With BMCC International Student world, international students get an excellent, affordable education in one of the world’s premier locations, downtown Manhattan. Over 800 students from over 112 different countries study at BMCC, adding to an already incredibly diverse student body.
You will get the personalized attention you need, as well as being part of the City University of New York (CUNY) system. International students participate in a wide variety of clubs, extracurricular activities, volunteer opportunities and career development. You will also have opportunities to apply for scholarships after the first semester. There are many student support services to help you along the way.
To apply, the first step is to submit an online CUNY application and your academic documents.
Priority Deadlines:
- Spring semester: September 15
- Fall semester: February 1
CUNY will consider all applications received after these dates on a rolling basis.
How to Apply to BMCC as an International Applicant
We are excited to work with you to make your dreams of an education in the United States a reality!
Overview
Regardless of immigration status, all new students apply to BMCC through the CUNY application process. Step-by-step details are listed below.
The Office of Admissions will review your application and make a decision to admit (accept) you or deny your application.
If you are accepted at BMCC, you will undertake several additional steps to prepare to begin school. This could include an application for an F-1 visa, an application to change your current immigration status, or enrolling in all-online courses you will complete from you home country.
International Admissions Timeline
| To begin in a Fall semester: | To begin in a Spring semester: | |
|---|---|---|
| Priority CUNY Application Deadline: | February 1* | September 15* |
| BMCC Form I-20 Application Deadline: | Initial/Overseas: June 30 Transfer/Inside U.S.: July 15 | Initial/Overseas: November 15 Transfer/Inside U.S.: November 30 |
| Initial I-20 Reporting Date (enter the U.S. no later than this date): | August 1 | January 1 |
| First Day of Classes: | August 25, 2026 | January 29, 2026 |
| *While this is not the last possible date to apply, it can take CUNY up to three months to review international applications. Apply early to avoid a last-minute rush to complete immigration and enrollment steps! |
The CUNY Application Process
1. Submit a CUNY Application online and pay the application fee.
- Application priority deadlines:
- Fall: February 1
- Spring: September 15
- Application Fees:
- Freshman application = $65
- Transfer application = $70
(If you do not pay at the time you submit your application, you must log in again later to pay the fee.)
2. Submit supporting documents.
You are halfway there! After submitting an online application and paying the fee, submit official documents to the CUNY University Application Processing Center (UAPC):
Choose your application type to see a list of the documents we need:
International Freshman Applicant
International Transfer Applicant
Acceptable Proof of English Language Proficiency
You may submit official results from any of the following exams with the minimum scores shown to demonstrate English language proficiency.
- TOEFL internet-based test (iBT): 45
- TOEFL paper-based test: 450
- IELTS bandwidth score: 5.0
- Pearson Academic Test of English (PTE): 39
- Duolingo English Test: 80
TOEFL, IELTS, and PTE test scores may be sent electronically to CUNY using school code 2950. Duolingo scores may be sent electronically to BMCC International Admissions.
Where to send your supporting documents:
Freshmen Applicants:
UAPC
P.O. Box 350136
Brooklyn, NY 11235-0001
USA
Transfer Applicants:
UAPC
P.O. Box 359023
Brooklyn, NY 11235-9023
USA
Overnight/Express Shipping Address:
(for both Freshman and Transfer Applicants)
CUNY/UAPC
2001 Oriental Blvd., Building T-1, Room 122
Brooklyn, NY 11235
USA
Congratulations! When all your documents have been mailed (posted), you have completed your Application to BMCC!
Track your Application
Because of your overseas credentials, it will take at least -8 weeks to review your application and deliver an admission decision. You can check your application status at any time online. Use CUNY’s tracking tool, CUNYfirst, to review details of your application, see if your transcripts were received, and look out for that admissions decision.
CUNYfirst Portal
After you submit your online application, CUNY will email you with instructions for creating or “claiming” a CUNYfirst account. Once you have successfully created an account and logged in, you will be able to view details about your application, registration, and financial aid.
Then, follow these steps to see your status.
(Remember, you can submit your application after the deadline, we cannot guarantee that it will be reviewed for the semester you requested.)
If you are admitted, BMCC will email a letter of admission with instructions to apply for a SEVIS I-20. After you receive your BMCC SEVIS I-20, the next step is to apply for an F-1 student visa at the United States embassy or consulate in your home country. Visit the After You Are Accepted (International) page for more information.
We hope to welcome you to BMCC soon!
What is a Community College?
BMCC is a community college. Many students in the United States complete their first two years of college at a community college and earn an Associate Degree (usually 60-68 credits). Then, they transfer to a senior college to complete their bachelor’s degrees (usually 120-130 credits, depending on the school). Community colleges are affordable, inclusive, and a smart way to begin your college experience.
Did you know that 45% of undergraduate students in the U.S. are enrolled in community colleges? Read more about community colleges in the U.S. here!
What is an international student?
When we refer to “international student”, we mean a non-immigrant with F-1 status.
If you are in the U.S. on another type of non-immigrant status (such as A, B, G, H, J or M) and want to study at BMCC, or if you are not sure about your status, please contact us at internationalstudent@bmcc.cuny.edu!
Note: If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you are not considered an international student.
About English Testing
If you are admitted to BMCC, you will have to take the CUNY Assessment Test (CAT) on campus before you can register for classes.
The CAT measures your reading and writing levels, along with your ability in mathematics. If you do not pass a section/sections of the test, you will have to do remedial (developmental, 0-credit) classes. Another option is intensive English study in BLIIS (BMCC Language Immersion for International Students).
Reminder: Test scores are required in order to register, so we recommend taking the CAT at least three weeks before the first day of class.
Housing Options
BMCC is located in the neighborhood of TriBeCa, in downtown Manhattan. It can be difficult to find inexpensive housing in TriBeCa, so most of our students do not live within walking distance from the school. They live throughout the five boroughs of New York City. Some live in New Jersey. Like the majority of people in this city, many of our students commute. In New York, a normal commute is 30-60 minutes by subway and/or bus.
One accommodation option is a residence hall. BMCC is a City University of New York (CUNY) school, so our students can stay in any CUNY residence hall located on another CUNY campus.
BMCC Admissions
VISIT IN PERSON:
Panther Station
199 Chambers St. NY, NY, 10007, Room S-225
MAILING ADDRESS:
199 Chambers St. NY, NY 10007, Room S-310
PHONE: (212) 220-1265
HOURS:
Monday-Thursday: 9 a.m.-7 p.m.
Friday: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.