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Everything You Need to Know About Applying to Macaulay Honors

Eric Dayts, a college senior at Macaulay Hunter, gives insight on the selection process at Macaulay Honors and how he interviews applicants.

Raisa Barshai , Staff Reporter | November 17, 2021

Here is the Class of 2022 at Macaulay Honors College at Hunter. “When applying to Macaulay, I ultimately decided on Hunter College as my school of choice, partly because I could see the diversity among the students in the class photos,” said Eric Dayts.

The prospect of a debt free college experience seems like a myth to most Americans, yet at Macaulay Honors, it has become a reality. New York City is one of the largest cities in the world and home to some of America’s top colleges and universities. Macaulay Honors gives students a chance to receive a high quality education with free tuition, while also receiving specialized care and attention from faculty. 

Because of Macaulay’s prestige and the limited number of seats available, it has a record low acceptance rate of 5% as of 2021. Macaulay Honors has consistently received the highest ratings for a public university honors college, and their students have received over 250 prestigious awards. There are 8 CUNY schools to choose from when applying to the Macaulay Honors program, all offering different majors. Hunter College is one of the most popular colleges to study at among Macaulay students, as it has a wide variety of majors and a beautiful campus located right outside of Gramercy Park in Manhattan. Hunter College is also known for its excellent dormitories and its status as a liberal arts school. 

Eric Dayts is now a senior at Macaulay Hunter College on the Pre-med track, and he is also both a freshman mentor and a student interviewer. Dayts came into Macaulay Hunter undecided for his major, but eventually chose to major in Biochemistry. He said that Macaulay Honors in general is very flexible in terms of a student being able to change majors, so he was able to explore his interests and change majors with ease. Applicants who are undecided do not have to worry about choosing a major right away, as Macaulay Honors will give you the opportunity to explore your interests once you get there. 

Dayts has received numerous opportunities through Macaulay’s mentorship program, including lab work, early acceptance to the University of Rochester’s Medical school, and having the MCAT requirement waived. His mentor from his freshman year helped him tremendously in navigating through Macaulay Hunter College and connecting him with labs and internships, as well as giving advice about going to med school. Dayts is a freshman mentor himself now, as well as a student interviewer. 

“The advisors at Macaulay are very adamant about your success, and the peer mentor systems help make the school a strong and supportive environment,” Dayts said.

As a student interviewer, Dayts has talked to many talented applicants, and he is responsible for giving admissions officers information about the students whom he thinks are “the future leaders of New York.” Macaulay Honors, and Hunter College specifically, takes interviews very seriously as part of their holistic review process. Macaulay wants applicants to show their interests, extracurriculars, and genuine self when interviewing, so the admissions officers know how you would fit into their community. Interviewer’s opinions on applicants are considered heavily, so making a good impression in the interview increases your chances of getting accepted. CUNY schools also do not review SAT/ACT scores at all anymore, so everyone has a chance to apply and to get a spot at the school without worrying about standardized test scores. 

“I would say that each part of your application is reviewed equally. One third of the weight is on your academic transcript, your essays are one third, and your interview is one third. Each aspect of your application is reviewed in a way that places an emphasis on who you are as a person, which is why we place so much emphasis on what you say in your interview and supplemental essays,” explained Dayts.

Dayts has seen the diversity of Macaulay Honors in Hunter College increase with each passing year, mainly because the interviews themselves have diversified. Part of what makes the admissions process so fair at Macaulay is the fact that current students get to play a pivotal role in choosing who they want to be admitted into the next class. 

Macaulay Honors also has a unique curriculum that places emphasis on learning the history of New York City. A part of this curriculum includes mandatory seminars that give students the opportunity to participate in group discussions about everything that makes New York City unique. There are four seminars that students must participate in as a part of their curriculum: The arts of NYC, immigration of NYC, science of NYC, and the development of NYC. 

“These classes are great because they give students the opportunity to connect more with the professors who teach these classes, and encourage students to participate in group discussions rather than just listening to lectures,” Dayts said.

Many high school students across the country are currently stressed about college applications, especially during the  COVID-19 pandemic where many people have suffered both financially and mentally. Now more than ever, it is important for students to look into applying for colleges that will support them both financially and academically. Anyone who is a New York City resident has the opportunity to receive a full merit scholarship, making Macaulay Honors a perfect opportunity for talented students to achieve their goals with the support they need.

“The advisors at Macaulay are very adamant about your success, and the peer mentor systems help make the school a strong and supportive environment,” Eric Dayts said, a college senior at Macaulay Hunter.

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Raisa Barshai is the Spotlight Section editor for ‘The Science Survey.' She loves the freedom that journalistic writing gives her, allowing her to learn...

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Macaulay Honors College 101 [For the (College) Class of 2027]

September 28, 2022 by CPM

Have you heard about CUNY’s Macaulay Honors College? It is one of America’s top public honors college programs. If you live in New York and your teen is interested in this program, I encourage you to have them start the application as soon as possible.

What Is Macaulay Honors College? 

Macaulay Honors College at CUNY  is an honors college that is spread across eight CUNY colleges. Macaulay students participate in a program designed jointly by the respective college and Macaulay. Students graduate with a dual degree from Macaulay and their chosen CUNY home college.

Every Macaulay student receives a full-tuition scholarship.  Students are still responsible for paying school fees (including some years of room and board) if they are not covered by grants, scholarships, and other forms of financial aid. Each CUNY college provides different housing options.

Other perks for Macaulay students include a $1,500 per student  Opportunities Fund  to help pay for various professional or academic programs.

Macaulay Honors Eligibility Requirements

Macaulay Honors College evaluates prospective students based on a combination of academic and personal factors. On the academic side, there isn’t a minimum GPA stated but the FAQ section mentions that Students applying to Macaulay should have a recommended average of 90 and above .

Also, note that high school classes of 2023 and 2024 Macaulay college applications are test-optional regarding submitting copies of their standardized test (SAT or ACT)  scores . 

To receive the full tuition Macaulay scholarships, students must be New York state residents/meet CUNY’S New York State residency requirements. Also, it must be the first college experience for prospective Macaulay students. The program only accepts incoming Freshmen – not transfer students. 

For more in-depth information, visit  Macaulay’s Admissions Requirements page .

Macaulay Information Session

Macaulay offers several upcoming admissions events for interested students. The events begin on October 2nd. Staff will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about the program. Topics include deadline reminders, essay tips and handling the CUNY application for Macaulay. It is a great way to learn more about Macaulay Honors College.

Macaulay Application Tips

Start as early as possible.

The application went live on 9/1/22. The sooner that a student submits their application, it gives their recommenders more time to write recommendations. Once the application is submitted, their recommenders are notified and asked to upload their recommendation.

The great thing is that students can revise their submitted applications any time up until the deadline. They can add recommenders, upload essays and other supporting materials as well as pay the application fee. The application fee is currently $65. (Students with special financial or other circumstances may be able to have CUNY waive its application fee.)

It is important to note that applicants can only use  the CUNY Application . Macaulay Honors College is not in the CommonApp.  The Macaulay application website closes on 11/16/22 at 6pm.

Application Essay Prompts

As part of the Macaulay application, students are required to submit two essays for the class of 2027. Each should be around 500 words long.

ESSAY 1: ABOUT YOU Select one of the options below. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story. O R Tell us about an area or activity, outside of academics, in which you have invested a lot of time and effort. Tell us why. What did you learn? How was it meaningful? ESSAY 2: ABOUT YOUR PLANS FOR COLLEGE. PLEASE DISCUSS ALL POINTS BELOW. Why do you want to go to an honors college ? There are many benefits of being a Macaulay student, such as the Macaulay community, special courses, Honors advisement, cultural passport, opportunities funds, and other financial benefits. Please describe how these features will shape you and your college experience, including, what you expect to bring to the college community and what you expect to get out of your college experience. MACAULAY HONORS COLLEGE

You can learn more about essay considerations on the  Macaulay Honors College Essay Questions  page.

Important Macaulay Admissions Dates

9/1/22: The Macaulay application opens.

11/16/22: The Macaulay application closes at 6pm.

11/28/22: All supporting documents (including application recommendations) are due by 6pm.

3/15/23: Decision day (prospective students receive notifications).

5/1/23: COMMITMENT DAY

The Macaulay Honors College is a wonderful program so consider encouraging your high (academic) achieving seniors to apply.

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Home — Application Essay — University — Macaulay Honors College

Macaulay Honors College Admission Essays

Embarking on the path to admission to Macaulay Honors College necessitates the development of compelling essays that genuinely reflect your distinct qualities and aspirations. These essays function as a crucial gateway, providing a robust platform to articulately express your goals and establish a substantive connection with the core values of Macaulay Honors College. To enhance your strategic approach, consider a thorough examination of exemplar Macaulay Honors essay examples. Such analysis not only yields valuable insights into effective storytelling but also serves as a practical guide for adeptly navigating the nuanced process of crafting impactful essays that resonate discerningly with the admissions committee.

Main Facts about Macaulay Honors College Essays

To gain entry into Macaulay Honors College, a nuanced comprehension of the pivotal role essays play in the application process is essential. These essays not only provide insights into your character and aspirations but also craft a compelling narrative that sets you apart from other applicants. The significance of Macaulay Honors College essay examples becomes evident in grasping the intricacies of the application process. Let's explore key facts that shed light on the importance of Macaulay Honors College essays, offering a comprehensive understanding for prospective candidates.

• Reflective Narratives: Essays provide insight into character, goals, and experiences.
• Uniqueness: They are an opportunity to showcase what makes you stand out.
• Holistic Evaluation: Essays contribute significantly to the overall evaluation of applicants.
• Alignment with Values: Successful essays align with Macaulay's mission and values.
• Authenticity Matters: Applicants should aim for authenticity and reflection in their essays.

Prospective applicants can benefit significantly from delving into Macaulay Honors College essay examples. Analyzing successful narratives provides practical insights into crafting essays that not only meet the criteria but also resonate authentically with the discerning admissions committee.

Macaulay Honors College Requirements

Embarking on the journey to Macaulay Honors College requires a meticulous understanding of the comprehensive Macaulay Honors College requirements. These prerequisites serve as the gateway to an enriching academic experience, shaping the college's commitment to excellence and holistic development. Let's delve into these requirements, each a crucial step toward joining this esteemed community of scholars:

• Academic Excellence: Aspiring students must demonstrate a robust high school record, showcasing a commitment to scholastic achievement and intellectual rigor.
• Impressive Test Scores: High SAT/ACT scores stand as a fundamental component, providing a quantitative measure of a candidate's aptitude and preparedness for collegiate-level challenges.
• Extracurricular Commitment: Active involvement in extracurricular activities and community service is not only encouraged but highly valued. This requirement underscores the college's dedication to holistic development and community engagement.
• Letters of Recommendation: Personalized letters of recommendation, thoughtfully crafted to highlight the candidate's character, academic prowess, and potential, play a pivotal role in the admissions process.
• Engaging Essays: Crafting well-written and engaging Macaulay Honors College essays is paramount. These essays serve as a platform for candidates to articulate their unique qualities, aspirations, and alignment with the college's values. Exploring impactful Macaulay essay examples can provide valuable guidance in navigating this crucial requirement.

Each requirement reflects Macaulay Honors College's commitment to assembling a diverse and dynamic community of scholars who not only excel academically but also contribute meaningfully to the broader academic and social landscape.

Macaulay Honors College Essays in the Application Process

Macaulay Honors College essays play a pivotal role in presenting a comprehensive picture of each applicant. They provide an avenue to go beyond grades and scores, allowing candidates to convey their personality, experiences, and aspirations in a nuanced and authentic manner. Admissions committees seek a genuine connection with your story, making thoughtful essay crafting crucial. Exploring impactful Macaulay Honors essay examples not only serves as a source of inspiration but also offers practical insights into effective storytelling, helping applicants navigate the intricate landscape of the application process.

Macaulay Honors College Essay Prompts for 2023

Navigating the Macaulay Honors College application process involves thoughtful responses to distinctive essay prompts that illuminate various facets of your character and aspirations. These prompts serve as a structured framework, inviting you to delve into personal experiences, challenges, and future goals. Crafting responses requires a blend of introspection and strategic storytelling, allowing you to showcase your individuality and alignment with Macaulay Honors College's values. In this exploration of the Macaulay Honors College essay prompts , we'll unravel the themes that shape the prompts for 2023, providing insights to inspire and guide your responses. Each prompt is a canvas for you to paint a vivid picture of your journey, aspirations, and unique contributions that will enrich the Macaulay Honors College community.

1. Reflect on a personal challenge: Share a significant challenge and its impact.

Example: Overcoming a language barrier ignited my passion for linguistics. Navigating a new culture and language pushed me to adapt, fostering resilience and a profound appreciation for diverse linguistic nuances. This experience not only shaped my worldview but also influenced my academic pursuits, fueling my desire to explore the intersection of language, culture, and identity.

2. Contribution to diversity: Discuss your background's impact on the Macaulay Honors College community.

Example: Growing up in a multicultural household, I celebrate diversity. My unique background has instilled in me a deep understanding of cultural intersections and the importance of fostering inclusivity. In my previous experiences, I've actively promoted cultural exchange, fostering a rich tapestry of perspectives. As a member of Macaulay Honors College, I aim to continue this commitment, contributing to a vibrant community that values and celebrates differences.

3. Academic and career aspirations: Articulate your goals and connect them with Macaulay Honors College's programs.

Example: Macaulay Honors College's research facilities align with my marine biology aspirations. My passion for marine conservation is deeply rooted in hands-on experiences, and Macaulay's state-of-the-art labs offer an ideal environment for my research pursuits. I envision collaborating with esteemed faculty and fellow students to address pressing environmental challenges. Macaulay's commitment to academic excellence aligns seamlessly with my ambition to contribute meaningfully to the field of marine biology and environmental conservation.

How to Write Macaulay Honors Essay

Crafting a successful Macaulay Honors essay involves a thoughtful approach that goes beyond mere words on paper. Aspiring applicants often wonder, "How to write a Macaulay Honors essay that stands out?" The answer lies in a strategic blend of introspection, storytelling, and alignment with the core values of Macaulay Honors College.We we'll delve into the nuances of how to write a Macaulay Honors essay , offering practical tips and insights to help you navigate this critical component of the application process. Your essay is not just a response to a prompt; it's a canvas to paint a vivid picture of your character, aspirations, and unique contributions. Let's explore the elements that make an essay impactful and effective in showcasing your individuality, leaving a lasting impression on the admissions committee:

• Understand the Prompt: Thoroughly comprehend the essay prompt to align your response effectively.
• Show, Don't Tell: Use vivid language and concrete examples to engage the reader.
• Authenticity and Reflection: Be genuine in sharing experiences, values, and aspirations.
• Connect with Macaulay's Values: Showcase how you'll contribute to the Macaulay community.
• Edit and Seek Feedback: Refine your essays through meticulous editing and seek input from mentors.

Macaulay Honors College Essay Examples

Exploring Macaulay Honors College essay examples provides invaluable inspiration and guidance for prospective applicants. Successful examples offer insights into effective storytelling, structure, and the alignment of personal narratives with Macaulay's values.

Here are ten essay topics examples:

• Overcoming Personal Challenges
• Contributions to Diversity
• Academic and Career Aspirations
• Impactful Community Service
• Passion for a Specific Field
• Leadership Experiences
• Research Initiatives
• Global Perspectives
• Innovation and Creativity
• Resilience in the Face of Adversity

These Macaulay Honors sample essays not only provide inspiration but also serve as benchmarks for crafting impactful essays that resonate with the admissions committee.

Crafting Macaulay Honors Essays: Insight from Examples

In conclusion, exploring Macaulay Honors College essay samples serves as an invaluable resource for prospective applicants. These examples provide more than a glimpse into successful narratives; they offer a compass guiding applicants through the intricate journey of crafting compelling essays. Each example unfolds a unique story, showcasing individuality, resilience, and a profound connection with the values of Macaulay Honors College.

Aspiring candidates can leverage these Macaulay Honors sample essays not as templates to replicate but as beacons illuminating effective storytelling, introspection, and alignment with the college's ethos. The significance of these examples lies in their ability to inspire creativity, encouraging applicants to articulate their personal challenges, contributions to diversity, and academic aspirations with authenticity.

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Macaulay Admissions

Admissions requirements.

William E. Macaulay Honors College's application is designed to reflect an applicant's academic record and preparation for the rigorous intellectual experience in this program. Admission depends on high school GPA (typically 90 or above), writing sample, letters of recommendation and an interview.  The admissions process considers the unique qualities each student brings to the program.   Leadership, curiosity and drive to make a difference in the world are the marks of a strong applicant.

All supporting documentation for the Honors College application, including the essay, recommendations and transcripts, must be postmarked by the deadline to be considered. The Honors College cannot consider late or incomplete applications. Please see a list of upcoming deadlines below:

Aisha Abdelmula , Macaulay Advisor [email protected]

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Dedicated Macaulay advisors help each student customize their choices of curriculum, internships, and study abroad to make the most of students' undergraduate careers. More information about the MHC@Hunter staff can be found here .

The Peer Mentoring program at Macaulay Hunter pairs incoming students with an academically distinguished sophmore, junior, or senior who will help ease the transition into college. More information about the mentoring program at Hunter can be found here .

*Students must meet CUNY NYS residency requirements for in-state tuition to receive the Macaulay tuition scholarship. Benefits are subject to the continued availability of funds.

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About the program.

The Macaulay Honors College (MHC) was founded in 2001 by former Chancellor Matthew Goldstein to attract exceptional students to the City University of New York. As a CUNY-wide program,  Macaulay Honors College  currently includes Honors Centers at eight of the senior colleges of CUNY as well as a central building on Manhattan’s upper west side.  

Students admitted to Macaulay have dual affiliation with the Honors College and their CUNY home campus. The MHC program at The City College of New York helps students achieve the highest levels of academic accomplishment, and fosters cross-campus community, career exploration, service, and leadership.  

Macaulay students at City College can expect the following benefits: 

Full-tuition scholarships for New York State residents* 

Access to Macaulay’s opportunities fund to pursue study abroad and other experiential learning research and interning experiences 

Enrollment in special interdisciplinary Honors seminars using NYC as resource and text 

A "cultural passport" providing entrance to New York City’s many cultural venues and museums, including concert, theater, and art venues 

Intensive mentoring and advisement from dedicated honors advisors and faculty 

First-day registration privileges 

Use of the Honors Lounge for study and social events 

Peer mentoring from experienced upper-level students in the program 

*The scholarship covers tuition (university Fees are covered out-of-pocket by the student). The amount of the scholarship is equal to tuition cost less any PELL, TAP, NYS HESC Scholarships, NYC Council Merit Scholarship, and other tuition-only scholarships received, if applicable. To receive the MHC scholarship, students must meet CUNY NYS residency requirements. For out-of-state students, c lick here for CUNY Tuition and Fees.

In order to be considered for the Macaulay Scholarship, you must complete the free application for  Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and a  NYS Tuition Assistance Program  (TAP) application. 

Eligibility 

The Macaulay Honors College program at City College admits only new first-year students. Admission is highly competitive. Students in any major may be accepted into Macaulay. Students accepted into both the Macaulay Honors College and the Sophie Davis School for Biomedical Education B.S./M.D. program (which requires a special application) cannot enroll in both programs and must select one.  

Admission 

Students must apply by special application, AVAILABLE ONLY ONLINE at  https://macaulay.cuny.edu/admissions/applying-to-macaulay/ .  Please check the Macaulay website for application deadlines which vary from year to year. Students applying to the Macaulay Honors College need not file a regular admission application to CUNY. This is an “all-purpose application” applying to The Macaulay Honors College, the Honors Program at City College, and the City College of New York application. 

Curricular and Extra-curricular Requirements  

All Macaulay Honors College students take four special interdisciplinary seminars focusing on NYC and fulfill additional liberal arts general education requirements in the City College Honors program (depending on their major). In the upper division (junior and senior years), students may take additional honors college sponsored courses and must complete a senior capstone project. Students also must complete at least one of the following—an interning, research, or study abroad experience. Macaulay is committed to community service and students are required to document a minimum of 30 hours of volunteer service before completing their four-year program. 

Retention Criteria 

To maintain good standing in the program, students are expected to achieve a minimum term G.P.A. of 3.3. for each of the first three semesters, and a minimum term G.P.A. of 3.5 for each ensuing semester until graduation.  

For additional details about the Macaulay Honors College, please visit:  https://macaulay.cuny.edu/   

Last Updated: 01/12/2023 14:13

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Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, macaulay honors college: how good is it.

Hey everyone! I'm considering applying to Macaulay Honors College and I was wondering if any of you know about its ranking? I'd appreciate any insights into the college, its reputation, and if you think it would be a good fit for someone interested in pursuing a STEM major.

Macaulay Honors College, which is part of the City University of New York (CUNY) system, is known for offering outstanding academic opportunities and resources to high-achieving students. While it may not have the same national prominence as some Ivy League institutions, the college has consistently received positive reviews for its rigorous curriculum, faculty, and supportive network of students and alumni.

In terms of STEM programs, Macaulay students are able to major in various subjects through the individual CUNY campuses. For instance, The City College of New York and Hunter College are particularly well regarded for their science and engineering programs.

Also, you will have access to a wealth of resources including research opportunities, internships, professional networks, and world-class facilities.

One of the significant advantages of Macaulay Honors College is its robust financial aid package, which provides full-tuition scholarships and access to the Opportunities Fund for pursuing internships, study abroad programs, and research. Additionally, Macaulay students benefit from smaller class sizes, dedicated advisors, and priority course registration as part of the honors experience.

It's essential to consider fit when choosing the right college for you. If you are seeking a smaller, close-knit community that offers personalized attention and access to city-wide resources and opportunities, Macaulay Honors College might be a great match for you. Keep in mind that the CUNY campuses also offer robust STEM programs and opportunities, so you can look into those to further assess if Macaulay would be the right choice for your academic interests.

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Macaulay Honors College at CUNY Undergraduate College Application Essays

These Macaulay Honors College at CUNY college application essays were written by students accepted at Macaulay Honors College at CUNY. All of our sample college essays include the question prompt and the year written. Please use these sample admission essays responsibly.

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College Application Essays accepted by Macaulay Honors College at CUNY

What do you know ben conner, macaulay honors college at cuny.

Pose an original question and answer it.

The traditional greetings of the hipsters in my area never really caught on with me. A “What’s popping?” or “Holla at yo’ boy?” coming out of my mouth would’ve screamed “trying too hard,” so I always...

Making Space for My Muse Anonymous

Dear roommate,

Don’t be afraid if you hear noises at night. It’s probably just my muse going out for a walk. I know, she’s really loud. But she never listens to me when I tell her to keep it down.

And she’ll be back in the morning, so please make...

Quadrilingual Anonymous

I am quadrilingual. Sure, it sounds fancy, but as a biracial child of two immigrants, being quadrilingual feels natural to me. English. My mother tongue. No explanation required. As an infant my mom would teach me words by holding up a ball and...

The Art of the One-Month Novel Anonymous

One Way Out of Gym, the mystery of a murdered gym teacher, is not a timeless classic. It’s a novel that spent zero weeks on The New York Times Bestseller List. There’s only one copy—I published it myself. Few care about Detective Charley or the...

Dare to be Weird Anonymous

Dare to be weird.

It’s a simple philosophy, really. Writing-wise, I’ve never been content with clichés, and I try to avoid sappy at all cost. I yearn to craft unique plots and make people see things in new ways—I dare to be weird. I was never able...

Coney Island and the American Dream Anonymous

“Look!” I exclaimed as I wildly waved my bucket and spade in the air, “Mom, look at the sandcastle I made!”

My mother let out an amused chuckle. “Interesting, but what else can you make?” she asked with a twinkle in her almond brown eyes.

Caught in the Middle Camila Sofia Gomez

It can be tricky pronouncing my name, Camila Sofia (Cah-me-lah / Soh-fi-ya) - Spanish accent and all. I’m a Latin American with bittersweet Colombian coffee from home running through my red, white, and blue veins. Identifying myself as a “Latin...

The Wilderness Zar Lib

Tossed into the wild, alone I was to fend for myself against the ravenous beasts. A rustling, no the clanking of Jenga bricks upon the floor, startled me. His imposing 4-foot figure stood before me as a sudden shadow flickered before my eyes. A...

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Why macaulay honors essay

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Lesley Hazleton, writer with an eye on fast cars and faith, dies at 78

After training as a psychologist, she became a political journalist in Israel, penned automotive columns in the U.S., and wrote about religion and spirituality.

Lesley Hazleton, a psychologist turned author who cast her perceptive gaze on politics, cars, religion and faith, writing about Israeli society, the transgressive thrills of breaking the speed limit and the lives of the Virgin Mary as well as the prophet Muhammad, died April 29 at her home, a houseboat on Lake Union in Seattle. She was 78.

A husky-voiced writer who drank grappa from a flask, smoked Philip Morris cigarettes without interruption, earned her pilot’s license and flew as many hours as her savings would allow, Ms. Hazleton charted an independent course to the very end of her life. Her death was announced in a goodbye email that she sent to friends on a time delay, revealing that she had terminal cancer in her bladder and kidneys and had decided to die on her own terms, using a lethal dose of medication permitted under the state’s Death With Dignity Act.

“I’ve been a pro-choice feminist for over six decades,” she wrote, “so it should come as no surprise that I’ll be exercising choice in this too.”

“Now that it’s imminent,” she added, “I’m experiencing an unexpected but wonderfully bearable lightness of being. Not a sad feeling of saying goodbye to life, but one of joy and amazement at how great it’s been. And of immense gratitude.”

Ms. Hazleton grew up in England but started her professional life in Israel, where she trained as a psychologist, taught at an experimental school and gradually immersed herself in journalism, becoming a stringer for Time magazine and a reporter for the Jerusalem Post.

In the 1970s, she covered the Yom Kippur War, crisscrossed the Sinai Peninsula (a friend, Huw Price, remembered how “she blagged lifts on Israeli gunboats down to Sharm el-Sheikh”) and drove a Citroën 2CV (“a tin can on wheels,” Price said) through the desert to the Golan Heights, learning only later that she had passed right over a mine field.

“The car,” she recalled , “was too light to set off the mines.”

Ms. Hazleton lived in Israel for 13 years before moving to New York City, “exhausted by too much tension, too much excitement, too much passion.” She went on to write for publications including Harper’s and the New York Times, where she contributed to the long-running column Hers, as well as the Detroit Free Press, where she had a regular automotive column extolling “the transcendent joys of the internal combustion engine.”

Her fascination with fast cars began one day in 1988, she wrote in “Confessions of a Fast Woman,” a 1992 essay collection, “when I drove at twice the speed limit. I was in a Porsche 911, and I’d never been in one before. It was a revelation. It was a seduction.”

At the time, she was a rare woman covering the automotive industry, one of only three women in the International Motor Press Association, by her account. Men on the racing circuit would make bawdy come-ons, pointing out what they considered phallic machinery under the hood (she found the car more uterine than penile), or would appear flummoxed by the fact that she, a woman, was covering cars at all.

“ ‘You write about what?’ they’d say. ‘Cars,’ I’d repeat. And then seeing no diminution in incomprehension, I’d resort to kindergarten level: ‘You know, vroom vroom.’”

As part of her research, Ms. Hazleton apprenticed with master mechanics in Vermont, worked on a Saturn assembly line in Tennessee, crunched broken-down jalopies at a junkyard in Texas and learned to drive around a track at more than 200 mph.

She filled her books and articles with historical references and allusions to ancient myth (the tale of Icarus, the honors Nazi Germany bestowed on automaker Henry Ford), examined the environmental toll of gas-powered cars and explored the liberating effect of driving, which she believed had a special meaning for women.

“While men take for granted the independence that cars bring, women do not. Our own car means freedom. It means control of our own lives. It means, in short, far more to us than it does to most men,” she wrote in her 1995 automotive book, “Everything Women Always Wanted to Know about Cars — But Didn’t Know Who to Ask.”

By her late 50s, Ms. Hazleton had shifted gears once again, becoming an “accidental theologist,” as she put it, while returning to questions of faith and spirituality that she had been asking for years, including as “a Jew who once seriously considered becoming a rabbi, a former convent schoolgirl who daydreamed about being a nun, an agnostic with a deep sense of religious mystery though no affinity for organized religion.”

Ms. Hazleton began blogging about religion and writing books such as “Mary” (2004), in which she mixed historical research and psychological speculation while attempting to offer a “flesh-and-blood” version of Mary, the mother of Jesus, reflecting Mary’s varied identities as “a peasant, a healer, a nationalist, a mother, a teacher, a leader.”

She later explored the life of another biblical figure in “Jezebel” (2006), a revisionist portrait of the Phoenician princess whose name came to symbolize decadence and promiscuity, and wrote about the history of Islam in “After the Prophet” (2009), a study of the faith’s Shia-Sunni rift, and “The First Muslim” (2013), about the prophet Muhammad and the transcendent moments he experienced on a mountain cave, receiving a revelation from the angel Gabriel.

Coming from a British American woman who was not Muslim, more than a decade after the 9/11 terrorist attacks led to a spike in Islamophobia, the book was met with suspicion by many Muslim readers as well as curiosity by nonbelievers.

“Bigots looking to confirm their prejudices will, by and large, find ‘The First Muslim’ a disappointment: Hazleton approaches her subject with scrupulous respect,” British novelist Hari Kunzru wrote in a review for the New York Times. He added that Ms. Hazleton told the story “with a sort of jaunty immediacy,” describing bardic contests as “the sixth-century equivalents of poetry slams” and referring to theological and literary ideas as “memes” with the potential to go “viral.”

The book was more a “popular biography” than a work of scholarship. But “it makes its subject vivid and immediate,” Kunzru wrote. “It deserves to find readers.”

The older of two children, Lesley Adele Hazleton was born in Reading, England, on Sept. 20, 1945. Her grandparents had emigrated from Latvia to Ireland, where her parents lived before coming to England. Her father was a general practitioner, her mother a homemaker.

Her brother, Ian, is her sole immediate survivor.

Ms. Hazleton attended a Catholic convent school, where she said she was ostracized as “the Hebrew girl” because of her Jewish upbringing, and studied psychology at what is now the University of Manchester, receiving a bachelor’s degree in 1966. She moved to Israel later that year and received a master’s degree in psychology from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in 1971.

With her first book, “Israeli Women: The Reality Behind the Myths” (1977), Ms. Hazleton offered a psychological portrait of the country’s women and their place in Israeli society. After immigrating to the United States, she returned to Israel for a second, much shorter stay that she chronicled in a memoir, “Jerusalem, Jerusalem” (1986).

Her other books included “The Right to Feel Bad: Coming to Terms with Normal Depression” (1984), inspired by her struggles with depression and her realization that the condition, “which made me feel horribly isolated,” was not uncommon. Her last published book, “Agnostic: A Spirited Manifesto” (2016), made the case for withholding judgment about existence’s murkiest questions, and making room for science as well as mystery.

“Real faith has no easy answers,” she declared at a TED Talk in 2013 . “It’s difficult, and stubborn. It involves an ongoing struggle, a continuing question of what we think we know, a wrestling with issues and ideas. It goes hand in hand with doubt, in a never-ending conversation with it, and sometimes in conscious defiance of it. And this conscious defiance is why I, as an agnostic, can still have faith” — including, she said, a faith in the possibility of lasting peace in the Middle East, even as she saw few immediate prospects for attaining it.

“Despair is self-fulfilling,” she added. “If we call something impossible, we act in such a way that we make it so. And I for one refuse to live that way.”

Macaulay Honors College

What are the benefits of attending macaulay.

August 12, 2021

There are many benefits for Macaulay Honors students. Macaulay Honors students are assigned Honors advisors who are your ​advocates and primary resources regarding academic issues, opportunities, programs, and supports the unique needs of high achieving students with academic issues, campus life, and professional goals. Macaulay students also take high-level and honors courses, this includes a set of four required seminar courses created just for them.