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Freshman Admissions

Students talking outside of Dowd Fine Arts Center

 

Admissions Criteria

All applications are individually reviewed. Admission decisions are based on a variety of factors, however, primary consideration is given to course selection and performance. Results from the American College Test (ACT) or the Scholastic Achievement Test (SAT I), class rank, extracurricular activities, essays and recommendations also enter into the admission decision. Completion of the application includes the following:

  1. Mail the completed State University of New York undergraduate application (available in secondary school guidance offices in New York State, or directly from the SUNY Cortland Admissions Office) to: SUNY Application Processing Center, Albany, NY 12246. The application will be forwarded to the SUNY Cortland Admissions Office.
  2. Provide official secondary school transcript or official results from the General Equivalency Diploma (GED). If you have prior military service, you must also provide a copy of your discharge papers (DD214).
  3. Forward official results from the ACT or SAT I examinations. It is recommended that you have scores sent directly from the testing agency.
  4. You will receive acknowledgement of SUNY Cortland's receipt of your application. Once you have, please complete the required Supplemental Application.
  5. Submit a personal statement or essay. Note: Essay and / or personal statement can be submitted during completion of the online supplemental application.
  6. Submit one letter of recommendation directly to the SUNY Cortland Admissions Office.

If additional information is needed, the Admissions Office will contact you. While there is no deadline for filing the application, it is recommended that you complete the application before March for the fall semester and before December for the spring semester.

Candidates for admission must graduate from a secondary school program or present a General Equivalency Diploma. As a freshmen candidate your preparation should include the following:

English: 4 units
Social Studies: 4 units
Mathematics: 3-4 units*
Science: 3-4 units*
Foreign Language: 3-4 units

* If less than three units are taken in one of the subjects, a minimum of four units will be required in one of the others.

All applicants are expected to be enrolled in a college preparatory track according to their state requirements (Regents level or higher in New York State.)

At SUNY Cortland we are committed to a strong liberal arts foundation in all of our academic programs. Therefore, admission to the college will be granted to those applicants who present the strongest academic programs in English, social studies, mathematics, science and foreign language regardless of the intended major. A challenging college preparatory program with significant achievements both in and out of the classroom will help ensure that your application is competitive.

Decisions

Notification of fall semester admission decisions begins in early January and continues on a rolling basis (approximately 10 days following a completed application decision). Notification of Spring admission decisions occurs on a rolling basis.

Deposits

Two deposits are requested when you are accepted—one to secure a place in the entering class and one to hold a residence hall room for a specific semester. Deposit fees are waived for Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) candidates. For fall semester applicants, the $50 tuition and $150 room deposits are due May 1. Fall applicants accepted after April 1, will have 30 days from the date of the acceptance letter to submit the deposits. Spring semester applicants must submit deposits within 30 days of the date of the acceptance letter.

Deposits are not refundable beyond your deposit due date. No deposit will be refunded after the beginning of the semester.

Early Admission

The early admission option combines the final year of secondary school with the first year of college. Courses are selected during the first year at Cortland that meet requirements for completion of a high school diploma while simultaneously making progress toward a bachelor’s degree.

Highly motivated students who will complete their junior year of secondary school may apply for admission as a college freshman. In addition to the other freshman admission requirements, early admission applicants must submit a letter of recommendation from a school counselor, discussing the applicant’s potential for success and outlining the courses needed to satisfy secondary school graduation requirements.

** Please note: Federal financial aid programs will not be available to Early Admission candidates until graduation from secondary school is officially confirmed.

Early Decision

An early decision option is available to you as a fall semester freshman applicant if you have decided that SUNY Cortland is your first choice college and you plan to enroll here if accepted. You should only select this option if Cortland is your first choice. As an early decision candidate, you will be asked to sign a letter of commitment agreeing to withdraw all other admission applications if accepted.

To be considered for early decision, your completed freshmen SUNY application must be received in the Admissions Office by Nov. 15. In addition, you must return an early decision commitment agreement (sent to you upon receipt of your application) by Dec. 15.

Decision letters will be sent on a rolling basis through Dec. 15. If accepted for early decision, your admission and housing deposits are due by Jan. 15.

Evaluation Policy

At the State University of New York at Cortland we seek a diverse and academically strong student body. While competitive in admission standards, you are welcome to apply with confidence that our admission policy and practice will not discriminate on the basis of age, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, disability, national origin or marital status.

Special Talent Admission

We recognize that achievements outside of traditional academic areas require exceptional commitment and may indicate further potential for success in college. Special talent admission considers applicants who demonstrate excellence in areas such as performing or visual arts, athletics, or writing.

If you are interested in being considered for special talent you should send evidence of your accomplishments to the appropriate academic department or coach at SUNY Cortland. Only applicants nominated by a Cortland faculty will be considered in light of special talents. You must be nominated as a special talent candidate prior to an admission decision.