Castle Scholars Honors Program
The Manhattanville University's Castle Scholars Honors Program provides motivated students in any major field with the opportunity to participate in challenging and stimulating interdisciplinary seminars that encourage personal and academic growth. All Castle Scholars courses are taught by our dedicated, full-time faculty, and offer students opportunities to enhance the already transformative potential of Manhattanville University undergraduate academics. Students in the honors program have meaningful intellectual exchanges with both students and instructors, enriching their university experience, immersing them in a vibrant academic community, and empowering them to design, implement, and achieve their most ambitious goals. Castle Scholars are well prepared for success in graduate and professional schools and the professional world.
Honors seminars are the core of the Castle Scholars program. Manhattanville's most engaging and dedicated faculty offer innovative, interdisciplinary seminars that are limited to 15 students, a format that ensures in-depth discussion and exploration of the subject matter. These honors classes provide high-achieving students with the opportunity to explore areas within and outside of their intended major, and all fulfill at least one of Manhattanville's General Education requirements. Many seminars incorporate experiential learning through trips to New York City and other sites in the tri-state region.
Program Director
Dr. Lisa Rafanelli, 914.323.7182, Lisa.Rafanelli@mville.edu
Benefits
Castle Scholars in good standing are accorded the following privileges, among other social, academic, and professional opportunities:
- Honors scholarship (renewable annually)
- Priority registration within each class year to ensure optimal course selection
- Permission to register for course overload (up to 21 credits per semester) with no financial penalty
- Access to the private Honors Commons student lounge and reserved study area in the Manhattanville Library
- Participation in Castle Scholars-sponsored social events and field trips
- Mentoring by the Castle Scholars Director and Honors Program faculty
- Opportunities to apply for special funding for research projects
- Special recognition at university-wide graduation and awards ceremonies in the form of a personalized certificate of program completion, honor cords, and acknowledgement of their status on all university transcripts and printed graduation materials.
Eligibility
Incoming first-year students with a demonstrated record of achievement based on the following criteria will be invited to apply for admission to the honors program:
- A high school GPA of 3.9 or greater, and
- An exceptional record of extracurricular activity or unique achievement
Students must submit a short essay and formally accept the offer in order to secure admission to the program.
Transfer students from another institution (with up to 60 university credits) may be eligible for admission to the program provided they have been enrolled in honors courses at their prior institution(s) and they meet minimum GPA requirements. Transfer advising staff will conduct an initial review of eligibility; students will then be directed to consult with the Castle Scholars Honors Program Director regarding approval of transfer courses towards completion of the program.
Current Manhattanville students interested in joining the Castle Scholars Honors Program must do no later than the second semester of sophomore year. To be eligible, students must have at least a 3.7 cumulative GPA and the written recommendation of their academic or faculty advisor. Materials must be submitted to the Castle Scholars Honors Program Director.
Although on-going students admitted to the program are not eligible for the honors scholarship, they are entitled to all other program benefits.
Castle Scholars Honors Program Requirements
Students starting the program in Fall 2022 or later must meet the following requirements:
- An Honors First Year Seminar (students who join the program after their first year must substitute an additional 3000-level CSCH seminar for this requirement)
- Three 3000-level CSCH seminars, taken in sophomore, junior, and/or senior year (with permission of the program Director, students may substitute one Design-Thinking course for a 3000-level CSCH seminar)
In addition, all Castle Scholars must:
- Earn a grade of B or better in Honors courses to receive honors credit
- Maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.6
- Remain in good standing in both academic integrity and non-academic activities, as specified in the Student Code of Conduct
- Meet certain cumulative credit milestones by the end of each academic year:
- Complete 3 CSCH credits by the end of the freshman year
- Complete 6 CSCH credits by the end of sophomore year
- Complete 9 CSCH credits by the end of junior year
- Complete all required CSCH credits by the end of senior year
National and Regional Honors Council Affiliations
Manhattanville University is a proud member of both the National Collegiate Honors Council and the Northeast Regional Honors Council. Membership in these prestigious organizations affords Manhattanville students the opportunity to attend and present research at annual honors conferences, and to compete for highly selective scholarship opportunities. Faculty, staff, and students are part of an international community of educational leaders devoted to the advancement of honors education.