Benefits of Honors Courses
The MCC Honors Institute provides high-achieving students with an enriched academic
experience through priority registration, small discussion-based classes, close mentorship
from award-winning faculty, and opportunities to conduct independent research. Students
benefit from specialized events, cultural experiences, conference presentations, and
personalized transfer guidance, while earning an Advanced Studies Certificate and
developing strong writing and critical thinking skills. Honors coursework is recognized
on transcripts, helping students successfully transfer to highly selective colleges
and universities and prepare for rewarding careers in a wide range of fields.
- Priority Registration
- Reduced class sizes where students engage each other and their professors in dialogue,
critical thinking, and research on issues of global significance
- Opportunities to form relationships with award-winning faculty while at MCC and beyond
- Opportunities to craft specialized learning experiences and research projects
- Access to faculty and specializing in transfer to selective colleges and universities
- Specialized curricular and off-campus events, such as:
- Films and dramatic productions at the Little Theater and GEVA
- Support for student presentations at Scholars’ Day, MCC’s annual showcase of student
research, creativity and intellectual stimulation
- Scholar's Day
- Sponsorship to present papers, projects, and research at the Northeast Regional Honors Conference, the SUNY Undergraduate Research Conference (SURC), and the Beacon Conference
- Student-initiated events, e.g., the Living Chess Match, visit to the Rochester Museum
of Play, and informal discussions with faculty on their current research
- Trips to the National Women’s Rights Hall of Fame, Rochester Zen Center, George Eastman
House and Museum of Photography, and the Memorial Art Gallery
The Honors Institute awards the Advanced Studies Certificate and Certificate with Thesis.
All Honors courses carry MCC’s writing intensive designation (WR). Honors students thereby acquire one of the most desired skills in contemporary
academia and workplaces.
The Honors Coordinator is available to advise students on completing their degrees
in a timely manner and completing the Advanced Studies Certificate while earning their
desired degree and participating in extra-curricular activities athletics.
Honors courses and seminars are identifiable on your transcript, making you a more
attractive transfer candidate at the school of your choice.
MCC’s Honors students regularly transfer to some of the most selective programs, colleges,
and universities in the United States, including the following:
Alfred University
Amherst College
Clarkson University
Columbia University
Cornell University
Duke University
Emory University
Harvard University
Nazareth College
Northeastern University
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Rochester Institute of Technology
Smith College
St. John Fisher College
SUNY Binghamton
SUNY Brockport
SUNY Buffalo
SUNY Fredonia
SUNY Geneseo
Syracuse University
University of Michigan
University of Rochester
Yale University
MCC’s Honors Students have gone on to become attorneys, physicians, medical statisticians,
primary school teachers, community organizers, divinity students, psychologists, accountant,
and fund-raisers.
