The Renée Crown University Honors Program provides a compelling educational experience for accomplished students. Individuals who seek academic challenge and are prepared to invest the extra effort required to meet that challenge will flourish in this demanding and rewarding program.
Syracuse University has had an Honors Program since 1963. In 2002, a gift from the family of Trustee Emerita Renée Crown enabled an ambitious revision of the program to enhance the Honors experience for students from across the University's schools and colleges. The Honors Program engages students through enriched intellectual breadth and depth, written and oral communication, collaborative capacity, global awareness, and civic engagement.
While students pursue their chosen academic course of study in their individual departments, schools, and colleges, they immerse themselves in curricular enrichment and innovative scholarship offered by the Program's seminars, cultural events, and close contact with faculty and other Honors students. Additionally, The Honors Program provides a variety of funding opportunities for students to travel abroad, develop professionally in conferences, research, and internships, and more deeply explore their final Honors Thesis project.
The Program is open to qualified students in all of the University's undergraduate schools and colleges.
What to Expect in the Admissions Cycle
The Honors Program works closely with the Syracuse University Office of Admissions to select first-year students for Fall entry.
If you are selected as an '1870 Scholarship' recipient, you will receive a letter from the Office of Admissions inviting you directly to the program. You must submit an RSVP form indicating that you elect to be a part of the Honors Program should you choose to attend Syracuse. This form must be submitted by the deadline indicated in your letter in order to reserve your designated space in Honors.
If you are selected by your admitting college as a 'Leadership Scholar' you can apply for entry into the Honors Program. You must do so by the deadline indicated in the invitation letter you receive from the Office of Admissions. Admission is competitive and many excellent and qualified students may not be admitted to Honors at the start of their first year. As a Leadership Scholar you are encouraged to apply to Honors, but admission is not guaranteed for anyone who applies.
We welcome incoming students to apply to the Honors Program if they seek a rigorous experience and are dedicated to their academic career. Honors students produce top-level research, professional, and creative works, culminating in thesis projects.
When you are notified of admission to Honors, you must separately confirm your matriculation to Syracuse through the Admissions Office.
See the High School Applicants and the Current & Transfer Students pages for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Honors courses are smaller in size and engage the material in great depth and detail. Honors students enjoy the experience of a small class where the quality of discussion is excellent. Students report that this connection enhances their learning.