Stuart and Nancy Rabinowitz
HONORS COLLEGE
For students who want more.
More community. More perspectives and new ideas. More activities that engage and challenge you. More opportunities to excel in all you do.
A QUALITY EDUCATION Since Hofstra University’s founding in 1935, three qualities have been consistently evident – vision, commitment to academic excellence, and the capacity to change. In fall 2001, the University rearticulated its commitment to these qualities with the establishment of the Stuart and Nancy Rabinowitz Honors College, a unique program designed to provide an enriched educational experience to our high-achieving and motivated students. At Rabinowitz Honors College, we build upon Hofstra’s superb resources and reputation.
STUART AND NANCY
RABINOWITZ
RHC HONORS
COLLEGE
What is Honors College? It’s about conversation.
Rabinowitz Honors College is a community of students and faculty committed to academic excellence and critical engagement. We embark on life’s great questions in conversations that begin in our classrooms and carry forward to our lounges, dinner tables, and residence halls. These conversations teach us to see ourselves and the world through the eyes of others and open our minds to new possibilities. We also enjoy spending time together and sharing ideas.
Rabinowitz Honors College Dean Warren G. Frisina
Location, class size, and the scholarly credentials of professors topped Sierra Mahabir’s wish list when she was looking at colleges. When she got an invitation to be part of Hofstra’s Rabinowitz Honors College, she knew she’d found a new home.
Sierra Mahabir (Class of 2023) Pronouns: she/her/hers
Major: Civil Engineering
Sierra, originally from Trinidad and Tobago, aspires to work in the field of structural engineering and hopes to seamlessly combine design, sustainability, and renewable energy. Her passion for design extends beyond engineering into the world of fashion, and Honors College has provided her with the opportunity to explore her curiosity and discover new interests, like the Honors College seminar she took in supply chain management. “Out of all the seminars being offered, this one piqued my interest the most,” she said. “The course exposed me to a side of the business world that I had never thought much about before. I have always been interested in fashion and with the increase in online brands, I hope to one day establish my own fashion company. As a result, I am thankful for the foundation this course has provided me with.” Sierra loves that the professors in Honors College make an effort to forge a relationship with each student. “[Associate] Dean Lauren Kozol really helped to shape my writing skills. At first, I was intimidated by the writing assignments in the C&E classes, but she taught me how to establish my own voice in my writing and to review my writing with a critical lens so it will improve each time. Her passion for learning is contagious and really encouraged me to strive for my best in everything I do,” Sierra said.
“Honors College exposes you to subject material you would otherwise have never been exposed to, especially as a STEM major. That exposure allows you to discover new passions and foster new skills.”
Who are Honors College students?
They’re diverse in interests and backgrounds.
The profile of Honors College students is impressive. Most entering students come from the top 10% of their high school classes. But Honors College students are much more than statistics. They come from across the United States and around the world. They are student-leaders who invent and build new programs. They are NCAA Division I athletes and musicians, scientists, philosophers, and poets in the making. They come to study business, education, engineering, filmmaking, fine arts, health professions, mathematics, and more. In short, the diversity of Hofstra’s undergraduate majors is a perfect match for the diversity of Honors College students. And 98% of 2019-2020 Honors College undergraduate degree recipients who responded to our graduation survey or other reliable sources (81% knowledge rate) reported that they were employed or had started or were planning to start graduate school within one year of graduation. Please visit hofstra.edu/outcomes to view employment statistics in full.
When Kai Carron first arrived at Hofstra, Rabinowitz Honors College helped the campus feel like home for this Maryland native. “All Honors College professors are prepared to teach firstyear students, with a focus on introducing them to ‘college life’ and teaching them how to find a balance between social and academic needs,” he said.
Kai Charron (Class of 2023) Pronouns: he/him/his
Majors: Philosophy and Political Science
The honors housing at Vander Poel Hall also contributed to his sense of belonging. “Vandel Poel Hall is my new ‘comfy’ place,” he said. “There is always someone to talk to when you want to socialize. If you want some solitude, then you can have that as well.” With this solid foundation and support system on campus, Kai developed the confidence to explore nearby New York City, and he discovered new interests on campus as well. “I was able to see the true beauty of New York by experiencing a Broadway play, going to The Metropolitan Museum of Art to see Greek and Roman imagery, and visiting the beautiful nature of Central Park,” he said. During an Honors College-sponsored trip, he visited Ellis Island and the National Museum of Immigration. “By reading these [immigrants’] stories, I was able to dispel many myths about the process, as well as learn about the demographics of these immigrants,” Kai said. One of Kai’s favorite parts of being a member of Rabinowitz Honors College is the wide range of speakers it brings to campus, which he believes will help him prepare for law school. “Honors College fulfilled my college needs from the first day I stepped foot on campus,” he said.
“Honors College is secure, inclusive, and futuristic.”
What’s different about an Honors College education? It’s a way to enrich any major, and it can be tailored to your interests.
Each entering class enjoys a common first-year curriculum called Culture & Expression. In this four-course, yearlong sequence (two courses in fall, two courses in spring), distinguished faculty introduce students to the big questions that are addressed in classic texts. In the second through fourth years, students tailor their honors education to their own goals by pursuing individualized enrichment opportunities with faculty in any Hofstra course. This way, students chart their own paths and enrich courses they choose for major or minor requirements or as free electives.
It was the beauty of Hofstra’s campus and the sense of community among Rabinowitz Honors College students and professors that first attracted art history major Sanaia Layne. That environment helped Sanaia stay focused when the COVID-19 pandemic forced all classes to go remote in spring 2020.
Sanaia Layne (Class of 2023) Pronouns: they/them/their
Major: Art History
“My Honors College Culture & Expression course with Dr. Tomeka Robinson kept me engaged despite going virtual due to the coronavirus pandemic,” Sanaia said. “I looked forward to being a part of the seminars and classes virtually. I was still able to enjoy and access the resources that Honors College offers.” From the moment Sanaia arrived on campus, Honors College has helped them find their way. It was a first-year Honors College course – Art in the Info Age – that rekindled a childhood passion for exploring art and inspired Sanaia’s choice of major. “The unique combination of skills that art history teaches – visual analysis and its written communication – are valuable to any career,” they said. Sanaia hopes to do archival and curatorial work in the future, particularly concentrating on the LGBTQ+ culture from the 1950s to the early 2000s. The goal, they said, is to help preserve this history and make it accessible to a wider audience. “For me, art tells a story, a story of time,” Sanaia said. “I enjoyed learning about the intersection of art and technology and how this intersection influenced discussions in the past and present day.” Sanaia is a member of the Black Student Union and the campus chapter of the NAACP.
“Honors College gave me the opportunity to take more rigorous courses and to build intellectual camaraderie with my peers.”
What other advantages does Rabinowitz Honors College offer? The best of two worlds.
Honors College students benefit from the best of two worlds. They belong to a nurturing and close-knit student community that enjoys the challenges and stimulation of performing at the highest levels, as though they are at a small liberal arts college. Yet they also have access to the complete range of curricular and extracurricular opportunities offered by a university of Hofstra’s size and scope. Our community is tight (we support one another) but inclusive (we’re always forming partnerships with students and faculty across the campus). Honors College students participate in a variety of social service programs on campus and in the community. They also enjoy regular trips to theaters, museums, cultural sites, and events in New York City; up-close encounters with visiting lecturers and dignitaries; and a host of social and intellectual activities throughout the year.
Magdalena Todorinova, who grew up in Bulgaria, was still fairly new to the United States when she came to Hofstra. At Rabinowitz Honors College, she found a community that embraced and challenged her.
Magdalena Todorinova (Class of 2024) Pronouns: she/her/hers Major: Biochemistry (pre-med) Minor: Psychology
“Being part of Honors College makes me feel like I belong at Hofstra,” she said. “Being a first-generation college student in a country where I knew little about the college system was nerveracking, but the guidance from the Honors College professors and administration truly helped me adapt quite quickly.” “I have met a lot of great people that I now consider friends, advisors, and mentors,” said Magdalena, who plans to become a physician specializing in obstetrics and gynecology. She has forged close bonds with professors, who encouraged her to push herself beyond her comfort zone and explore new ideas. Thanks to the guidance of Associate Dean Lauren Burignat-Kozol, Magdalena and a friend started The Culture Club. The group hosts weekly meetings about topics that relate to culture and religion and share different traditions through dance, language, and crafts workshops. “New York is one of the most diverse places to live and to learn about others,” she said, “so a club like this helps students relate to each other on a different level.” For Magdalena, Honors College means community. “It’s a space where I am able to share my ideas and receive enthusiastic responses from professors who care.”
“Honors College challenges students and pushes their boundaries in a relaxed atmosphere.”
Is there an honors housing option?
Yes, Vander Poel Hall. Many Honors College students opt to live in honors housing (Vander Poel Hall), where they enjoy an even greater sense of community and an exceptional level of support from a professional staff and specially selected student-leaders. Life in honors housing is spirited and inspiring. There’s always someone around, whether you’re in the mood to play foosball or discuss Plato. Faculty mentors participate in and help plan open-mic nights, poetry readings, and film series, and lead discussions on topics such as civic engagement and current social issues. And if you are commuting or living elsewhere on campus, the good news is that Vander Poel is open to you, too. All Rabinowitz Honors College students are welcome at the many Honors College events that are presented there each semester.
When Adam Coren was exploring his college choices, he had plenty of options. But it was Hofstra’s warm welcome that cemented his choice. Adam said his film studies and Honors College courses broadened his interests and deepened his practical knowledge so he could pursue a career in post-production, working with companies, content providers, or studios on the myriad tasks involved in bringing a film project to completion. In fact, he completed a capstone course doing just that, as the editor for a student-produced film.
Adam Coren, BA, ‘19 Pronouns: he/him/his
Major: Film Studies and Production Minors: Astronomy, Computer Applications
“It’s more than just the classes you take,” he observed. “The Herbert School dean, advisors, and professors are about the most helpful people you can find. They really want to help you get wherever you want to go. There are also a ton of extra seminars and short, small-group meetings about software and miscellaneous topics. And the same is true within Honors College. … There are always new things to discover and get passionate about.” In addition to participating in sponsored trips and events, Adam took on leadership roles in CSI: Hofstra and in the new e-Sports Club (competitive video game play), which hopes to field two official college teams in the fast-growing world of intercollegiate e-sports. But what Adam found most rewarding is the sense of community fostered within Honors College, particularly in the honors housing at Vander Poel Hall. “Starting college can be very intimidating. I know it was for me. But studying and living with a core group of students right from the start helped me become more social. We had a lot of different majors, but we were also participating in a shared educational experience. It really helps you get new perspectives and prepares you for the real world.”
“The Film Studies and Production program looked great, but what impressed me most was that people I met really seemed to care and particularly wanted me to be part of the Honors College community. It felt like it would be more than a typical college experience.”
How do I apply to Honors College? Check the box.
To be considered for admission to the Stuart and Nancy Rabinowitz Honors College, new students need only check the interest box on the Hofstra application. Admission to Rabinowitz Honors College is highly selective. Invitations to Honors College are not based on any single criterion. We are looking for students who have challenged themselves in the classroom by taking and performing well in honors, IB, and AP-level curricula while maintaining a strong high school average very close to or above an A-. For those who choose to submit a standardized test score, a 1350 or better on the evidence-based reading and writing + math sections of the SAT (or a 29 on the ACT) is recommended. Honors College is looking for students who are prepared to take on leadership roles in the classroom and in all other aspects of campus life. Therefore, a solid record of extracurricular and cocurricular activity that demonstrates increasing levels of responsibility and leadership are important factors in the Honors College admission process. Students who are not invited to join Honors College in the fall of their first year may be invited to apply after completing their first semester at Hofstra. In such cases, admission decisions are based on the student’s performance at Hofstra.
HOFSTRA AT A GLANCE Students Admitted to the Rabinowitz Honors College Class of 2025 • Average highest test scores: • High School GPA: 4.13 • SAT: 1400 (evidence-based reading and writing + math) • Students From Outside New York State: 44% • Enrolled Students Who Live on Campus: Of the 63% of Honors College first-year students living in Hofstra housing, 42% are living in Vander Poel Hall.
Costs and Financial Aid (2021-2022) • Tuition and Fees: $51,360 19,315 (suite-style living) • Room and Board: $ $16,887 (high-rise living) • All Honors College students receive merit-based scholarships of at least $25,000. The average award is over $30,000. A small number of Honors College students are designated Trustee Scholars and receive full-tuition scholarships worth $50,265. • Rabinowitz Honors College Students Receiving Financial Aid: 100%
Undergraduate Geographic Profile • U.S. States and Territories: 49 • Countries: 71
Academic Profile • Undergraduate Program Options: 165 • Full-Time Faculty Holding Advanced Degree: 93% • Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 13-to-1 • Average Undergraduate Class Size: 21
Facilities and Resources • Library Holdings: 800,000+ print volumes • Residence Halls: 35 • Student Clubs and Organizations: 220+
NCAA Division I Sports Baseball (M) Basketball (M/W) Cross Country (M/W) Field Hockey (W) Golf (M/W)
Indoor Track (M/W) Lacrosse (M/W) Outdoor Track (M/W) Soccer (M/W) Softball (W)
Tennis (M/W) Volleyball (W) Wrestling (M)
Rabinowitz Honors College students apply from around the world. Argentina Australia The Bahamas Bangladesh Belize Bolivia Brazil Canada Cayman Islands Chile China Colombia Croatia Cyprus Ecuador Egypt Georgia Greece Haiti India Indonesia
Taiwan (Republic Jamaica of China) Japan Turkey Jordan Ukraine Kazakhstan United Arab Emirates Lebanon United Kingdom Malaysia Uzbekistan Mexico Vietnam Mongolia Nepal Nigeria Oman Pakistan Peru Philippines Qatar Russian Federation Saudi Arabia Serbia South Africa Switzerland Syria
516-463-6700 • hofstra.edu/honorscollege •
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