Frequently Asked Questions

The following are some frequently asked questions about admission to BMCC. If you have any additional questions, please contact BMCC Admissions.

What is the deadline for the upcoming semester?

The CUNY priority deadline for the Fall semester (which starts in August) is February 1 and the priority deadline for the Spring semester (which starts in January) is September 15. However, BMCC does accept late CUNY Applications and also usually hosts Direct Admissions on-site after the CUNY Application is no longer available. For more information about BMCC-specific deadlines, please visit our Apply Now page.

Should I apply as a freshman or transfer student?

You should apply as a freshman if you have never been to any post-secondary institutions or registered for or taken any classes after completing High School or gaining a high school diploma. If you have registered for classes, completed any amount of coursework, or attained any degree after high school (in the United States or outside of the United States), you should apply as a transfer student.

Did you attend BMCC in the past? You don’t need to complete an admissions application. Instead, you may be eligible to apply for readmission with the BMCC Registrar’s Office to continue your BMCC education.

Does a Non-Degree student have to fill out an application every semester?

No. The system automatically activates you for the next semester. All Non-Degree students do not have to fill out a new application every semester just continue to register for classes the following semester. (If you miss a semester as a non-degree student you must fill out a Readmit application in the Registrar’s office room S-315)

Can I meet with an adviser before applying to BMCC?

While you cannot meet with an Academic Advisor prior to applying to BMCC, you can visit with an Admissions Specialist one-on-one to talk about your situation and see if BMCC is the right fit for you. Our Specialists can explain all the admissions requirements and answer any questions you may have prior to applying.

What is Direct Admissions?

Direct Admissions is period after the CUNY application is no longer available, where applicants can apply exclusively to BMCC for the upcoming semester. You may apply online for direct admission, and then submit your transcripts to the BMCC Admissions Office to complete your application.

When is Direct Admissions held?

There is no exact date that Direct Admissions begins for each semester. The links and instructions on our Apply Now page will be kept current. Usually, Fall Direct Admissions begin in June, and Spring Direct Admissions begin in December.

Can I have my high school/college send my transcripts?

Yes, you may have your high school/college to send your transcripts to CUNY directly, so as to complete your CUNY application. All transcripts must be official in order to complete application requirements. Official transcripts come in sealed envelopes directly from the high school or college and are usually signed or sealed by a school official.

How do I know if I should apply as a readmit student?

If you stopped attending BMCC classes (not academically dismissed) BMCC in good standing, and have not attended another college since your departure from the college, you may apply to the college as a readmit. If you have taken courses since leaving BMCC, you must provide an official transcript to BMCC Admissions Office and a transfer credit evaluation will be performed. If you left the college having been academically dismissed from BMCC, you will need to reapply as a readmit student and you may also have to undergo the appeals process.

What is the minimum GPA for freshmen/transfer applicants to be accepted?

Freshman: BMCC accepts all freshman applicants regardless of GPA as long as they have graduated high school or completed an equivalent program.
Transfer: The minimum GPA requirement for all transfer applicants 2.0 (on a 4.0 scale). Transfer students with GPA’s lower than 2.0 may still be accepted to BMCC if they apply for special admission through the Second Chance Program. (Admission is not guaranteed through this program.)

In addition, BMCC does not require any standardized test scores such as the SAT or ACT for Admission. However, these test scores may help us place you in appropriate math and English courses.

How do I apply as a non-degree or non-matriculated student?

In order to be accepted by the college, you will need to complete a Non-Degree Application, as well as your unofficial college transcript, Immunization Records and Proof of Residency to the Admissions Office in person, by mail or fax, or even by email.

Does BMCC give Life Experience credits?

Yes, it is possible to earn credit for specific classes in your degree program. under special circumstances. Life Experience credit is awarded on a case-by-case basis by individual academic departments, and each has its own process for determining credit. To inquire about credit, you must bring all documentation and information you have about your experience to the chairperson of the department related to your field of experience.

How do I apply?

Everything you need to know is in our Apply Now page. Do you need to apply for international student status? Visit the International Student Services page.

Can I still apply to BMCC if my English is poor?

Yes, you may! If you are accepted by the college, you will take the CUNY Assessment Test (CAT) in English, which measures your ability to do college-level writing in English and assess your readiness for introductory college courses. Based on your score, we will recommend the best-fit courses for you to improve English skills. After you successfully pass one of these remedial courses, you may move on to credit-bearing courses that count toward your degree. BMCC offers CUNY Start and Immersion programs for remedial English courses as well as the CLIP or BLIIS program for students where English may not be their first language.

Can I delay my acceptance?

Yes, you may delay (“defer”) your acceptance to BMCC for one semester. Contact the Admissions Office to get started.

Can I defer my CUNY application?

Yes, you may. In order to do so, please contact CUNY directly at admissions@cuny.edu.

What documents do I need to apply to BMCC?

Freshman applicants must submit the following:

• Proof of high school completion in one of two ways:
  • Official HS transcript in a sealed envelope
  • Original GED Certificate and transcript
• Transfer applicants must submit the above as well as:
  • Official copy of your college transcript(s) from any/all college(s) attended

All documents submitted must be submitted in a sealed envelope sent directly from the high school/college in order to be considered official.

International Students may have to submit additional documents such as TOEFL/IELTS scores or copies of their VISA or Passport. Please note that other CUNY colleges require additional documents so you will have to check with each college to see what documents are required to complete your CUNY application.

Can my application fee be waived?

Freshman students can request CUNY fee waivers from their counselor/college advisors at their high schools. A very limited quantity of CUNY fee waivers are provided to high school counselors/college advisors to be distributed to current students with the most financial need. Once the high school’s supply of CUNY fee waivers is exhausted, no additional waivers will be provided.

Additionally, undergraduate applicants who are Veterans of the United States Military Service, currently on Active Duty or members of the National Guard or Reserves May obtain an application fee waiver by following a few easy steps. Contact CUNY admissions at (212) 997-CUNY (2869) or admissions@cuny.edu. BMCC’s Veterans’ Resource Center offers assistance and advice about veterans benefits and resources.

Where should I send my transcripts?

Please send your documents directly to CUNY via postal mail. The address you send your documents to will depend on whether you are applying as a freshman or transfer applicant:

Freshman Admission

CUNY/UAPC
P.O. Box 350136
Brooklyn, NY 11235-0001

Transfer Admission
CUNY/UAPC
P.O. Box 359023
Brooklyn, NY 11235-9023

Overnight/Express Shipping
CUNY/UAPC
2001 Oriental Blvd., Building T-1, Room 122
Brooklyn, NY 11235

What is my application status?

In order to verify the status of your application, you may check your CUNYfirst account online. You may reach a CUNY admissions representative to obtain the status of your application by calling, emailing, or visiting us at the CUNY Welcome Center.

How do I claim my CUNYfirst account?

Students can register for classes, view their grades, view their financial aid, and pay their bills through their Student Center on CUNYfirst. However, new students must claim their accounts before they can utilize these features by using the step-by-step guides or watching the how-to videos provided.

How do I know if I’ve been accepted?

BMCC will send you an email and letter regarding your acceptance. After you receive your acceptance letter from BMCC, please follow the steps on the New Student Checklist to complete your enrollment.

How do I register for classes?

After you are accepted and have submitted all required documents, you will be invited to attend a new student orientation where you will meet with an Academic Advisor and receive assistance with degree choice, course selection and registering for classes which will be through your CUNYfirst account.

How may I apply for ASAP?

Applying to ASAP is simple . . .

• Be accepted to BMCC and complete all admission requirements
• Apply to ASAP by contacting the BMCC ASAP Office

Does BMCC have an ESL program?

BMCC offers English as a Second Language (ESL) classes for accepted students through the Department of Academic Literacy and Linguistics. These courses provide developmental writing instruction to BMCC students who have taken but not yet passed the CUNY Assessment Tests in Reading and Writing (CATW) and whose first language is not English. However, the Lower East Side Literacy Zone offers many services to students and families including ESOL classes and the Center for Continuing Education and Workforce Development at BMCC offers many different ESL courses as well.

Does BMCC offer a GED program?

BMCC does not offer a GED program. However, BMCC’s Lower East Side Literacy Zone offers many services to students and families including GED/HSE/TASC preparation classes. Additionally, the Manhattan Educational Opportunity Center (MEOC) offers free programs and services including High School Equivalency (HSE) preparation.

Does BMCC offer online programs?

The E-Learning Center at Borough of Manhattan Community College offers E-Learning courses to help students from around the globe. Online courses offer convenience and flexibility for students with busy lives. Within required deadlines, students can work at times, days and locations that are convenient for their schedule. Hundreds of sections from several programs are available each semester. A substantial portion of the Liberal Arts Program (LIB) may be completed through E-Learning courses.

There are 3 Types of E-Learning Courses:

• Fully Online: A course delivered 100% online. Scheduled class meetings are replaced with online activities and virtual meetings, including online exams. No face-to-face meetings.
• Online: A course delivered via the Internet which is 80%-100% online. Some online courses may require campus meetings for orientations or exams.
• Hybrid: A course where learning occurs through a combination of online and face-to-face instruction. Regular attendance in both formats is required. At least 33%-80% of the content is online with the remainder of the content delivered through face-to-face sessions.

How can I apply and what do I need to do as an international student?

When we refer to “international student”, we mean a non-immigrant student who is seeking an I-20 and to be on F-1 student VISA status. To apply, the first step is to submit an online CUNY application and your academic documents.

If you are in the U.S. on another type of non-immigrant status (such as A, B, G, H, J or M) and want to study at BMCC, or if you are not sure about your status, please contact us at internationalstudent@bmcc.cuny.edu.

Note: If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you are not considered an international student.

How many credits do I need to be a full-time student?

Full-Time Status = 12 credits/credit hours or more
Part-Time Status = 11 credits/credit hours or less
Credit hours are important with remedial courses. Remedial courses do not carry credit but they are counted as credit hours for financial reasons. The average student needs to take 15 credit hours each semester, or 30 credits per year in order to graduate with an Associate degree in two years.

 

I was advised to take credited courses that I have taken at another college. How do I transfer those credits?

Check CUNYfirst to review any and all transfer credits awarded to you at BMCC. If you haven’t done so already, you need to submit your official transcript(s) to the Admissions Office for a transfer credit evaluation or a re-evaluation if you have already received one. Once the evaluation is complete, you should contact the Academic Advisement & Transfer Center in room S-108, 199 Chambers St. to re-review if you need to take courses that have already been completed elsewhere.

What is FYE?

FYE is the First Year Experience course that spans the first four weeks of the semester. It is a curriculum designed to promote student success. This is strongly suggested for all new students. You can register for the course through CUNYfirst.