How to Apply to an MS Program
As a 4+1 Bachelor’s/Master’s CPA Student

These Bachelor’s/Master’s degree combinations are Baruch’s registered NY State CPA qualifying programs for currently enrolled Baruch undergraduate students.

Please note:  Applications are only required for the graduate (MS) component of these programs.  No application is required for the bachelor’s degree component.  Any student completing a Baruch bachelor’s degree is eligible to apply for the master’s.

For more information about these programs themselves go to 5 Yr CPA options.

Who Can Apply.

• Any student completing a Baruch BBA or BA degree who plans to meet the NY State CPA requirements.
• BBA, accounting majors, may choose either the MS in accounting or the MS in taxation.
• All other majors apply for the MS in accounting.
  

MS Admission Requirements.

Applicants with overall undergraduate GPA’s of 3.2 or higher and Graduate Management Admission Test [GMAT] scores of at least 550, including minimum verbal and quantitative scores in at least

   1. the 45th percentile verbal and
   2. the 55th percentile quantitative,

are guaranteed admission and follow an abbreviated application procedure.

• These GPA & GMAT guaranteed admission requirements are valid for students who submit MS applications for the Fall '10 semester and following.
• If the GMAT is taken more than once, the higher score is emphasized.
  

Applicants who do not meet the GPA &/or GMAT minimums follow the standard graduate application process and their admission decision is made by Baruch's Zicklin School Graduate Admissions Committee.

When to Take the GMAT.

Taking the GMAT early, between the junior and senior years or in the first semester of senior year is highly recommended because an early test allows time to retake it if the score is too low.  GMAT scores are valid for 5 years.

The GMAT must be taken no later than the application deadline for the term when the MS will be started.  See “application deadlines” below.

You are urged to TAKE THE GMAT BEFORE COMPLETING AND   SUBMITTING THE MS APPLICATION. You will then know whether you have either met the minimums required for guaranteed admission or you will need to submit letters of recommendation and the essay.

APPLICATION DEADLINES and the Best Time to Submit Your MS Application.

It is recommended that application materials, including GMAT scores, be submitted at least 2 to 3 months before the application deadlines listed below.

Application forms, transcripts, resume, GMAT scores (and the essay and recommendations if required)  must be in the Office of Graduate Admissions by these deadlines:

• FALL SEMESTER Application Deadline: MAY 31
• [APRIL 30 if applying with a student visa (F-1)]
• SPRING SEMESTER Application Deadline: OCTOBER 31

Do not submit application materials before:

• Feb. 15 for fall applications,
• Sept. 15 for spring.

[Be sure you have APPLIED FOR GRADUATION from your bachelor's degree program by the deadline set by Baruch's Registrar’s office.  Graduate Admissions cannot admit you to the MS program until this notation appears in your record.]

DIRECTIONS FOR COMPLETING THE MS APPLICATION PROCESS.

Students who have met the minimum GPA and GMAT requirements are guaranteed admission and follow “A” below.

Students who have not met the requirements follow “A” plus “B.”  The Admissions Committee makes the decision for those applicants.
A. Required For ALL APPLICANTS:

1. Applications are submitted to Zicklin Graduate Admissions following the standard online application procedure.
• Zicklin Graduate Admissions requires that 4+1 CPA students use the “apply online” option for completing and submitting these applications.
• After creating your account online, select “Flex Time MS” as the program to which you are applying.  (There is no specific category for the 4+1 CPA applicants.)
• When completing the application form under “Intended Major” click on “Accountancy” or “Taxation” (the MS in taxation is an option for BBA accounting majors only).
• To make certain you are identified as a Baruch undergraduate student or recent graduate applying through the “4+1 CPA” process go to the “Additional Information” section near the end of the Application Form and write in “I am a BARUCH 4+1 CPA programs MS applicant.”
2. Transcripts:
• Do not submit Baruch transcripts; Graduate Admissions has access to them.
• If you attended other colleges or universities, transcripts from those schools must be submitted, whether or not you submitted them when you applied for your Baruch bachelor's program.
• If you attended other schools, print out the “Transcript Request Form” in the “Supplemental Forms” area of the online application.
3. International students needing F-1 Visas will need a new I-20 for the MS program.  Print out the “Visa Request Form” in the “Supplemental Forms” area of the online application.
4. Submit a current ONE PAGE resume through the “Essays and Resume” section of the online application.
5. Your official GMAT score report that you sign up for when you register for the test should be sent to Zicklin School of Business (under NY State, NY City, CUNY, Baruch).
6. The online application fee is $135 and is paid by credit card online.

B. In addition to "A" above, the following is required for students who have NOT MET THE MINIMUM 3.2 GPA/GMAT 550-verbal 45%/quant 55%:

1. Two letters of recommendation.  Print out the “Recommendation” forms from the “Supplemental Forms” section of the online application or follow the direction to register one or both of your recommenders so they can submit online recommendations.
2.  Follow the directions to provide the “Required Essay” in the “Essay and Resume” section of the online application.

YOUR ADMISSION DECISION LETTER

Approximately 3-6 weeks after your application materials are submitted you should receive a letter from Graduate Admissions formally notifying you of your official admission decision for the MS program.

If you had MET THE MINIMUM GPA & GMAT requirements, or you had not but were close and the Admissions Committee found sufficient additional accomplishments to make you competitive, you will be notified of your admission and given  information about starting your MS program.  Information about registration and your MS program requirements will be included with you admission letter, subsequent mailings and emailings and through the access you will be given to the new FlexTime MS student website.

• If you have NOT YET GRADUATED from the bachelor’s program, your admission will be described as “conditional.”  You must notify Graduate Admissions when all the grades are in for your last term and the Registrar’s Office has updated the BOSS system with your authorization to graduate.

IF YOU WERE NOT OFFERED ADMISSION your decision letter will outline reasons for that decision.  Go to the Admissions FAQ page for information about reactivating your application for a future term.

IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS

About the MS application process, contact

          Zicklin Graduate Admissions
          Library Building, Rm 820
          Email: ZicklinGradAdmissions@baruch.cuny.edu
          Phone: (646) 312-1300       

About MS program requirements, waivers, registration, etc., contact

          Graduate Academic Services
          VC 13-221
          Email:  Zicklin_Graduate_Advisement@baruch.cuny.edu    
          Phone: (646) 312-3140