First Year

Make the Baruch Connection!

SEEK benchmarks are designed for you and your counselor to monitor your continued progress. As a first-year student, you are expected to complete certain goals and objectives that will help you on your journey to success. These goals include:

Adapting to a new environment
Feeling engaged and connected with your peers, counselor, SEEK Program, and the college
Attending mandatory tutoring sessions with the goal of achieving above a B (3.0) average in all of your classes
Learning about the wide range of majors offered by the Zicklin School of Business, Weissman of Arts and Sciences, and Marxe School of Public and International Affairs

The following are detailed benchmarks you should accomplish during your first two semesters at Baruch College.

Academic and Major

Schedule an appointment with at least two of my professors to discuss my progress in the course
Complete two presentations: one group and one individual during first-year seminar
Complete between 24-30 credits by the end of the Spring semester
Identify two or three possible major options in Zicklin, Weissman, and Marxe schools, including prerequisites for majors and core requirements
Create a graduation plan using DegreeWorks and start to identify the courses I need for next academic year
Zicklin-track students: Complete two to three pre-business courses with a GPA of 2.25+ per semester

Counseling

Schedule and attend two appointments with my counselor per semester
Meet with my peer mentor(s) twice a semester outside of first-year seminar
Familiarize myself with mental health (e.g. counseling center), health (e.g. student health services center), and other wellness resources on campus
Check my Baruch email daily

Math and Writing Support

Attend all mandatory tutoring sessions
Complete all required math check-in work
Use academic support resources such as the Writing Center and SEEK writing tutoring times
Attend the January math program if I fail, withdraw, or receive a low grade that qualifies me for the winter program

Career

Create a Starr Career account
Create and have my resume and cover letter reviewed by the Starr Career Center
Sign-up online for e-recruiting jobs for the summer through the Starr Career Center
Complete the Focus 2 Vocational Assessment
Create a LinkedIn profile
Apply for career development programs
Identify an upper-level student or professional for a mentoring relationship

Community and Global Experience

Identify one student organization I would like to join next year
Acquaint myself with the names and location of the Baruch College President, Dean of Marxe, Dean of Weissman, and Dean of Zicklin as well as of Dean of Student Affairs
Participate in a minimum of one structured group community service activity
Partake in a minimum of one student leadership conference/activity
Attend the SEEK Awards

If I am interested in studying abroad I will:

Attend the study abroad fair/workshop
Schedule an advisement appointment with the Study Abroad office
Apply to the CUNY Chancellor’s Study Abroad Scholarship

Financial Aid

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

Have you filed for financial aid (available starting October 1– applicable for students who are financial aid eligible)?

Have you verified that you are applying for financial aid for the current year?
Have you updated your FASFA with current information for the upcoming year?

Account Access

Do you have a personal bank account or a CUNY card to receive your financial aid award?
Have you made Baruch your home school on the CUNY Portal?
Have you updated your information to a Baruch Email?

CUNYfirst

Have you checked CUNYfirst for any outstanding “FIN AID TO DO LIST?’
Have you checked CUNYfirst for any Bursar holds?
If selected for verification, have you submitted all documents?

TAP Compliance

If your courses have been determined by the Registrar to not be TAP compliant, have you completed online TAP compliance application?
Did you complete the TAP compliance form?
Have you checked FACTS to confirm your TAP compliance status?
Have you checked Degree Works to confirm your TAP compliance status?

Financial Aid Contacts

TAP Compliance: Indira.vann@baruch.cuny.edu – Registrar Office
TAP: Portia.goodman@baruch.cuny.edu – Bursar Office
PELL: FASSEEK@baruch.cuny.edu– Financial Aid Services

Other

Did you attend the financial literacy workshop during the SEEK Summer Academy?
Have you applied for scholarships opportunities? Baruch scholarships?

Please bring your copy of your benchmarks to all your meetings with your SEEK Counselor to discuss your progress.