TRANSFERS
WHO IS A TRANSFER APPLICANT?
A student who has taken course work at an accredited college, other than SUNY New Paltz, after high school graduation is considered a transfer student.
PRELIMINARY TRANSFER ADMISSION CONSIDERATION
- A 2.75 minimum grade point average (GPA).
- If more than one college has been attended, it is a 2.75 combined GPA from all previous colleges.
- If the applicant has less than 45 completed credits, their high school academic record will be considered as well.
- If the applicant has less than 45 completed credits, they may either apply to a major or apply as "Undeclared."
- If the applicant has 45 or more completed credits, they must apply directly to a major - "Undeclared" is not a choice.
FRESH START POLICY FOR TRANSFER APPLICANTS
Purpose: The Fresh Start Policy allows incoming transfer students who have experienced academic difficulties at previous institutions an opportunity to exclude previously earned unsatisfactory and failing grades from their admission decision. This policy provides an opportunity to enroll at New Paltz and a pathway toward degree completion without unduly penalizing students for past academic performance.
Eligibility: To be eligible for Fresh Start admission, students must meet the following criteria:
- Apply as a transfer student.
- The applicant must be separated from their previous institution for 7 or more semesters.
- Applicants must submit a resume to document their experience during their education gap and a gap statement that explains why they believe they will be successful now.
TRANSFER APPLICATION PROCESS
- Submit the SUNY Application or the Common Application
- Application fee is $50 and is non-refundable and non-transferable. The SUNY Application fee is waived for SUNY or CUNY associate degree holders. The Common Application fee is not waived for SUNY or CUNY associate degree holders.
- Submit official transcripts from all colleges previously attended to the Office of Undergraduate Admission.*
- Submit official, final high school transcript or GED/TASC (as required by the NYS Education Department) to the Office of Undergraduate Admission.*
- If taken in high school, submit official AP, IB, CLEP score reports to the Office of Undergraduate Admission.*
*If unable to submit materials electronically, official copies may be sent to:
State University of New York at New Paltz
Office of Undergraduate Admission
100 Hawk Drive
New Paltz, NY 12561
INTERNATIONAL TRANSCRIPTS
We require that transfer students obtain an evaluation of their non-US university transcript(s) from a credential evaluation service that is a member in good standing with the National Association of Credential Evaluation Service (NACES). You can visit naces.org for information about these services.
The most common evaluation services that are used are The Evaluation Company (formerly SpanTran), World Education Services and Educational Credential Evaluators. Evaluations MUST be course-by-course evaluations showing all coursework, grades received and cumulative GPA.
*Official documents can be emailed to admissions@newpaltz.edu or mailed to:
State University of New York at New Paltz
Office of Undergraduate Admission
SUNY New Paltz
100 Hawk Drive
New Paltz, NY 12561
TRANSFER ADMISSION TO SPECIFIC MAJORS*
- Art – A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75, submission of an art statement of purpose, and an approved portfolio by the Art Department**
- Adolescence Education – A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and 3-4 credits in Writing and Rhetoric (1 composition course) with a grade of B or better.
- Adolescence Education - Biology – The above Adolescence Education requirements, plus successful completion of General Biology I & II, and General Chemistry I & II with a grade of C- or better.
- Adolescence Education – Chemistry - The above Adolescence Education requirements, plus successful completion of General Chemistry I & II with a grade of C- or better.
- Adolescence Education - Mathematics - The above Adolescence Education requirements, plus successful completion of either Calculus I or Calculus II with a grade of B- or better.
- Adolescence Education– Physics - The above Adolescence Education requirements, plus successful completion of General Physics I and II with a grade of C - or better.
- Biochemistry - A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 and successful completion of General Chemistry I & II and College Algebra (or a higher-level math course) with a grade of C- or better.
- Biology - A cumulative GPA of 2.75 and successful completion of General Biology I & II, General Chemistry I & II, and Pre-Calculus (or a higher-level math course) with a grade of C- or better.
- Business (all programs) - A cumulative GPA of 2.75 and, although not required for admission, it is highly recommended that an applicant completes Pre-Calculus, or the New Paltz equivalent, to be eligible for access to junior-level Business courses and the timely completion of a degree.
- Chemistry - A cumulative GPA of 2.75 and successful completion of General Chemistry I & II and College Algebra (or a higher-level math course) with a grade of C- or better.
- Communication Disorders– Effective for spring 2027 admission, a cumulative GPA of 2.75 is needed for consideration for applicants who have completed 45 or more credits. Applicants with fewer than 45 completed college credits, and a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75, will be admitted as an undeclared major and advised accordingly by the Communication Disorders Department.
- Deaf Studies– A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 is needed for consideration. For applicants who have completed 45 or more college credits completion of a Deaf Culture & Heritage course is preferred but not required. Applicants who have completed fewer than 45 college credits and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 will be admitted as an undeclared major and advised accordingly by the Deaf Studies Department.
- Early Childhood/Childhood Education - A cumulative GPA of 3.0 and 3-4 credits in Writing and Rhetoric (1 composition course) with a grade of “B” or better.
- Early Childhood/Childhood Education – Mathematics Concentration - the above Early Childhood/Childhood Education requirements, plus a grade of a grade of C- or better in Calculus I.
- General Studies (interdisciplinary degree completion program, available fully online) - A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50 and at least 60 college credits or an associate’s degree earned.
- Graphic Design – A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, submission of an art statement of purpose and a successful portfolio review. The Graphic Design major admits applicants for the fall semester only and has an application deadline of April 1.
- Mathematics – A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 and grade of "B-" or better in Calculus I or a grade of "B-" or better in Calculus II.
- Music – A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 and a successful music audition/interview with the Music Department**
- Psychology – A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75, and successful completion of General Psychology with a grade of “C” or better and successful completion of a SUNY General Education mathematics course with a "C" or better.
- Theatre Arts – A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 and a successful theatre audition/interview with the Theatre Department**
- Visual Arts Education – A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, and submission of an art statement of purpose, and an approved portfolio by the Art Department **
- Most majors in the School of Science & Engineeringrequire a minimum completion of College Algebra for consideration. Biology requires a minimum completion of Pre-Calculus and Mathematics requires a minimum completion of Calculus.
*SUNY New Paltz reserves the right to change admission criteria for specific majors without notice.
**Contact the specific department for portfolio submission, audition, or interview information and requirements.
TRANSFER APPLICATION DUE DATES***
- Fall enrollment - Graphic Design ONLY– April 1
All other majors – May 1
- Spring enrollment - December 1
***SUNY New Paltz reserves the right to change application deadlines without notice.
HOUSING INFORMATION FOR TRANSFER STUDENTS
Accepted students must pay their Advance Room Deposits (ARD) through the admission status portal.
On-campus housing is available to accepted transfer students on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please contact the Department of Residence Life 845-257-4444 for on-campus housing information for transfer students.
VETERAN & MILITARY SERVICE MEMBERS
Veterans or military service members and/or their spouses and children should contact the Office of Veteran & Military Services at 845-257-3074 or OVMS@newpaltz.edu for further information.
HOME SCHOOL INFORMATION
As home schooling, in most instances, is a more holistic educational experience than traditional high school programs, we require a more comprehensive application submission, following the format for home schooling as outlined in the NYS Commissioner of Education's Regulations-Section 100.10.
New York State residents who enroll in online correspondence high school programs of study are not considered HOME SCHOOLED as per the New York State Department of Education. Please refer to the regarding online correspondence high school programs of study.
THE APPLICATION PROCESS
In addition to the general undergraduate admission requirements in effect at the time of application, New Paltz asks that home schooled applicants provide the following:
- A copy of the approved Individualized Home Instruction Plan (IHIP) for each year of high school home schooling;
- List of syllabi, curriculum materials, textbooks, plan of instruction;
- List of courses taken (these must comply with the minimum course requirements listed in Section 100.10 of the Commissioner’s Regulations);
- Copies of quarterly reports to the local school district (as per Section 100.10);
- The annual assessment in accordance with Section 100.10;
- If Regents examinations are taken at the conclusion of appropriate courses, the results of these examinations must be included.
Please note that the application for admission will not be reviewed until all required documentation is received.
ACCEPTED AND PLANNING TO ATTEND
Home-schooled students must provide documentation of successful completion of the high school home school program as required by the New York State Department of Education.
This can be done by submitting both of the following:
- The official letter of completion of all high school requirements signed by the home district superintendent (or designee).
- The official score report of the TASC (GED).
A national matriculation examination from a foreign country will not be recognized as evidence of graduation.
CONTACT UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSION
Office of Undergraduate Admission
100 Hawk Drive
New Paltz, New York 12561
Phone: (845) 257-3200
Fax: (845) 257-3209
Email: admissions@newpaltz.edu
