Step 2: Requirements

Minimum Requirements

Graduate study is open to qualified students who possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. college or university or the equivalent from a foreign institution and an adequate background in the field of study that they wish to pursue. Normally the equivalent of an undergraduate major in the field is required. If you are an international applicant, your academic credentials will be evaluated based on the characteristics of your country’s educational system and the level of work completed. See our page on information for International Applicants.

The Application

City College only accepts applications submitted online via our online application. Submitting the online application is one part of a two-step application process. The second step is for the applicant to mail all supporting documents (official transcripts, application fee, and any other supporting documentation that is not submitted through the online application). All supporting documentation should be sent to the appropriate Office of Admissions. Please see the addresses below. Applications are considered incomplete until all materials are received.

Application Fee

There is an application fee of $75, which is non-refundable and may not be applied to any other fees.  The fee can be paid by credit card or echeck through the online application. You can also mail a money order payable to The City College of New York, Office of Graduate Admissions, 160 Convent Avenue, Marshak Science Building, Room 24, New York, NY 10031.

Application fees are subject to change. Fee waivers are not available for graduate students unless you are a U.S Veteran who can provide a DD2-14.  

Personal Statement

A personal statement about your educational or career objectives should be typed and enclosed with the application. The personal statement is your way of introducing yourself to the Admissions Committee. Your personal statement should be of the kind and quality that expresses why you have chosen to pursue a graduate degree. This is also an opportunity to discuss any challenges you may have faced during your undergraduate study. Certain programs offer specific prompts for writing your personal statement. You will have access to those prompts once you begin the application process. The personal statement is one of several credentials that will determine your eligibility for admission to a graduate degree program at The City College and should be no longer than one page in length. The personal statement should be uploaded to your online application.

Letters of Recommendation

Most programs require two letters of recommendation, but some may require up to three letters. Recommendations must be submitted on official letterhead.

Recommendations should be submitted online as part of the online application. Your recommender will complete a brief assessment of your ability to be successful at the graduate level and will also upload a narrative letter in support of your application. All applications to the School of Architecture must include curriculum vitae and three letters of recommendation from persons familiar with the applicant’s intellectual and design abilities.

Recommendations may be academic (past or present professors) or professional (employers/supervisors). Friends and relatives are not accepted. Programs reserve the right to request additional letters or information.  Recommendations can be submitted after the application has been completed, but must be submitted by the published deadline.

Transcripts

Transcripts uploaded with the online application are considered unofficial and will be used for evaluation purposes only. Applicants must upload an unofficial transcript, mark sheet, or academic record for each institution of higher education previously attended, even those that did not confer a degree. All transcript uploads must include a key, legend, or back copy of the transcript. Non-English transcripts must be accompanied by an English translation. Scans must be clear and legible, and all transcripts/records should include the student's name. See Guidelines for Official Translations of Documents for more information.

Please do not mail materials that you have uploaded unless specifically requested by the Admissions Office.

Any admission offers will be contingent on receiving and verifying all official transcripts, certified translations, and/or credential evaluations pertaining to the applicant's entire post-secondary academic career, prior to the registration deadline.

Official transcripts must arrive in the envelope, sealed and stamped by the Registrar’s office. If the official transcript does not include the conferral date of baccalaureate degree, please request an official copy of the diploma or provisional certificate as well. Transcripts (and diplomas) not in English must be accompanied by a translation.

Any fraudulent activity or discrepancies found between unofficial and official transcripts will result in the immediate revocation of the admission offer.

Program Requirements

Programs may require additional elements, such as interviews/auditions and portfolio material.

Language Test Requirements: TOEFL, IELTS, Pearson (PTE) or Duolingo

All applicants from countries in which the official language is not English, are required to submit official language scores. This requirement applies to all applicants from Bangladesh, Burma, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Latin America, the Middle East, Israel, the Peoples Republic of China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia, most European countries and non-English speaking countries in Africa. The language tests are not required of permanent residents of the U.S. or individuals who have been granted official refugee or asylum status by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The language tests are not required of students from countries where English is the official language, or by students that have studied full-time at a university for at least two years at an institution in a country where English is the official language. Applicants who attend a university in a foreign country where English is the medium of instruction are NOT waived from this requirement.

All scores expire after two years. The Institutional Code for City College is 2083. This Institutional Code number will ensure that your scores are sent to The City College Office of Admissions. Scores sent directly to any academic department will delay the processing of your application. City College does not use department codes.

Each graduate program may requires a different minimum score for consideration than another. Please consult the program requirements for you program's minimum score.

Graduate Record Examination, (GRE)

The GRE has been suspended until further notice.

Test scores can still be submitted with your application if you choose to submit them. GRE score reports may come directly from ETS (Educational Testing Service) and can also be verified electronically by the admissions office. GRE scores expire after five years.

The Institutional Code for City College is 2083. This Institutional Code number will ensure that GRE scores are sent to The City College Office of Admissions. City College does not use department codes.

gre@ets.org