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Each year, a new crop of Drew first-year students will include a unique group of undergraduate scholars—the charter members of the university’s new Baldwin Honors Program.

Baldwin Scholars are exceptional students with strong academic records who seek a special opportunity for independent learning, engagement and research. The honors program meets this demand by offering a challenging set of courses augmented with exclusive co- and extracurricular activities. These include the sophomore fall honors off-campus overnight, a trip underscoring an academic topic or theme; receptions, dinners or master classes with elite VIP speakers, like recent campus visitors Madeleine Albright and Al Gore; and regular honors gatherings with the program director for topical conversations like sustainable energy, the economy and more.

Back in the classroom—and beyond—junior year focuses on a community initiative, identified and implemented on or off campus by the Baldwin Scholars themselves, which focuses on citizenship or social change, community education or an academic opportunity. The experience culminates in a capstone project during senior year.

The Baldwin Legacy

At Drew, the Baldwin family name is synonymous with excellence in education. It was brothers Arthur and Leonard Baldwin who in 1928 proposed and endowed the creation of a liberal arts college on the campus of the Drew Theological Seminary. They envisioned an institution of higher learning that would give young people the opportunity to transform their futures. Subsequent generations of Baldwins have nurtured and strengthened Drew, providing support for professorships, buildings and scholarship aid. They have helped to make it what it is today—one of the nation’s leading liberal arts colleges. Since the honors program represents the best of Drew, it is only fitting that it bears the Baldwin family name.

All this adds up to a challenging and rewarding experience for participants that enriches and enhances the academic culture at Drew.

The Curriculum

Above and beyond the regular challenges of an undergraduate education, the Baldwin Honors Program curriculum includes:

• First year: one-credit fall honors colloquium, spring honors seminar
• Sophomore year: fall or spring honors seminar
• Junior year: participation in the community initiative
• Senior year: completion of a capstone honors thesis or project
• One additional honors course: seminar, honors-across-the-curriculum course or tutorial

Selection Criteria

High school students applying to Drew whose records demonstrate academic purposefulness and talent, engagement and leadership and who have achieved a GPA of 3.7 or above will be eligible. The admissions committee will select students for the program based on their applications for admission. Candidates will be notified of their selection at the time of their admission to Drew. Baldwin Scholars will be expected to maintain a 3.5 GPA to remain in the program

Financial Aid

All students admitted to the program from high school will receive a substantial, four-year merit award and an upgrade to their Drew laptop computer at no extra charge, in addition to need-based aid.

Learn More

To learn even more about Baldwin Honors, take a look at the program's page which provides links to the program and admission requirements, honors courses, and more!