Admission to the College

As one of the senior colleges of the City University, York College participates in centralized application procedures for freshmen, transfer and international students. The CUNY application form can be accessed online at www.cuny.edu.

The York College Office of Admissions is located in the Academic Core Building, AC-1B07, 94-20 Guy R. Brewer Blvd., Jamaica, New York 11451. Prospective students and their families are strongly encouraged to visit the campus. Campus tours and information sessions are available by appointment throughout the year, and originate in the Office of Admissions. Please call (718)262-2165 or register online at www.york.cuny.edu/admissions/Registrant-tour.  Admission counselors are available to answer questions and to discuss student’s educational goals and opportunities at (718) 262-2165.  Admission information can also be obtained at www.york.cuny.edu/admissions .

Freshman Admission

Students who have not attended a college, university, or postsecondary institution are considered freshmen.  Freshman applications must be accompanied by the appropriate application fee and official copies of any documents (for example, high school transcripts; G.E.D., S.A.T., and/or T.O.E.F.L. scores) that are required to support the student's eligibility for admission.  Please note that recent high school graduates (within one year of graduation) are still required to show proof of SAT scores.

Admission is based on a variety of factors, and each applicant is considered individually.  Freshmen are strongly encouraged to take a college preparatory program in high school that includes courses in English, Mathematics, Laboratory Science, Social Science, Foreign Language and Fine Arts.

All students are subject to City University of New York testing requirements. For details, see the Office of Testing and Scholarships website at www.york.cuny.edu/testing . An applicant who fails to meet all of the above criteria may still be considered for admission if she or he shows evidence of strong academic preparation, such as exceeding the minimum requirements in college preparatory classes, or strong performance on other assessments of academic skills, such as Regents examinations.  More flexible admission is available through the SEEK Program. For information on SEEK requirements consult this bulletin (under SEEK section) or contact (718) 262-2300.

Transfer Admission

Applicants who have attended college, after graduating from high school or having received a GED, are considered transfer or advanced standing students. An official transcript from each college attended and proof of high school graduation is required of all applicants. Transfer admission is based on a student’s overall grade point average (GPA), including courses taken at all institutions attended since graduating high school.  For students transferring with fewer than twelve credits, applicants must demonstrate a 2.0 grade point average, passing scores on the CUNY Skills Assessment Test or exemption and qualify based on the high school average, or GED score in effect for freshmen at the time of admission.  Please note: Recent high school graduates (within one year of graduation) are still required to show proof of SAT scores.  Students transferring to York College must complete at least 40 credits at York, with at least half of the credits in the major program taken at York. For some programs, students will be required to take additional credits to complete the requirements for the baccalaureate degree. For the Bachelor of Arts degree, at least 90 credits must be in the liberal arts. For the Bachelor of Science degree, at least 60 liberal arts credits are required. An overall “C” average in all college work is required for graduation from York.

Meeting General Education Requirements

Students with an A.A., A.S. or A.A.S. degree from a CUNY or SUNY community college, with the exception of students in the Baccalaureate Nursing Program, will have fulfilled the General Education Requirements except for Writing 301, 302 or 303. For some programs, students will be required to take more than the difference between the advanced credit granted and the required 120 credits to complete the requirements for the baccalaureate degree. Students, who do not hold a two year degree from a CUNY or SUNY community college, but have at least 45 credits in liberal arts and sciences from a regionally accredited college will receive a full or partial waiver from the General Education Requirements based on the evaluation of the credits transferred.  Students may be required to take some general education courses if such courses are required by major or as prerequisite for other courses.

Students must also complete the requirements for the Major and the Liberal Arts requirement associated with that Major (60 credits in Liberal Arts courses for a Bachelor of Science and 90 credits in Liberal Arts courses for the Bachelor of Arts).

Maximum Credits Accepted

A maximum of 68 credits will be accepted from a two-year college or degree program. A maximum of 80 credits will be accepted from a senior college. A maximum of not more than 80 credits with a maximum of 68 from two-year college coursework will be accepted from students with credits from both two-year and senior colleges.

Registered Nurses Majoring in Community Health Education

An R.N. Certificate recipient with a high school diploma, who meets the admission criteria of the college, may be granted credit for equivalent courses with grades of “C” or better toward the liberal arts degree in Community Health Education at York. These students should consult the Community Health Education Coordinator.

Evaluation of Prior College Credits                        (advanced standing credits)

Transfer credits can only be evaluated for schools that are listed on the student’s entry application. The official evaluation of all courses taken previously at other accredited institutions is done by the Office of the Registrar in conjunction with the academic department.

In general, credit is granted for a course, which is considered equivalent to a course at York and for which the student received the grade of “D” or better at a unit of The City University, or “C” or better at any other accredited institution. “Blanket credit” is given for courses, within disciplines available at York, which have no precise equivalent at York College. Although a student will not receive transfer credit for a “D” grade from a college outside The City University, the student may be exempt from repeating the course if it is prescribed at York College.  Transfer students should seek academic advice and counseling from the appropriate departments before registering for their first semester at the College. Students should bear in mind that they cannot receive credit a second time for a course already completed at another institution. Each department will determine which transfer course is counted toward the major requirements. Credits will not be transferred from schools not listed on the student’s application.

International Student Admission

For the purposes of admission, an international student is defined as an applicant who currently holds a student (F-1) or exchange visitor (J-1) visa or seeks such visa status upon enrollment. In addition, a U.S. citizen or permanent resident that has been educated abroad also must file as an international student, whether using the CUNY Freshman or Transfer application. Admission to York College is based upon the academic record and the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) for those whose primary language is not English. In addition, all academic transcripts must be official and translated into English and applicants will be required to demonstrate an ability to pay tuition and fees at the time of registration. Students with limited English language proficiency may wish to enter the CUNY Language Immersion Program (CLIP) at York, which allows students to build their English skills prior to enrolling in full credit-bearing courses. The program is housed in the Department of Foreign Languages and offers 25 hours a week of intensive instruction (see CLIP section of Bulletin).  International students are encouraged to apply early as new regulations imposed by the United States Department of Homeland Security may cause delays in receiving the F-1 student visa.  For more information about the application process and admissions criteria for international students, please contact:

The International Student Advisor

York College

94-20 Guy R. Brewer Blvd.

Jamaica, NY 11451

Telephone: (718) 262-2178

Email: intl@york.cuny.edu

Opportunity Program

SEEK ( Search for Education, Elevation & Knowledge)

The SEEK Program is a higher education opportunity program offered at each of the senior colleges of CUNY. SEEK was created in 1966 when the New York State Legislature enacted a law that mandated the creation of programs providing access and support for New York City residents and that advanced the cause of equality and educational opportunity at CUNY. Today, the university maintains a commitment to admit students under the provisions of this law.

SEEK is an opportunity program for students who are:

(1) entering college for the first time,

(2) in need of financial assistance, and

(3) residents of New York State for at least one year.

Students are eligible for ten (10) semesters, plus two (2) summer sessions of financial assistance. Transfer students from College Discovery (CD), Higher Education Opportunity Programs (HEOP) or Educational Opportunity Programs (EOP) are admitted in both the Fall and Spring. Veterans with up to 18 credits earned during or prior to their military enlistment are also eligible for this program.

The mission of the SEEK Program is to serve students who are educationally under-prepared and economically disadvantaged by providing them with academic, counseling, and financial services.

Academic services include: Selected General Education courses designated for SEEK students only; SEEK counseling courses; learning skills workshops; one-on-one topic-specific tutoring; and, small group tutoring sessions. Counseling services provide academic, career, and personal counseling services through individual or group workshops. All students are assigned a counselor upon entry into the program. Financial Aid services provide students with vital information concerning the timely completion of all necessary financial aid documentation.

These services assist students in achieving academic success by utilizing dynamic and innovative student-centered approaches to teaching and learning, and by providing supportive services. The SEEK Program is staffed by dedicated faculty and staff who are committed to ensuring that students acquire the skills and economic resources needed to successfully graduate from college. Students in the SEEK Program have successfully met the many challenges of academic rigor with distinction. They have added a positive dimension to York College through their involvement in student organizations and college governance committees, and have distinguished themselves with service awards and academic honors.

 The SEEK Office is located in Room 1C08. The telephone number is (718) 262-2300.

Students may apply for the SEEK Program by filling out the “SEEK/College Discovery” section of the CUNY Freshmen Application, and by putting York College as their first choice. Incoming students must attend and successfully complete  the mandatory Pre-Freshmen Summer Program.  furthermore, all students must be deemed economically eligible for SEEK by the SEEK Financial Coordinator before they are officially accepted into the program. The coordinator is located in the Student Financial Services Office in AC-1M08.  The telephone number is (718) 262-2230.

To be certified and to receive any financial assistance from the program, students must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and a TAP application. These forms are used to apply for the following types of financial aid:

(1) PELL;

(2) SEEK stipends, books and fees;

(3) College Work Study;

(4) Perkins Loans; and

(5) Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants.

Non-Degree Admission

An applicant not wishing to earn a degree may seek admission as a non-degree student and enroll in credit bearing courses on a space available basis.

An application for non-degree status can be downloaded at www.york.cuny.edu/admissions/assets/nondegreeapp.pdf. Applicants, who have completed postsecondary work with a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher, should submit the non-degree application and “unofficial” transcripts (Registrar issued) from all postsecondary institutions attended. If the cumulative grade point average is below 2.0, the applicant will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and will be required to submit “official” transcripts from all institutions attended. Under no circumstances will grade reports be accepted.

If an applicant has been academically dismissed from a CUNY college, s/he must remain out of school for at least one semester. Students should review the Standards for Academic Probation and Retention discussed later in this Bulletin. These standards apply to both degree and non-degree students.  Freshmen may apply for non-degree status by submitting a copy of the high school transcript and proof of graduation or GED diploma. All non-degree applicants must take and pass the CUNY Assessment Tests or be otherwise exempt. Non-degree students are not eligible for financial aid or student loans and are billed at the non-degree tuition rate.

In addition to satisfying the requirements above, applicants educated abroad must submit educational documents with certified English translations.  Applications for matriculation to degree status are available in the Office of the Registrar.  A student will be considered for matriculation after the completion of six credits with a minimum 2.5 grade point average and passing of all CUNY Assessment Tests (CAT).  All students accepted into degree status must satisfy the degree requirements contained in the bulletin in effect the semester they matriculate.

Second Degree Admission

Students who already hold a baccalaureate degree from York College, or who have previously attended York College, and wish to be accepted for a second baccalaureate must apply to the Office of the Registrar for readmission and must complete a second degree application. All other baccalaureate holders file as a transfer applicant at www.cuny.edu/apply. If accepted, the student must complete a minimum of 40 credits at York College in order to earn the second degree.

At least 75% of the course requirements of the major program of the second baccalaureate degree must be completed at York. (See above, Evaluation of Prior College Credits.)

All second baccalaureate degree students holding a bachelors degree from a regionally accredited senior college are exempt from all skills tests and General Education Requirements, including Writing 301, 302 or 303, except when such courses are required by their major or as prerequisite for other courses. Second baccalaureate degree students must still complete one Writing Intensive course in the upper division of the curriculum (at the 300 or 400 level) within the major discipline unless determined otherwise on an individual case by case basis.

Readmission

Students who have not been in attendance at York College for one or more semesters and wish to return to York must file an application for readmission at least one month before the beginning of the semester for which they wish to readmit.

An application for readmission may be secured online at www.york.cuny.edu/registrar/registrars-form.

There is a non-refundable readmission fee of $10. If the student has been in attendance at any college other than York, the student must list the college on the readmission application and have an official transcript sent directly from the institution to:

Office of the Registrar,

York College, Jamaica, NY 11451

Attention: Readmission.

Students who have not been in attendance at the College for three or more semesters must follow the bulletin in effect at the time of their readmission.

Students who were dismissed at the end of their last semester in attendance at York College or returning students whose York G.P.A. is below 2.0 must file a petition for readmission with the Committee on Academic Standards.

This petition must be filed at least two months prior to the semester in which they wish to be readmitted.

If the petition is approved, the student must then file a readmission application with the Office of the Registrar at least one month before the beginning of the semester for which they wish to be admitted. An application for readmission may be secured online at www.york.cuny.edu/registrar/registrars-form.

There is a non-refundable readmission fee of $10. If the student has been in attendance at any college other than York, an official transcript of the student’s record must be sent directly by the institution attended to

Office of the Registrar,

York College,

Jamaica, NY 11451.