General Freshmen Admission Freshmen Criteria
The decision on the application for admission will be based on the quality of the academic program, the cumulative academic average, and the results of the SAT and or ACT exam.
It is our policy to evaluate the high school transcript using only the
college preparatory courses in:
English, social studies, mathematics, laboratory science, and foreign
language. Our evaluation of the scholastic program will be by academic
year, so that we may get a clear, year-by-year picture of the applicant's motivation
and achievement.
All applicants must have successfully completed both Regents Math A and Math B or its equivalent as determined by the SUNY New Paltz Mathematics department. Exceptions to Math B may be made at the discretion of the Office of Undergraduate Admission.
Prep school and out-of-state candidates must have successfully completed college preparatory Algebra I, Geometry/Trigonometry, and Algebra II.
For all freshmen applicants, other than those applying Early Action, the admission decision is made on a rolling basis after January 15. All acceptance admission decisions are conditional, contingent upon the successful completion of all required high school graduation requirements by the time of graduation.
Supplemental/Supportive Information
New Paltz does not use or require a supplemental application form in determining admissions.
Admission decisions can and will be made without any additional information other than the high school transcript and SAT/ACT scores. We strongly encourage all applicants to enhance their application by providing a variety of supportive information. It is your responsibility to provide this information, including first quarter or mid-year senior grades; additional SAT or ACT exam results; resume of school/community activities, honors, awards; guidance counselor or college advisor recommendation; evaluative statements from academic teachers; personal essay. This information is to be sent directly to the Office of Undergraduate Admission.
Our Request for Additional Information From You
Requests made by the Office of Undergraduate Admission for additional information, such as, but not limited to, senior SAT or ACT exam scores; first quarter or midyear senior grades; etc. are made directly to the applicant. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that all requested information is submitted and received in a timely fashion by the Office of Undergraduate Admission. We do not request this information from the guidance office; therefore do not assume that the guidance office will automatically send this information.
Freshmen Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) Applicants
In addition to submitting the application for admission, the high school transcript and SAT or ACT scores, applicants to
the Educational Opportunity Program must submit the following information
before their application will be reviewed:
*New Paltz EOP Student Information Form
*New Paltz EOP Student Financial Eligibility Form
*Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
No EOP admission decision will be made unless all materials are received.
Selection of a Major Course of Study
Admission of freshmen is to the College and not to a specific program. However, several programs require substantial pre-major course work. To ensure that students are taking the proper sequence of pre-major courses, it is important that the student note their potential program of study, especially students pursuing programs in: childhood education, early childhood education, adolescence education, accounting, business, communication and media, art and art education, music, theatre arts, communication disorders, computer and electrical engineering, psychology, and all science majors. If the applicant intends to pursue one of these programs and did not note this on the application for admission, the applicants must do so in writing to the Office of Undergraduate Admission as soon as possible.
Specialized Admission Categories
School of Fine and Performing Arts
Applicants who plan to major in art, art education, music, or
theatre arts, must meet the same academic admission requirements
as all other candidates for admission to the College. In addition,
there are special procedures for these candidates in each of these areas.
These procedures are sent directly to the applicants upon acceptance.
Application Deadlines
Accepted Applicant's Reply and Deposit Information
All accepted applicants are expected to respond to the College's offer of admission either by:
- Submission of the Pre-Enrollment Deposits (PED);
- Written notification that the student will not attend New Paltz.
Pre-Enrollment Deposit Deadlines
Fall Enrollment
- May 1 (National Candidate's Response Date)*.
*Deposits received after this day may be returned to the candidate if the entering class target is met.
Required Pre-Enrollment Deposit (PED)
$150.00* - Pre-Enrollment Deposit (applied toward tuition)
$100.00* - Advance Room Deposit (applied toward residence hall charges)
$250.00* - Total
*Subject to change without notice.
Both deposits are refundable in accordance with SUNY Board of Trustees policy.
Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, College Level Courses
If the student has already taken or is taking Advanced Placement (AP) courses, International Baccalaureate (IB) courses, or college level courses during their high school career, they may be eligible to receive college credit or course waivers for the successful completion of this work.
Credit or waiver is usually given for AP credit with a score of "3" or better; credit or waiver is given for college courses with a grade of "C" or better. IB credit will be determined by the appropriate academic department.
Credit will only be given if an official AP or IB score report or official college transcript is received by the Office of Undergraduate Admission by the mid-point of the fall semester.
It is the student's responsibility to ensure that New Paltz receives these score reports/transcripts.
Freshmen Orientation/Course Advisement and Registration
All freshmen are required to participate in a three day Orientation/Course Advisement and Registration session. These sessions provide students and their families with an overview and understanding of the College's policies, procedures and expectations, both academic and personal. Students will be assigned a faculty advisor who will work with them to begin to develop an academic plan for the next four years. The Student Development staff will work with the student and family on understanding the transitions that will take place between high school and home and the university. These sessions are scheduled throughout the month of July for fall entrants. Students will be notified by the Center for Student Development regarding the dates and details of Orientation. Please visit the Center for Student Development Web site for more information.
