cuny sps personal essay

• Campus Resources
• Student Organizations
• View Calendar

The student-run newspaper of CUNY SPS.

• Community Voices
• Events Calendar
• Submission Guidelines & FAQ

Why CUNY SPS?

Michele Schultz || October 13, 2023

It all begins with a personal essay submission that initiates a ”why” question: ”Why do you wish to complete your degree at the CUNY School of Professional Studies?”

Before applying, the pandemic taught CUNY SPS Governing Council candidate Thomas Kim about the value of self-learning, he said, while proudly explaining that CUNY students are a representation of what New Yorkers have to offer the world.

“I chose to attend a CUNY school because of its reputation as an affordable, competitive, and local university in New York and I love that I can find similar diversity at a CUNY campus,” said Kim. “And I chose to attend CUNY SPS for my master’s degree because I preferred online school over the traditional classroom experience.”

The CUNY network proves that education connects New Yorkers from all walks of life despite their circumstances, especially for SPS Human Relations major Adrienne Malone-Griffiths, who expressed her choice to attend SPS after previously attending CUNY Queensborough Community College.

“I chose a CUNY school for its convenience and affordability, so it allowed me to keep the maximum number of credits,” said Malone-Griffiths. “CUNY SPS for the HRL program, the coursework was interesting to me and it addressed everything I wanted to do professionally.”

“I choose CUNY SPS for the convenience and flexibility it grants me as a full time employee and mother of two,” said Stephanie Dumet, who is pursuing a degree in Healthcare Service Administration. “Time feels more like a scarce resource at CUNY SPS. I’m able to take all my classes asynchronously.”

Like many high school graduates looking into schools that offer flexible classes, Alexandra Perez Jimenez found CUNY SPS to be a perfect fit. Now a representative for the CUNY SPS Governing Council, Jimenez will also be graduating with an MA of Psychology by 2024.

“Throughout my time here as a student, I have learned a lot of work/life skills, made many friends through joining clubs,” said Perez Jimenez. “And [I] have become a better learner.”

SPS graduate student Jade Powell is proud of being a product of the CUNY system, the education she experienced at CUNY for both pursuing an associate’s and bachelor’s degree, so it moved her to continue her graduate education at CUNY after Powell’s supervisor told her about the Disability Services in Higher Education MS program at SPS. From there, Powell decided to look into the program, which spoke volumes to her on how informative and helpful it would be for her.

“I had already experienced a great education at CUNY,” said Powell. “I always encourage people to look into CUNY SPS and it takes into consideration the working person, the family person, the busy person. It’s truly the best place to be.”

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Related Posts

For #CUNYTuesday, Inventive Fundraising Programs Developed

Students Advocate for Cautious Adoption of AI Tools in Classes

See Photos from CUNY SPS’ 2024 Commencement

Club Week Spotlight: South Asian Student Union, Disability and Access Coalition, and Youth Studies Club

Welcome to the cuny sps openlab.

Powered by:

Current Students

• Student Survival Guide
• Career Success Initiatives
• Undocumented Students
• The LGBTQI+ Community
• Students With Conviction Records
• Students With Disabilities
• Transfer Explorer

Faculty & Staff

• Employee Directory
• Human Resources
• Faculty Resources
• Academic Commons
• University Benefits Office

Future Students

• CUNY’s Value for Students
• How to Apply
• Our Academic Programs
• Check Application Status
• Guide for Future Students
• International Students
• Campus Tours

Degree Search

• Find a Course
• Find a Class
• Find a Program

People Search

• Find People (phone/emails)
• College Registrars
• Campus IT Help Desks
• Academic Calendars
• Application Review
• Undergraduate Admissions

How Will My Application Be Reviewed? During application evaluation, our colleges review your academic achievements to determine your likelihood of being successful on their campus.

Please note that your application will be reviewed based on a number of components, which can vary by college.

Use this page to understand how your application will be considered and determine which of our colleges is a strong academic fit.

Applicants Profile

College specific information, frequently asked questions.

Freshman Applicants

Each of our colleges has a unique selection process, and there is a great fit college for all first-year students. For most programs, a comprehensive review of your academic record is sufficient to make an admission decision.  However, some of our colleges will review additional supporting materials to determine your eligibility.

Admission Profile

Use this profile to review the average GPA of students accepted to the university for Fall 2023. The table below displays information for both general and SEEK/CD admission .  Remember that there is a great fit college for all first-year students, and you can apply to up to 6 colleges using the  CUNY Application .

CUNY College Admission Profile: Fall 2023

1 Excludes applicants admitted through the Opportunity for Student Success (OSS) program and applicants admitted conditionally. 2 Includes applicants admitted to both associate and baccalaureate degree programs.

Application Review & Support Materials

Once you’ve reviewed the admission profile, take a look at the components that each college can consider during application review.  For specific information on how each college will review your application, view the College Specific Information section.

Academic Review:

• Overall academic average or GPA
• Foreign Language
• Strong performance in one or more specific subject areas
• Level of coursework completed in each subject area (for instance, the completion of Trigonometry or Calculus in mathematics)
• Participation in college level courses while in HS
• AP or IB participation
• Course selection during senior year
• Proficiency  in Math and English
• NYS Regents examination results, if available
• High School Equivalency exam results
• Financial Aid information for students wishing to be considered for SEEK/CD. To learn more about SEEK/CD, click  here .
• TOEFL, IELTS, PTE or Duolingo for temporary visa holders who were educated in a non-English environment.
• Please note that SAT/ACT exams are not required, nor will they be considered through the Spring 2025 admission cycle. For more information, click here .

Supporting Materials:

• Extracurricular achievements
• Letters of recommendation
• Personal statements

Transfer Applicants

As a transfer applicant, the review of your application will be based on a comprehensive review of your academic record.  Each of our colleges has a unique selection process, and certain majors may have additional requirements. Once you’re admitted, you’ll be able to engage with your future college to determine credit transfer. Already a CUNY student?  Use  this tool  to see how your credits will transfer across the university.

Use this profile to review the average GPA of transfer students accepted to the university for Fall 2023.  Remember that as a transfer applicant, you can select up to 4 college choices on the  CUNY Application .

1 The GPA reflects a combination of all prior colleges attended. GPAs reported as “0” in CUNYfirst are only included if the total number of credits attempted is greater than 0. GPAs reported as greater than 4.0 have been excluded. 2 Total credits earned for each applicant reflects a combination of all prior colleges attended but does not necessarily reflect the number of credits that CUNY will accept towards the degree. Credits reported as “0” in CUNYfirst are only included if the total number of credits attempted is greater than 0. 3 Means are based on applicants admitted to both associate and baccalaureate degree programs. 4 Only includes applicants admitted as transfer applicants.

Most of our colleges will review your application based on your overall GPA and demonstrated  proficiency  in math and English. However, certain majors have additional requirements.  Below is a listing of items that our colleges may consider during review. For specific information on how each college will review your application, view the college specific information section.

• Overall academic average or GPA in college courses
• Completion of pre-requisite coursework
• Completion of an associate degree
• Demonstration of  proficiency  in math and English
• Academic average or GPA in high school
• Proof of high school graduation
• TOEFL, IELTS, PTE or Duolingo for temporary visa holders who were educated in a non-English environment
• Proof of licensure for certain majors

Which colleges require a personal statement for general freshman applicants?

Hunter College and Queens College ask that all freshman applicants submit a personal statement. It is recommended for Baruch College.

What are the essay topics for Baruch College, Hunter College and Queens College?

You may submit one of three essay topics as part of your freshman application to Baruch (essay is recommended), Hunter or Queens:

• Tell us something meaningful about yourself that is not reflected in your application.  You may choose to speak about your interests, aspirations and/or background.
• It is often said that the road to success is paved with setbacks.  Tell us about a time you faced a challenge or obstacle.  What did you learn from it, and how did it contribute to your success?
• Share an essay on any topic.  You may use an essay that you have previously written or one that discusses a topic of your choice.

Do any colleges require a letter of recommendation?

Letters of recommendation are optional for general admission programs. Be sure to check if your intended major requires supplemental materials to be submitted.

How will community colleges review my freshman application?

Our community colleges will primarily look for proof that you are graduating with a high school diploma. Many students who are looking for a supportive environment choose to apply to a community college.

My school does not offer Regents exams, but I’m a strong student. Will my application be impacted by missing Regents exam scores?

No.  Each college will review your application comprehensively.  We understand that not all students take Regents exams, and our colleges will look at other components of your application to determine eligibility.

My grade point average falls slightly below what is listed on the admission profile. Can I still apply?

Yes. The admission profile displays averages of admitted students and does not represent minimum requirements for admission.

More Admissions Resources

• Majors & Programs
• Support Programs
• Foster Care Students
• Adult Learners
• Advanced Placement Credit
• High School/College Counselors
• Transfer Credit Guide
• Downloads and Print Materials

• About the Writing Fellows
• How to Make an Appointment
• Revising Based on the Fellows’ Feedback
• Common Writing Questions
• How to read a SafeAssign report
• APA Handouts & Tutorials
• Critically Reading and Annotating a Text
• From Reading to Writing: Double Entry Notebook
• From Reading to Writing: Quotation-Comment-Question (Q-C-Q)
• Choosing Appropriate Quotes
• Integrating Quotes into Your Writing
• Quoting, Paraphrasing, and Summarizing
• Decoding Your Assignment, Part 1
• Decoding Your Assignment, Part 2
• Understanding Assignments Worksheet
• Creating an Outline
• Using An Outline to Write A Paper
• Proofreading and Revising
• Drafts: Respond, Redraft, Revise
• Paragraph Construction and Topic Sentences

Essay Structure

• What are thesis and organizational statements?
• Generating a Thesis
• Thesis Statements: Working Backwards
• Five Strategies for Writing More Clearly
• About the Library
• Webinars on Finding, Using and Citing Sources
• How to use the WCOnline scheduler
• Bring and Cite Workshops

Many of your writing assignments will involve more than one paragraph.  Most will require 3-5 paragraphs, while some may be much longer.  How do you organize your ideas and make sure the reader understands your argument in these types of papers?

There is a standard structure you can follow to help ensure your thoughts are presented logically and effectively.  A typical essay should consist of the following:

• An introduction
• 1 or more body paragraphs
• A Conclusion

The Introduction

Your first paragraph should introduce readers to your subject and catch their attention so they want to continue reading.  Some common approaches to the introduction include:

• Providing background information (historical, statistical, etc.)
• Using an anecdote
• Making a controversial or surprising statement that can be argued for or against
• Including a quotation from a relevant source

Regardless of what approach you choose, always start with a topic sentence that piques the reader’s interest.  Continue with sentences that support or explain your topic so you can lead readers to your thesis statement, which is typically found at the end of the introduction.  The thesis statement reveals your specific view on the subject of your essay and can include a list of the important points you will be making in your argument.  The latter can be especially helpful to the reader as it provides a road-map to your paper.  However, if you include such a list in your thesis statement, make sure you then discuss those points in the same order when you write your body paragraph(s).

The Body Paragraphs

The ensuing paragraphs should support your thesis statement by explaining the main points in your argument.  Typically, each main point should be discussed in its own paragraph.

Each body paragraph should start with a topic sentence that tells which main point you will be covering.  You should then include supporting sentences that describe your ideas and/or provide evidence.  Make sure you fully explain your points and give any necessary information (statistics, quotations, examples, etc.) to convince the reader that your argument is valid.  Conclude by restating the main idea, offering a solution or prediction, answering any unresolved questions, or transitioning to the next paragraph.   

There are a number of different ways you can order your body paragraphs.  In a persuasive essay, start with your strongest or most important point, move on to your second-best point, and so on.  In a research paper, it might make more sense to take a chronological approach.  Regardless, always try to find a logical order so that your ideas are easy to follow and the reader does not get lost.  Using signposts can help make the structure of your argument more obvious to the reader. (You can learn more about that technique here .)

The order of the body paragraphs should match the order of points listed in the thesis statement (if you choose to include such information there). Do not include anything that is not directly relevant to the topic described in your thesis statement.

The Conclusion

Your final paragraph should wrap up the paper and leave the reader with one or more final thoughts.  It should refer back to the introduction and include a summary of your main argument.  Do not simply restatement your thesis statement, though; instead, briefly remind the reader of your position and the main points you made to support that position.  Finish with something that clearly indicates the essay is ending. (Or, in other words, do not just stop mid-thought!)  Some ways you can end your conclusion are:

• Call the reader to action
• Ask a question
• Suggest a direction for further research
• Look to the future (give a prediction, express a particular hope, etc.)
• Make some kind of final point that ties together all the ideas in your essay

Expanding This Structure for Longer Papers

Longer papers (mostly likely those around 5 or more pages) should follow a similar structure of introduction-body-conclusion, but each of those phases will be expanded.  Your introduction may include multiple paragraphs.  Additionally, longer papers typically involve more detailed explanations, and so each main point may include multiple sub-points that each require their own paragraph.  Your inclusion could also be expanded to more than one paragraph.

In longer papers, it may help to break your writing up into sections, each with its own heading.  This will organize your argument into more manageable bites and will help the reader make sense of your paper.  For example, if I were writing a 15-20 page paper about the life of George Washington, I might include the following sections:

• Introduction
• Childhood & Young Adulthood
• Years Leading to the Presidency
• Washington as President
• Life after the Presidency

My introduction would clearly lay out the trajectory for the rest of the paper, and separating the material into these subsections would make sure the reader always knows where he/she is in the essay.  Having a clear organization and highlighting that structure will have a huge impact on how well your ideas are understood and will make your writing much more effective.

Some Additional Resources

More information about how to structure an essay can be found at:

• Capital Community College’s “The Five-Paragraph Essay”
• Capital Community College’s “A Proper Introduction”
• Homework Tips’ “The Introductory Paragraph”

Need help with the Commons?

Email us at [email protected] so we can respond to your questions and requests. Please email from your CUNY email address if possible. Or visit our help site for more information:

• Terms of Service
• Accessibility
• Creative Commons (CC) license unless otherwise noted