Skip to main content » Skip to section navigation » Top of page
  • About
  • Academics
  • Admissions
  • Campus Life
  • Calendar
  • Apply
  • Give
Purchase College State University of New York Purchase College Icon
Main content
Admissions / First Year

First Year

We’re interested in knowing about you—your academic interests, your favorite books or movies, what makes you laugh, and how you’d like to change the world.


Selection Process

When reading applications, we evaluate your academic history and demonstrated readiness for college level work.

Most incoming first year students at Purchase have earned at least a B+ average and have pursued a typical college prep curriculum in high school:

  • Four years each of English
  • Foreign language
  • Mathematics
  • Social science
  • Three to four years of laboratory sciences

But it’s not just your transcript that we consider…

Holistic Review

We consider you as a whole individual. Of course, we evaluate who is best poised to succeed in our programs and who will contribute to our academic community in meaningful ways.

But we also consider rigor of high school coursework, academic and extracurricular interests, unique talents, writing/video submissions, character and personality, letters of recommendation, and community service/involvement.

Scroll down for deadlines.


I’m Ready to Apply

First Year Class Profile (Fall 2021)

684

Total number of students

633 / 599

Average SAT Reading / Math

88.7%

Average High School GPA

25

Average ACT score

19%

First-year students who are the first in their families to attend college

80%

First-year students who live on campus


Details

We know you are so much more than a test score. We believe that allowing you to choose whether or not to submit test scores demonstrates our commitment to a holistic review of applicants and our embrace of unique qualities and talents that predict success beyond traditional markers.

We’ll still need test scores from some, however. You’re required to submit test scores if you fall into the categories below:

  • Applicants who are homeschooled
  • International students need to provide a TOEFL score
  • Applicants who attended secondary schools that provide only narrative evaluations rather than some form of grading scale
  • Applicants applying to the Upstate Accelerated Scholars Program (UASP)

Students are welcome to consult with an admissions advisor about their test-optional decision by emailing admissions@purchase.edu, calling (914) 251-6300, or texting (914) 290-5557.

Full Test-Optional Policy

You may apply via the Common Application or the SUNY Application. No preference is given to either form.

Decisions for most programs are made on a rolling basis; first year applicants who meet our deadlines will be notified of their admission status no later than April 1.

If Purchase College is your first choice, you’re invited to apply as an Early Action candidate. Early Action is a non-binding early application/notification program for fall Liberal Arts and Sciences first year students.

You may apply Early Action for most BA/BS programs and the School of Art+Design programs.

Early Action is not an option if you’re interested in Acting, Dance, Music, Film, or Theatre Design/Technology.

Admissions interviews are not mandatory, but we do offer you the opportunity to have an interview with one of our admissions counselors.

An interview allows you to tell us more about yourself than you can typically express in a written application, and may help the admissions committee make a more informed decision about your enrollment.

To schedule an interview, call the Admissions Office at 914-251-6300. Interview appointments are generally available on weekdays throughout the year. You should schedule an interview after you have submitted an application for admission.

Interview Policy


Program

Application Deadline for Fall 2023 Portfolio or Pre-Screening Deadline

Application Deadline for Spring 2023

Acting, BFA*

General Admissions
Extended:
January 10, 2023

Extended:
January 15, 2023

Not Offered
Art+Design*

Priority Deadline:
November 15, 2022

General Deadline Extended:
February 15, 2023

Priority Deadline:
December 1, 2022

General Deadline Extended:
March 1, 2023

Open to all majors except Graphic Design

November 15, 2022

Creative Writing, BA*

Early Action:
November 15, 2022

General Admissions:
March 1, 2023

Early Action:
November 20, 2022

General Admissions:
March 7, 2023

November 1, 2022
Dance, BFA*

Priority Deadline:
January 7, 2023

General Deadline:
Extended:
February 6, 2023

Priority Deadline:
January 14, 2023

General Deadline:
Extended:
February 10, 2023

Not Offered
Film, BFA*

Priority Deadline:
December 9, 2022

General Deadline: January 1, 2023

Priority Deadline:
December 16, 2022

General Deadline: January 7, 2023

Not Offered
Liberal Arts & Sciences**

Early Action:
November 15, 2022

Rolling Admissions:
March 1, 2023

 

N/A January 5, 2023
Music, MusB*

January 1, 2023

Rolling Admissions for select Music programs

 

January 8, 2023

Rolling Admissions for select Music programs

 

Classical and Jazz programs only

October 14, 2022 (application)

October 21, 2022 (pre-screening)

Theatre Design/Technology, BFA* March 1, 2023 March 5, 2023 Not Offered

*Please visit the linked program information page to view additional deadlines and requirements.  Deadlines may be updated at anytime.

**We review applications on a rolling basis, and will review applications until our incoming class is full. Students are encouraged to apply and complete their application early in the application cycle.

Admissions

  • Prospective Students
  • First Year
  • Transfers
  • International Students
  • Graduate Students
  • Explore Majors
  • Partnerships
  • Why Purchase?
  • I want to...
  • Request Information
  • Visit
  • Take a Virtual Tour
  • Apply
  • You're In
  • Accepted Students
  • Admissions Office
  • Get In Touch
  • Our Ambassadors
  • Our Team
  • Tuition and Aid

Student Success Programs

Educational Opportunity Program
Cornerstone Program
Global Scholars Program
Success Fellows
Upstate Accelerated Scholars Program

More Information

Financial Aid Office
Veterans’ Services

Admissions Policies

Today at Purchase Apply for Admission Neuberger Museum of Art The Performing Arts Center

Information for:

  • Current Students
  • Faculty and Staff
  • Parents and Families
  • Alumni
  • Lifelong Learners
  • Visiting Students

Need Assistance?

  • Contact Us
  • Accessibility
  • Campus Map
  • Campus Directory
  • Offices and Services
  • NYS University Police

Other Resources:

  • Email Login
  • Editor Login
  • Your Right to Know
  • Information Privacy
  • Employment
  • Visit
  • Foundation and Support
  • Library
  • News
  • Youth and Precollege
  • Adult Noncredit Programs
Purchase College State University of New York
735 Anderson Hill Road
Purchase, NY 10577, USA
(914) 251-6000
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
Back to top of page » Back to section navigation » Site map »