Register Now for Summer & Fall 2026.
CUNY Start offers Multiple Start Dates Throughout the Year!
ABOUT US:
What is CUNY Start?
Your Pathway to a Strong and Confident Beginning!
CUNY Start is a supportive and affordable program designed to help Bronx Community College students build a strong academic foundation before beginning credit-bearing courses. In just one semester, students strengthen their English, Math, and college readiness skills—while preserving financial aid for future coursework.
Through engaging classes, dedicated advising, and tutoring support, CUNY Start helps students gain the confidence, skills, and momentum needed to succeed in college from the very beginning—or to reset and move forward stronger than before.
✅ One-semester program
✅ Focused English and/or Math support
✅ Financial aid preserved for future courses
✅ Multiple start dates throughout the year
Who We Are
A community committed to your success.
CUNY Start is more than a program. We are a community of educators, advisors, administrators, and mentors deeply committed to student success. At CUNY Start, we believe every student has the potential to thrive with the right support, structure, and encouragement.
Whether you’re an incoming student or someone ready to overcome past challenges in English or Math, CUNY Start offers a fresh start and a strong support system to help you move forward with confidence.
Our program includes:
🎓 Expert instructors focused on growth
🤝 Dedicated academic advisors
📅 Weekly College Success Seminar
📚 Tutoring and personalized support
We are here to ensure you feel supported, empowered, and prepared—not just academically, but personally and professionally.
Why Start Now?
The Right Start Changes Everything!
Starting strong—or starting again with purpose—can transform your college experience. CUNY Start gives you the opportunity to build your skills, regain confidence, and move forward with clarity.
With multiple opportunities to demonstrate progress, you can reduce or eliminate developmental requirements and enter your credit courses prepared, focused, capable, and confident.
You’ll also:
✅ Explore your major and career goals
✅ Build leadership and college success skills
✅ Gain confidence in your academic abilities
Ready to Start Strong?
Connect With Us:
Visit Us:
Brown Annex, Room 101
Call:
718-289-5100 ext. 3141
Email:
cunystart@bcc.cuny.edu
Meet the Team
Dr. Pamela V. Eatman-Skinner
Director
718-289-5100, ext. 5226
Pamela.Eatman@bcc.cuny.edu
Norma Valenzuela
Program Coordinator
718-289-5100, ext. 3612
Norma.Valenzuela@bcc.cuny.edu
Advisory Team
Keisha Baptiste
Keisha.Baptiste@bcc.cuny.edu
Debra Cardenas
Debra.Cardenas@bcc.cuny.edu
Marie Varghese
Marie.Varghese@bcc.cuny.edu
ELIGIBILITY:
Who Can Join CUNY Start?
CUNY Start is designed for motivated students who are ready to build their skills and start strong. You may be eligible if you:
✅ Have been accepted to Bronx Community College and are ready to begin your college journey
✅ Would benefit from strengthening your English and/or Math skills based on your placement results
✅ Attend a CUNY Start Information Session and meet with one of our friendly staff members
✅ Provide a high school diploma, high school equivalency, or an evaluated foreign high school credential
✅ Are ready to commit to a structured schedule that supports your success
3 Easy Steps to Enroll in CUNY Start
Getting started is simple—follow these three steps to begin your journey toward success.
✅ Step 1: Apply to Bronx Community College
Submit your application to Bronx Community College and take the first step toward your college experience.
📅 Step 2: Attend an Information Session
Meet with a friendly and knowledgeable CUNY Start advisor to learn more about the program and complete a short interview.
📞 Call: (718) 289-5100 ext. 3141
📧 Email: cunystart@bcc.cuny.edu
📝 Step 3: Complete Your Registration
Finish your enrollment by submitting your documents and program fee.
📍 Location: Brown Annex, Room 101
Bring:
- A copy of your High School Diploma or HSE Diploma
Program Fee:
- $75 or $35 based on your class; cash or money order only
⚠️ Enrollment is complete once the program fee has been received.
💬 Need Help? Let’s Connect
📞 (718) 289-5100 ext. 3141
📧 cunystart@bcc.cuny.edu
We’re here to guide you every step of the way—reach out and get started today.
📘 Course Descriptions
Pre-College Math
Building on high school or high school equivalency math skills, Pre-College Math prepares students for college-level work by focusing on key algebraic concepts. Students explore functions, analyze and manipulate expressions, and apply problem-solving strategies in new contexts. Learning takes place in an interactive, supportive environment designed to deepen understanding and build confidence.
English
Through an engaging, interdisciplinary curriculum, students strengthen essential reading and writing skills while expanding their knowledge of a range of topics. Instruction emphasizes analytical thinking, argument development, and college-level reading and study strategies—helping students become confident and effective communicators.
College Success Seminar
This seminar supports students in developing a strong academic identity and navigating the college experience. Students learn about campus resources, time management, and effective study habits. With personalized advisement, students explore their academic and career goals and create a clear pathway toward graduation and long-term success.
🚀 NEW: Jump Start Program
Jump Start offers an exciting opportunity for academically ready and motivated students to begin their college journey even sooner. Students who demonstrate English proficiency—based on assessment and consistent effort—may have the opportunity to enroll in a gateway (credit-bearing) course and a First-Year Seminar while participating in CUNY Start.
This option allows students to build momentum, earn credits, and experience college-level learning with the strong support system of CUNY Start behind them.
📚 Course Offerings & Schedule
Summer Math Start
June 1st – August 14th – 9:30 a.m. – 1:45 p.m. |&| 6:00 p.m. – 9:45 p.m.
July 6th – August 21st – 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Summer English Start
July 6th – August 21st – 9 a.m.- 3 p.m.
Available Course Formats & Modalities
- Online – Courses conducted entirely online
- Hybrid – A combination of in-person and remote learning
- In-Person – Courses held fully on campus
Program Options
- Sequential (Full-Time) – Math and English taken consecutively
- Part-Time – Focus on one subject (approximately 12 hours per week)
🗓 Summer 2026 Schedule
- Full-Time Sequential (Math & English)
Provides full proficiency
🕘 9:30 a.m. – 1:45 p.m. - Math Start
🕕 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. & 6:00 p.m. – 9:45 p.m. - English Start
🕕 9 a.m.- 3 p.m.
🗓 Fall 2026 Schedule
- Full-Time Sequential (Math & English)
Provides full proficiency
🕘 9:30 a.m. – 1:45 p.m. - Math Start (Evening)
🕕 6:00 p.m. – 9:45 p.m. - English Start (Evening)
🕕 6:00 p.m. – 9:45 p.m.
STUDENT STORIES
Elaidy joined the CUNY Start Full-time program in Spring 2018. After Elaidy successfully completed our program, she began serving as a CUNY Start Math tutor and was hired as a College Assistant. One of the topics she is most passionate about is self-advocacy. At BCC, Elaidy completed her Associate's degree in Early Childhood Education and received the BCC Future Educators Award upon graduation. Elaidy moved on to pursuing her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and she was recently accepted to the Masters of Science in Organizational Leadership at Lehman College.
Simone Robinson attended CUNY Start’s English and Math classes in 2020. She began her academic journey in our program just one month before the COVID-19 pandemic hit New York City. During our CUNY Start community icebreaker, Simone told us that she was the mother of four children, ages ranging from 6 months old to 16 years old.
Throughout the semester, Simone made a point to stay on top of her homework and asked her CUNY Start instructors and tutors for help whenever needed. Towards the end of the semester, Simone bravely submitted an original creative piece to a writing contest sponsored by BCC’s Spoken Word Club and the BCC Writing Center and won a prize for her contribution.
She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, and a recent winner of the Dr. Roscoe C. Brown, Jr. Memorial Scholarship.
She credits CUNY Start for providing her with the foundation she needed to survive and thrive in college.
Learn More
About Us!
Learn More
About Us!
CUNY Start is a program designed to help students who need to strengthen their academic and college readiness skills before beginning credit-bearing courses. It’s an intensive, semester-long program that focuses on building proficiency in English and Math. Here are some key benefits of the program:
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Affordable: The program costs only $75, which includes all materials, instruction and tutoring.
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Comprehensive Support: Students receive personalized advisement, weekly college success seminars, preparatory workshops and access to campus resources.
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Flexible Options: Both full-time and part-time schedules are available, with classes offered in-person, online, and hybrid formats.
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Financial Aid Preservation: By taking non-credit courses through CUNY Start, students can save their financial aid for credit-bearing courses.
If you think you might benefit from this program, it could be a great way to ensure you’re fully prepared for your college journey. Please find our Contact information below.
We’re Located in Brown Annex | Rm. 101
