Quality of CUNY schools in New York?

Hi everyone! I'm starting to look at colleges to apply to in New York, and the CUNY system keeps popping up. Are they reputable universities? And what should I know about them before applying?

Absolutely, the City University of New York, or CUNY, system is a public university system consisting of individual colleges across the boroughs of New York City. The CUNY system is recognized for its affordability, diversity, and strong academic programs across various fields. Each campus has its unique strengths and environment.

For instance, Baruch College is well known for its business programs. It's Zicklin School of Business is consistently ranked among the top undergraduate business programs in the country. Also, Hunter College offers strong programs in the liberal arts and sciences, and it boasts a well-regarded nursing program.

Applying to CUNY schools is slightly different than applying to most other schools. You’ll submit one application through the CUNY Application and pay one application fee, then choose up to six CUNY colleges to send your application. Note that a few of the CUNY colleges have additional application requirements that you should be aware of.

However, it's important to remember that your experience at a CUNY school can be highly dependent on your level of self-direction and initiative. As CUNY schools are commuter colleges, they often lack the traditional residential college experience. But for motivated students, being in New York City offers a plethora of internships, part-time job opportunities, and cultural experiences.

Also, depending on your financial situation, CUNY may seem attractive due to its lower cost compared to private universities, and even other public institutions in the state of New York. The university system offers a quality education at a relatively lower cost, and all of this is based in one of the top cities in the world.

So, yes, the CUNY system is indeed reputable, but each individual college differs in its strengths, so it’s a good idea to research each one individually and see which one fits your academic and lifestyle needs the best.