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Admissions Office
Miller Building, Room 113
607-753-4711
Fax: 607-753-5998
admissions@cortland.edu
cortland.edu/admissions
Evaluation Policy
SUNY Cortland seeks a diverse and academically strong student body. While competitive in admission standards, the admission policy and practice will not discriminate on the basis of age, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, disability, national origin or marital status.
Application and Criteria
All applications are individually reviewed. Admission decisions are based on a variety of factors. However, primary consideration is given to course selection and academic performance. Class rank, extracurricular activities, writing samples and recommendations also enter into the admission decision. SUNY Cortland will not require standardized test scores from students applying for the Fall 2025 term. Completion of the application includes the following:
- Submission of the Common Application or the SUNY Application.
- Official secondary school transcript or official results from the General Equivalency Diploma (GED) or Test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC). Applicants with prior military service must also provide a copy of their discharge papers (DD Form 214).
- Candidates for admission must graduate from a secondary school program or present a GED. All applicants are expected to be enrolled in a college preparatory track according to their state's requirements (Regents level or higher in New York state). Preparation for first-year applicants should include the following:
- English: 4 units
- Foreign Language: 3-4 units
- Science: 3-4 units
- Social Studies: 4 units
- Mathematics:
- Completion of Regents-level Algebra II/Trigonometry (with exam) OR
- Applicants who attend a school in New York state that does not offer the Regents or who reside outside New York will need three to four units. The number of units may vary due to the individual state's requirements.
Students who apply to the Bachelor of Fine Arts or the Bachelor of Arts in Musical Theatre will need to audition for the faculty in the Performing Arts Department, and those applying to the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art Studio will need to submit a portfolio to the Art and Art History Department for review. The academic criteria listed above and recommendation from the department are needed to be offered admission into these majors at SUNY Cortland. A general offer of admission to the university may be granted prior to this review process.
SUNY Cortland is committed to a strong liberal arts foundation in all of its academic programs. Therefore, admission to the university 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 an application that is competitive.
Decisions
For students enrolling in the fall semester, admission decisions are sent starting in mid-December for early action first-year applicants and early January for regular admission applicants. Decision notifications continue on a rolling basis, approximately 10 days after a decision has been finalized. Spring admission decisions are sent on a rolling basis.
Deposits
A deposit is requested upon acceptance. Deposit fees are waived for Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) candidates. The deposit secures a place in the entering class and a residence hall room for a specific semester. For fall semester applicants, the $200 deposit is due on May 1. Fall applicants accepted after April 1 will have 30 days from the date of the acceptance letter to submit a deposit. Spring semester applicants must submit a deposit within 30 days of the date of the acceptance letter.
The deposit is not refundable beyond the deposit due date. No deposit will be refunded after the beginning of the semester.
Early Action
First-year applicants who consider SUNY Cortland to be a top choice should consider submitting an application under the non-binding early action option. To be considered for early action, applicants should select the Early Action option on the application and submit all application materials by Nov. 15. Application materials include:
- A high school transcript (from all schools attended, if applicable) or official results from GED or TASC
- The appropriate supplemental application or form, depending on the application completed — either the SUNY Application or the Common Application
- An essay or writing sample
- A letter of recommendation
Early action applications will be reviewed utilizing the same criteria as regular admissions. Initial review of early action applicants will take place by Jan. 1. Through the early action program, applications to other institutions do not have to be withdrawn until May 1.
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 first-year student. In addition to the other first-year 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.
Note: Federal financial aid programs will not be available to early admission candidates until graduation from secondary school is officially confirmed.
Special Admission Opportunities
Educational Opportunity Program (EOP)
This admission option is designed for motivated applicants from New York state who may be ineligible for admission under traditional standards due to academic under-preparation or historical disadvantage, but who demonstrate the potential for success in completing a college-level program. EOP applicants also must meet specific income guidelines. All admitted students are enrolled in the same degree-granting programs, with EOP students completing a mandatory Summer Institute and receiving specialized support.
Eligibility is based on guidelines established by the State University of New York and the State Education Department. Transferring to SUNY Cortland as an EOP student requires previous matriculation in an EOP, HEOP, College SEEK or Discovery program.
Further information is included in the SUNY Application Viewbook. Additional questions should be referred to the Educational Opportunity Program Office, Old Main, Room 136, 607-753-4808.
Special Talent Admission
SUNY Cortland recognizes 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.
Those interested in being considered for special talent admission should send evidence of their accomplishments to the appropriate academic department or coach at SUNY Cortland. Only applicants nominated by a Cortland faculty member or coach will be considered. Students must be nominated as a special talent candidate prior to an admission decision.
Transfer Application and Criteria
SUNY Cortland welcomes applications from students who have attended post-secondary institutions. Application decisions are based on previous cumulative academic performance. To be considered for transfer admission, students must provide official transcripts from all previous colleges attended. Failure to report all college-level work attempted may result in withdrawal of admission or dismissal from the university. Completion of the application includes the following:
- Submission of the Common Application or the SUNY Application. Applicants should submit only one.
- Official college transcripts, from all post-secondary institutions attended, including college coursework completed while in high school. Those with prior military service must also provide a copy of their discharge papers (DD214).
- Official secondary school transcript with official graduation date specified or official results from the GED or TASC.
Candidates are encouraged to apply before March for the fall semester and before December for the spring semester. However, the transfer admissions process is rolling.
Admissions Criteria
A cumulative grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale is preferred for admission. SUNY Cortland gives additional consideration to those who have or will complete an associate's degree.
Applicants with less than a 2.5 grade point average are reviewed and considered on a case-by-case basis.
To learn about transferring credits, see the Transfer Credit Policies and Evaluation section in Academic Policies or the Transfer Credit Services webpage for additional information.
International Student Admission
SUNY Cortland welcomes applications from foreign nationals seeking matriculation into undergraduate programs. All applications are individually reviewed. Admission decisions are based on a variety of factors; with primary consideration given to course selection and performance.
Applicants should review the following list and submit the required documents:
- Application for Undergraduate Admission from either the Common Application or the SUNY Application. Only one application method is required, but both require a $50 non-refundable application fee.
- Official transcripts of all secondary school work completed. English translation and original document required if original is not in English.
- Official college transcripts if applying as a transfer or if the applicant received college credit while enrolled in secondary school.
- Documentation of English proficiency if English is not the applicant's native language (acceptable tests and preferred scores: TOEFL, 79; IELTS, Band 6.5; EIKEN, Pre-1; Duolingo, 100; PTE Academic, 55)
- International Student Financial Statement and the required documents to verify financial support.
- A photocopy of the biographical page from the applicant's current passport.
- SUNY Cortland I-20 Request Form
Forms can be found on the SUNY Cortland International Admissions webpage.
Immigration form I-20, which the applicant will use to secure an F-1 visa, will be issued to the applicant once all required information has been received and the applicant has been accepted to SUNY Cortland.
Part-Time Study
Registrar's Office
Miller Building, Room 203
607-753-4702
Fax: 607-753-2959
registrar@cortland.edu
cortland.edu/registrar
Services for part-time undergraduate students are provided by academic departments. Services for non-degree community residents are provided by the Registrar's Office, Miller Building, Room 203.
Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Part-time and Non-degree Status
Undergraduate students may enroll in courses on a part-time, non-degree basis by registering through the Registrar's Office. To work toward a degree, students must be admitted formally to degree status. Details may be obtained from the Admissions Office.
Undergraduate non-degree students may not register for more than a total of 11.5 credit hours in a fall or spring term and are not to exceed 30 credits overall. Students may also enroll in coursework during summer or winter terms and must adhere to the credit limits in those respective terms. Undergraduate students who have earned a total of 30 credit hours, must apply through the Admissions Office for matriculated status or discontinue work at Cortland. If accepted, such students will register with other matriculated students in accord with the registration schedule available on the Web.
Students enrolled as a matriculated student elsewhere must consult with their home campus on the transferability of coursework. It is recommended that students do this prior to registering for any courses. Credits earned through a study abroad program do not count toward the 30-credit hour limit.
Qualified high school juniors and seniors are eligible to enroll in college-level courses at Cortland as part-time, non-degree students with a letter of recommendation from their school guidance counselors. They may be enrolled in first-year or sophomore-level courses upon the approval of their school guidance counselors.
Students should consult this catalog to be certain that all prerequisites for courses in which they may enroll have been fulfilled. Registration for non-degree students opens the first day of the fall or spring semester on a course availability basis, after degree students have been advised and registered.
Those students who have applied for and have been denied regular admission to SUNY Cortland are ineligible to enroll during the semester in which they applied for admission. Students who have been matriculated and wish to return after an interruption of enrollment must go through the readmission process and are ineligible for non-matriculated status. Credits earned as a high school student do not count toward the 30-credit hour limit.
Identification Cards
All students who register for courses at the university are required to have a SUNY Cortland ID card. For more information, refer to the Student Resources section of this catalog.
Registration (Non-degree Students)
All non-degree undergraduate students register for courses through the Registrar's Office. The full course schedule and all pertinent registration information including important dates and deadlines are available at cortland.edu/registrar.
Eligible students may enroll and pay at the time of registration the day classes begin on a course availability basis. Online registration forms are available at cortland.edu/registrar.
Students who do not pay their tuition bill for the courses for which they have registered by the payment deadline will be de-registered.
Summer and Winter Session
Extended Learning Office
Miller Building, Room 208
607-753-5643
Fax: 607-753-2959
elo@cortland.edu
SUNY Cortland offers courses during winter and summer sessions. These courses allow current SUNY Cortland students to catch up or get ahead on their coursework. They also allow non-SUNY Cortland students to earn credits.
Winter Session
Winter Session features two terms, including a four-to-five-week session beginning in December and a two-week session beginning in January. Students may take up to five credit hours of coursework during Winter Session. Nearly all Winter Session courses are online at the undergraduate level.
The Winter Session preliminary course schedule is posted online early in the fall semester. Registration begins mid-fall, typically around the time that students register for their spring semester courses. Registration remains open until the first day of each session.
Winter Session tuition and fees are paid on a per credit hour basis. Financial aid is typically not available for Winter Session courses.
Visit the Winter Session website for more information.
Summer Session
Summer Session features multiple terms, including a ten-week session, two five-week sessions and four two-week sessions. Most courses fall into the five-week sessions. Students may take up to a total of 14 credit hours during Summer Session, with credit hour limits during each individual term.
Most Summer Session undergraduate courses are online, with few exceptions. Summer also is a popular time to complete internships and independent studies. Students should work with their academic departments to finalize the details for these opportunities.
The Summer Session preliminary course schedule is posted online by late January. Registration begins in mid-spring, typically around the time that students register for their fall semester courses. Registration remains open until the first day of each individual session.
Summer Session tuition and fees are paid on a per credit hour basis. Students should consult with the Financial Aid Office to determine if and how aid can be used for Summer Session coursework.
Visit the Summer Session website for more information.
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