Freshman Admission 2012
Admission to the freshman class at New Paltz is very selective.
New Paltz considers these factors in the admission decision process:
- The quality and strength of your high school academic program for 9th, 10th , and 11th grades.
- The results of either the SAT (Critical Reading and Mathematics sections) or ACT (Composite score).
- The quality of the personal essay you submit.
- One academic teacher or guidance counselor letter of recommendation.
New Paltz Admission uses e-mail as its official method of communication. In order to assure that you receive all communications related to your application, please make sure the e-mail address that you provided on your application is correct. Please add SUNY New Paltz to your address book to avoid e-mails from newpaltz.edu. being sent to spam folders.
What kind of high school program should I have?
You should take a college preparatory program containing the following five core subject areas:
- 4 units of English
- 4 units of social studies/history
- 3-4 units of college prep mathematics (minimally Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II/Trigonometry)
- 3-4 units of science (minimum of 2 units laboratory science)
- 2-4 units of a language other than English
The above core courses need to be at the Regents level (NYS) - college preparatory level – or higher.
What kind of high school average is expected?
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Our review of your academic work will be by academic year.
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We can get a clear, year-by-year picture of your achievement and motivation throughout the course of your high school career.
As so many high schools now present weighted averages, we may recalculate the overall average in accordance with the high school profile if a significant difference is noted between the overall high school average and the end of year averages for individual core courses. We will use only the five core subjects when recalculating your average.
For freshmen accepted to the fall of 2011 class, the mean high school average is 92.0.
I’ve been home schooled; what do I need to do?
Information for home schooled applicants can be found on: www.newpaltz.edu/admissions/homeschool.html
How do I qualify for EOP admission?
Information on EOP admission can be found on:
www.newpaltz.edu/admissions/eop.html
Do I need the SAT or ACT exam?
Yes, New Paltz requires either the SAT or ACT.
- SUNY New Paltz CEEB Code: 2541
- SUNY New Paltz ACT Code: 2938
- We use only the SAT Critical Reading and Mathematics scores in the admission decision.
- We use the best ACT composite score.
- We will use either the SAT Writing or the ACT Writing score for appropriate placement for Freshman Composition.
For freshmen accepted to the fall of 2011class, the mean SAT is 1190 (CR & M) and the mean ACT score is 26.
Is a personal essay required?
Yes!
- The essay helps us become acquainted with you in ways different from courses, grades, test scores and other objective data.
- It demonstrates your ability to organize your thoughts and express yourself.
- We are looking for an essay that helps us know you better as a person and a student.
Please write an essay (250 words minimum) on a topic of your choice or one of the options listed below.
- Evaluate a significant experience, achievement, risk you have taken or ethical dilemma you have faced and its impact on you.
- Discuss some issue of personal, local, national, or international concern and its importance to you.
- Indicate a person who has had a significant influence on you and describe that influence.
- Describe a character in fiction, a historical figure or a creative work (as in art, music, science, etc.) that has had an influence on you, and explain that influence.
- A range of academic interests, personal perspectives, and life experiences adds much to the educational mix. Given your personal background, describe an experience that illustrates what you would bring to the diversity in a college community, or an encounter that demonstrated the importance of diversity to you.
Please put your full name and name of high school on each page.
Are academic teacher or guidance counselor recommendations required?
Yes!
- We require one letter of recommendation from an academic teacher or your guidance counselor.
- Please be sure that your full name and name of high school are on each letter.
Can I submit additional information?
- We welcome any and all additional information.
- Please be sure that these additional materials are received with your application, transcript, test scores, essay and counselor/teacher recommendation in order for them to be factored in the admission decision process.
How do I submit my essay, recommendations, and additional information?
Upload your essay, recommendations, and additional information with your application. Or you can submit them:
- Via Email – admissions@newpaltz.edu
- Via Fax – (845) 257-3209
- Via US mail:
Office of Undergraduate Admission
SUNY New Paltz
100 Hawk Drive
New Paltz, NY 12561-2499
What is considered a Complete Application?
- The completed application form from either SUNY ASC or the Common Application. Do not submit two applications.
- Your complete high school transcript.
- Official results of the SAT or ACT (print-outs marked “student copy” are not acceptable).
- Your personal essay.
- At least one letter of recommendation from an academic teacher or your guidance counselor.
- Any additional information you wish to submit with the above items. However, we will not wait for additional material in order to make a decision if the application, transcript, test scores, essay, and letter of recommendation have already been received.
Do you offer Early Action?
Yes.
- Completed Early Action applications must be received by New Paltz by November 15.
How do I apply?
You can apply one of two ways (please use only one application):
OR
The application fee for either application is $50.00 (non-refundable).
Please use only ONE application.
Are there Application Deadlines?
Yes, your complete application must be received by:
| Early Action Consideration | November 15 | |||
| Regular Consideration | April 1* | |||
| Educational Opportunity Program(EOP) | April 1* | |||
| Seven Year Medical Program | January 15 | |||
| Seven Year Optometry Program | January 15 |
*New Paltz will continue to receive new freshman and transfer applications beyond April 1 . We do reserve the right to stop receiving applications without notice.
Can I schedule a Personal Interview?
Given the large number of freshman applications we cannot honor requests for individual interviews.
Can I visit the Campus?
Absolutely!
- Our daily campus visit schedule is online. Here you can easily view dates and register for your visit.
- Your visit begins with a presentation by an admission advisor, with an opportunity for questions and answers.
- You then tour campus with one of our Student Ambassadors, who will show you why they chose to make New Paltz their home away from home.
- Our annual Open Houses are listed on this calendar and you can register online to attend.
If I have a question, how can I contact the Office of Undergraduate Admission?
- Telephone (845) 257-3200, menu option #2
- Email us at: admissions@newpaltz.edu.
