Application Process

PLEASE READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE APPLYING TO THE HONORS PROGRAM.

All new students must complete the Honors Program application in addition to the regular admissions requirements for Clarkson University. The deadline for submitting your application materials to the Honors Program is February 15. A complete Honors Program application should include the following:

• Honors Program application form
• Writing Sample
• Résumé

Application Form

 You can either complete the online application or download the Honors Program Application [PDF].  Please provide the information requested and let us know why you want to join the Honors Program (max. 250 words) and why the Honors Program should want you to join (max. 250 words). 

Please make sure to sign your name to certify your work for electronic submission. 

Writing Sample

Please submit a writing sample.  We suggest that you use a graded essay or paper such as one written for a class assignment in high school.  If you prefer to write an essay especially for this application you may do so, provided it is on one of the two topics below.  Please do not submit a generic application essay.

• If you were able to found a local non-profit organization of your choice, what kind of cause would you champion, what kind of activities would your organization engage in, and how would you draw people to support your cause?
• If you were able to do research on any topic, what problem would you investigate? Why would you choose this problem? How would you conduct the research? What would be the scientific significance of the research and its broader social impacts?

Résumé

Please submit a one-page résumé summarizing your relevant achievements to date.  Be sure to include the following sections: heading with personal information (including your contact information-mailing address, email address, and a phone number where you can be reached), education, honors and awards, co-curricular activities (school activities), extra-curricular activities (outside of school), work and volunteer experience, and other activities (e.g. hobbies, interests and travel).  A sample is provided for your reference.

Please note that the Honors Program does not require a separate letter of recommendation, but we may follow up, by phone or email, with the referees who wrote letters in support of your application to Clarkson University.

Interview

Applications will be reviewed and a select group of candidates will be offered an interview.  We will contact you to schedule your interview.  You can do your interview in-person, Skype or by phone.  In the interview we will cover the following topics with you:

Your recent high school experience
How you have learned from a personal experience or challenge you have faced
Your personal qualities and values
Your interests and activities
Your future plans and goals
Lateral thinking skills
Your reasons for joining the Honors Program

For us, the goal of the interview is to learn as much about you as we can.  If there are things that you would like us to know that are not covered by these questions, please feel free to bring them up.  You will also have a chance to ask your own questions, of course.

Deadlines

Deadline for applications is February 15.  In some exceptional cases, the Honors Program may invite students to apply later than this date.  Please submit the writing sample/essay and résumé to honors@clarkson.edu.  If you are sending it through the mail please see below for the mailing address.

Mailing Address

Jon Goss, Director
Honors Program
Clarkson University
Box 5755
Potsdam, NY 13699-5755

If you have any questions please contact the Honors Program office:  Phone: 315-268-2290/2320; Fax: 315-268-2344; Email: honors@clarkson.edu

Equal Opportunity Policy
Clarkson University does not discriminate on the bases of race, gender, color, creed, religion, nation origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, veteran or marital status in provision of educational opportunity or employment opportunities.