E-mail this pageAdmissions Requirements for International Students
What We Look For
Plattsburgh considers several factors when reviewing applications for admission from international applicants.
Quality of Previous Academic Achievement
We believe that in order to be a successful student at SUNY Plattsburgh, you must have been a good student in your home country. You need to submit original documents or certified copies showing good academic achievement in high school, college, or university. Most common credentials include transcripts (documents issued by high schools, colleges, or universities listing the courses taken with grades), or nationally accredited examinations (like GCSE "O" and "A" levels, Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) results etc). We will not accept any photocopies, scans or faxes of your academic documents. If you send us your documents through these forms, we will request the original document or certified copies from you again.
English Proficiency (SUNY Plattsburgh Institutional Code 2544)
All students must show proof of their English proficiency. There are no exceptions. If you have taken the TOEFL iBT, IELTS, SAT, or ACT, you may enter your online profile information on the English proficiency page . We will verify your scores and include them in your file. Otherwise, please send us an official scoresheet of your examination results. We will not accept any photocopies, scans or faxes of your English proficiency examination. If you send us your documents through these forms, we will request the original document or certified copies from you again.
English Bridge Program requirements:
TOEFL paper: 450-539
TOEFL internet: 45-75
IELTS Academic: 4.5
EIKEN/STEP: Grade 2
SAT: 350-449
ELS: 109-111
British 'O' Level English Pass: D-F
Full-time without ESL:
TOEFL paper: 540
TOEFL internet: 76+
IELTS Academic: 6.5
EIKEN/STEP: Grade 1
SAT: 450+
ELS: Completion of 112
British 'O' Level English Pass: A-C
SAT/ACT
Although applicants are not required to take the SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test), it is highly recommended. Our most valuable scholarships are available only to applicants who have submitted SAT or ACT results.
Evidence of Financial Support
In order to meet the standards set by the United States Citizenship and Immigration and Services (USCIS), you must provide official documents to prove that you have enough money to pay for your education. We provide a limited number of merit scholarships and on-campus housing grants to help lower the cost of attendance for international students, especially those with a record of extraordinary academic achievement. Early applicants get priority consideration.
Reference Letter
One letter of recommendation is requested. Letters composed in English are preferred, but if necessary, we will accept letters written in other languages.
Essay
Please compose a personal essay using at least 250 words. Please answer these questions in your essay:
1. Why are you choosing SUNY Plattsburgh for your university study in the United States?
2. Why are you choosing your particular major? What are your educational/career goals after graduation?
3. Briefly describe your family and your home. How many siblings do you have? Who lives in your house?
4. What do your parents do for a living?
Transfer Students
Any international applicant who has been enrolled in a post-secondary institution and has earned college credit by pursuing a college/university degree elsewhere should apply for admission as a transfer student. To qualify for admission to the SUNY Plattsburgh as a transfer student, international applicants must complete at least 24 semester/36 quarter hours of general academic credit (equivalent to one year of university study) with a minimum 2.50 GPA before transferring to SUNY Plattsburgh.
We will consider awarding transfer credit for courses successfully completed after secondary school. You must forward official academic records (with certified English translations) and exam results with your application. We will also need descriptions of the courses you completed and the number of hours spent in each class to determine the number of transfer credits to give you.
We do not grant transfer credit for English language courses designed for students whose native language is not English.
Recommended Dates for Completed Applications
- Fall Semester (beginning in August) - May 1
- Spring Semester (beginning in January) - November 1
We highly recommended that you email or mail your application to us at least one month prior to the above deadlines.
Early applicants have a much better chance of receiving scholarship assistance.
Making Our Decision: What to Expect
We can make a decision only after we receive all the required documents, including the application fee. If your application is complete, we will make a decision immediately. If it is not complete, you will receive a list of the missing items via email. If needed, we will also request additional documents and supplemental forms by email. Therefore, we require that you provide a working email address that you check daily on your application.
Questions, Comments, Suggestions?
If you have any questions about international admission or financial aid at SUNY-Plattsburgh, please contact:
International Student Services
State University of New York at Plattsburgh
Kehoe Administration Building, Room 209
101 Broad Street
Plattsburgh, New York 12901 USA
Phone: (518) 564-3287
Fax: (518) 564-3292
E-mail: iss@plattsburgh.edu