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Students

A freshman is a first-year student who has earned less than 30 credits.  During this academic year, a freshman should:

  • ATTEND as many campus events as possible. This will help you learn more about majors and minors, clubs and organizations, and campus life.
  • BE ACTIVE--GET ENGAGED! Join a club or organization, participate in campus activities, make connections and friends.
  • COMPLETE CLUE CREDITS: you are required to complete CLUE credits. You earn these for attending campus events and activities. For more information, check out Office of Student Life.
  • USE OUR TUTORING SERVICES: there are tutoring services available to you for EVERY subject.  Don't struggle! Tutors are ready to help you improve your grades.
  • GET ADVISED: after your Freshmen Onboarding, you will be assigned a professional or faculty advisor.  Get advised in OCTOBER for the SPRING term, and MARCH for the SUMMER/FALL term.
  • EXPLORE MAJORS: there are events across campus throughout the year that will teach you more about majors and minors on campus.  Of course, attend CAAS's MEET YOUR MAJOR fair--we bring together representatives of each major to answer your questions.
  • REVIEW your record in Degree Works and use the Four Year Sample Plan to help guide your course selection for the next term.
  • UPDATE CONTACT INFORMATION: you should log into CUNYFirst and update your contact information; we communciate via text--make sure we have the correct mobile number.
  • USE YOUR CIX EMAIL ACCOUNT: we communicate with students via CSI email accounts.  Make sure you access your email regularly. Forgot your password or need help? Contact the HelpDesk: helpdesk@csi.cuny.edu 
  • FILE YOUR FAFSA: in early spring term, you will need to file your FAFSA for FINANCIAL AID consideration for your second year.
  • APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS: you may be eligible for additonal monies towards your education.  Apply for a scholarship--start to build that academic resume. Application deadline is last business day of February.  Apply early!
  • EXPLORE CAREERS: it is NEVER too early to think about what you can do with your degree. Looking for a job? Interested in internships? Need help writing a resume? Visit the Center for Career and Professional Development.

A sophomore is a second-year student who has earned between 30-60 credits.  During this academic year, a sophomore should:

  • CONTINUE TO ATTEND as many campus events as possible. Campus life is thriving! Be part of it!
  • BE ACTIVE--GET ENGAGED! If you haven't already joined a club or organization, now is the time.  Participate in campus activities, make connections and friends--this will help with your upper level academic pursuits.
  • CONTINUE WITH TUTORING: classes may become a bit more difficult, as you are taking 200 level courses.  Don't forget--tutoring services available to you for EVERY subject.
  • GET ADVISED: it's never too early to get advised.  Email your assigned advisor for an appointment in OCTOBER for the SPRING term, and MARCH for the SUMMER/FALL term. Remember, get advised, choose your classes, enroll on your date! Get the schedule you want.
  • EXPLORE MAJORS: if you haven't yet declared a major, you need to explore all of the possibilities.  Speak with your advisor, attend events, contact programs and chairpersons for more information.
  • REVIEW your record in Degree Works and use the Four Year Sample Plan to help guide your course selection for the next term.
  • UPDATE CONTACT INFORMATION: you should log into CUNYFirst and update your contact information; we communciate via text--make sure we have the correct mobile number.
  • USE YOUR CIX EMAIL ACCOUNT: we communicate with students via CSI email accounts.  Make sure you access your email regularly. Forgot your password or need help? Contact the HelpDesk: helpdesk@csi.cuny.edu
  • FILE YOUR FAFSA: in early spring term, you will need to file your FAFSA for FINANCIAL AID consideration for your second year.
  • APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS: you may be eligible for additonal monies towards your education.  Apply for a scholarship--start to build that academic resume. Application deadline is last business day of February.  Apply early!
  • EXPLORE CAREERS: it is TIME to start building your resume with internships and job experience.  Visit the Center for Career and Professional Development.
  • APPLY FOR YOUR EN-ROUTE ASSOCIATES DEGREE: if you have followed the Four Year Sample Plan, you may be eligible for your Assoicate's degree at the end of the second semester in your sophomore year.

A junior is a third-year student who has earned between 60-90 credits.  During this academic year, a junior should:

  • BUILD YOUR RESUME: If you haven't secured an internship in your potential career field, you need to Visit the Center for Career and Professional Development. You have two years before graduation--time to build a resume and secure a path to your chosen career.
  • CAREER EXPLORATION: not sure what you can do with your degree? Visit our career counselors, speak to your advisor, ask your professors, research--there are so many options.
  • GRADUATE STUDY: if you are interested in pursuing a Master's degree or higher after you complete this degree, the junior year is the time to explore programs and visit campuses.
  • GRADUATE STUDY EXAM PREPARATION: if you are interested in graduate programs, these will require entrance exams (think of it like the graduate school SATs).  Exams vary for programs (GRE, LSATs, MCATs)--but now is the time to begin study preparation and scheduling your exams.
  • CONTINUE TO ATTEND as many campus events as possible.
  • BE ACTIVE--GET ENGAGED! You may be eligible for acceptance into honors societies, or major specific clubs--get involved.
  • CONTINUE TO WORK WITH TUTORS: you are fully immersed in your major coursework, taking 200-300 level courses.  Keep that momentum going.  Go to tutoring, if needed--tutoring services available to you for EVERY subject.
  • ADVISEMENT: advisement as a junior is much more complex. Speak with your advisor about your career or graduate school ambitions, potential internships in the field, and possible independent studies.  You could earn college credit for work you do with one of our faculty members. of course, don't forget to email your assigned advisor during the advisement period (OCTOBER/MARCH). Your enrollment date is earlier so that you can get the courses you want and need.
  • GRADUATION REVIEW: at the end of junior year, you need to review your record to plan for the next acadmeic year. What do you need to graduate? Speak with an advisor to make a plan for senior year. 
  • REVIEW your record in Degree Works and use the Four Year Sample Plan to help guide your course selection for the next term. Are you on track?
  • UPDATE CONTACT INFORMATION: have you checked CUNYFirst to make sure we have updated contact information?
  • USE YOUR CIX EMAIL ACCOUNT: are you still accessing your email regularly? Forgot your password or need help? Contact the HelpDesk: helpdesk@csi.cuny.edu
  • FILE YOUR FAFSA: in early spring term, you will need to file your FAFSA for FINANCIAL AID consideration for your second year.
  • APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS:  Apply for a scholarship--continue to build a strong academic resume. Application deadline is last business day of February. This will look quite favorable on your graduate school applications.

A senior is a forth-year student who has earned over 90 credits.  During this academic year, a senior should:

  • BUILD YOUR RESUME: If you haven't secured an internship in your potential career field, you need to Visit the Center for Career and Professional Development. You are in your last year--start looking at careers in your major and plan ahead. 
  • CAREER EXPLORATION: how is that resume looking? There's still time for internships and job opportunities.  Visit our career counselors.  
  • GRADUATE STUDY: most graduate school application deadlines are in the fall term of your senior year. Check dates--send out your applications!
  • GRADUATE STUDY EXAM PREPARATION: typically, you can still test up to the date of graduate school application due dates.INDEPENDENT STUDY: you should start to think about your senior capstone project or honors project (in the major). Speak with your advisor and faculty members for advice and more information.
  • LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION: Plan ahead. You may need letters of recommendation for graduate study or job applications; speak to faculty members who knows your academic achievements and interests--and could share them with graduate school admissions committees and/or future employers.
  • CONTINUE TO WORK WITH TUTOR: senior year can be difficult, but tutors are here to help you through these semesters to completion of your degree.
  • ADVISEMENT: before you begin your senior year, you need to review your record to plan for the year ahead. What do you need to graduate? Review with your advisor--including the 120 credits (minimum) needed for your bachelor's degree.  Need to make up credits? There's summer and winter session.
  • REVIEW your record in Degree Works and use the Four Year Sample Plan to help guide your course selection for the next term. Are you on track?
  • APPLY FOR GRADUATION: Graduation applications are open in CUNYFirst--for June graduation MARCH 1ST DEADLINE, for January graduation OCTOBER 1ST DEADLINE.
  • GRADUATION: check your email regularly for updates for graduation status, Senior Portraits, Caps and Gowns, and of course, commencement. The Office of Student Life posts this information and updates regularly.

CSI STUDENTS

Whether you are an incoming freshmen or transfer student, a student returning to your studies, a student pursuing a second degree, or a continuing student (freshman, sophomore, junior, senior), ADVISEMENT is key to degree completion.  Advisors are partners in your education.  We are here to answer questions, offer guidance, assist with your academic planning, and guide you throughout your academic career.  Together, we can do this. Each academic year, you should review the tabs below to identify the milestones you need to achieve; these will help ensure that you are making the most of your college experience, planning for your future career or graduate study goals, and are on target for completion of your degree.
 

UNDERGRADUATES

All undergraduates are encouraged to take 15 credits every semester to graduate in four years.  Students should follow the Four Year Sample Plans created for all majors.  Your academic level (freshman, sophomore, junior, senior) is determined by the number of credits completed, not time at CSI. Want to graduate in four years? It's simple: 15 credits a semester...30 credits a year...120 credits in four years!

What else should you be doing to ensure academic progression and success?