How Do I Apply to CUNY?
Let’s get started on your CUNY Application.
1. Find Your Match
We know you want a college experience that’s academically stimulating, financially affordable and personally rewarding. Before submitting an application, get to know our campuses and learn about how your application will be considered.
Thank you for your interest in The City University of New York. The following is a list of application postmark deadlines and admission notification dates. The deadline dates below do not apply to the CUNY School of Professional Studies.
| Deadline | Notification | |
|---|---|---|
| Freshman/Transfer | Fall: February 1 | Fall: rolling basis beginning mid-February to July 1 |
| Freshman/Transfer | Spring: September 15 | Spring: rolling basis beginning mid-October to December 15 |
| Program | Deadline | Notification |
|---|---|---|
| Macaulay Honors College | November 16 at 6:00 PM (Application Deadline) November 28 at 6:00 PM (Supporting Documents) |
Two-step Process* |
| Brooklyn College: BA/MD Program | December 15 | Two-step Process** |
| The City College Bernard and Anne Spitzer School of Architecture | February 1 | See General Freshman or Transfer Admission Above |
| The City College Grove School of Engineering | Fall: February 1 Spring: September 15 |
See General Freshman or Transfer Admission Above |
| The City College BS/MD Program at the Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education | December 30 | Two-step Process** |
| School of Professional Studies (fully online Bachelor’s degrees) | Spring: December 1 | Rolling basis beginning mid-Sept |
| Queens College: Aaron Copland School of Music | Fall: February 1 Spring: September 15 |
Two-step Process *** |
*Two-step notification process:
1) Beginning in mid-February applicants will be notified of their admission decision as General Freshman by all college choices listed on their application.
2) March 16 – Macaulay applicants will be notified of their admission decision into Macaulay Honors College by the Macaulay college choice listed on their application.
**All other applicants to selective programs will be notified of their admission decision at a later date.
***The admissions review for the Queens College Aaron Copland School of Music (ACSM) is a two-step process: Admission to Queens College and admission to the ACSM after an Audition.
Please visit the ACSM website for more information.
2. Submit Your Application
Let’s get started on your CUNY Application.
Start your Application
Log into the CUNY Application using either a guest account or your CUNYfirst account.
Select your Application
- Freshman: apply as a freshman if you’re currently enrolled in high school or if you haven’t attended college after receiving your high school diploma. One application allows you to apply to 6 CUNY colleges.
- Macaulay: if you are a freshman applicant for the fall semester, you can choose the Macaulay application to be considered for our university honors program.
- Transfer: apply as a transfer if you’ve enrolled in college after completing high school. One application allows you to apply to 4 CUNY colleges.
Fill out each section of the application
Our video tutorials can help you troubleshoot.
All applicants are required to submit a non-refundable application fee to be considered for admission. The Freshman Application fee is $65. The Transfer Application fee is $70.
Submit your fee online using MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Discover or e-check.
Submit a money order via mail
Submit a money order payable to “CUNY” to the address listed below. Write your CUNYfirst ID number on your money order. You can find your CUNYfirst ID number (an 8 digit number) on your Application Summary.
CUNY UAPC Lockbox
Mail Code: 8770
P.O. Box 7247
Philadelphia, PA 19170-8770
Fee Waivers
- Current CUNY students: if you’re currently enrolled at CUNY and intend to transfer without a gap in your enrollment, answer the CUNY Enrollment question on the application to waive your application fee.
- Current High School students: See your high school counselor to see if you are eligible for an application waiver. Click here for a video on adding a waiver code to your application.
- Veterans and spouses of veterans: Answer the US Military Status question on the application and upload proof of service in the supporting documents section of the application to receive a waiver. Acceptable forms of proof are DD-214, current Military ID Card, Deployment Orders or Pre-separation Orders. Spouses of veterans can provide Form 1173/1173-1 as proof of military affiliation.
Make sure to review your application before clicking the Submit button. Upon submission, you’ll be able to access a copy of your Application Summary. We recommend you download a copy. We’ll also generate a CUNYfirst ID number shortly after you submit your application. This 8 digit unique number will help us identify your application quickly and match any documents you send to us.
You can return to your application post-submission to upload supporting materials, add recommendation requests and make payment. Visit our tutorials for a step by step guide.
Supporting Documents
All applicants are encouraged to provide supporting documents as part of their applications – such as essays and letters of recommendation. Be sure to review the admission requirements of your intended program to see if any supporting documents are required.
What about SAT/ACT test scores?
In light of the COVID-19 crisis, SAT and ACT test scores are not required nor considered in application review through the Spring 2023 admission cycle. For more information on the suspension of SAT/ACT test scores, click here.
3. Send Documents
After submitting your application, make sure to send all required documents needed for review. You only need to submit one set of documents to CUNY, even if you have applied to multiple colleges on your application.
As a first year applicant, you’ll need to provide us with your official high school transcript(s). Your transcript(s) should include all of the courses and grades that you’ve completed up until this point.
Transcripts
If you’ve entered your OSIS number on the application, we’ll retrieve an electronic copy of your high school record. If you did not enter your OSIS number, please contact our Help Desk for Students. If you are currently attending a NYC Charter School, please request an official transcript to be sent to CUNY/UAPC.
Request an official transcript from your high school to be sent to CUNY/UAPC. Your school can email us an official transcript or if your school uses Naviance, you can request your transcript by adding “The City University of New York (CUNY)” to your list of schools to which you’ve applied. Read More
If you received a High School Equivalency diploma from NY (also known as TASC), send a copy of your diploma and scores. If you were eligible for HSE Regents exemptions, be sure to submit your high school transcript along with your HSE Diploma. If you received an equivalency diploma outside of NYS, contact the appropriate State Education Department for your record. Visit gedtestingservice.com to learn more.
Generally, your home-schooling curriculum should adhere to your school district’s preliminary education requirement for earning a high school diploma. This will allow us to review your entire record as a home-schooled student within the context of the academic requirements as outlined above. Read More
CUNY does not accept diplomas from any non-public correspondence, online or virtual high school. Students from these schools must successfully complete a high school equivalency examination to be considered for admission to a CUNY college.
Applicants with CDOS (Career Development and Occupational Studies) Commencement Credential or an IEP Diploma must earn a High School Equivalency Diploma.
Essays
If you are applying to Baruch College, Hunter College or Queens College, use the essay topics below. Baruch College recommends all freshman applicants to submit an essay. Hunter College and Queens College require an essay.
- Tell us something meaningful about yourself that is not reflected in your application. You may choose to speak about your interests, aspirations and/or background.
- It is often said that the road to success is paved with setbacks. Tell us about a time you faced a challenge or obstacle. What did you learn from it, and how did it contribute to your success?
- Share an essay on any topic. You may use an essay that you have previously written or one that discusses a topic of your choice.
As a transfer applicant, you’ll need to provide us with official transcripts from each school attended. You may request your transcripts to be sent electronically or via mail to CUNY/UAPC. Below is a list of documents that applicants are asked to provide:
- An official High School Transcript or Equivalency Diploma
- An official transcript from each college/university attended
- An official transcript from each proprietary school attended (if applicable)
CUNY Transcripts
If you’re currently enrolled at CUNY, your transcripts will be retrieved automatically if you applied using your CUNYfirst account. If you’ve attended CUNY more than ten years ago, you may need to request a paper record.
If you were educated outside of the United States, you may need to submit additional documentation to complete your application to CUNY.
Transcripts | Evaluations | Translations | TOEFL/IELTS/PTE/DUOLINGO
Transcripts
Secondary School Transcripts
You will need to submit a copy of your complete academic record (all years), as well as any national or government certificates earned. Please review the list of Required Secondary School Credentials for more information.
Official University Transcripts
If you’ve attended university, you’ll need to request an official transcript from each university in order to be considered for admission.
Evaluation Services
Approved Evaluation Services
If using one of the above services, you must request: an official course-by-course evaluation report which includes a GPA based on all secondary school course work and any external examination certificates earned. Be sure to request that the evaluation service includes certified copies of all documentation used for the evaluation.
Completed less than one year
If you have completed less than one year of full-time university-level studies, we need the following:
- Secondary school record: an official course-by-course evaluation report which includes a GPA based on all secondary school course work and any external examination certificates earned.
- University record: an official course-by-course evaluation report which includes a GPA based on all university course work.
Completed more than one year
If you have completed more than one year of full-time university-level studies, we need the following:
- Secondary school record: proof of secondary school graduation and an official document-by-document evaluation report.
- University record: an official course-by-course evaluation report which includes a GPA based on all university course work.
- We will only accept evaluations that are sent directly from the evaluation service.
Translations
- Copies of complete secondary school record
- Secondary school graduation diploma
- Any external examination certificates earned
- An official transcript of university work, sent directly from the issuing institution
Official translations may be obtained from the following
- Consulate or embassy of the country that is issuing the document
- Translation agency
- Immigrant or refugee association in the U.S. representing the country issuing the document
- The institution where the student studied
- Faculty member of U.S. high school, college, or university (must signify his/her academic department and rank)
All translations must meet the following conditions
- Complete and literal (word-for-word) with no attempts to interpret or evaluate the credential
- Prepared in same format as the original document
- Typed on business or school letterhead stationery
- Signed by a translator attesting to familiarity with the foreign language
CUNY does not accept translations from the following
- The student or members of his/her family
- Individuals not affiliated with any of the organizations listed above
TOEFL/IELTS/PTE/DUOLINGO
If you are on a temporary visa and educated in a non-English speaking environment, you’ll need to submit official test scores for one of the following:
- TOEFL
- IELTS (Academic Level)
- PTE (Academic level)
- Duolingo
In order for your scores to be considered official, request them to be sent by the issuing agency to CUNY and/or list our university code 2950 when registering for the exams. Copies of scores uploaded to the application are considered unofficial.
Visit the TOEFL, IELTS, PTE or Duolingo website for more information on sending scores. Please review our TOEFL/IELTS/PTE/Duolingo Scores Comparison Chart for more information.
We define an official record as one that details your complete academic history (all years) while in attendance at a college, university or any postsecondary institution. These records must be sent directly to us from the issuing institution and/or examining body in a sealed, school-issued envelope and must include the following:
- Dates of enrollment, courses taken and marks, grades or ratings in each subject.
- Institutional grading scale or other standard(s) of evaluation.
- Recent signature and date by a school official and must include an original institutional seal. Accepted signatures include: the Registrar, Dean, Principal, Controller of Examinations, Ministry of Education, or another appropriate school official/office (varies by country).
We do not accept the following:
- Documents certified by a notary public, translator or commissioner of oaths.
- Photocopies or other duplications of a record such as notarized copies, faxed or scanned documents.
Documents by a university must be official in order to be considered. Any document considered “official” is in a stamped and sealed envelope from the post-secondary institution. Any other forms of the documents will not be accepted.
Freshman Admission
CUNY/UAPC
P.O. Box 350136
Brooklyn, NY 11235
Macaulay Honors College Admission
CUNY/UAPC
P.O. Box 350046
Brooklyn, NY 11235
Transfer Admission
CUNY/UAPC
P.O. Box 350145
Brooklyn, NY 11235
Overnight/Express Shipping
CUNY/UAPC
2001 Oriental Blvd., Building T-1, Room 122
Brooklyn, NY 11235
Please note that all materials and documents (including original documents) submitted as part of an application for admission become the property of CUNY/UAPC and cannot be returned.
4. Check Your Status
Once you submit your application, we’ll send you an email to log into CUNYfirst. CUNYfirst allows all applicants to check on the status of their applications and view decisions. More information on claiming your CUNYfirst account and checking your application status.
To review a general timeline for admission decisions, visit our Deadlines and Notification Dates page. Many of our colleges continue to accept applications after the application deadline. If you are applying after the deadline date, you’ll be considered by each college on a space available basis.
After you are admitted
You’ll receive an admission decision from each of the colleges you selected on your application. Visit our After You are Admitted page for next steps. Check out our Future Student Enrollment Guide for more guidance and contact information.