How to Apply
Students interested in one of the Honors Programs must apply either directly from high school or while engaged in post-high-school study in Israel. All materials must be received by February 1, 2013 (January 23 in some cases) for students applying from high school and December 27, 2012 for students applying from Israel. Please review the following for our application requirements.
1) Regular Application for Admission
Online application: the preferred method of applying. You may return to the Web site to work on your application as many times as you want. Applications are not submitted until you press a button that says "submit application." Each page of the application has a link for technical support to help you with any problems you may encounter along the way. Applying online also enables you to easily check the status of your application online by visiting the YU Admissions Web site.
Print application (PDF): download, complete and mail in the print application.
2) Honors Essays
- You must write one essay for each of the two categories below.
Category A (autobiographical):
- Robert Fulghum said: “All I really need to know I learned in kindergarten.” What is the most important lesson you learned as a young child?
- If you could claim credit for one invention, what would it be and why?
Category B (general):
- “It takes much bravery to stand up to our enemies but we need as much bravery to stand up to our friends” (Albus Dumbledore). In what ways does this wisdom resonate with your personal experience?
- Over the course of history, Jewish communities have been challenged in many ways. Describe a significant challenge facing the Jewish community today and suggest some ways to work toward meeting that challenge.
3) Honors Short Answer Questions (must be answered in 150 characters or less)
- In order to succeed, I will...
- The one thing I never expected to gain from doing community service was...
- When I hear about Israel, I think...
- I am at my best when...
- In addition to my intended major, my academic interests include...
- One time, I led a...
- My best friend would describe me as...
- The weirdest thing I ever did was...
- A famous quote to describe myself is...
- A political issue I am passionate about is...
4) Recommendations
Two recommendations are required. Recommenders should complete the Honors Recommendation Form (PDF) should submit it to YU.
Applying from High School
In addition to the steps outlined above, students currently in high school who are applying to the Honors Program must schedule their Honors interview as part of an Honors Day on campus at Yeshiva University. The Honors Program interview must be scheduled with the Office of Admissions, and all other elements of the application must be complete prior to the interview. The interview exempts the honors applicant from the standard admissions interview. Each interview date will be part of a half-day Honors Day program at Yeshiva University, including an opportunity to sit in on classes and to meet with faculty and current honors students. Men's interviews are held at the uptown Wilf Campus and run from around 12:30PM to 7PM; women's at the midtown Beren Campus from 9:30AM to 4PM.
Honors Days 2012-2013
| Monday, February 11, 2013 |
Beren Campus |
Regular Decision Honors Day |
| Thursday, February 14, 2013 |
Wilf Campus |
Regular Decision Honors Day |
| Tuesday, February 19, 2013 |
Beren Campus |
Regular Decision Honors Day |
| Wednesday, February 20, 2013 |
Wilf Campus |
Regular Decision Honors Day |
| Tuesday, February 26, 2013 |
Wilf Campus |
Regular Decision Honors Day |
Participants in Yeshiva University's National Model United Nations (YUNMUN) may also participate in mini-Honors Days on either Friday, February 1 or Wednesday, February 6. If you are attending one of these mini-Honors Days, you must submit your application by January 23 and should be in touch with the Admissions Office.
How to Book an Honors Interview Date
You may reserve an Honors interview online. If you prefer to reserve by phone, please call the Admissions Office at 212.960.5277.
Applying from Israel
Students applying to the Honors Programs while in Israel are required to submit the same essays and recommendations and meet the same qualifications as students who are applying from high school. For information regarding those requirements, including the selection of essay topics, see above.
If the applicant is already admitted to Yeshiva University but is now applying to the Honors Program, the applicant must complete only the Honors Supplement (PDF) and submit it to the YU Office either in Israel or New York.
Applicants should also obtain a letter of recommendation from a faculty member or administrator at their Israel school.
The mandatory interview for applicants from Israel is conducted in January, when deans and faculty visit Israel. All interviews are conducted by members of the Honors Selection Committee at YU's Joseph and Caroline Gruss Campus in Jerusalem at 40 Duvdevani Street. To qualify for an interview, the applicant must submit all required documents (application, essays, recommendations, and transcripts from high school and standardized tests) by December 24, 2012. Interviews will occur in mid-January.
Please contact the offices of the S. Daniel Abraham Israel Program at 02.531.3020 to schedule an interview.
Transfer or Current Students
Please see the applicable section on the "Requirements" page.