Skip to main content

ADMISSION TO THE COLLEGE


OFFICE OF ADMISSIONS AND RECRUITMENT

Director: Joshua Perez
Assistant to the Director of Admissions and Recruitment: Laura J. Hallgren
ASAP Admissions Recruitment Specialist: Nathali Gil-Crotty
Admissions Operations Specialist: Anthony Maldonado
Admissions Specialist: Austin Rivera
Admissions Communications Coordinator: Anthony Campanico 
Admissions Counselor: Aneisha Scott

Loew Hall [LO], Room 224 | 718.289.5895
www.bcc.cuny.edu/admissions

GENERAL ADMISSIONS INFORMATION

Bronx Community College accepts both entering freshman and transfer students. Students may attend Bronx Community College either full time or part time and may attend classes whenever they are in session.

All admissions inquiries and information requests should be sent to:

Office of Admissions and Recruitment
Bronx Community College
The City University of New York
ATTN: Office of Admissions and Recruitment
2155 University Avenue
Loew Hall [LO], Room 224
Bronx, NY 10453

The admissions office assists applicants in completing their application and obtaining academic advisement prior to registration. Prospective students are sent information about admission to the College upon request. 

Requirements for Admission:
All applicants must fulfill the following admissions requirements to be accepted into the College:

  • Official high school transcript, a copy of a diploma from an accredited high school or General Equivalency Diploma (GED) scores. A New York State Equivalency Diploma may be substituted for a high school diploma. A United States Armed Forces Institute (USAFI) Diploma must be converted to a New York State Equivalency Diploma.

  • Students applying with a New York State Equivalency Diploma (GED) must submit:

  1. Original of the Equivalency Diploma (total score of 2250 or higher) and General Educational Development Test Scores (with a minimum standard score of 410 on each content area test) 

AND

  1. Official copies of any high school or official transcripts from any college or university they may have attended.

Note:

  1. The GED® Test is the new High School Equivalency (HSE) Exam in New York State. The TASC Test™ was discontinued on December 31, 2021. 

  2. Applicants must obtain and provide official transcripts. The Office of Admissions is unable to obtain transcripts on behalf of the applicant. 

  3. Bronx Community College does not accept high school certificates, Individualized Education Plan (IEP) diplomas, non-public correspondence, online or virtual high school.  Students with these must successfully complete a high school equivalency examination to be considered for admission to a CUNY college


Residence

The residency of students under 24 years of age is governed by the residence of their parents or legal guardian.


New York City Residency Requirements:

A student may be eligible for residency tuition rate if the student has continuously maintained his/her principal place of residence in the City of New York for:

  • At least six consecutive months immediately preceding the first day of classes and

  • At least 12 consecutive months in the State of New York immediately preceding the first day of classes.

New York City Residency Requirements:

A student may be eligible for residency tuition rate if the student has continuously maintained his/her principal place of residence in the City of New York for:

  • At least six consecutive months immediately preceding the first day of classes and

  • At least 12 consecutive months in the State of New York immediately preceding the first day of classes.

New York State Residency Requirements:

For out of city New York State residents seeking the New York State resident tuition rate, the student must have continuously maintained his/her principal place of residence in the State of New York for at least 12 consecutive months immediately preceding the first day of classes. All New York State residents who reside outside of New York City and plan to register at Bronx Community College must complete Residence Forms B80 and B81 before registration. The forms are available in the Bronx Community College Bursar’s Office. Tuition for out–of–city New York State residents who have a valid Certificate of Residence on file, issued by their county of residence, will be charged the same tuition as New York City residents. Certificates of Residence are normally valid for one year from the date of issue and must be renewed each year.


Determination of Residency Rate Tuition for Non-Residents of New York State, including Undocumented and Out-of-Status Immigrants:

Chapter 327 of the New York State laws mandates that payment of tuition by any student who is not a resident of New York State, other than those in lawful non-immigration status, shall be at a rate no greater than that imposed for students who are residents of the state, provided that they meet one of the following conditions: (1) they have attended an approved New York high school for two or more years, graduated and applied to attend CUNY within five years of receiving the New York State diploma; (2) they have attended an approved New York State Program for General Equivalency Diploma (GED) exam preparation, received the GED issued within New York State and applied to attend CUNY within five years of receiving the New York State GED; (3) they were enrolled in CUNY in the Fall 2001 semester or quarter and were authorized by CUNY to pay tuition at the resident rate. Thus, a student who attended CUNY in the Fall 2001 semester and paid the resident rate does not have to satisfy either condition 1 or 2 above. (It should be noted that any student meeting one of the three conditions set forth in the law does not need to prove residency in New York State.)

Students without lawful immigration status must file a notarized affidavit with CUNY stating that they have filed an application to legalize their immigration status or will file an application as soon as they are eligible to do so.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

How to Apply:

Applicants may complete the online application at https://www.cuny.edu/admissions/undergraduate/.

The Freshman Application

The City University of New York provides an application for undergraduate freshman admission that permits students to apply to as many as six City University schools on a single form. Even if the six programs are in six different CUNY colleges, only one application and one fee is necessary. The application includes a section for students who wish to be considered for SEEK or College Discovery. The following applicants should complete the regular freshman application:

  • A student who has completed at least six semesters (11th year) of high school. High school graduation is required for enrollment.

  • Students who have earned an Equivalency Diploma and passed the Test Assessing Secondary

  • Completion exam (TASC/GED).

  • Students who graduated from high school and have never attended an institution of higher learning.

  • Students with international education backgrounds who have had one year of secondary schooling or less outside the United States.

The Transfer Application

An applicant who has previously attended another college, university or postsecondary institution must report that fact in a transfer application. The applicant must also have the former institution(s) submit official transcript(s), including an official statement of the conditions of withdrawal, directly to UAPC, Box 359023, Bay Station, Brooklyn, NY 11235-9023. Even if attendance at such a college was for a short period of time and no grades are recorded, an official college transcript is required.

In addition, a student wishing to transfer to BCC who has been academically dismissed from his/her previous community college must wait one traditional (fall/spring) semester before being eligible for admission to BCC. This policy does not apply to student transferring from a 4-year college or university.

The International Student Application

International students who are neither U.S. citizens nor permanent residents must file the appropriate freshman or transfer student application and meet the corresponding admission requirements. Students who were educated in a language other than English are required to take an exam offered by an approved provider that evaluates English language skills. Approved exams and minimum scores needed for admission are as follows: Internet-Based TOEFL: 53; Paper-Based TOEFL: 475; IELTS Academic Level: 5.5; Pearson Academic: 41; Duolingo: 80. Once a student has been admitted to Bronx Community College by the University Admissions Processing Center (UAPC), they will be asked to submit financial information and other documents that will satisfy the requirements for the issuance of the I-20 form. Once an I-20 form is issued to the student, they can request an appointment at a United States Embassy in their home country to request a student visa. Inquiries regarding I-20 issuance and student visas may be directed to the International Advisor in the Registrar’s Office, Colston Hall [CO], Room 513, 718.289.5892.

Non-Degree Student Application

The admission requirements for non-degree students are the same as the admissions requirements for matriculated students. Non-degree students (non-matriculated) must apply directly to the Bronx Community College Admissions Office via e-submission only.

Application Fee

All applicants are required to pay a $65 freshman application fee or $70 transfer fee. Applicants are encouraged to pay with a credit card. You may also mail your fee with a check or money order payable to CUNY UAPC Lockbox, Mail Code: 8770, P.O. Box 7247, Philadelphia, PA 19170-8770. Please write your name and CUNYfirst ID number on your check or money order. You can find your CUNYfirst ID number on your Application Summary. Please allow at least four to six weeks for processing when sending payment by mail. This fee is not refundable.

Deadline

The deadline date for fall and spring admission will be determined each semester by the CUNY Welcome Center. International applicants should apply at least six to ten months before the start of the semester in which he/she would like to attend. 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 a student’s criminal record and the particular circumstances of the College, including the presence of a childcare center on the campus.

CUNY Proficiency Requirements

Students can demonstrate that they meet the University’s proficiency requirements in English and Math based on their SAT, ACT, or NY State Regents test scores:

English:
Students may meet the proficiency requirement in English by documenting any one of the following:

  • SAT I Verbal score of 480 or higher or SAT Critical Reading score of 480 or higher or SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) section score of 480 or higher

  • ACT English score of 20 or higher

  • NY State English Regents score of 75 or higher

Mathematics:
Students may meet the proficiency requirement in mathematics by documenting any one of the following:

  • SAT Math score of 500 or higher

  • SAT Math Section (exam date March 2016 and thereafter), score of 530 or higher

  • ACT Math score of 21 or higher

  • NY State Regents:

    • Common Core Regents: Score of 70 or higher in Algebra I or a score of 70 or higher in Geometry or a score of 65 or higher in Algebra 2.

    • Score of 80 or higher in Integrated Algebra or Geometry or Algebra 2/Trigonometry AND successful completion of the Algebra 2/Trigonometry or higher-level course.

    • Score of 75 or higher in one of the following:

  • Math A or Math B

  • Sequential II or Sequential III

Students who do not achieve the required scores on SAT, ACT, or New York State Regents Exams can satisfy the proficiency requirements based on scores on the CUNY Proficiency Index as follows:

  • an English proficiency index score of 65 or higher

  • a math proficiency index score of 60 or higher

Students may also demonstrate proficiency based on previous college/college-level learning, such as the following:

  • completion of a 3-credit college-level English course with a grade of ‘C’ or better from an accredited college or university,

  • completion of a 3-credit college-level math course with a grade of ‘C’ or better from an accredited college or university,

  • a score of 3 or higher on an appropriate Advanced Placement exam in English/math.

For detailed information on the Proficiency Index and additional ways to demonstrate proficiency in English and math, please see https://www.cuny.edu/academics/testing/testing-faqs/


ESL Placement
ESL applicants who have a New York State English Regents score will be assessed via the English proficiency index. Applicants who do not meet the English proficiency index benchmark score will be required to take Accuplacer ESL to determine appropriate course placement. For more information, please see www.cuny.edu/academics/testing/

Math Placement for Proficient Students
For most majors, students who are proficient in mathematics should enroll in an introductory math course (e.g., MTH 21, MTH 23), in consultation with an advisor. 

However, certain majors, particularly those in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and the AS in Business Administration, require algebra-sequence math courses. For placement information for these courses, please refer to the Mathematics Course Placement page in this catalog, located in the Mathematics and Computer Science Department section. Please consult with your academic advisor with any question about which course is best for you.

BCC Placement Exams
Some applicants must take separate departmental placement tests in speech and world languages depending on their choice of curriculum. For more information about departmental exams, please contact the following departments:

Speech-General Orientation/Screening 718.289.5756

World Languages Oral/Written Assessment  718.289.5633


Health Requirements

Mandated New York State Immunization Requirements:
Public Health Law 2165 (Measles Mumps Rubella) All college students born January 1, 1957 and after must show documented proof of immunity to measles, mumps and rubella. Acceptable proof of immunity includes: immunization cards from childhood, records from elementary school, high school or college or medical records from your primary care physician or clinic. Blood test (titers) for measles, mumps and rubella are also acceptable. Students with a medical condition that prohibits immunization are given medical waivers. The condition must be documented by the attending physician. Students with temporary medical conditions such as pregnancy must have a blood test (titers) to prove immunity.

The New York City Department of Health offers free MMR immunization. Call 311 for information for the closest clinic in your neighborhood.

Public Health Law 2167-Meningococcal Meningitis
This law requires that all students be informed of the disease meningococcal meningitis and the value of vaccination against this disease. At this time, immunization is not required but students must document that information was given by the school or provide proof of vaccination.

Physical examination records are required for all physical education classes and students participating in team sports. 

Advanced Standing Admission
College courses taken at accredited institutions meeting Bronx Community College standards may be considered for transfer credit. For courses from a CUNY college, any passing grade is acceptable for credit; from a non-CUNY college, a minimum C grade course is required. For a 60-credit associate degree, students are allowed a maximum of 30 credits advanced standing (transfer credits) in equivalent courses completed at accredited institutions of collegiate rank. The total number of credits allowed toward a 60-credit associate degree by BCC may not exceed 30, regardless of whether the courses were taken at other institutions before admission, during attendance at, or after leaving Bronx Community College. Students enrolled in an associate degree program requiring more than 60 credits (e.g., Medical Laboratory Technician), may be allowed more than 30 credits advanced standing. Students must complete a 30-credit BCC residency requirement, which allows the balance of the credits required for the degree program to be potentially transferred/granted as advanced standing. For example, if a student is enrolled in a degree program that requires 66 credits, the maximum credits transferred toward degree requirements is 36. Former BCC students are limited to a maximum of 15 credits transferred back to BCC to complete the BCC degree. Transferred courses may not be repeated by a student unless advised by their Academic Departments in accord with published policies.

For the codified BCC transfer credit policy, please see section 10 of the codification of BCC Academic Rules and Regulations on the College website.

Please see, as well, the Transfer Credit Evaluation web page with additional transfer credit information and guidelines: http://www.bcc.cuny.edu/registrar/transfer-credit-evaluation/

Credit for Prior Learning
Students enrolled in an academic program at BCC may receive credit for non-traditional college-level learning in a number of ways consistent with the CUNY Policy on Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) and/or section XX of the BCC Academic Rules and Regulations.

CPL comes in a number of forms, including college-level exams (e.g., AP, CLEP, DSST), as well as training evaluated by the American Council of Education (e.g., military training, police academy). 

BCC has also established unique Prior Learning Pathways that students may use to receive credit toward specific degree programs. In some cases, these are based on industry certifications, in others portfolio review. Students must meet all specified criteria to receive credit. Please see BCC’s Credit for Prior Learning webpage for more information on these pathways.

For additional information on AP and CLEP exams, please note the following.

Advanced Placement (AP)
At the time of matriculation, students who have completed Advanced Placement (AP) college–level courses while in high school may apply for college credit if they have taken the corresponding AP exam, which is administered by the College Entrance Examination Board (www.collegeboard.com). Students must apply to the Admissions and Recruitment Office in writing and arrange to have an official copy of their test scores sent to the Admissions and Recruitment Office.

CLEP Credit
The College Board administers the College Level Examination Program (CLEP), offering examinations in many college level subject areas. Consistent with CUNY policy, BCC may grant credit for CLEP exams with a score of 50 or higher. Students considering taking a CLEP exam after starting at BCC should contact the applicable academic department to confirm the course equivalency of the exam. For example, if a student is considering taking a CLEP exam in American history, the student should contact BCC’s History Department.