Academic Advisement
 Frequently Asked Questions
  for Incoming Freshmen

What is the Advisement process for first-time incoming freshmen in the office of Academic Advisement?

What will I need before coming to register with the College of Staten Island?

What if I have failed one or more entrance exams?

How do I know what majors the College of Staten Island offers?

What are the guidelines for New York State TAP?

What do I do if I have taken a College Now course or have AP Credits from high school?

What are the General Requirements?

What is the New Student Orientation requirement?

Am I exempt from Foreign Language because I passed the regent in high school?

What is the Biology Placement Exam?

What is the CUNY Portal?

I’ve already completed a “One Stop” advisement and registration session but would like to change my schedule. What do I do?

 

What is the Advisement process for first-time incoming freshmen in the office of Academic Advisement?

The components to advisement in preparation for registration are as follows:

• You attend a group advisement session as part of the New Student “One Stop” event.
• After this session, you will be assisted by advisors and peer schedulers as you create a class schedule.
• A peer scheduler will assist you in registering for your classes via the CUNY Portal on e-SIMS, the student registration system.
• You will then receive your tuition statement, which provides a listing of all the classes for which you have registered. You will need to have your bill validated at the Bursar’s window in Building 2A Room 105. If you have a zero-balance on your bill (which means you do not owe any money), you may validate your bill via the web at “Confirm Zero Balance Bill.”

 

What will I need before coming to register with the College of Staten Island?

As a brand new incoming freshman student there are a few things you will have to complete before beginning the registration process.  It is essential for these items to be completed before you register so that you may fully benefit from the New Student “One Stop” event. For additional information visit the New Student Information Guide.

• Health Records

All first time incoming freshmen students are responsible for submitting their Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) Immunization Certification and the Meningococcal Meningitis Vaccination Response Form to the Health and Wellness Center. The Health and Wellness Center is located in Building 1C, Room 112, Fax (718) 982.2966. If you do not submit your Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) Immunization Certification and the Meningococcal Meningitis Vaccination Response Form prior to your registration date, it will delay the advisement and registration process.

• Entrance Exams

All new incoming students entering CSI must take the entrance exams prior to registration. The entrance exams will demonstrate competence in three skills areas: Reading, Writing, and Mathematics. In each of these areas, the University has set standards defining readiness to do college work. In some cases, due to an SAT exemption or high school Regents exemption a student may only be required to take a placement exam for Mathematics. For further information, you may contact the Office of College Testing in Building 1A, Room 104, (718) 982.2380.

• Photo Id

The College of Staten Island requires that every student carry a photo ID for security purposes. Before checking in to your “One Stop” freshmen advisement and registration session you will be asked to present photo ID. Any kind of identification with a photo such as a drivers license, passport, or high school ID can be used.

 

What if I have failed one or more entrance exams?

Entering students who fail one or more of the CUNY Assessment Tests must take immediate steps to complete their remediation. It is best to participate in the free Summer or Winter Immersion Program prior to the start of the Fall or Spring term so that you will be eligible to register for a full-time load of college-level classes. Students who do not complete SIP or WIP successfully will be required to register for remedial (0-level) non-credit bearing classes in the spring term. Students are required to fulfill all remediation needs prior to the start of their third semester.
** ESL students have additional time to satisfy this requirement.  Please speak with your advisor.

 

How do I know what majors and courses the College of Staten Island offers?

In order to explore the degree requirements for each Associate degree and Bachelors degree that the College of Staten Island offers, it is essential for one to read the online Academic Catalog. The catalog will explain CSI academic policies, degree requirements as well as programs and course descriptions.

 

What are the guidelines for New York State TAP?
           
To be academically eligible for TAP as part of your financial aid package, you must take 12 equated credits towards the degree requirements for the curriculum, major or program in which you are enrolled. You should carefully read the requirements for financial aid in the catalog and in the schedule of classes. Estimated financial aid on your bill is not necessarily the actual final award. Introductory courses in your major/minor may not qualify for TAP for students who are currently enrolled in an associate’s program.

In addition to taking 12 equated credits towards the degree requirements, you must also take a certain number of real credits each semester that TAP is awarded.

For your 1st TAP award, include at least 3 real (degree) credits that satisfy the degree requirements of your curriculum/major/program.

For your 2nd and all subsequent TAP awards, include at least 6 real (degree) credits that satisfy the degree requirements of your curriculum, major or program of study.

For your 3rd and all subsequent TAP awards, be sure to enroll for enough degree credits to accumulate the number of credits required to receive your next TAP award. Please refer to the TAP Progress and Pursuit Chart by going to the Semester Bulletin.

 

What do I do if I have taken a College Now course or have AP Credits from high school?

If you have completed any College Now courses while you attended high school and wish to have the credit evaluated at the College of Staten Island please complete the following:
Send a letter to the Registrar of the college that you took the course with (include your name and Social Security Number) and request that the transcript be sent to:
                                    College of Staten Island
                                    Office of Recruitment and Admissions
                                    2800 Victory Boulevard
                                    Building 2A, Room 103
                                    Staten Island, N.Y. 10314

For AP (Advanced Placement) Credits please contact your AP Program and request a Grade Report to be sent to the College of Staten Island.

 

What are the General Requirements?

Students in American colleges and universities are required to take courses categorized as General Education. General Education provides students with the skills and knowledge expected of educated persons. Depending upon your major, you may be required to register for specific courses in order to complete one or more of these General Education categories.

At CSI, General Education requirements are arranged in seven categories:

• Required Courses (ENG 111, ENG 151, COR 100, PED 190)
• Scientific Analysis
• Social Scientific Analysis
• Contemporary World
• Textual, Aesthetic, and Linguistic Analysis
• Pluralism and Diversity
• Foreign Language

The degree and the major you select determine the number of credits required in each category.

 

What is the New Student Orientation requirement?

Entering freshmen with fewer than six College Now credits are required to complete the NSO requirement during their first semester or before completion of twelve equated credits. Additional information can be obtained regarding this requirement by visiting the CLUE/NSO office in Building 2A, Room 208, or by visiting the CLUE/NSO website.

 

Am I exempt from Foreign Language because I passed the regent in high school?

All students must take a placement exam before registering for a foreign language unless the student did not study that particular language in high school. Students who have been out of school for a number of years may also be exempt from the placement exam but not the language requirement. Students do not receive credit of any kind based on the results of the exam. Students who graduated from high school in a non-English-speaking foreign country are exempt from the language requirement.

The test is administered by the Modern Language Department in Building 2S, Room 114C. For more information, please call (718) 982.3711.

 

What is the Biology Placement Exam?

Students entering Health Science programs in which BIO 150, Human Anatomy and Physiology I, is a pre-major requirement may take the Biology Placement Examination to determine placement at the appropriate course level.

The test is administered by the Office of College Testing, Building 1A, Room 104,
(718) 982.2380. 

 

What is the CUNY Portal?

The CUNY Portal is a gateway to all CUNY information and resources. With your new CUNY Portal account you can register for your classes, access Blackboard courses, use e-Permit and save your money by shopping at e-Mall. The online link for the CUNY Portal may be accessed through the College of Staten Island’s website under ‘Quick Links’ or directly using www.cuny.edu.

 

I’ve already completed a “One Stop” advisement and registration session but would like to change my schedule.

If you have already attended a “One Stop” for your advisement and registration and wish to change your schedule you will need to sign onto your CUNY Portal account to access e-SIMS.  If you do not remember your username and password please see 2A-206 or call
( 718) 982.3695.