Honors College
The Honors College is a community of scholars who seek a more engaging academic experience to challenge and develop themselves.
As an Honors College student, you’ll enjoy small honors-only classes, honors housing and priority course registration, as well as weekly academic, cultural and social events. You’ll also be supported by faculty members, honors academic advisors, an honors librarian and honors peer mentors.
All high school seniors who apply for admission to the University at Albany are automatically considered for the Honors College. Eligible transfer students are invited to apply.
Please visit the Honors College website for more information.
Pillars Program
The Pillars Program is a new initiative for exceptional high school students. The name of the program ties into our campus architecture (we have 1,248 pillars on the Academic Podium) but also symbolizes the support you’ll receive as a highly motivated Great Dane.
The four pillars of the program are:
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Early entrance into a Living-Learning Community
Students in the Pillars Program can enroll in a Living-Learning Community (L-LC) before sign-ups open for the rest of the incoming first-year class on May 1.
As an L-LC resident, you’ll live with other incoming first-year students who share your interests or intended major.
Choose from 17 on-campus communities, where you’ll build friendships and a strong support system. Each L-LC houses 18 to 40 students, who take one to two classes together.
Engagement micro-grant
Current students who are involved in their L-LC have the opportunity to earn up to a $250 micro-grant by meeting the following requirements:
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enroll in classes linked to your L-LC
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attend Orientation events before classes start
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attend at least five weekly L-LC meetings, events and/or programs
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participate in community service
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participate in one cluster event with related L-LCs and one All World event, which involves all 16 L-LCs
Students must apply for their micro-grant through the Office of Financial Aid at the end of their first year. Funds are only available to enrolled students and can be used for any of the following:
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an undergraduate research project
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travel related to professional development
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an internship or community service experience
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study abroad
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graduate school prep classes, tests or applications
Gold Pass
UAlbany offers more than 300 student organizations, 18 Division I athletic teams and numerous campus traditions.
With the Gold Pass, you’ll be invited or given special access (such as reserved seating) to popular campus events.
Early Advisement Information Session
Meet with academic advisors before your formal course registration process to learn more about:
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the schedule of classes
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course enrollment software
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General Education program requirements
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majors/minors at UAlbany
First-year students who have been invited to apply for Fall 2023 should submit their application by March 26, 2023.
Please also indicate your first and second Living-Learning Community choices on your application. You’ll be notified of your placement by early March.
For more information about the Pillars Program, please contact Associate Director of Undergraduate Admissions Beth Conrad at [email protected].
Leadership and Service-Learning Academy
The Leadership and Service-Learning Academy develops outstanding leaders who understand the imperatives of diversity and self-awareness, who design collaborative relationships to strengthen their communities and who lead with confidence as agents of positive social change.
This one-year program is hosted by UAlbany’s Center for Leadership & Service and aims to broaden first-year students’ leadership skills through community engagement.
First-year students who have been invited to apply for Fall 2023 should submit their application by April 30, 2023.
For more information about the Leadership and Service-Learning Academy, please contact Admissions Counselor Garrett Manning at [email protected].
