The University Honors Program at St. John’s University is designed to challenge high-achieving students across all majors, encouraging them to achieve their academic potential. Established in 2003, the program expanded from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences to include all five undergraduate colleges. The Peter J. Tobin College of Business later introduced the Thomas J. Cox, Jr. Honors Program for business students.

The program features smaller class sizes, fostering a personal connection between professors and students while delving deeply into core curriculum topics through active discussions. Oscar Monge, a sophomore Biomedical Sciences student and member of the Honors Program, remarked on the enhanced dialogue in classes: “The classes provide enhanced dialogue between instructor and student, creating better conversation and productivity.”

Currently, about 1,000 students are enrolled in the program with around 250 first-year students admitted each fall. Christina Nimblett, an Environmental Science major from Trinidad, shared her experience: “Being an honors student means I am part of a community that prioritizes academic excellence and seeks to push the boundaries of our learning so we can make meaningful contributions to the world after graduating from St. John’s.”

Admission to the program requires completion of an application essay and consideration of high school GPA, course strength, and standardized test results if submitted. Honors students must complete 30 credits of honors-designated courses while maintaining a GPA of 3.3.

Students receive notifications about various activities via email and Canvas, including cultural events like museum tours and performances by the New York City Ballet and Metropolitan Opera.

Timothy A. Milford, Ph.D., Associate Professor in History at St. John’s College commented on the supportive atmosphere among honors students: “What’s more important...is the esprit de corps—the way the students support each other...and just the good vibes that fill the room.”

In addition to coursework, Thomas J. Cox Jr., Honors Program participants engage with industry speakers and conduct research alongside faculty members within their major fields.

Sophomore Alexandra Cicala expressed appreciation for experiential learning opportunities such as site visits: “I have been able to do site visits to NASDAQ Stock Market and Bloomberg offices...That experiential learning has been so valuable.”

Christina Nimblett credited Dr. Rachel Hollander for providing guidance that helped her change her major in alignment with her passions for social justice.

Dr. Hollander plans career workshops for honors students in Spring 2025 along with alumni networking events: “The students are constantly pushing themselves...while putting extra effort into their studies,” she said.