General Application Questions
Letter of Recommendation
Areas of Concentration
Faculty Mentors
Transfer Credits
The Home College
Tuition and Fees
As a CUNY BA Student/Earning the Degree
Am I required to attend an Informational Session?
Information Sessions are not required, but are highly recommended.
Do I have to finish my associate’s degree before I apply to CUNY BA?
No, you do not.
The CUNY four year colleges will often encourage students to earn their associate degree if they are attending a CUNY community college as there are many benefits (lower tuition, guaranteed transfer credits with the AA or AS degree and sometimes preferred admission over non-graduates). The decision to admit community college graduates over non-graduates typically only takes place when there is limited space at the college. Graduation is NOT mandatory for transfer.
Note that the the guarantee of transfer credits from the community college to the senior college for students who earn the AA or AS degree is a moot point where CUNY BA is concerned; CUNY BA will directly accept up to 68 credits from the community college, with or without the AA or AS degree attained.
If you wish to transfer from a CUNY community college to a CUNY senior college before you earn an associate degree, the best advice is to apply early.
I’m a first-semester freshman; can I apply?
Yes, as long as you will have 12 credits completed by the end of the semester.
Do I have to know what I want to major in to apply?
Yes, applicants need to have a good idea of what their individualized study will include, and support their proposed area(s) of concentration with a statement of how it satisfies their academic (and professional) needs. Students cannot apply as “Undeclared” or with very general area of concentration plans such as “Liberal Arts,” “Pre-Med,” or “Pre-Law.”
Do I need to have a faculty mentor in order to apply?
No, you do not.
Do I have to wait to hear if I am admitted to a CUNY college before I submit my CUNY Baccalaureate application?
No, you can submit your application while waiting to hear about your acceptance to a CUNY college.
How will I know if I’ve been exempted from the CUNY entrance exams? Do I have to wait until I have this information to apply?
You do not need to wait to either take these tests or for proof of exemption in order to submit your application to CUNY BA. If we are unable to confirm your status, we will contact you and request you submit proof of passing or exemption from your college’s the testing office.
Do I have to have completed all of the program’s core distribution courses before I apply?
No.
What’s the deadline to apply?
CUNY BA applications are accepted year-round. We encouraged you to apply as far in advance of the semester you want to start in as possible.
If you are not enrolled in a CUNY college, you must also apply to the University, by February 1 for fall admissions and September 15 for spring admissions; applications to CUNY after those dates are processed on a space-available basis.
Do I need to have a specific career in mind in order to apply?
No. While many applicants do have an idea of what kind of work they would like to do after graduation, and as many as 80% of our alumni report that they are working in fields related to their areas of concentration, you do not need to have a specific career path in mind in order to apply to CUNY BA.
What majors does CUNY Baccalaureate offer?
The program does not offer a specific set of majors. Students design their own majors (called “areas of concentration”) in consultation with CUNY faculty mentors. There are a few limited majors that require New York State certification (such as Nursing) that students cannot complete in CUNY BA; otherwise, a student’s area of concentration is created by his or her interests, the mentor’s guidance, and course availability. Areas do not have to be structured similarly to departmental majors at the colleges.
I am interested in a field that requires certification. Can I still be in CUNY BA?
CUNY BA cannot assist students seeking certification in Nursing, Architecture or Engineering. For other fields where State or organizational certification is required (i.e., Accounting, Dietetics, etc.), students have been able to complete the requirements for various certifications within the CUNY BA degree structure. CUNY BA does not, however, offer advising on certification requirements; students must obtain that information on their own.
I only have a vague notion of what I want to study. Do you have an academic or career advisor I can consult?
You can run your general ideas by our Recruiter or Admissions Coordinator, but our small staff cannot offer expansive knowledge of every field. Don’t worry if you’re feeling a bit unsure at first. Take the time you need to research your interests and develop your proposed concentration. Conduct research online about your interests, talk to people already working in the same or similar fields, and read about people doing the kind of work you’d like to do – familiarize yourself with their academic and career paths. Already in a college? Talk to faculty, and use the college’s career development office. If you find a degree similar to what you want offered at another university, read the description and requirements. Familiarize yourself with courses related graduate programs require for admission. Identify and join related professional organizations.
The application says a 2.50 GPA is required. Mine is 2.22, but I have an idea for a specialized major. Can I still apply?
Yes, students with GPAs below 2.50 can apply. CUNY BA considers every application individually and holistically; that is, we pay careful attention to your most recent grades, grades in courses that seem related to your proposed concentration, your personal statement, your area of concentration outline, and your letter of recommendation. In cases where these indicators are strong but the overall GPA is not, candidates still have a good chance of being accepted, although CUNY BA may wait until any courses in progress are graded before a decision is made OR may ask you to complete 6-12 additional credits for further consideration.
Students who have concerns about their GPAs may wish to address the reasons for their averages in their personal statements, and/or may wish to provide a second letter of recommendation.
I have more than 90 credits. Does it still make sense for me to apply, and how will you choose which credits to accept?
Applicants to CUNY BA often have more than 90 credits; it makes sense to pursue this degree route if it will lead to the specialized degree you want to earn. CUNY BA generally transfers in the highest grades, those courses that may be related to your area(s) of concentration, and of course classes that fulfill our general education (core distribution) requirement.
I already have a bachelor’s degree; can I apply to CUNY BA for a second degree?
Yes. Applicants seeking second degrees should read the guidelines at: http://
cunyba.gc.cuny.edu/second-degree-candidates/
How will my GPA be calculated? Does it change if I’m accepted into the program?
In assessing your readiness for this individualized degree route, the program will review all of your grades from all of your colleges and compute an overall GPA. Once in the program, your GPA will reflect CUNY grades only.
Does CUNY BA offer only the Bachelor of Arts degree? What if I want a Bachelor of Science degree?
CUNY BA offers both the B.A. and the B.S. (CUNY BA is short for CUNY Baccalaureate)
Is there an application fee for this program?
There is no fee to apply. All transfer applicants to CUNY, however, must pay a fee to file a City University of New York transfer application.
I’m nervous about asking a professor for a letter of recommendation. What should I do?
First, realize that faculty members get requests for recommendations all the time. Second, think of a faculty member who you found to be accessible in the classroom: Did he/she welcome student feedback? Make him/herself available during office hours? That kind of professor is likely to welcome your request. The faculty member you ask should be someone who knows who you are, is familiar with your academic work, and can comment on your ability to participate successfully in an individualized degree program.
Can my letter of recommendation be from an adjunct or community college professor? Can it be from a professor from another university? Does it have to be from a professor in the same field that I want to study?
Your letter of recommendation can be from a full-time or part-time faculty member, from CUNY or a different university, from a four-year or two-year college, and the faculty member can be teaching in any field.
Can I provide more than one letter of recommendation?
Only one is required, but yes, you may submit more than one letter.
Where can I find a list of CUNY courses so that I can prepare my area of concentration outline?
Go to http://tipps.cuny.edu/. At this link, click on the first tab: “College Courses.” You’ll be able to search by college, then by department: within each department, you can view multiple course descriptions at a time.
Will my area of concentration outline be my actual plan in the program?
The outline you provide on your application is considered a first draft. Once you are admitted and working with a faculty mentor, you will submit a refined, official area of concentration form, which, when approved by the Academic Director, becomes your academic plan.
I want to be Pre-Med (or Pre-Law, Pre-Dental, Pre-Pharmacy, etc.). Can that be my area of concentration?
CUNY Baccalaureate exists to allow students to design, with faculty mentors, their own individualized areas of concentration (like majors). The academic goal of a self-designed concentration is in-depth study of a particular knowledge base, which relies on encountering and integrating increasingly complex ideas. The courses considered necessary preparation for admission to medical school, dental school, pharmacy school, etc., are typically general science and math courses, covering introductory biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics. As such, a CUNY BA area of concentration cannot be constructed solely of these professional school prerequisites. Students who want to enter CUNY BA must propose and pursue a unique, in-depth area of concentration; they can take the necessary medical school, dental school, etc. courses as electives.
As for Pre-Law students, the best preparation for law school admission is typically completing a liberal arts-based area of concentration, i.e., connected to philosophy, English, history, etc.
I’ve already taken some courses in my area. What portion of my area of concentration credits can I transfer in?
Specific courses for your area will be determined by you and your faculty mentor; no more than half of the courses you have already completed will be counted toward your area of concentration.
Do I need to have a faculty mentor in order to apply?
No, you do not.
Is there a deadline for finding my mentor?
Yes. Students are asked to choose a mentor and submit a completed AOC form to the program office by the end of their first semester in CUNY BA.
How will I find a faculty mentor?
Finding a mentor is a topic that will be covered at Orientation, but before that, you can go to this link for guidance: http://cunyba.gc.cuny.edu/mentor-prospectives/
Does my faculty mentor have to be from my home college?
No, although having your mentor at the college where you plan to take most of your area of concentration courses is usually the most practical.
I have college credits that are quite old. What is the time limit for transfer of credits?
There is no time limit for the transfer of previous college credits.
What portion of my Liberal Arts & Sciences distribution credits can I transfer into the program?
It is possible to enter CUNY BA with all your distribution credits already completed.
I’m already in CUNY, and my home college has evaluated and transferred in my credits from other schools. Do I have to provide transcripts from those other colleges to CUNY BA?
Yes. CUNY BA does its own evaluation and transfers courses in differently than the home colleges do.
My college will not issue me an official transcript to include with my application. What should I do?
CUNY BA will accept college-sealed student copies, and will treat them as official.
I have credits from outside the United States. What should I do?
CUNY BA cannot evaluate foreign credits. Those credits can only be accepted if they are either transcribed by CUNY or by WES (see www.wes.org – a “course by course” evaluation is needed).
When will I know what my transfer evaluation is?
Students know their transfer evaluation and their remaining degree requirements on “day one,” when they come for their admissions interview with their assigned CUNY BA Academic Advisor. Each student then signs an individualized “Degree Contract,” which reflects the transfer evaluation and gives the guidelines for the remaining degree requirements.
Can I apply for Life Experience credits during the admissions process?
Life Experience credits are handled only after your admission. Once you are enrolled in CUNY BA, you can attend a workshop presented by the program’s Academic Director (you will sign up for the session online). At that time, information will be handed out about the procedures involved.
Does it matter which CUNY college I enroll in to get accepted to CUNY BA?
Students entering from a community college must become matriculated in a senior college when they have completed 68 total credits (that includes any senior college credits). Individual arrangements may be made for students who want to complete their Associate’s degree while in CUNY Baccalaureate. Otherwise, the choice of home college is up to you.
Can I be enrolled at a CUNY community college and be in CUNY BA?
Yes, until you reach 68 total credits (drawn from any combination of colleges); then you must transfer to a CUNY senior college. Individual arrangements may be made for students who want to complete their Associate’s degree while in the program.
I am/was a community college student. What do I need to know in order to transfer to a CUNY senior college?
If you have graduated from a CUNY community college and would like to apply to a CUNY four-year college, you must complete the online CUNY Transfer Admission Application. Admission to a CUNY four-year college is guaranteed, although not necessarily to your first choice college, if you meet the following conditions: 1) you earned an AA, AS or AAS degree with an overall 2.0 GPA or higher and 2) you completed at least one college-level course in mathematics and English with a grade of “C” or better.
If you did not graduate with a degree from the CUNY community college, you may still apply for transfer and will be allocated on a space-available basis. Transfer applicants to the CUNY senior four-year colleges must have completed at least one college-level course in mathematics and English with a grade of “C” or better. If you have not taken a math course, you should do so prior to transferring, and aim for a grade of “C” or better; you will also be considered for transfer to a senior college if you demonstrate proficiency in mathematics via an exemption (SAT/ACT or New York State Regents scores and coursework or COMPASS test score).
I am on enrolled in a CUNY college but not taking classes this semester; is there anything I need to know or do?
Some colleges cancel your matriculation status when you are not registered for classes. If you are sitting the semester out and intend to return, contact your college’s admissions office to confirm your status; you may need to file a re-application. That process generally involves a one-page form and a nominal fee.
I previously attended a CUNY college but am no longer matriculated there. What should I do?
Contact that college’s admissions office directly; in most cases you will not need to file an online CUNY transfer application, you will simply be re-admitted. That process generally involves a one-page form and a nominal fee.
How will my home college know I am in CUNY BA?
Our Registrar communicates that to your home college.
Will my degree be from my home college?
No. Your degree will be awarded by The City University of New York, under the auspices of The CUNY Graduate School and University Center. You will receive alumni privileges at your home college, and you will also be able to participate in your home college’s graduation ceremony.
Is there an application fee for this program?
There is no fee to apply. All transfer applicants to CUNY, however, must pay a fee to file a City University of New York transfer application.
Do I pay a different tuition rate if I am a CUNY BA student?
No, you pay tuition (at your home college) at the same rate as you would if you were not enrolled in this program.
If I’m a community college student and want to take courses at a senior college, who do I pay? Also, if I want to take graduate-level courses will the tuition be the same?
You always pay for your credits at your home college, whether it is a community college or a senior college, at the tuition rate of that college. There is no additional tuition payment to take graduate level courses.
Does CUNY BA offer scholarships? What about financial aid?
CUNY BA does offer scholarships (see http://cunyba.gc.cuny.edu/scholarships/), but does not offer financial aid. Students apply for financial aid separately and receive it from their home colleges.
As a CUNY BA Student/Earning the Degree
Will I be required to take courses from more than one CUNY college?
No, you are not required, but taking courses from multiple CUNY colleges is an advantage of CUNY BA.
How do I get to take CUNY courses outside my home college?
You will apply for those courses using the epermit system and identifying yourself as a student in “CUNY BA: Unique & Interdisc.” The epermit will be approved by CUNY BA and you will receive a registration date, based on your class status (i.e., upper junior, lower senior) from the visiting college. Full instructions can be found here: http://cunyba.gc.cuny.edu/epermit/
If I take graduate level courses toward my undergraduate degree, may I apply them later to a graduate degree?
Courses applied to your bachelor’s degree cannot also be applied to a graduate program.
How long will it take me to finish my degree?
That depends on a number of things: how many credits are transferred in, whether you go to college full-time or part-time, whether you take winter session or summer session courses. On average, students transfer in with 60-66, and on average, CUNY BA students graduate in 4 semesters. Keep in mind that this flexible degree allows you to earn credit-by-exam and credit for life experience; moreover, the flexible degree structure is such that if a course you need at one college is filled, you may be able to find a suitable substitute for it at another college or complete it as an independent study, thus expediting your degree progress.
What is the difference between graduating from CUNY BA and graduating from one of the CUNY colleges?
Both the colleges and CUNY BA confer baccalaureate degrees, so there is no difference there; your degree from CUNY BA, however, will signify to graduate schools and employers your high degree of creativity, independence, and your ability to work with faculty members.
Is CUNY BA a recognized degree?
Yes, the degree is fully accredited under the auspices of the CUNY Graduate School and University Center.
What will my degree say?
Your diploma will say “The City University of New York,” “Bachelor of Arts” or “Bachelor of Science,” your (official) name as you would like it to appear, and any graduation honors (e.g., Summa cum Laude).
Your area of concentration title(s), your home college, and the name(s) of your mentor(s) will appear on your CUNY BA transcript.
If I have two areas of concentration, can I receive both a B.A. and a B.S.?
No, students earn either the B.A. or the B.S.
What is the difference between getting a B.A. and a B.S.?
There really is little difference. The designations are set by the NYS Board of Higher Education; specifically, students who earn 90 or more liberal arts credits toward their degree graduate with a “Bachelor of Arts,” and students who earn below 90 earn the “Bachelor of Science.”
Can I go to my home college’s graduation ceremony?
Yes, graduating students are invited to both their home college commencement and the CUNY BA commencement.
