The decision to attend school in the U.S. is a big one and we are here to help you every step of the way.

Choosing Purchase

We really hope that you will choose Purchase College.

Here’s why:

A distinctly American liberal arts educational model. We are a close-knit and supportive community with small class sizes and an emphasis on hands-on learning. We revere the power of creativity and critical thinking.

World wide open. Purchase College emphasizes the importance of an education and a mindset that’s not merely local, or national, but global. We encourage students to think of themselves as actors on a worldwide stage.

We’re diverse. We’re home to students who hail from 30 foreign countries. Our tagline, Think Wide Open, is more than a motto, it’s how we live, love, and interact. We’re incredibly inclusive, equitable, and respectful of each other.

Best of all worlds. Our 500-acre suburban campus offers plenty of green space to relax and roam, yet the heart of New York City is just 30 miles south. And the nearby small cities of Port Chester and White Plains have plenty of opportunities to work, shop, and relax outside of NYC.

Next Steps

If you’re ready to join the Purchase community, great! We can’t wait to welcome you to campus. Before you get started, there are a few things you need to take care of first.

  1. Please complete the required Next Steps.
  2. Start checking your Purchase email regularly!

Why Should I Check My Email?

You’ll begin receiving important information from both the Admissions Office and the Office for Global Education.

The admissions team will remain in touch with you until you arrive on campus at the start of the school year.

But you will also hear from Global Education staff members, who work very closely with all of our international students on campus. They manage your International Student Orientation program, and also issue the I-20 Certificate of Eligibility for Non-Immigrant Student Status, required for students who will need to apply for an F-1 student visa.

They also provide key information to help you prepare for your arrival on campus. Be sure to visit their website, and download their Pre-Arrival Checklist

You will also start to receive information from other departments on campus, such as Orientation, Residence Life, academic departments, etc.

Student Visas

International Students Who May Not Need a Student Visa

If you are an international student currently living in the United States on a dependent visa, you may not need to obtain an F-1 visa. Therefore, you may not be required to submit financial documents. Please review the requirements for your current visa status carefully and reach out to the International Student Coordinator with any questions.

International Students Who Must Have a Student Visa

Please visit our Accepted F-1 Students page for complete information.

F-1 Students Transferring from Another U.S. Institution

If you are an F-1 student currently attending high school, language institute, or post-secondary institution in the U.S., immigration regulations for F-1 students require that you complete a school transfer procedure of your SEVIS record in order to be authorized to attend Purchase College. The school transfer procedure is required even if you graduated from your former school. Students must submit the following:

Additional Transfer Information

Visit the Office for Global Education website for more information for F-1 Students Transferring from Another U.S. School.

Have Another Question?

Contact Associate Director of Admissions Beatriz Martin-Ruiz.