CUNY Start is an intensive one-semester program that is all about helping you build the academic skills and knowledge you need to thrive in college. Many students choose to begin college with a CUNY Start program so that they can meet CUNY's proficiency standards in English and Math in a low-risk, supportive environment with a team of dedicated instructors, tutors, and college advisers.  

In CUNY Start, you will have English and/or Math classes four to five days per week, with instruction focused on building the college-level reading, writing, numeracy, and algebra skills that are the foundation of success in many degree programs. In CUNY Start classes, you will have the opportunity to practice and develop skills with regular feedback from instructors and staff so that you can begin your credit classes the following semester confident that you know how to succeed in college. During the semester, you will also meet regularly with an adviser in a “college knowledge” seminar class and in one-on-one appointments so you can stay on track and plan for your future.  

CUNY Start can help you adjust to college life, building skills before tackling more challenging classes. All of this comes at a low-cost $35 or $75 fee, making it an affordable way to prepare for college success! 

For a quick introduction to CUNY Start, watch the video below.

English or Math + Advising + Credit Course 

Are you looking to get started on earning college credits while receiving more intense support in English or math? 

If so, the English or Math + Advising + Credit Course option, or JumpStart, could be perfect for you! This program provides extra help in English or Math while earning 3 college credits in just one semester. 

The program runs Monday through Thursday during the fall and spring terms, with these schedule options for on-campus classes: 

• CUNY Start morning classes + an afternoon credit course 

• CUNY Start evening classes + an afternoon credit course 

English + Math + Advising 

Do you want to focus on strengthening your skills in both English and math? The English + Math + Advising program is a great fit if you need extra support in both subjects. 

This program runs 25 hours per week, Monday through Friday, during the fall and spring terms, with daytime schedules available. 

English + Advising or Math + Advising 

Do you want to focus on one subject but feel confident in the other? Or do you have a busy schedule with work or other responsibilities and need a part-time option? The English + Advising or Math + Advising program could be a great fit for you! 

This program is offered Monday through Thursday during the summer, fall, and spring terms, with daytime, evening, and fully online schedules available. 

1. Apply for and accept admission to Queensborough Community College.  
2. Submit your completed high school transcript or high school equivalency certification. 
3. Submit your immunization paperwork to HealthServices@qcc.cuny.edu.
4. Schedule and attend an Advisement and Registration Session with one of our advisors or staff members by calling us 718-281-5368, emailing us at cunystart@qcc.cuny.edu, or filling out our interest form.  

Meet Bibi Ishmael 

Meet Adams Michel 

Bibi Ishmael is a CUNY Start alumna and Spring 2024 Queensborough Community College graduate! When Bibi moved from Guyana to New York, she found inspiration in QCC’s diverse community to pursue her dream of becoming an immigration lawyer. Bibi can credit CUNY Start with helping her develop the skills and confidence needed to succeed in college and life, saying “CUNY Start helped me prepare for life. It was the instructors that motivated me; it’s the people within education that saw my potential." After CUNY Start, Bibi went on to major in Criminal Justice and earned awards like the Incentive Award for working parents and the Theresa Singer Award for her outstanding academic achievements. Bibi is now continuing her journey to pursue law at John Jay College this fall.  

Meet Adams Michel is a CUNY Start alum, Queensborough Community College graduate, and now a ttutor at QCC's Center for Tutoring & Academic Support (CTAS)! His journey from student to colleague was profoundly influenced by the academic and personal growth he experienced during the CUNY Start program. Adams states that “I had no idea how much value I would gain from the program...this space served as an opportunity for me to explore my creativity, prepare for my future college responsibilities, and learn to adapt my studying skills for college coursework. Through the support of caring individuals... I was able to feel positively reinforced to move towards the right direction of my future endeavors! I am forever indebted to CUNY Start.” In addition to his role as a tutor, Adams is currently pursuing a degree in psychology at Queens College.