International Student Admissions

What We Look For

• Quality of Previous Academic Achievement

  We believe that in order to be a successful student at SUNY Plattsburgh, you must have been a good student in your home country. You need to submit original documents or certified copies showing good academic achievement in high school, college or university.

  Most common credentials include transcripts (documents issued by high schools, colleges, or universities listing the courses taken with grades), or nationally accredited examinations (like GCSE “O” and “A” levels, Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) results etc). We will not accept any photocopies, scans or faxes of your academic documents. If you send us your documents through these forms, we will request the original document or certified copies from you again.

• English Proficiency

  All students must show proof of their English proficiency. There are no exceptions. This requirement can be fulfilled through submission of results on standardized tests listed below. Other nationally or internationally standardized exams are acceptable under certain circumstances.

  Note: For admission consideration, we will accept photocopies, scans or faxes of your English proficiency examination. If you are accepted and plan to enroll, we will request the original document or certified copies. If you send us your documents through these forms, we will request the original document or certified copies.

  Minimum English proficiency requirements for admission through the English Bridge Program:

  • TOEFL paper: >490
  • TOEFL internet: >57
  • IELTS Academic: >5.5
  • SAT: >400
  • ELS: >110
  • British ‘O’ Level English Pass: >E
  • PTE (Pearson Test of English): >45
  • DuoLingo English test: 87 – 109

  Students who choose a program of study within the School of Education, Health, and Human Services must meet the minimum criteria for traditional admission consideration as shown below.

  Minimum English proficiency requirements for traditional admission consideration:

  • TOEFL paper: >540
  • TOEFL internet: >76 (all subscores >16)
  • IELTS Academic: 6.5 (all bands > 5.9)
  • SAT: >500
  • ELS: Completion of 112
  • British ‘O’ Level English Pass: >C
  • PTE (Pearson Test of English): >53
  • Cambridge English Scale: >180
  • DuoLingo English test: 110 or higher

  Course registration for the first semester of enrollment will be determined by results on English language placement examinations administered on campus during orientation.

• SAT/ACT (optional)

  Although applicants are not required to take the SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test), it is highly recommended. Applicants who have submitted SAT or ACT results that demonstrate their academic ability at or above the level demonstrated by their high school transcripts are more likely to qualify for our academic merit scholarship.

• Evidence of Financial Support

  In order to meet the standards set by the United States Citizenship and Immigration and Services (USCIS), you must provide official documents to prove that you have enough money to pay for your education BEFORE we are allowed to issue your Form I-20. We provide a limited number of merit scholarships and on-campus housing grants to help lower the cost of attendance for international students, especially those with a record of extraordinary academic achievement. Early applicants get priority consideration. To estimate the amount of funds you will need to show, visit our cost page and subtract the scholarship package amount that you believe you will qualify to receive. You will be notified of your actual scholarship award when you are notified of your admission decision. There is no separate application for scholarships.

• Reference Letter

  One letter of recommendation is requested. Letters composed in English are preferred, but if necessary, we will accept letters written in other languages.

• Essay

  Please compose a personal essay in English using at least 250 words. Please answer these questions in your essay:

  1. Why are you choosing SUNY Plattsburgh for your university study in the United States?
  2. Why are you choosing your particular major? What are your educational/career goals after graduation?
  3. Briefly describe your family and your home. How many siblings do you have? Who lives in your house?
  4. What do your parents do for a living?