The State University of New York at New Paltz seeks to enroll a student population which is representative of the global society within which our graduates will live and work.
The general criteria for consideration for admission is as follows:
- Graduation from an accredited high school or its equivalent as shown by examination.
- Candidates are expected to present evidence of academic achievement in a traditional
college preparatory program (in NYS, Regents courses), typically consisting of:
- 4 units of English
- 3-4 units of social studies/history
- 3-4 units of college prep mathematics
- 3-4 units of science (2 lab courses required)
- 2-4 units of foreign language
- All candidates must have taken NYS Regents Math A and Math B or its equivalent as determined by the SUNY New Paltz mathematics department. Prep school and out-of-state candidates must have taken college preparatory Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II.
- SAT or ACT examination results are required. We will only use the Critical Reading and the Mathematics sections of the SAT.
- SAT or ACT scores should be sent directly to New Paltz from the testing agency; scores contained as part of the official high school transcripts are also acceptable.
- SUNY New Paltz does not send or require a supplemental or part-two application form.
- Admission decisions can and are made without any additional information other than the high school transcript and SAT or ACT scores.
- Applicants are strongly encouraged to enhance their application by providing a variety of additional information. Such information could include, but is not limited to, senior year SAT or ACT scores; senior year first quarter or mid-year grades; recommendation of the guidance counselor/college advisor; resume of school/community activities, honors, leadership positions; evaluative statements from academic teachers; personal essay. It is the applicants responsibility to submit these items in a timely manner directly to the New Paltz Office of Undergraduate Admission.
The fall freshman application deadline is rolling admission after January 15.
Other Freshmen Admission Categories
Early Action
New Paltz provides an Early Action option. This is an early application, early notification opportunity for candidates.
The Early Action application deadline is November 15; the decision notification date is January 1; the candidate response deadline is May 1. A completed application is considered an application with the high school transcript and SAT/ACT scores, received in the New Paltz Office of Undergraduate Admission by November 15.
Educational Opportunity Program*
The completed Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) is the New York State program designed to assist applicants who do not possess the general admission requirements, yet who show promise and potential for academic success as evidenced through a variety of scholastic indicators. This program is open to New York residents only. Applicants must also demonstrate historical financial need as specified by the policies governing the program. Applicants accepted through EOP are provided with financial and academic support to aid in their academic success.
To be considered for the EOP program, candidates must:
- Possess a high school average of 75 or above.
- Possess an SAT score of 800 or above; ACT score of 16 or above.
- Indicate EOP on the SUNY Application for Admission.
- Submit an official high school transcript.
- Submit the results of either the SAT or ACT exam.
- Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
- Submit the SUNY New Paltz EOP Supplemental Application *.
No EOP application will be reviewed until all materials are received by the Office of Undergraduate Admission.
Seven-Year Medical Program with NY College of Osteopathic Medicine*
The seven-year medical program with New York College of Osteopathic Medicine is available only to entering freshmen.
Candidates must first be admitted to New Paltz following the regular admission procedure.
Candidates must use APC code 1112 on their application and apply by January 15 to be considered for the program. The basic criteria for consideration are:
- High level of achievement in an academic program, with a strong emphasis in the laboratory sciences. An overall high school average of 93 is necessary for consideration.
- SAT score of at least 1250 or ACT score of at least 28.
- Submission of an essay regarding the candidate's interest in osteopathic medicine by January 15.
- Participation in an interview with the Seven-Year Medical Program admissions committee.
Seven-Year Optometry Program with SUNY College of Optometry*
The seven-year optometry program with SUNY College of Optometry is only available to entering freshmen. Candidates must first be admitted to New Paltz following the regular admission procedure.
- Candidates must apply by January 15 and use APC code 0083 on the application. The basic
criteria for consideration are:
- High achievement in an academic program, with a strong emphasis on the laboratory sciences. A high school average of 93 is necessary for consideration.
- SAT score of at least 1250 or ACT score of at least 28.
- Submission of an essay regarding the candidate's interest in optometry, by January 15.
- Participation in an interview with the seven-year optometry admission committee.
Applicants to the School of Fine and Performing Arts
All applicant for programs within the School of Fine and Performing Arts must first be admitted to New Paltz on the basis of their academic credentials following the criteria outlined above.
Art and Art Education
To enroll in the Art or Art Education program, the submission and acceptance of a portfolio is required. Admission to the College, based on academic credentials, is required first before submission of the portfolio. The portfolio will be used for placement within the Art or Art Education programs. Detailed information about the portfolio as well as the required Portfolio Submission and Review Form will be made available to all art and art education candidates upon their acceptance to SUNY New Paltz.
Music
To enroll in the Music program, candidates must participate in an audition/interview with the music department. The music audition is used solely for placement purposes. Information regarding the content of the audition may be obtained by writing the Department of Music.
Theatre Arts
To enroll in the Theatre Arts program, candidates must participate in an audition/ interview with the theatre arts department. The audition is used solely for placement purposes. Information regarding the content of the audition may be obtained by writing the Department of Theatre Arts.
Early Admission
Many talented high school students possess the maturity and ability to begin their college studies at the conclusion of their junior year of high school. For these students, New Paltz provides the opportunity for early admission.
Applicants for early admission must use APC code 0199 and must meet the same general admission criteria as all freshmen candidates. Additionally, a recommendation from the guidance counselor attesting to the candidate's readiness for college is required. It must be noted that arrangements to fulfill the requirements for the high school diploma must be arranged between the student and high school officials.
An admission decision is made when the application is complete. A completed application is defined as the completed SUNY application, high school transcript and SAT/ACT scores.
New Paltz makes admission decisions solely on the basis of academic and personal achievement. New Paltz makes freshmen admission decisions on a rolling basis.
All admission decisions are provisional and become final only when documentation of the successful completion of high school is received by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that such documentation is sent and received.
Advanced Freshmen Standing
Accepted applicants who have taken Advanced Placement (AP) courses, International Baccalaureate (IB) courses, or college courses offered in high school may receive either college credit or waiver of required course work with the submission of official AP score reports, IB score reports, or official college transcripts.
The general policy is to accept AP scores of "3" or better and college credit of "C" or better. IB credit will be determined by the appropriate academic department.
It is the student's responsibility to provide all official score reports and transcripts to the Office of Undergraduate Admission prior to the mid-point of the fall semester in order to receive credit.
