Program Overview

Introduction to College Now at BMCC

College Now (CN) is a collaborative program of the City University of New York (CUNY) and the New York City Department of Education (NYCDOE), serving over 700 high school students annually. The program's goals are to provide high school students with a head start in college and help them improve their level of academic achievement in high school.

Program Benefits

• Experience the richness of college life while still in high school.
• Save time and money: taking free college credit courses helps students save time and money, and also helps push them ahead of their academic peers.
• Be better prepared for the future: participating in College Now allows students to take on academic challenges, participate in cultural activities, and have an easier transition into higher education, improving their likelihood of graduating from college.

Eligibility

To enroll in a college credit course, students must be a junior or senior in a NYC public school and demonstrate that they meet the criteria listed below.

• 480 on the Verbal section of the SAT or at least a 75 on the English Language Arts Regents or at least a 50 on the Verbal section of the PSAT.
• At least a 480 on the Mathematics section of the SAT or at least a 75 on the Mathematics A Regents Exam or the Sequential II Regents or at least 50 on the Math section of the PSAT.
• Students who have not taken the Regents must have an overall high school GPA of 80 and include a letter of recommendation with their application.

Course Offerings

College Now offers a variety of courses, including:

• Career Planning (CED 201, 2 credits): helps students creatively plan their careers, covering self-assessment, career exploration, and practical job search skills.
• Introduction to Sociology (SOC 100, 3 credits): studies the social world, major sociological theories, and research methods.
• General Psychology (PSY 100, 3 credits): introduces students to the scientific study of behavior and mental processes.
• Fundamentals of Public Speaking (SPE 100, 3 credits): develops effective skills in speech communication.
• Introduction to Business (BUS 104, 3 credits): surveys business and industry in the United States with a global growth strategy.
• Structure of the Spanish Language (TRS 206, 3 credits): provides a comprehensive overview of the grammatical components of the Spanish Language.
• Introduction to Translation and Interpretation Theory (TRS 201, 3 credits): introduces students to the processes and strategies of translation and interpretation.
• Introduction to TV and Film (VAT 100, 3 credits): explains how video technology works and how it is put into practice to create video content.
• Introduction to Statistics (MAT 150, 4 credits): covers basic statistics, including measures of central tendency and dispersion.
• Information Technology and Computation (CSC 101, 3 credits): introduces the principles and theories of computation and information processing.

Program Structure

• Classes and events take place before or after school, or on the weekend.
• Some courses are offered on the BMCC campus, while others might be offered at the student's own school.
• Students are limited to earning 12 college credits total.

Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

1. What do College Now students do?: Qualified students can take college-level courses, allowing them to get a jumpstart on their college careers.
2. Who else will be in my College Now class?: Depending on the course, students may attend classes with other College Now students or with regular undergraduate college-age students.
3. I go to school all day. When can I fit in College Now classes?: Classes are scheduled to work with the student's high school schedule, including before or after school, or on the weekend.
4. Where do I go for College Now classes?: Classes may be offered on the BMCC campus or at the student's own school.
5. How many credits can I earn?: Students are limited to earning 12 college credits total.
6. How much does College Now cost?: College Now is completely free, with tuition and books covered.
7. How do I apply to College Now?: Students should contact their school's College Now liaison or the BMCC College Now office for information on available courses, requirements, and deadlines.

Academic Questions

1. What if I sign up for a class and don't do well?: College classes are a serious commitment, and students should be well-prepared. A poor grade in a college-credit class will appear on the student's transcript.
2. How else is college different from high school?: In college, students are expected to participate because they are personally committed, not because they are required to be present by law. College professors do not follow up on missing assignments or homework.

Attendance and Credits

1. Are students required to stay in the program?: No, students are not obligated to sign up for additional courses or activities if they try a College Now course and decide it's not for them.
2. Can I drop a course?: Withdrawing from a course is a serious matter and will be reflected on the student's official college transcript. Students should speak with their instructor and College Now liaison before withdrawing.
3. How many credits can I take?: Students are limited to 12 college credits total.
4. Will the credits I earn as a College Now student transfer?: Yes, credits earned as a College Now student will transfer within the CUNY system, but transferring credits to schools outside the CUNY system will be at the discretion of that institution.

Conclusion

College Now at BMCC provides high school students with a unique opportunity to experience college life, earn college credits, and prepare for their future academic and professional careers. With a variety of courses and a supportive program structure, College Now helps students succeed and achieve their goals.