Admissions FAQ

All entering freshmen applicants are considered for admission based on their high school academic average, academic units, *SAT/ACT scores and/or GED scores. Students from non-English speaking countries must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) examination. All baccalaureate students must take the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or ACT prior to admission. Prospective freshmen may click here to review last year's Freshman Admission Profile to get an idea of the mean grade point average (GPA) used for John Jay College.

In addition to meeting the GPA requirements, students must meet the college readiness requirements in reading, writing and mathematics. Students can demonstrate that they meet the University’s college readiness requirements based on their SAT, ACT, or NY State Regents test scores. Click here to learn more.

*Temporary Suspension of Standardized Testing Requirements for Undergraduate Admission. SAT and ACT test scores are not required nor considered in application review through the Spring 2023 admission cycle. CUNY will revise its testing policy to test optional effective fall 2023 through spring 2025.

First-year applicants can choose whether to submit SAT or ACT exam scores as part of their application. The admission decision will be based primarily on a student’s academic preparation in high school, including overall grade-point-average, course grades and the academic rigor of their high school curriculum. Click here for more information.

Fall 2023 through Spring  2025 Admission – SAT/ACT Test Optional Policy

CUNY will revise its testing policy to test optional effective fall 2023 through spring 2025. First-year applicants can choose whether to submit SAT or ACT exam scores as part of their application. The admission decision will be based primarily on a student’s academic preparation in high school, including overall grade-point-average, course grades and the academic rigor of their high school curriculum.
Students should carefully consider whether they would like to send their test scores:

• If a student has a particularly strong academic record and believes that their standardized exam scores do not reflect their full academic potential, they may elect not to send SAT or ACT exam scores to CUNY.
• If a student feels that standardized test scores improve their overall academic record, we invite them to send test scores.
• The absence of SAT or ACT exam scores cannot be used to deny a student admission.

We recommend that students discuss this test-optional decision with their school counselor.

Prospective transfer students may click here to review last year's Transfer Admission Profile to get an idea of the mean grade point average (GPA) used for John Jay College. If you are transferring with fewer than 24 credits, you must meet the transfer GPA requirement, as well as the prerequisite high school average and academic units for admission. Please note, these requirements may change based on enrollment data. In addition to the GPA requirements, students are required to meet the college readiness requirements in English and Mathematics. You may click here to learn more about CUNY's College Readiness Requirements.

Students not admitted as freshmen, may apply to the CUNY Justice Academy Program offered at CUNY Community Colleges. By enrolling in a degree program of the CUNY Justice Academy, you receive dual admission into one of the six participating CUNY community colleges and John Jay College of Criminal Justice. The first 60 credits are taken at a "partner" community college campus, with the final 60 credits taken at John Jay. Click here to learn more about the CUNY Justice Academy.

Yes. All students must provide *SAT/ACT Exam Scores and Official High School Transcript(s) from all schools attended. 

*Temporary Suspension of Standardized Testing Requirements for Undergraduate Admission. SAT and ACT test scores are not required nor considered in application review through the Spring 2023 admission cycle. CUNY will revise its testing policy to test optional effective fall 2023 through spring 2025. First-year applicants can choose whether to submit SAT or ACT exam scores as part of their application. The admission decision will be based primarily on a student’s academic preparation in high school, including overall grade-point-average, course grades and the academic rigor of their high school curriculum. Click here for more information.

Freshman applicants may apply to up to six colleges and transfer applicants may apply to up to four colleges.

Applications are reviewed after the online application, application fee (or waiver) and all supporting documents are received by CUNY. Students will receive an admission decision 6-8 weeks after submitting all of the above. Click here to check your application status.

Yes. Students are required to submit transcripts from all schools attended. The application will not be reviewed until all transcripts are submitted.

Courses are evaluated on a course by course basis.  Credit evaluations are conducted after a student is admitted and has submitted the commitment deposit.  He/she will receive an email once the credits are evaluated, with additional information.  The College has a number of articulation agreements with other colleges.  

Is John Jay your top choice? Apply Early Action and recieve a priority review and possible early decision!

Step 1: Submit application by December 1st

Step 2: Opt onto Early Action by December 1st

Step 3: Submit all transcripts by December 10th

Freshman and Transfer students denied admission can submit an appeal to the Admission Appeals Committee for reconsideration of the original admission decision online here: Appeal Admissions Decision form. Students will be notified via email once a decision has been made. All appeal decisions are final.

John Jay offers various scholarship opportunities to recognize outstanding students and help finance their education. In the last five years alone, we have awarded over $2.5 Million dollars in scholarship funds to students. Click here  to learn more about scholarship opportunities.

John Jay College offers affordable tuition rates. Click here  to learn more.

Yes. John Jay College offers an easy and convenient payment plan that provides a low cost option. It is not a loan program and there are no interest or finance charges assessed as well as no credit check. Click here to learn more.

Yes. At John Jay, we work hard to keep our tuition affordable while maintaining the highest academic standards. Click here  to learn more about financial aid.

Students may be eligible for In-State tuition after residing in New York State for at least one year, prior to the start of classes. Click here  to learn more.

Yes. We strongly encourage students to pursue an internship during their college career. An internship allows students to gain valuable work experience, which enables you to build your professional resume, in order to get ahead in the job market. Our Center for Career and Professional Development is dedicated to assisting students in reach this goal.

We offer a number of liberal arts and criminal justice majors. Click here to learn more.

John Jay College currently offers the BA/MA program, where you can earn your bachelor’s and master’s degree simultaneously. The program currently offers this program for Criminal Justice, Forensic Psychology and Public Administration majors. Click here to learn more.

Yes. Summer courses are available throughout the year. Click here to learn more about summer and winter course facts.

Yes. Online course offerings are available every semester.

The only online program currently available is the Online Bachelor of Science in Security Management. Click here to learn more.

Yes. John Jay offers comfortable and caring off-campus housing options to its students. Click here to learn more.

If you attended a post secondary institution outside of the U.S., you must have your credentials evaluated by one of the following companies to receive transfer credit:

• Josef Silny & Associates: https://www.jsilny.org
• Transcript Research: https://transcriptresearch.com