Admissions
The Office of Admissions is located in the Wille Administration Building, A-101, 160 Convent Avenue (at 138th Street), New York, NY 10031.
Procedures for admission to City College as a freshman or as a transfer student from another college with advanced standing often differ from one program to another; students are therefore encouraged to visit or call the Office of Admissions at 212-650-6977 with any questions. Admissions information can also be obtained at www.ccny.cuny.edu/admissions.
Campus Visits
The Office of Admissions offers many opportunities for prospective students to visit our campus. We provide group and individual tours, information sessions, as well as self-guided tours (virtual tours are also available). The Office of Admissions hosts an annual Undergraduate Open House each fall. Information on how to access these services is available on our web site. Please refer to https://www.ccny.cuny.edu/admissions/campus-tours for more information.
Degree and Non-Degree Admission
Students are classified into two groups. Degree students (freshmen and transfers) are those who have been accepted into a specific college program leading to a degree. Non-degree students may enroll in credit courses but are not officially registered in a degree program. Non-degree students must meet all prerequisites for the courses in which they wish to enroll. A limited number of credits earned by such students may later be transferred to a degree program.
Freshman Admission
Applicants who have not attended a college, university and/or proprietary school since graduating high school are considered freshmen. Freshman admission is based on a student’s overall high school academic average, grades in individual subjects, distribution of academic courses, and standardized test scores, if provided. (The College recommends four years of English, four years of social studies, four years of mathematics, three years of laboratory science, three or four years of a foreign language, and one year of performing or visual arts as the academic preparation needed for success at City College. Students with state-approved equivalency diplomas may also apply. International applicants from non-English speaking countries are required to submit a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score; the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score; or Pearson (PTE) score. NOTE: The college has implemented a test-optional admission policy effective through Spring 2025.
CUNY Skills Requirements
All students are required to meet City University’s skills proficiency requirements in reading, writing and mathematics. Contact the Office of Admissions for detailed information.
Applying for Freshman Admission
Applicants for freshman admission can apply online at www.cuny.edu/admissions. Priority is given to applications completed before February 1 (for fall admission) and September 15 (for spring admission). The application deadline for students applying to the Macaulay Honors College is November 16th.
Selective programs such as Macaulay Honors College, Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education/CUNY Medical School, Grove School of Engineering, and Bernard and Anne Spitzer School of Architecture have earlier deadlines and/or special application requirements; please contact the Office of Admissions for more information.
CONTACT THE CUNY HELP DESK
For admission-related questions, including those regarding the status of your admission application, contact the appropriate Help Desk.
Help Desk for General Freshman and Transfer Admission:
admissions@cuny.edu
212-997-CUNY(2869)
Macaulay Honors Help Desk: macaulayhelpdesk@cuny.edu
Help Desk for Veterans: vetwaiver@cuny.edu
SEEK Counseling and Student Support Services/The Percy Ellis Sutton SEEK Program
The Percy Ellis Sutton Search for Education, Elevation and Knowledge (SEEK) program is for New York State residents who are in need of both academic and financial assistance in order to obtain a college education. SEEK students may be eligible to receive up to five years of state-funded tuition assistance and a stipend to help cover the cost of books and college fees. They also receive intensive counseling and academic support.
A student wishing to apply to the SEEK program should file the CUNY freshman application and indicate interest in SEEK and College Discovery. City College should be listed on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). For more information about SEEK, refer to the section in this Bulletin describing the Department of SEEK Counseling and Student Support Services.
Macaulay Honors College/CCNY Honors Programs
Entering freshmen may apply to honors-level programs at the College, including the City College Honors Program and the Macaulay Honors College.
These programs are academically rigorous. For application and deadline information, contact the Office of Admissions (212-650-6977).
Advanced Placement
Students who enrolled in an advanced placement program while in high school may be excused from certain courses or may receive credit based on advanced placement examination results. The College will award course credit for scores of 3, 4 or 5. Students who have taken the advanced placement examinations should use the code 2083 when requesting to have their score reports sent to City College.
Advanced placement credits may also be awarded for test scores for International Baccalaureate (IB) and Cambridge A-Levels, and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE). You must submit official scores to the Office of Admissions.
Credit for military service and training may be obtained by submitting your Joint Services transcript through the JST System on-line, using your military branch credentials.
College Courses Taken in High School
High school students who have taken college level courses must provide the college/university transcript to the Office of Admissions in order to have the courses evaluated for credit (courses taken as part of CUNY’s College Now program do not require a transcript to be sent).
Transfer Admission
Applicants who have attended any college, university and/or proprietary school since graduating high school are considered transfers. Transfer admission is based on a student’s overall grade point average (G. P. A.), including courses taken at all institutions attended since graduating high school. A high school transcript is required of all those with fewer than 24 post-high school college credits earned at the time of application (and is recommended for those with 24 or more post-high school credits). All students must meet CUNY’s minimum skills requirements (see above). Admission criteria is subject to change. The priority application deadline for the fall semester is February 1 and for the spring semester September 15.
Bernard and Anne Spitzer School of Architecture
The Bernard and Anne Spitzer School of Architecture admits a limited number of freshmen and transfers students each fall semester. Admission to Architecture is highly selective and is based on a student’s overall academic record and the supplemental Creative Challenge test (available on the City College Office of Admissions website (www.ccny.cuny.edu/admissions).
Grove School of Engineering
Freshman admission to the Grove School of Engineering is based on the high school record and standardized test scores. Freshmen are expected to have achieved overall excellence in high school and to be at the calculus-level in mathematics Transfer admission to the Grove School of Engineering requires a G. P. A. of at least 2.7 and two semesters of calculus (equivalent to Calculus 1 and Calculus 2 at City College) and one semester of physics (equivalent to Physics-PHYS 207 at City College), all with a grade of "C" or higher and a minimum of 24 college credits. All applicants must demonstrate proficiency in math and science. All requirements must have been completed by the time of application.
International Students
Applicants whose schooling has been outside the United States should file the appropriate CUNY transfer or freshman application. Links to the applications are available at www.ccny.cuny.edu/admissions In addition, students who are on temporary visas and whose native language is not English will be required to submit results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL); the International English Language Testing System (IELTS); or Pearson (PTE).. International freshman applicants should also submit SAT or ACT results. See the CUNY admissions website for more information about submitting scores.
International students are encouraged to apply at least eight months prior to the semester the applicant wishes to enter. Each student’s application is individually evaluated. In addition, new regulations imposed by the United States Department of Homeland Security may cause delays in receiving the F-1 student visa. It is possible that it may take longer than eight months to be admitted and enrolled at City College. In most cases, international students are not eligible for financial aid.
Re-entry to City College
Students who have not attended City College for one or more semesters (exclusive of Summer Semester) must file an application for re-entry with the Admissions Office at least one month prior to the beginning of the semester for which readmission is sought. Applications for re-entry are available on the college’s web site at www.ccny.cuny.edu/admissions or at the Admissions Office.
Re-entry decisions are based on the student’s academic record at City College. The College seeks to re-enter only those students who can demonstrate the ability to remain in good academic standing and complete degree requirements within a reasonable period of time. If the applicant’s grade point average is below 2.0, approval may also be required from the Office of Academic Standards. Re-entry students who have attended another college since leaving City College must submit official transcripts from these institutions at the time of re-entry.
Non-Degree Admission
Non-Degree Status
Students who do not hold a bachelor’s degree must be high school graduates or hold a General Educational Development (GED) or TASC diploma with a minimum score of 3250, and should submit transcripts of any prior college work. All non-degree students (post-baccalaureate, visiting, non-degree) are limited to a maximum of 24 credits. Departmental approval is needed to register for courses in English, mathematics, science and English as a Second Language. Non-degree students are not allowed to register for courses in the Grove School of Engineering or the Spitzer School of Architecture. Non-degree students must be proficient in English and Mathematics.
Non-degree and post-baccalaureate students are not eligible for financial aid and must pay tuition and fees.
Non-degree students must meet all prerequisites for the courses in which they wish to enroll. City College degree students have first priority for registration. Non-degree students register for classes on a space available basis.
Post-Baccalaureate Status
Students who already hold a bachelor’s degree and wish to enroll in undergraduate courses for personal or professional enrichment, without pursuing a degree, may be eligible for post-baccalaureate admission. Students must meet course prerequisites as determined by the department and are admitted on a space available basis.
Senior Citizens
New York State residents who are 60 or older may enroll tuition-free in undergraduate courses on a space-available basis, provided they do so on an audit basis. An $80 per semester fee is required of senior citizens who are auditing courses. Those who wish to enroll for credit may do so on the same basis as other degree-credit students. Senior citizens who wish to take courses for credit must file a regular application and meet the general admission requirements. For information regarding course offerings or application procedures, contact the Office of Admissions.
Visitors from Other CUNY Colleges or Universities
From Within The City University of New York
Students currently enrolled at another CUNY college must file an E-Permit with their home college. Check the website of the home college for E-Permit application and procedures.
From Outside The City University of New York
Students who are currently enrolled in schools outside CUNY must provide the Office of Admissions with a copy their transcript from their home school, together with a completed non-degree application. There is a non-refundable application fee of $65. An on-line applications is available at www.ccny.cuny/admissions.
Visitors from other colleges may not take courses in the Grove School of Engineering or the Spitzer School of Architecture. The Department of Mathematics may request that students take an examination to verify placement into specific courses.
Note: Non-degree students attending City College are not eligible to take courses on permit at another CUNY college.
Integrity of Documents
All documents submitted to City University and City College in support of an application for admission or transfer credit evaluation become the possession of City University and City College and will not be returned to the applicant.
For information about the CUNY policy on Admissions Application Fraud see the CUNY Manual of General Policy ARTICLE VII STUDENT AFFAIRS AND SPECIAL PROGRAMS > Policy 7.01 Admission Application Fraud (http://policy.cuny.edu/manual_of_general_policy/article_vii/policy_7.01/text)
All information requested on an application must be answered fully and correctly. Omission of colleges, universities and/or proprietary schools attended or falsification of information will constitute grounds for permanently rescinding an offer of admission, disciplinary action and/or dismissal.
Health Statement and Immunization Requirement
New York State Public Health Law 2165 requires proof of immunity to measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) as a condition for attendance. The College reserves the right to prevent the registration of any applicant who fails to provide a record of immunization or who otherwise provides a health risk to the College community. It is University policy that all students who register for six or more credits/equivalent credits and were born after December 31, 1956 must provide proof of their immunity to measles, mumps and rubella. Students may fax their immunization records and the forms to 212-650-8227.
New York State passed Public Health Law (PHL) 2167, addressing meningococcal meningitis. In compliance with PHL 2167, all New York State students, regardless of how many credits they take in college, must fill out a Meningococcal Meningitis Response form within 30 days of registration or at the same time they send in their MMR compliance document.
Students may download forms at http://origin.admin.ccny.cuny.edu/student_affairs/wellness/default.asp. If submitting the forms by fax, be sure to include the name, social security number (or assigned City College identification number) and birth date. Applicants are advised to confirm the receipt of the fax by calling 212-650-8222.
CUNY Policy on Admission of Students Who May Pose a Risk to the College
The college reserves the right to deny admission to any student if in its judgment, the presence of that student on campus poses an undue risk to the safety or security of the college or the college community. That judgment will be based on an individualized determination taking into account any information the college has about the crime committed by the student and the particular circumstances of the college, including the presence of a child care center, summer camp, public school or public school students on the campus. In addition, the college may consider factors such as the amount of time since the crime was committed, the amount of jail time served by the student, the number of years the student was on probation or parole, whether the student has satisfied probation or parole requirements at the time of the student's application, whether the student has completed drug, alcohol, sex offender or other treatment, and what work or educational experience the student has had after the conviction. Finally, if the student is known to have been assisted by CUNY-sponsored or other re-entry program or initiative, the college will consult with a counselor or representative from said program.