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CUNY Frequently Asked Questions

1. How many CUNY 4-yr colleges can I apply to in one application?
   • Four
2. Do I have to pay for the CUNY application?
   • CUNY (and SUNY) offer fee waivers for CUNY community college students who are applying for admission while still enrolled. Otherwise, contact any college to enquire
3. Are there CUNY programs that have a different deadline?
   • There are a limited number of colleges/programs that have separate deadlines. See here for details.
4. Do I need to re-submit high school transcripts, college transcripts, and diplomas?
   • In general, no.
5. What supporting materials do I need to submit? Essays? Letters of recommendation?
   • CUNY colleges do NOT require essays or letters of recommendation for general transfer admission. Students are encouraged to send essays or letters of recommendation if they think this material could help their application. For instance, if a student has a lower GPA, a student can write a short essay explaining extenuating circumstances, if there are courses where the student has excelled, or if there is a pattern of improving grades over time.
6. Are there special programs that require me to submit supporting materials with my application?
   • Carefully review the college’s website for programs that require additional materials. For instance, Hunter College specifies the programs that require supporting material on its website here.
7. What GPA do I need to be accepted to a CUNY 4-yr college?
   • It depends on the college and program (see more below), and it can also depend on if you earn an Associate’s degree or if you’re applying without graduating. If you graduate from LaGuardia, which requires at least a 2.0 GPA, you will gain acceptance to one or more CUNY 4-yr colleges, but you may not meet the qualifications to declare the major of your choice. If you have not graduated, you may find it more difficult to gain acceptance to a 4-yr CUNY college with a GPA in the low 2s.
   • Within CUNY, if you apply for transfer before earning 24 credits, your high school transcript may be considered as part of your review
   • Here is unofficial information on GPA requirements for colleges. This information was provided by admissions reps from each school.
     • City College: 2.5 GPA required (24 credits needed)
     • Baruch: 2.7 GPA required
     • Lehman: 2.3 GPA required (or 2.0 if completing an AA degree)
     • Hunter: 2.9 GPA required
     • City Tech: 2.5 GPA required
     • CSI, York, Medgar: 2.0 GPA required
8. Can I be accepted to a college but not accepted into the program (major) I’m interested in?
   • Yes, this can be very common for students applying for Health/Clinical Health programs, Social Work, Science/Technology/Engineering & Math, Business, and programs in the Arts. You may gain general acceptance to the college but have undeclared status until you meet the qualifications for a major of interest. This means you may have to take certain courses and/or attain a certain GPA before you can officially join a major. Review the college’s website to see requirements to declare a major. This can usually be found on the page for a particular major, or in the college’s bulletin/catalogue.
9. How can I find out the entry requirements for a specific major I’m interested in?
   • It can take some digging, but you can usually find it on the college’s website. Sometimes you will be able to find it on the page for a particular program, or sometimes in the college’s catalogue. You can also contact the college – try their Admissions office or the Academic Department.
10. What if I have a 2.0 GPA, or a GPA in the low 2s?
    • See Question 6. If you have a GPA close to 2.0, you will find acceptance at least one 4-year CUNY college, although it may not be the college of your choice or the program of your choice.
11. Is it better to transfer before completing my LaGuardia degree?
    • It depends. Factors include the specific program you’re interested in and your GPA, among others. When it comes to GPA, you may find it hard to be accepted to a CUNY 4-year college if you have a low GPA, while if you graduate from LaGuardia, even if your GPA is 2.0, you will be accepted somewhere.
12. What happens if I am rejected from the college or colleges I apply to?
    • You are allowed to appeal the decision. Make sure you have a good reason for appealing – you think the college may have missed important information, or your transcripts are complicated and you need to explain something about a grade or your overall GPA. If you are rejected from all CUNY colleges you apply to, contact the CUNY Office of Admissions as it may be possible to find an option within CUNY.