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
Not surprisingly, Purchase is seeking bright, intellectually curious, civically minded, socially engaged, motivated, and enthusiastic students who not only want to learn, but want to make a difference in our communities and in our world at large.
For each entering class, we welcome students who appreciate opposing views and opinions, respect differences, and challenge conventional wisdom.
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, and social science, and three to four years of laboratory sciences.
But it’s not just your transcript that we look at—the admissions team conducts a holistic review of your application.
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.
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.
Standardized Test Policy
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
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.
Application Options
You may apply via the Common Application or the SUNY Application. No preference is given to either form.
Early Action (Liberal Arts and Sciences only)
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.
Interviews
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.