Selection Crisis- Going from SUNY to CUNY

Hello guys! I’m going to be a freshman in college for Fall 2016 and I’m currently in a weird situation. I’m enrolled at Binghamton University in Watson (for computer science) and I have already submitted my deposit. However, I’ve visited it for orientation I’m not very sure if Binghamton is for me due to its location and prices. I want to transfer to nursing there but I cannot try to do that until next year and it is rather difficult to do so. Even if I successfully do it, I could be behind in prerequisite courses and have to take summer school which means even more money.
A lot of people suggested that I attend a CUNY for now and ask the schools that have accepted me if they have anymore spots and go there instead. I’m considering going to Hunter for nursing but I know that it is also very competitive there. I’m afraid that I don’t make the cut and have no back up plans.
Also, another question I have is that is it difficult to transfer from a CUNY to a SUNY?
Any advice, suggestions, or tips would be a great help!

Hi–

It looks like you have several options beyond Hunter.

As far as transferring credits from CUNY to SUNY you would need to consult the individual institutions that you’re interested in.

BA programs in Nursing are available at CSI, Hunter, Lehman, Medgar, City Tech, SPS, York

AA (two year) programs in nursing are available at BMCC, BCC, CSI, Hostos, Medgar, City Tech, KCC, LGCC, QCC

You may get an overview of transfer policies by googling the name of college (like BMCC) and the words “articulation agreement”. Be aware that if a college does NOT have an articulation agreement, that does not mean that the college won’t accept the credit. Each college has different criteria though.

I believe that some CUNYs are still accepting students. You may be able to start immediately in the fall, but each school prob varies.

Best of luck.

Thank you for all that helpful information!
I’ve contacted Hunter, City, and Baruch. Hunter said that they are full while City said I can still go there. However, for City, I will be placed on the waiting list for Groves School of Engineering(since that’s what I was accepted into before) or I could change my major and be placed in another program to start school on time.
Does anyone know anything about being placed on a waiting list?
Any more advice? Should I go to a SUNY for its reputation and pay a lot or should I go to a CUNY to figure out what I want to do?

Did you check Lehman?

It’s listed as the 2nd best for value for nursing degrees. Sometimes people get a little freaked because it’s located in the Bronx, but it’s a nice area around the campus. The D train takes you express into Manhattan. Lots of very tippy top NYC high school students go to the high school there, American Studies at Lehman, one of the top high schools in the City–a “specialized” high school for kids with elite test scores–and the kids take the train up there all of the time from all over the city.

http://www.■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■/rankings/nursing-degree/

Unfortunately I did not apply to Lehman previously and I don’t know if they are still accepting. Can I take my prereqs at CCNY and then transfer to York or Lehman?

@moduloopperator, you can take the nursing prerequisites at any of the CUNY 4/2-year colleges and apply to any of the CUNY nursing programs (except Hunter College). Hunter College nursing program starts sophomore year, unlike Lehman and the other BSN programs. You should look at the various program prerequisites to make sure you meet them before the end of your sophomore year. Good/high GPA (>3.3) and HESI (TEAS or NLN) score are critical in getting into any BSN program in NYC…quite competitive!

I’m not sure if one can transfer into Hunter College BSN program after Freshman year. Maybe it is something you should look into. Molloy College has a large BSN program outside of NYC and is probably easier to get intro than the CUNY programs (more expensive though).

The nursing site linked below is a good resource for additional information:

http://allnurses.com/new-york-nursing/

I went to Lehman more than 30 years ago and It has always had an excellent nursing program; I had many friends in it, though it was not what I studied. As far as I know, Lehman’s nursing program is still top notch. Plus, you can’t beat CUNY prices.

One question I have is where would you live if you commute to school? Hunter has dorms.

Another option, if you want to work this year and reapply next year, is SUNY Plattsburgh. It has a direct entry nursing program, which is excellent. Two of my children attend(ed) Plattsburgh and, between them, have many friends in the nursing program. The job rate is excellent. One of my D’s friends has been traveling the country, working at different hospitals while she tries to decide where she wants to live. She actually didn’t start out as a nursing major but changed majors after her first year.

Good luck to you, whatever your choice is.

At this point it’s too late for the Fall in nursing. So your choices are

  • to attend Bing and take pre reqs that will transfer to a nursing program. Likely, two semesters of Freshman composition, biology, chemistry, and one course in anatomy and physiology and one course in biostatistics. Then apply to universities that have a nursing program.
  • to take a gap year and apply to Lehman’s and other direct entry nursing programs.

^You may not get back your deposit at Bing. for option #2

Lehman has a residency hall now – http://www.lehman.edu/student-affairs/student-housing/faqs.php

But it looks like it only has 19 beds! You’d need to jump on that train fast if you want that option!! Like most things in NYC get on the wait list to the wait list now!

That’s interesting about Lehman having housing now. It doesn’t appear to be a traditional dorm and it’s kind of a walk away but still, it’s a nice option.

^housing at Lehman goes first to Macaulay scholars. Odds of someone getting a spot are low.