trend called "detracking," primarily to boost educational equity and diversity, addressing concerns that traditional tracking creates racial and socioeconomic gaps by disproportionately enrolling privileged students. Proponents argue that mixed-ability classes foster inclusion, expose all students to diverse talents, and offer a "level playing field," while opponents worry it lowers standards and hinders high achievers, though districts aim to raise rigor for everyone. 

What GPA qualifies you for honors?

A GPA qualifying for honors varies, but generally, students need at least a 3.5 GPA for cum laude, a 3.7+ GPA for magna cum laude, and a 3.9+ GPA for summa cum laude, though requirements differ by high school and university, with some programs also needing specific coursework or membership in honor societies. 

What is the hardest SUNY to get into?

The hardest SUNY to get into is generally considered Binghamton University, often followed closely by Stony Brook University, both known for lower acceptance rates and rigorous academics compared to other SUNY campuses, with Binghamton often cited as the most selective at around 38-43% acceptance, making it the top choice for competitive admissions within the system. Stony Brook is also a strong contender, particularly in STEM fields, while Buffalo is often seen as the third most selective. 

Can I join NSHSS and NHS?

It's important to remember that students can join both organizations, and many NSHSS scholars are also part of the NHS. Our NSHSS website's FAQ section hosts an interview with a student who joined both societies.

What is the most prestigious SUNY?

The most prestigious SUNY schools are generally considered the flagship research universities: Binghamton University, Stony Brook University, and the University at Buffalo, often praised for rigorous academics, strong research, and high rankings, with Binghamton frequently topping recent lists as the top SUNY in national rankings like Forbes and U.S. News, though the "best" often depends on a student's major (e.g., Stony Brook for STEM, ESF for Environment).
 

Where do top 1% send kids to college?

The "top 1%" of students, referring to those from the highest income brackets, tend to attend elite universities like MIT, Harvard, Stanford, Princeton, and Yale that consistently rank high in national and global lists, with some even having more students from the top 1% income bracket than the bottom 60% combined, according to The New York Times data. Top-ranked institutions like MIT, Princeton, Harvard, and Stanford are frequent top contenders in various 2026 rankings from U.S. News & World Report and Times Higher Education. 

What is the hardest public university to get into?

The hardest public university to get into is often cited as the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), with extremely low acceptance rates (around 8-9%), closely followed by other top UC schools like Berkeley, alongside federal service academies (West Point, Naval Academy, Air Force Academy) which have unique nomination requirements, making them exceptionally competitive.
 

Will I get financial aid if my parents make over $400,000?

Yes, you can still get financial aid even if your parents earn over $400k, as there's no strict income cutoff for the FAFSA, but need-based grants will likely be reduced; you may qualify for federal loans, institutional aid, merit scholarships, or other resources, so always apply to see what you're eligible for based on your family's specific situation (size, assets, other factors). 

How to get 100% free scholarship?

To get a 100% free scholarship (full ride), focus on excelling academically (high GPA, test scores), building strong extracurriculars with leadership, targeting specific full-ride programs like QuestBridge or Posse, and applying for need-based aid at top-tier schools that meet 100% of demonstrated need, often for lower-income families. For graduate studies, many PhD programs offer full funding. 

Can I get a full ride scholarship with a 4.0 GPA?

Yes, a 4.0 GPA makes you a very strong candidate for full-ride scholarships, as it demonstrates exceptional academic merit, but it doesn't guarantee one, because committees also look for leadership, extracurriculars, character, and sometimes specific achievements like high SAT/ACT scores, especially in rigorous courses (AP/IB). While a 4.0 is often above the typical 3.0-3.8 requirement, you need a well-rounded profile to stand out in highly competitive pools. 

What is graduating with a 3.5 called?

To be eligible for undergraduate honors at graduation, a minimum overall grade point average of 3.5 for cum laude, 3.7 for magna cum laude and 3.9 for summa cum laude is required.

What cord do you get for a 4.0 GPA?

For a 4.0 GPA, you typically earn the highest academic honor, Summa Cum Laude, which usually corresponds to a gold or gold/color braided honor cord, though colors (like blue/gold) and specific GPA cutoffs (around 3.9-4.0) vary by university, so always check your specific school's policy. 

How rare is a 3.7 GPA?

To elaborate, the national average for GPA is around a 3.0, so a 3.7 puts you above average nationally.