Navigating Admissions at SUNY Old Westbury: GPA and Other Requirements

SUNY Old Westbury, established in 1965, is a public institution offering a range of undergraduate degrees across 55 majors. Understanding the admissions requirements, including GPA expectations, is crucial for prospective students. This article will provide a comprehensive overview of the various factors considered during the admissions process at SUNY Old Westbury.

General Admission Philosophy

SUNY Old Westbury operates under competitive admission criteria, evaluating each applicant individually through the Office of Enrollment Services. The university embraces a holistic approach, valuing inclusiveness and diversity. Admission isn't solely based on one academic criterion; instead, a wide array of academic achievements that demonstrate an individual’s potential for success at the university are taken into account.

GPA Requirements: A Detailed Look

While SUNY Old Westbury considers a variety of factors, GPA remains an important aspect of the application. Here's a breakdown of GPA requirements for different programs and applicant types:

General Undergraduate Admission: Most programs at SUNY Old Westbury require a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 for admission.
Specific Programs: Certain programs, particularly within the School of Arts & Sciences, the School of Business, and the School of Education, have higher GPA requirements, often around a 3.0 minimum cumulative GPA.
School of Business Programs: Admission to degree programs in Business Administration, Finance, and Marketing requires a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or above. The Accounting program also requires a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or above.
Psychology Majors: Effective Spring 2019, Psychology majors must have earned a 2.5 cumulative GPA with at least 32 credits for basic admission. Applicants must also have completed an Introduction to Psychology course (with a C grade or higher) and one other Psychology course that applies to the major (with a grade of C or higher).
Transfer Students: The GPA is calculated by taking the average of all course work attempted.
International Freshman Applicants: International freshman applicants must have an equivalent secondary school average of an 80 (US average) or above.
Honors College: Continuing Old Westbury students are eligible to apply to the Honors College prior to the start of their sophomore year if they earn a 3.5 cumulative GPA.

It is important to note that these are general guidelines, and the university may consider other factors in addition to GPA.

Test-Optional Policy

SUNY Old Westbury has a "Test Optional" policy for all programs except the 3+4 BS/DO Program. SAT/ACT scores are neither required nor recommended to apply. However, the university still considers SAT/ACT scores if submitted.

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For students who choose to submit scores:

The 25th percentile SAT score is 990, and the 75th percentile SAT score is 1160.
The 25th percentile ACT score is 19, and the 75th percentile ACT score is 24.

Other Academic Requirements

Besides GPA and standardized tests, SUNY Old Westbury has other academic requirements for admission and graduation:

High School Transcript: All students must submit an official high school transcript and proof of high school graduation. Applicants receiving an Equivalency Diploma by passing the NYS GED exam must obtain a composite score of 3000. Newly admitted first year students accepted to the University had a median high school average of 86. Applicants taking the GED must have a minimum score of 3000.
College Transcripts (for Transfers): Students must provide transcripts from all colleges or universities attended. Official transcripts for courses taken prior to the student’s first semester at the College must be submitted to the Office of Enrollment Services as part of the admissions procedure.
English Proficiency: All students must demonstrate proficiency in English composition in order to graduate from the College. Students who score a grade of 3 or better on an AP exam are proficient. As a demonstration of proficiency in writing, students must achieve a grade of C or higher in both the EL 1000 - English Composition I: Exposition course (the GE Basic Communication course) and an EL 2200-EL 2299 course in Argumentation/Literary Perspectives. Writing proficiency requirements can be met by transfer of courses with a grade of C or higher that are equivalent to EL 1000 and EL 2200-EL 2299 or by a satisfactory score on a writing placement examination evaluated by the English Department.
Mathematics Proficiency: Mathematics proficiency may be satisfied by earning a grade of C or higher in MA 1020 - College Algebra, MA 2000 - Applied Statistics, MA 2050 - Quantitative Reasoning and Decision Making, MA 2080 - Precalculus for Business and Economics, or MA 2090 - Precalculus. Students may also satisfy the mathematics proficiency requirement by transfer of an equivalent course to the above, by earning a score of 3 or higher on the Calculus AB, Calculus BC, or Statistics AP exams, or by earning a score of 85 or higher on the Algebra II/Trigonometry Regent’s exam.
General Education Requirements: Students will complete a course in each of the following domains: Mathematics, Basic Communication, Creativity and the Arts, Western Tradition, American Experience, Major Cultures, Foreign Language, Natural Science, Humanities and Social Science. In some cases, an individual course may satisfy more than one domain, but all students must complete a minimum of 30 GE credits, as mandated by the SUNY Board of Trustees. The curriculum incorporates competencies in Critical Thinking and Information Management.
Diversity: All students will complete a course in the College’s mission-defined “Diversity/Social Justice” domain. Students entering in their first year will complete this requirement through a two-semester sequence, FY1000 Ethics of Engagement and CL2000 Community Learning.
Credit Requirements: To be eligible for graduation, all candidates must satisfy all College and departmental requirements for the specific degree. Students must complete a minimum of 120 credits of satisfactory work. Some departmental requirements exceed this number. Forty‑five of these credits must be earned in course work above the survey and the introductory levels (at or above the 3000 level).
Residency Requirement: 40 credits must be earned at the College.

Additional Application Requirements

Beyond academic qualifications, applicants must fulfill other requirements:

Application Fee: All applicants must pay a non-refundable $50 application fee and file either the Common Application or SUNY Application. The application fee is waived for transfer students who have received an associate’s degree from a State University of New York Community College or a City University of New York Community College and apply directly to a SUNY College. Freshmen applicants who qualify for the SUNY Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) are also eligible for an application fee waiver.
Application Form: All undergraduate applicants to SUNY Old Westbury must file a State University of New York (SUNY) Admission Application or the Common Application.
Letters of Recommendation and Essay: Applicants are encouraged to submit a letter of recommendation and an essay.
Declaration of Major: Students who have clear career objectives should indicate the major that is desired on the application. This will enable the University to direct new students to the appropriate department for advisement. Students must declare a major upon admission in order to obtain federal financial aid.

International Students

International applicants have specific requirements:

Application: International applicants who are educated outside the United States and are applying for a foreign student visa (F-1) must file the SUNY Application or Common Application.
Transcripts and Certificates: An original copy of the secondary school transcripts and certificates (for all applicants who have never attended a post-secondary institution). Applicants who have attended a post-secondary institution must send a copy of their post-secondary school transcripts and certificates in their original language.
Evaluation of Educational Documents: All applicants must also have all educational documents evaluated by a NACES member organization. An official copy of the evaluation must be sent to the Office of Enrollment Services unless an Admission Advisor waives the specific evaluation (this waiver may be available for a few foreign countries only).
Proof of English Proficiency: All applicants whose native language is other than English must take one of the following exams: Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet Based Test (TOEFL iBT), International English Language Testing System (IELTS), the International Test of English Proficiency (iTEP) or the advanced level of ESL at either Fulton-Montgomery Community College, Mohawk Valley Community College (M-HB ESL program), Stony Brook University’s Intensive English Center, (IEC) or English 112 in the ELS Educational Service’s Language Center, with a passing grade. (English 112 is used for undergraduate admissions only).
Financial Ability: International students are also required to demonstrate sufficient financial ability to attend school and meet living expenses in order to be granted permission to visit the United States as a student.
Immunization Records: Immunization records are also required for completion of an application for admission.

Specific score requirements for English proficiency tests include:

TOEFL: For graduate admission, a minimum score of 550 on the paper version, 213 on the computer version or an 80 on the Internet version is required.
IELTS: For graduate admissions, a score of 6.5 (IELTS) is required.
iTEP: Score of 3.5 for undergraduate students. A score of 4.0 for graduates.
Step EIKEN test: Undergraduate programs: Grade Pre-1 Graduate programs: Grade 1

Honors College Admission

Admission to the Honors College offers several benefits, including internship and research opportunities, book scholarship funds each semester, priority registration, exclusive use of the Honors College study and reserved parking.

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Freshmen Applicants: Freshmen are evaluated according to the information they provide on their SUNY application. Eligibility is determined by a range of criteria, including: a minimum high school average of approximately 90 or higher a combined math and reading S.A.T. score of approximately 1180 or higher
Continuing Old Westbury Students: Continuing Old Westbury students are eligible to apply to the Honors College prior to the start of their sophomore year if they earn a 3.5 cumulative GPA. To apply for admission to the Honors College, qualified applicants must submit: An unofficial academic transcript A resume A graded paper from a SUNY Old Westbury course, preferably a research paper Two letters of recommendation from SUNY Old Westbury professors who have taught you
Transfer Applicants: Transfer students may be eligible for admission if they have successfully participated in, or graduated from, another Honors program at the institution the from which they are transferring.

Special Programs

BS/DO Accelerated 7-yr Program: The University has a joint degree program with NYIT’s College of Osteopathic Medicine. Admission to this program requires high levels of academic achievement in high school; very strong SAT scores (parts I and/or II), or strong AP scores. Students are also required to achieve above the norm in the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) that is taken during their junior year in college.
EOP (Educational Opportunity Program): EOP is designed to provide educational opportunities for academically and economically disadvantaged students. All applicants to EOP must submit the same documentation as other applicants to the University. Additionally, applicants for EOP must also submit proof of financial eligibility to qualify for EOP admission.

Important Considerations

Inaccurate Information: Inaccurate or misleading information, submission of false records or omission of previous college attendance constitutes grounds for denial of admission.
Appealing an Admission Decision: Applicants have the right to appeal an admission decision by submitting a letter to the Office of Enrollment Services, explaining the exceptional circumstances that occurred and describing actions taken that demonstrate a readiness to be academically successful at the University.
Deadlines: It is recommended that applications for the fall semester be completed by March 15th and by October 15th for the spring semester. Applications received after this recommended deadline will be processed on a space-available basis.
Matriculation: A matriculated student is one who has been admitted to the college through the Office of Enrollment Services, and is working toward the completion of a degree.
Course Prerequisites: Students should meet the prerequisites to a course before taking the course. The course instructor has the option to instruct any student not meeting the prerequisites to a course to drop the course by the end of the first week of classes.
Transfer Credits: Credits appearing on the transcript of another regionally accredited college that were taken at that college are evaluated by the Transfer Services Office for transfer to Old Westbury. Official transcripts for courses taken prior to the student’s first semester at the College must be submitted to the Office of Enrollment Services as part of the admissions procedure.

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