What are the current essay prompts for Baruch College?
I'm starting to work on my applications and am seriously considering Baruch College. I wanted to know what essay prompts or supplemental questions are required for Baruch this cycle. I couldn't find a clear answer looking through their website and a few forums.
If someone has applied this year or last year and remembers what the prompts were, that would be super helpful. Also, do they change much from year to year or do they usually keep the same ones? Any info would be appreciated so I can start brainstorming, thanks in advance!
If someone has applied this year or last year and remembers what the prompts were, that would be super helpful. Also, do they change much from year to year or do they usually keep the same ones? Any info would be appreciated so I can start brainstorming, thanks in advance!
1 month ago
•
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Caroline Benson
• 1 month ago
Advisor
Baruch College is part of the City University of New York (CUNY) system, and undergraduate applicants generally use the central CUNY Application. For the most recent cycles (including 2024-2025), there isn't a required Baruch-specific supplemental essay on the CUNY application for undergraduate admissions.
The standard CUNY application has an optional personal statement section where you can submit a general essay (up to 650 words). The prompt is quite broad: you can use this space to tell your story, discuss significant experiences, challenges faced, achievements, or your reasons for wanting to attend a CUNY college. If you already have a Common App personal statement or another college essay, you can adapt that for this section, as long as it authentically represents you.
Here's an example personal statement prompt you might see on the CUNY application:
"Please describe any relevant experiences, background, or goals that you feel would help the Admissions Committee learn more about you. This may include challenging circumstances you’ve overcome, past or current activities that are especially meaningful, your career plans, or anything else you want us to know."
There are no Baruch-only required essays for the main undergraduate business or arts & sciences admissions as of 2024. However, some honors programs, like the Macaulay Honors College or Baruch-specific scholarships and programs (such as the Baruch Scholars Program or the Zicklin Honors programs), may require additional essays. These prompts typically ask why you’re interested in the honors program or how you’ll contribute to the Baruch community, but you'll be clearly directed to these if you apply separately to those programs.
The prompts for the general application to Baruch and CUNY haven't changed much in recent years. The open-ended personal statement is a staple. If you’re planning on applying to an honors program, though, definitely check the latest information on Baruch’s or CUNY's websites because those essay questions are updated more frequently.
If you’re just applying for general freshman or transfer admission, focus on making your optional personal statement compelling and authentic. For example, you might write about how managing a family business inspired your interest in finance, or reflect on a particular project in high school that taught you about leadership, especially if you can connect your story to what excites you about Baruch.
Be sure to review the application checklist closer to when you submit, in case Baruch or CUNY adds a short supplement or asks for an additional response. Good luck brainstorming!
The standard CUNY application has an optional personal statement section where you can submit a general essay (up to 650 words). The prompt is quite broad: you can use this space to tell your story, discuss significant experiences, challenges faced, achievements, or your reasons for wanting to attend a CUNY college. If you already have a Common App personal statement or another college essay, you can adapt that for this section, as long as it authentically represents you.
Here's an example personal statement prompt you might see on the CUNY application:
"Please describe any relevant experiences, background, or goals that you feel would help the Admissions Committee learn more about you. This may include challenging circumstances you’ve overcome, past or current activities that are especially meaningful, your career plans, or anything else you want us to know."
There are no Baruch-only required essays for the main undergraduate business or arts & sciences admissions as of 2024. However, some honors programs, like the Macaulay Honors College or Baruch-specific scholarships and programs (such as the Baruch Scholars Program or the Zicklin Honors programs), may require additional essays. These prompts typically ask why you’re interested in the honors program or how you’ll contribute to the Baruch community, but you'll be clearly directed to these if you apply separately to those programs.
The prompts for the general application to Baruch and CUNY haven't changed much in recent years. The open-ended personal statement is a staple. If you’re planning on applying to an honors program, though, definitely check the latest information on Baruch’s or CUNY's websites because those essay questions are updated more frequently.
If you’re just applying for general freshman or transfer admission, focus on making your optional personal statement compelling and authentic. For example, you might write about how managing a family business inspired your interest in finance, or reflect on a particular project in high school that taught you about leadership, especially if you can connect your story to what excites you about Baruch.
Be sure to review the application checklist closer to when you submit, in case Baruch or CUNY adds a short supplement or asks for an additional response. Good luck brainstorming!
Caroline Benson
Brussels
Columbia University (BA); American University in Cairo (MA); Middlebury College (MA)
Experience
9 years