old westbury supplemental essay

The admission policy embodies a commitment to the principles of inclusiveness and diversity. The University does not consider just one academic criterion for admission. The policy allows the University to consider a wide range of academic achievements that may demonstrate an individual’s ability to succeed at the University. Applicants who do not meet the standard admission criteria may apply or be considered for special admission programs, such as the Educational Opportunity Program.

Several departments including programs in the School of Education and the School of Business may have additional internal admission criteria that must be fulfilled prior to advancing to upper level courses within the department. Other departments have a minimum grade point average for continuation within the major. These departments and requirements are listed under the admission requirements section of the catalog or are described in the academic program section of the Catalog.

Admission to the University is granted during the fall and spring semesters. Students who are accepted early for the fall semester may begin attending classes during the summer session. An applicant who is admitted may attend classes during the day or evening. 

All documentation required for the admission process is described below. After careful review of an application, Enrollment Services Advisors may need further information to make a determination about a candidate’s admission. In these cases, the Office of Enrollment Services may request that applicants submit additional information, such as letters of recommendation, senior year high school grades or an updated college transcript. A personal interview may also be requested.

The review of an applicant’s eligibility for admission cannot be conducted until all the appropriate documents have been received. Once the application has been received, the University will send you a confirmation email with login information to access the student’s application portal.  SUNY Old Westbury uses email for most communications, so please make sure the email address provided on the application is accurate.  We highly recommend using a personal email address (rather than a high school or college email address), and add SUNY Old Westbury ( ) to your contacts so messages don’t get sent to spam folders.

Inaccurate or misleading information, submission of false records or omission of previous college attendance constitutes grounds for denial of admission.

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 who are undecided about their major field of interest should apply as a Liberal Studies major.

Students must declare a major upon admission in order to obtain federal financial aid. Furthermore, failure to declare a major prior to earning 42 credits will also result in loss of eligibility for state financial aid (TAP/Excelsior).

State University of New York policy prohibits SUNY Old Westbury from inquiring on its admissions applications about an applicant’s prior criminal history. After acceptance, the University shall inquire if the student has previously been convicted of a felony if such individual seeks campus housing or participation in clinical or field experiences, internships or study abroad programs. The information required to be disclosed under SUNY policy regarding such felony convictions shall be reviewed by a standing campus committee consistent with the legal standards articulated in New York State Corrections Law.

Students who have previously been convicted of a felony are advised that their prior criminal history may impede their ability to complete the requirements of certain academic programs and/or to meet licensure requirements for certain professions. Students who have concerns about such matters are advised to contact the dean’s office of the respective school that houses their intended academic program.

Applicants who do not meet the criteria for one program are not advised to apply for a different program to gain admission to the University. Eligibility based on coursework taken at Old Westbury for a different major may not be sufficient for admission to the original intended major. Applicants are advised to speak with an Admission Advisor before considering such action.

An official declaration of major (see the   section in this catalog), separate from the application, is required for majors within the School of Business. The indication of a School of Business major on the admission application does not guarantee admission to the School of Business.

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. Once information is obtained, a decision will be made by an Admission’s Committee. Be advised that an appeal does not automatically result in an admission offer and the applicant denied to the University cannot file any other type of application for admission during the same semester.

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. Freshman applicants who qualify for the SUNY Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) are also eligible for an application fee waiver. Details about the waivers are described on both applications.

All undergraduate applicants to SUNY Old Westbury must file a State University of New York (SUNY) Admission Application or the Common Application. Students may file these applications on-line at or .

All students must submit an official high school transcript and proof of high school graduation. High school students graduating with an IEP diploma (Individualized Education Program) must also receive a NYS General Education diploma as proof of NYS high school graduation If students are graduating from high school during the same year that they enroll in college, a final high school transcript that reflects an actual date of graduation (not an anticipated date of graduation) must be submitted prior to the first day of classes, but ideally prior to enrolling, or a hold will be placed on the student’s account which will prevent registration for future semesters until the document is received.  A copy of a diploma does not fulfill the proof of graduation requirement.  Additionally, a personal essay and one letter of reference are required for admission to the University.

Applicants receiving an Equivalency Diploma by passing the NYS GED exam must obtain a composite score of 3000. As of January 2014 applicants who have taken the new Test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC) exam must contact the Office of Enrollment Services at (516) 876-3200 for admission information. First time to college applicants are also required to submit SAT scores directly from the College Board.

Applicants who wish to be granted college credit for college course work completed while enrolled in high school, must order an official college transcript from the transfer college reflecting the grade and amount of credits. Advanced Placement courses (AP), International GCSE A Levels or International Baccalaureate (IB) credit may be granted upon receipt of an official A Level, AP, or IB score report from the College Board, the high school, or appropriate Examination Board.

Admission to the University is based on an applicant’s academic achievement in high school. Newly admitted freshman students accepted to the University in the Fall of 2022 had a median high school average of 86.  Applicants taking the GED must have a minimum score of 3000. SUNY Old Westbury continues to be “Test Optional” for all programs except the 3+4 BS/DO Program. Additionally, the University reviews a student’s academic and extracurricular activities. Applicants are required to describe these accomplishments in the , section of the SUNY application, or on the Common Application.

Applicants documents that are intended to be used for admission to SUNY Old Westbury that are not included on the SUNY application or Common Application (except international documents) must be submitted either electronically or mailed to the campus.  Electronic document submission is encouraged.  High school counselors can upload documents digitally through the SUNY Application, Naviance, Parchment, and other sources of document submitting software.  Documents may be submitted electronically and can be emailed to:  . 

Documents may also be mailed directly to SUNY Old Westbury, Admissions Office, P.O. Box 307, Old Westbury, NY 11568.

Any changes to the University’s admission policy made after the printing of this catalog, will appear on the Admission pages of the University’s website at . High school graduates are also encouraged to take a strong Regents or college preparatory program and pass the Regents exams in the following disciplines:

Applicants are also required a letter of recommendation and an essay. Applicants requesting an admission’s decision appeal should send their request in writing to the Office of Enrollment Services and explain the reasons for the request. An Enrollment Services Admission Committee will conduct a more extensive review of the application based on the applicant’s special circumstances, the overall high school average (year to year progress), SAT scores (if submitted), number and level of academically challenging courses, overall senior-year grades, the quality of the written essay (Supplemental Application or Autobiography) and a personal interview.

The Admission’s Committee will then make a recommendation based on all available information and inform the applicant, in writing, of the decision.

High school students may obtain college credit for participating in the College Board’s Advanced Placement Program with a minimum AP exam score of 3. Students following an IB high school program may also obtain college credits based upon scores received on the final exams (not coursework). Transfer credit will only be applied when an official score report from the College Board is received.  For further college credit information, please contact the Transfer Services Office.

Applicants who are Permanent Residents or U.S. citizens and have completed their education outside the U.S. may need an evaluation of their education documents from Education Credential Evaluators, Inc. (ECE), or World Education Services. Applicants educated outside the USA should contact Enrollment Services to confirm the required documentation for their application. (See the credential evaluation information under the section of this catalog). In addition, all freshman applicants who are Permanent Residents must also submit an SAT score report for admission to the University. The IELTS or TOEFL exam is not required for Permanent Residents or US citizens educated in the USA.

A select group of incoming full-time freshmen are invited each year to participate as Honors College students. Admission to the Honors College at SUNY Old Westbury is based on past academic performance and the promise of an equally impressive record at our college. We value the continued pursuit of excellence and we believe that these students do as well. Eligibility for the college will be based on a variety of factors, but important selection criteria will include a review of high school average (approximately 90 or higher) and SAT scores (approximately a score of 1150 or higher).

The University has a joint degree program with NYIT’s College of Osteopathic Medicine. The program enables Old Westbury students to accelerate their Bachelors’ degree and be admitted to the College of Osteopathic Medicine upon completion of the program requirements at the end of the third year at Old Westbury. 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. For more information about admission to this program contact the Office of Enrollment Services at (516) 876-3200.

High school students who apply for Early Action must submit their SUNY application or Common Application and documentation by November 15th for fall admission. Old Westbury will notify candidates of their admission by December 15th. All Early Action applicants who are accepted are encouraged to pay their tuition deposit by May 1st.

Transfer students may file the SUNY Application or Common Application. These applications can be obtained online at or . 

Electronic document submission is encouraged.  Documents can be uploaded digitally through the SUNY Application, Naviance, Parchment, and other sources of document submitting software.  

Documents may be submitted electronically and can be sent to: 

Documents may also be mailed directly to SUNY Old Westbury, Admissions Office, P.O. Box 307, Old Westbury, NY 11568.

Official college transcripts from each institution attended must be submitted separately.

Transcripts that reflect transfer credits from a different institution are not sufficient for completing your admission. Documents from institutions outside the United States (i.e. Non-American colleges) must be evaluated by a NACES member organization, (See the of this catalog). The Office of Enrollment Services may be able to evaluate the overseas transcripts for admission purposes. However, to obtain transfer credits, an original copy of the international documents (transcripts or evaluations) must be sent to the Office of Enrollment Services for admission consideration.

Transfer applicants who have earned fewer than 24 college credits, must meet the entrance requirements listed under first year admission in addition to meeting the requirements for transfer applicants. All transfer applicants with fewer than 24 college credits must submit a high school transcript or GED and an SAT score for admission.

All transfer students must also submit proof of high school graduation by submitting an official final high school transcript unless the student has obtained an Associates degree. Students will not be allowed to enroll until this proof is submitted and Financial Aid cannot be awarded until the admission requirement is met.

Most programs at the University require a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.00. Programs within the School of Arts & Sciences, School of Business and the School of Education currently require higher minimum grade point averages. The specific admission requirements for these programs are as follows:

All applicants must have been in good academic standing at the previous college of attendance to be considered for admission. Applicants who have been academically dismissed, suspended or have a block on their record for financial reasons, are not eligible to apply for admission until these conditions have been removed.

An official declaration of major (see the   section in this catalog), separate from the application, is required for majors within the School of Business.

Any changes to the University’s admission policy made after the printing of this catalog, will appear on the admission pages of the University’s website at .

The School of Education also requires an additional internal application process for students who are about to register for upper-division courses. Applicants are encouraged to contact the School of Education to inquire about the course curriculum for certification requirements for teaching within New York State.

Transfer students must submit official transcripts for review before any transfer credit can be granted. Once these are received, individual courses are evaluated for equivalency by the Transfer Services Office. Notification of course equivalencies is sent to the student as quickly as possible. Transfer students must be accepted early in the admission cycle to ensure that these reviews are completed prior to advisement and registration. For additional information about transfer credit policies, see the section of the catalog.

The international student population is an integral part of the community at Old Westbury. The University is interested in providing a climate in which international students’ needs are met. The diverse nature of our student population provides a welcoming environment for international students to learn about the complex nature of the American culture. International students also have the opportunity to participate in many different cultural experiences within the University. A copy of the International Students Frequently Asked Questions can be downloaded by visiting the International Student section of the website at .

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. Students who have received all their secondary education outside of the USA and are US Permanent Residents or US Citizens should contact Enrollment Services for clarification on the requirements for admission. (See  or procedures.)

There are additional forms that must be submitted before the admission process is completed. It is recommended that applications for the fall semester be completed by and by for the spring semester. Applications received after this recommended deadline will be processed on a space-available basis. This timeframe allows most applicants sufficient time to request a student visa (F-1) from the appropriate consulate office within their country. After the applicant is accepted, the I-20 form is created and sent to the applicant. The I-20 is required for requesting the student visa (F-1). Please contact the Office of Enrollment Services at (516) 876-3200 to obtain the specific forms for international applicants.

Admission to the University is based on a student’s successful completion of secondary school and on their academic achievement. Evaluations conducted by NACES member organizations are designed to equate the level of education in foreign countries to the level of education within the U.S. International freshman applicants should have an equivalent secondary school average of an 80 (US average) or above. In addition, all international freshman applicants whose native language is other than English must demonstrate English proficiency as explained in the section of this catalog.

Admission as a transfer student is based on the academic achievement within the post-secondary institution.

Most programs at the University require a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.00. Programs within the School of Arts & Sciences, School of Business and the School of Education currently require higher minimum grade point averages. The basic academic admission requirements for these program are as follows:

An official declaration of major (see the   section in this catalog), separate from the application, is required for majors within the School of Business.

The School of Business requires all students to file an on-line “Declaration of Major” Form with the Office of the Registrar prior to enrolling in upper division courses. The School of Education also has several requirements that must be met prior to entering into the upper level Education courses. Students should contact the School of Education for specific information about these additional requirements

Any changes to the University’s admission policy made after the printing of this catalog, will appear on the admission pages of the University’s website at .

International transfer applicants whose native language is other than English must demonstrate English proficiency for admission to the University as explained in the section of this catalog.

EOP is designed to provide educational opportunities for academically and economically disadvantaged students. This program provides additional academic and administrative support to assist EOP students with their academic success at the University. All applicants to EOP must submit the same documentation as other applicants to the University. This is identified in the Application Processing section of the catalog. Additionally, applicants for EOP must also submit proof of financial eligibility to qualify for EOP admission. The Office of Enrollment Services, the Office of Financial Aid and the EOP Office jointly determine eligibility. Individual grants are determined by the Office of Financial Aid and vary based on need.

To be eligible for admission to the Educational Opportunity Program you must be:

In selecting students for the program, priority is given to applicants from historically disadvantaged backgrounds. For further information about eligibility, visit the SUNY website at .  Interested applicants must file the SUNY Application for Admission as mentioned in the section of the catalog and must specify an interest in EOP on the SUNY application where it applies. Specific information about the EOP program may also be found in the EOP section of this catalog.

Students who have received a baccalaureate degree and wish to pursue a second degree may do so by applying as a transfer student to the University. The University’s transfer admission requirements must be met. Department degree requirements and the University’s residency requirements for each degree must also be met. General Education requirements are usually satisfied if a student has earned the first degree at another SUNY institution. General Education requirements are evaluated on an individual basis for any first degrees from non-SUNY institutions.

Second degree students must earn a minimum of 40 credits hours* of which a minimum of 30 must be taken in a field that is significantly different in academic content from the first baccalaureate degree. A “significant difference” normally will be interpreted as meaning “in a different discipline or subject matter area.”

The University does not make a distinction between daytime and evening students, curricula or faculty. Applicants interested in applying as matriculated students must follow the procedures mentioned in the previous section (see  or ). Students should read the Evening Students Statement for each academic department to determine the feasibility of pursuing a degree as an evening student.

Students may attend classes on a full-time or part-time basis during the day or evening (after 6:00 PM). Please note that non-matriculated students may take a maximum of 32 credits at Old Westbury and are not eligible for financial aid. Students who wish to pursue study beyond 32 credits must apply for matriculation and meet the appropriate academic requirements for admission.

The Army ROTC Program is available in participation with . This program qualifies students for appointment as an officer of the United States Army, Army Reserve or Army National Guard. Students have the option of enrolling in two-or four-year programs and may qualify for scholarships based on merit. For additional information, please visit https://www.hofstra.edu/military-science/ or contact (516) 362-9698.

As a fundamental part of the University’s requirements, proficiency in Mathematics and English Composition is required of all students. New students will be advised and placed into a Mathematics course and an English course unless an appropriate college level course or standardized examination score is deemed equivalent.

The University does not administer placement exams for new students in English or Mathematics. Students that have coursework taken at an accredited US college or have taken an advanced level examination (ex: AP, IB, etc.) must make sure that the transcripts or official examination scores are submitted to the before attending the New Student Orientation Program or registering for classes. See the   section in this Catalog for further information about these proficiencies.

All students born after January 1, 1957, who plan to register for at least six semester hours will be required to provide adequate proof of immunization against measles, mumps and rubella in accordance with standards approved by the New York State Department of Health. Students must also show proof of meningococcal meningitis immunization or sign a statement of declination.

Proof of immunity to measles is defined as two doses of live measles vaccine on or after the first birthday and at least 28 days apart (preferably three months), physician documented history of disease, or serologic evidence of immunity. Proof of the mumps vaccination is defined as one dose of live mumps vaccine on or after the first birthday, a physician-documented history of disease or a serologic evidence of immunity.

Records should include the date the vaccine was administered, the type, the manufacturer and lot number of the vaccine, and the signature of persons administering the vaccine stamped with their address and title.

All documentation should be submitted to the University’s prior to registration. Please note: international students must submit proof of immunization at the time of application in order for an I-20 form to be issued.

Although students enrolled for fewer than six semester credit/hours are exempt from these requirements, immunization is strongly encouraged by public health officials. Students taking college courses that are offered at other locations are not exempt from this regulation.

In the event of an outbreak, the University may be required to exclude all susceptible students from attendance until danger of transmission has passed or until the required documentation is submitted. This exclusion will affect those who have medical, religious, or temporary exemptions.

To confirm your acceptance to the University and to reserve a room in the Residence Halls, a tuition and housing deposit is required by May 1st (fall semester) or November 1st (spring semester). Please note that housing deposits and applications received after this date are processed on a space available basis. Refer to the   section of the catalog for detailed information.

Students who wish to continue their education and enrich their lives by taking credit-bearing courses or students who wish to maintain their matriculated status at their home institution, may attend the University as

Non-matriculated students can earn a maximum of 32 credits.  Students are expected to meet all course prerequisites. Students who wish to pursue study beyond 32 credits must apply to the University as a matriculated student and meet the appropriate academic requirements for admission.

Generally, students who participate in non-matriculated programs are not eligible for financial aid, except for programs that have parent college participation agreements. (See section.). Applicants who wish to apply for financial aid for part-time study must be admitted to the University as a degree or matriculated student as a transfer student.

Non-matriculated students may not register for classes until two weeks prior to the start of the term and must submit immunization documents if registering for more than one course per semester.

High school juniors and seniors may enroll in a maximum of 8 credits per semester while they are still in high school. To qualify for this program, high school students must have achieved junior status or higher in high school (completed at least two years of high school) and must have a cumulative high school average of an 80. Students interested in this program must submit a copy of their high school transcript along with a SUNY Old Westbury High School Enrichment Application to the Office of Enrollment Services. Students may earn a maximum of 32 credits as a non-matriculated student. Students are not eligible for financial aid while attending the University under this program.

High school graduates and college students who have not earned a baccalaureate degree may wish to continue their education as non-matriculated Life Long Learners. Individuals wishing to apply on this basis must submit a copy of their high school diploma, or a copy of their college transcript reflecting good academic standing, from the most recent college attended.

Life Long Learner applications are available in the Office of Enrollment Services. Please note that non-matriculated students are not eligible for financial aid. Non-matriculated students may take a maximum of 32 credits. Students who wish to pursue study beyond 32 credits must apply for matriculation and meet the appropriate academic requirements for admission.

Students who currently hold a baccalaureate degree may apply to the University as a non-matriculated student through the . Individuals who wish to apply for this program must submit a copy of their college transcript, proof of high school graduation, and file a with the Office of Enrollment Services.

Please note that non-matriculated students are not eligible for financial aid. Non-matriculated students may take a maximum of 32 credits. Students who wish to pursue study beyond 32 credits must apply for matriculation and meet the appropriate academic requirements for admission.

SUNY Old Westbury participates in the Visiting Student Program for colleges and universities in the State of New York. A student attending a college or university in New York State is eligible to study at another participating institution within the state for one semester or one year, while still maintaining matriculated status at the parent institution.

Visiting students must pay tuition and fees to SUNY Old Westbury for the semester or year of enrollment. Students applying for financial aid must apply at the parent institution. The appropriate financial aid awards will be credited to the participating college on behalf of the visiting student.

To register at Old Westbury as a Visiting Student, the applicant must:

Visiting students can register beginning two weeks before the start of classes.

The summer session is a convenient way to take university level courses near your home in just a few short weeks. The University usually offers a variety of summer sessions during the summer months of May, June, July, and August. Admission is on a non-matriculated basis. However, current matriculated Old Westbury students may register for summer classes. Current Old Westbury students who need to use Financial Aid for the summer sessions should meet with a Financial Aid Advisor in advance to secure their aid of the entire academic year (including the summer session).

Interested high school and college students may take summer session classes at the University by filing a Quick Admit form online at . Students enrolling in more than one class during the summer must meet New York State Immunization requirements before the first day of classes.

For detailed information and the schedule of classes, visit the University’s website at . Registration information is made available during the spring semester.

The “Over 60” Program (OSP) permits persons 60 years of age and over to observe (audit) courses on a space available, instructor permission basis without the payment of tuition. Participating observers will not receive academic credit for courses attended. Course observers/auditors with an auditor ID card are permitted the use the Library and the Clark Center (gym). The OSP program is a privilege and may be revoked by the University at anytime.

How to Enroll in the OSP Program:

Graduates of SUNY Old Westbury may observe (audit) courses with permission of the instructor without payment of tuition and fees. Permission to audit courses should be arranged directly with the instructor prior to the first day of classes. Interested alumni/alumnae should obtain a copy of the class schedule on the website at .  The Alumni Association ID card will enable all Alumni Association members to use the University’s facilities.

Interested alumni should obtain a copy of the class schedule on the website at www.oldwestbury.edu or through the Office of the Registrar.

When a student’s tuition charge is supported by the Department of Veterans Affair’s Educational Benefit, the tuition charge may be deferred if the student files a request for deferral and submits supporting documents to the Campus Veterans Certifying Officer, who is located in the Office of the Registrar. To apply for the Department of Veterans Affair’s Educational Benefit, the student must complete or provide proof of the following:

Note:

Presently enrolled non-matriculated students may apply for matriculation for the following semester of attendance. Applications filed during the fall semester will be considered for spring admission and applications filed in the spring will be considered for fall admission. A student status cannot be changed during the current semester. Students who wish to file for financial aid should apply to the University as a matriculated student.

Applicants for matriculation must meet the admission criteria at the time the application is submitted (see  or and section of the catalog). Applicants must also meet the University’s lower-division mastery requirements. All college credit course work will be evaluated for completion of degree requirements.

Interested students are encouraged to make an appointment with an Admissions Counselor for specific information, requirements and procedures. Applicants denied admission to the University as a degree or matriculated student cannot apply as a non-degree/non-matriculated student during the same semester.

Students who have previously attended Old Westbury and wish to return after an absence of one or more semesters (including academically dismissed students) must file an Application for Readmission at the Office of Enrollment Services at least one month prior to the beginning of the semester.

If readmitted, students who have been away from the University for five years or less will be subject to the University catalog requirements that were in effect when initially admitted. If readmitted, students absent for more than five years will be subject to all requirements in the University catalog that is in effect at the time of readmission. If readmitted, students with outstanding financial obligations to the institution will not be permitted to register unless all obligations have been satisfied. If readmitted, students who had been academically dismissed must be approved for reinstatement by the Academic Standing Committee.