First-Year Admissions

• First-Year Admissions Criteria

  First-year applicants are required to submit an official high school transcript for admissions review. The factors below are considered during the review process:

  • Strength of High School Program — We are looking for a solid, college-preparatory background. In New York state high schools, that means Regents or Common Core coursework.
    
    
  • Strong Grades — Successful applicants generally have an academic average of “B” or better. Students with good courses and a “C” or higher academic average can be considered, but should have significant supporting factors in their profiles.
    
    
  • Standardized Test Score — SUNY Plattsburgh is test optional. Submitting standardized test scores for admissions review is optional if you plan to enroll in the Spring 2025 or Fall 2025 semesters. You can designate your choice on the admissions application.
    
    
  • Letter of Recommendation — All first-year applicants should submit a recommendation from a school counselor and/or teacher.
    
    
  • Essay — Essays are an applicant’s opportunity to communicate to admissions in their own voice. Strive to be original, honest and creative — tell a personal story!
    
    
  • Supplemental Information — Applicants are encouraged to submit supplemental information regarding leadership experience, activities, community service, employment, etc., as well as any additional details regarding extenuating circumstances that might have affected academic performance.
    
    
  • Specific Curricular Considerations —  Some programs require additional coursework for direct admission. A list of programs requiring specific courses can be found online in our university catalog.
    
    
  • Nursing Applicants — The nursing program is a highly competitive program. Students applying for nursing are encouraged to apply by December 1 for optimal consideration.

  Applying to the EOP program?

  LEARN MORE ABOUT EOP ADMISSIONS Criteria

Steps to Apply

• Step 1: Apply for Admission

  COMPLETE THE COMMON APPLICATIONCOMPLETE THE SUNY APPLICATION

  First-year students have two options to apply online — The SUNY Application or the Common Application. Both applications are viewed equally by the admissions committee.

  First-year students are encouraged to submit their applications for the fall semester by Dec. 1 and spring semester applicants by Nov. 1.

  Students who apply will need to do the following:

  • Complete the Common Application or SUNY Application
  • Pay the $50 application fee.
  • Send an official high school transcript

  All official documents must list the applicant’s legal given name. Chosen/preferred name can be documented once a student enrolls.

  Access important admissions forms for the application process

  Learn more about our:

  • Veterans Support Office
  • EOP ADMISSIONs PROCESS

Steps After You Have Applied

• Step 2: Check Application Status

  Once you have applied for admission to SUNY Plattsburgh, you can check the status of your application online in your personal admissions portal.

  An email with your admissions portal login information is sent to the email address you provided 1–2 weeks after you submit your application.

  CHECK YOUR APPLICATION STATUS

• Step 3: Apply for Financial Aid

  We encourage applicants to complete the FAFSA — Free Application for Federal Student Aid — as well as the TAP Application (for New York state residents) by Dec. 1 to qualify for all available aid resources.

  LEARN MORE ABOUT FAFSA & TAP

• Step 4: Receive Notice of Application Decision
  • Fall Admission: Acceptance packets are mailed beginning in November and continue on a rolling basis until admissions closes (usually in mid-summer).

  • Spring Admission: Acceptance packets are mailed beginning in October and continue on a rolling basis until admission closes in January.

You’re Accepted, Now What?

• Step 5: Pay Your Deposit

  To enroll at SUNY Plattsburgh, you’ll need to pay an admissions deposit to hold your spot in the incoming class.

  Your deposit must be paid by:

  • May 1
  • Dec. 1 (for spring) or
  • Within 30 days after your acceptance if you are accepted after those dates (or by the deadline date indicated in your acceptance letter).

  Once we have received your deposit, we will send you important information on housing, orientation and registration. You can pay your deposit online by logging into your admissions portal account. Please read our Deposit Refund Policy.

  Pay My Admissions Deposit Online

• Step 6: Submit First-Year Student with College Credit Worksheet

  After paying your admissions deposit, you will be asked to complete a College Credit Worksheet to identify credit you have earned while in high school.

  This information will be used by your academic advisor to help select your first semester courses. Official college transcripts and/or score reports must be submitted over the summer to officially award any earned college credit.

  Students achieving a 3 or better on an AP exam, C or higher in a college level course (that has been paid for), or a 4 or better on a Higher Level IB examination are eligible for college credit at SUNY Plattsburgh. See how your credits will transfer below.

  • Transferring Credits by Examination (AP, IB, etc.)
  • transferring credits earned through a college
• Step 7: Class Pre-Registration by Your Department

  Once you’ve been accepted and paid your deposit, the chairperson of your academic department will pre-register you into many of your first-semester courses. This ensures you take necessary classes for your degree and keeps you on track towards graduation.

  When you meet with the chairperson at New Student Orientation & Welcome Week, you will have the opportunity to make desired adjustments.

• Step 9: Advisement, Registration & Orientation

  For students enrolling in the fall semester, students will be encouraged to complete a new student questionnaire that will assist department chairs with pre-registering first-year students in coursework for the fall semester. First-year students will have the ability to adjust their schedules, if necessary.

  Check out the New Student Orientation & Welcome Week for more information.

  For students enrolling in the spring semester, the academic advising staff will contact you to discuss course advisement and class registration.