Hunter Admissions Overview

Hunter admissions, step by step.

Eligibility decides who can sit for the entrance exam, so start there. Then check what the application asks for, and what it does not.

Checked against Hunter's published admissions pages on October 6, 2026.

Who can apply

Who can apply.

Confirm every rule before planning preparation.

Entry grade: Grade 7 is the only entry point; Hunter does not admit students into grades 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12, with no exceptions.
Criteria: For the 2027 entrance exam (fall 2027 entry), a candidate must meet all three criteria: current grade, NYC residency, and a minimum qualifying score.
Current grade: For fall 2027 entry, the applicant must currently be in 6th grade at a NYC or neighboring school, or be homeschooled and registered with the NYC Office of Homeschooling.
Residency: As of September 1 of the application year, the applicant must live full time in one of the five boroughs of New York City as their primary residence.
Score screen: For the January 27, 2027 exam, the minimum 5th grade NYS scale scores (Spring 2026) are 478 in ELA and 497 in Math.
Other approved tests: For children whose 5th grade school did not give the NYS exams, a 90th national percentile score in both Reading and Math on an approved test from a Fall 2025 or Spring 2026 grade 5 administration qualifies for fall 2027 entry.
Just missed the score: The Academic Insights Profile (AIP) is the only alternative route for children who narrowly miss the qualifying score; some AIP applicants may be invited to the entrance exam if space remains, with no guarantee.

01
Check eligibility against your own documents, not memory, before the application opens.
02
If anything is unclear, ask the school in writing and keep the reply.

The application

Application: The application requires an uploaded screenshot of the student's NYS exam scores, or a score report from another qualifying exam that meets the 90th percentile requirement, plus the current school counselor's name and email address.
Platform: Applications are submitted online through Ravenna (ravenna-hub.com) under Hunter College Campus Schools, choosing the High School application type.
Fee: There is no fee to apply to Hunter College High School.
What not to send: Families should not submit recommendation letters, report cards, awards, photos, essays, or other unsolicited materials.

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