Castle Scholars Honors Program
The Castle Scholars Honors Program offers students of exceptional ability a broad and intensive program of study. It provides motivated students in any major with challenging, cross-disciplinary courses that encourage their academic and personal growth. Intellectual exchange among students and faculty, and independent initiative in academic and creative realms are encouraged by the seminar-based core of the Castle Scholars Program. Castle Scholars are well prepared for success in graduate and professional schools, as well as in the professional world.
Innovative and often interdisciplinary seminars, limited to 15 students to ensure in-depth discussion and exploration of the subject matter, are led by engaged faculty. Frequently, experiential learning trips to New York City and other sites in the region are also part of the curriculum. All Castle Scholars courses fulfill some of Manhattanville College’s General Education Requirements.
Program Director
Nimish Adhia, nimish.adhia@mville.edu
Benefits
Castle Scholars in good standing are accorded the following privileges:
- Priority registration privileges to ensure optimal course selection
- Permission to register for up to 21 credits per semester without financial penalty
- Honors housing options
- Opportunities to apply for special funding for research projects
- Participation in on-campus Castle Scholars social events, including regular dinners with the college president
- Contribution to the intellectual and social life of the college through the organization of college-wide events, such as Human Rights Awareness Day and the Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement Fair
- Participation in Castle Scholars field trips
- Mentoring by the Castle Scholars Director and the Honors Program faculty
- Recognition at college-wide awards ceremonies
- Recognition of successful completion of the program on college transcripts and on all printed graduation materials.
Eligibility
Incoming first-year students with a demonstrated record of achievement based on the following criteria are eligible to apply:
- A combined SAT score of 1160 or greater (critical reading and math), or an ACT score of 25 or greater
- A high school GPA of 3.4 or greater
- An exceptional record of extracurricular activity or unique achievement
If incoming first-year students have achieved two or more of the above, or if they feel strongly that the Castle Scholars Honors Program is right for them, they may apply to join the honors program.
Transfer students with up to 60 credits may also apply; students who have been enrolled in honors courses at other institutions should consult with the Castle Scholars Honors Program Director regarding approval of transfer courses towards completion of the Castle Scholars Honors Program.
Continuing students who have earned at least a 3.6 cumulative GPA at Manhattanville by the end of their second semester are eligible to apply for admission to the program, up to the fall semester of their junior year.
Castle Scholars Honors Program Requirements
In order to successfully graduate as a Castle Scholar, students must complete the following program requirements:
- An Honors First Year Seminar (students who join the program after their first year will substitute a 3000-level CSCH seminar for this requirement.)
- 2 3000-level CSCH seminars (completed the sophomore, junior and/or senior year)
- 1 Castle Scholars approved Independent Research Project OR Internship
- Either credit-bearing service project(students may take both):
1) CSCH 4500 - fall semester Castle Scholars service course organizing Human Rights Awareness Day (1.5 credits)
2) CSCH 4501 - spring semester Castle Scholars service course organizing the Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement Fair (1.5 credits)
- CSCH 3080 Senior Capstone (1.5 credits): CSCH 3080 Senior Capstone (1.5 credits): Coordinated by the Honors Program faculty, students will participate in a formal program evaluation of a college-wide program and will share the results of their research at the Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement Fair.
In addition, Castle Scholars must:
- Earn a grade of B or better in Honors courses in order to receive Honors credit
- Maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.6 or higher
- Participate actively in the Castle Scholars Honors Program by attending at least two events per semester
- Remain in good standing in their non-academic activities
- Be positive role models for academic integrity
Departmental Honors
Several departments at the College offer an honors program within the major, to which qualified undergraduates are ordinarily admitted in their fourth semester, with a review for continuation in the program at the end of the sixth semester. Individual departments set the standards for acceptance into these programs. Departments that do not have a separate honors program may offer the award of “departmental honors”, which is conferred upon qualified students at graduation and is based on a certain level of achievement in major courses and in the senior thesis.
Dean’s List
The Dean’s List honors full-time students who achieve at least a 3.6 average during a particular semester. To be eligible, students must complete at least fifteen semester hours, with a minimum of twelve hours taken for letter grades. This achievement is noted on students’ transcripts for each semester in which they fulfill these requirements.
Latin Honors
At Commencement, the College awards Latin Honors.
These awards are based on the following cumulative grade point averages:
- cum laude – 3.7
- magna cum laude – 3.8
- summa cum laude – 3.9