Honors College Admissions

Students applying for admission into the RVCC Honors College should meet three of the following four criteria:

1. An unweighted cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 or higher; or 87%
2. Rank in the Top 20% of their high school class
3. Proof of college readiness in both Math and English (*Required).  This can be accomplished in one of three ways:
   • A cumulative SAT score of 1100+ (including 550+ in Math & 450+ in Evidence-Based Reading & Writing)  OR
   • An aggregate ACT score of 26+ (including a 24+ in Reading and a 23+ in Math) OR
   • Satisfactory score on the RVCC Math & English Accuplacer Placement Test
4. History of civic engagement, leadership and/or volunteerism, either throughout high school or in your community

*NOTE:  The Honors College is test-optional.  For applicants who either did not tale the ACT/SAT or choose not to submit their scores, additional emphasis will be placed on the student’s co-curricular activities, examples of leadership and/or volunteer participation.

Honors College applications are accepted January 1st - July 1st for all Fall admissions.

To apply to the Honors College:

• Complete the First Time College Student application at: https://www.raritanval.edu/apply
• Complete the Honors College application - A revised application is forthcoming. Please contact Greg DeSanctis, director of the Honors College, at Greg.DeSanctis@raritanval.edu.
• Submit two letters of recommendation (including at least one from a current high school teacher)
• 500-word essay. Prompt: Why do you want to be a member of the Honors College?
• Personal interview
• Application Deadlines:
  • Early Admission - February 1
  • Regular Admission - July 1

Admission to the Honors College is highly competitive and students are encouraged to apply as early as possible during their senior year in high school.

* NOTE: Applicants may submit letters of recommendation, in-progress high school transcripts, SAT/ACT scores and 500-word essay, either attached as part of their Honors College application, through Naviance or emailed directly to Greg.DeSanctis@raritanval.edu.  RVCC does not currently utilize SCOIR.

For High School Students:

• Complete the First Time College Student application at: https://www.raritanval.edu/apply
• Complete the Honors College application - A revised application is forthcoming. Please contact Greg DeSanctis, director of the Honors College, at Greg.DeSanctis@raritanval.edu.
• Honors Application Instructions
• Honors College Letter of Recommendation Form

* NOTE: Applicants may submit letters of recommendation, in-progress high school transcripts, SAT/ACT scores and 500-word essay, either attached as part of their Honors College application, through Naviance or emailed directly to Greg.DeSanctis@raritanval.edu.  RVCC does not currently utilize SCOIR.

For Transfer Students

• Complete the Honors College application - A revised application is forthcoming. Please contact Greg DeSanctis, director of the Honors College, at Greg.DeSanctis@raritanval.edu.
• Honors College Application Instructions
• Honors College Letter of Recommendation Form

Honors College Associate of Arts (A.A.)

(Sample course options)

Semester One

ENGL 111H - English Composition I
Appreciation of Arts Elective
PSYC 103H - Introduction to Psychology
HIST 201H - US History I
MATH 114H- Precalculus Honors
OR
MATH 151H- Calculus-Honors

Semester Two

ENGL 112H - English Composition II
PHIL 114H - Ethics
HIST 202H - US History II
MATH 151H- Calculus-Honors

Semester Three

MATH 117H - Statistics Honors
ECON 101H – Macroeconomics

Semester Four

Capstone Research Course
SOCI 101H- Introduction to Sociology
COMM 101H- Speech
ECON 102H- Microeconomics

NOTE: The minimum number of Honors courses required to graduate from the Honors College is eight (8).

Honors College Associate of Science (AS) Degree

Semester One

ENGL 111H - English Composition I
BIOL 101H - General Biology I w/lab
MATH 114H - Precalculus Honors
OR
MATH 151H - Calculus I - Honors
CHEM 103H - General Chemistry I w/lab

Semester Two

ENGL 112H - English Composition II
MATH 151H - Calculus I – Honors
OR
MATH 152H - Calculus II- Honors
BIOL 102H - General Biology II w/lab
CHEM 104H - General Chemistry II w/lab

Semester Three

MATH 117H - Statistics Honors
PSYC 103H - Introduction to Psychology
ECON 101H – Macroeconomics
HIST 201H - US History I

Semester Four

Capstone Research Course
COMM 101H – Speech
HIST 202H - US History II
PHIL 114H – Ethics
ECON 102H- Microeconomics


NOTE: The minimum number of Honors courses required to graduate from the Honors College is eight (8).

The mission of the RVCC Honors College is to provide a highly enriched and challenging academic environment within a selective community of scholars. Graduates of the Honors College will be prepared to transfer to highly competitive four-year colleges and universities.