Download a printable version of FAQs

1) Welcome to the College at Old Westbury.

• Where is the college located? Maps.
• How do I get there? Directions.

 2) What is the climate?

• Average temperatures

3) What is so unique about the location?

• What is there to do in New York City?
• What can you enjoy on Long Island?

4) How do I apply to the College?

• What documents do I need to file for admission to the College?
• What are the admission requirements?
• How long will it take to receive an admission decision?

5) What are the College costs?

• Tuition and other college fees
• What are the estimated extra costs for staying on campus during the winter or summer sessions?
• Are there any financial aid or scholarship opportunities for international students?

6) How do I get a student visa?

• What is an F-1 Visa?
• How do I apply for a student visa?
• How long does it take to get a student visa?

7) What must I do to enroll at the College?

• When do I register for classes and pay my tuition?
• How do I get my credits transferred?
• What is the total cost that I need to pay when I arrive?

8) Arrival tips

• When should I arrive to Old Westbury?
• Is Orientation mandatory?
• What should I bring with me when I move into the residential halls?
• Commuter students tips

 9) Maintaining Your Immigration status and SEVIS

• What is SEVIS?
• What must I do to stay in status?
• Important College contacts

1) Welcome to the College at Old Westbury. top

SUNY College at Old Westbury is a small public college located in a unique location on the north shore of Long Island. Located only 22 miles east of New York City, the College offers a sequestered setting with all the advantages of suburban shopping and a wide variety of recreational activities within a 10 minute drive. Students enjoy the ability to easily access the trains and buses to get to where they want to visit. When it is time to concentrate on classes, the quiet campus atmosphere provides the ideal environment for studying. The variety of experiences that students can gain makes Old Westbury an ideal place for International students that wish to pursue their studies in the United States.

The College offers more than 40 undergraduate programs in fields such as accounting, business, computer information sciences, education, psychology, sociology and visual arts. The high quality of the School of Business has enabled the College to offer Master of Science programs in both accounting and taxation. Students take advantage of quality academic experiences in small classes where the professors quickly get to know your name. A small population of 3,400 students and a student/faculty ratio of 17 to 1 encourages personal attention.

One of the most exciting features about the College is the diversity of its students. In addition to 80 international students, the student body is one of the most ethnically diverse in the tri-state area. In fact, the College has been rated as the most diverse in the United States (North) in 2005 Best Colleges edition published by US News and World Report.

New York City = 22 miles, west (35 minutes)
Newark, New Jersey = 42 miles, west (1 hour)
Princeton, New Jersey= 76 miles,south (1.5 hours)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania= 125 miles,west (2.3 hours)
Montreal, Canada= 383.5 miles, north (6.5 hours)

Distance to other points of interest on Long Island:

Stony Brook= 35 miles east (1 hour)
Southampton= 68 miles, east (1.75 hours)
Montauk (the eastern coast of Long Island) = 95 miles (2.5 hours)

 

By car -

Old Westbury is located immediately north of the Long Island Expressway (Route 495, exit 41N) in the village of Old Westbury, N.Y., approximately 22 miles east of the New York City. The main entrance to the College is located on the west side of Rte. 107 approximately one mile north of Jericho Turnpike.

From the Long Island Expressway (Route 495), east or west: Travel to exit 41 north, Route 106/107. Proceed north for 1½ miles to the campus entrance.

From the Northern State Parkway, east or west: Travel to exit 35 North, Route 106/107. Proceed north for 1½ miles to the campus entrance.

By Bus - accessible by the Nassau County Buses N-20

The Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) route N-20, which travels from Main Street in Flushing, New York, to the Hicksville railroad station, includes a stop at the College's main entrance. A shuttle bus meets MTA buses at the main gate during the school year and registration hours, at certain times.

By plane

Old Westbury is serviced by the major international airports in the New York City and New Jersey area including; JFK International Airport (21 miles), LaGuardia Airport (20 miles), and McArthur Airport in Islip, Long Island (28 miles).

From JFK Airport

Students can use the New York City Air Train to get to the Long Island Railroad (LIRR) at the Jamaica Air Train station. Purchase a ticket at the Jamaica station to Hicksville station which is a station on the Main Branch of the railroad. The cost of a one way fare to Hicksville depends on the time of day and ranges between $6 to $9 U.S. dollars. The railroad charges an additional fee ($3 to $5 more) for tickets purchased on the train. It is more economical to arrive ahead of the scheduled departure time and purchase tickets at the ticket machines or in the ticket booth. For information about the New York train and bus schedules or to get the fare information visit their website at www.mta.info.

From the LIRR Hicksville train station students can take the N-20 bus or the SUNY College at Old Westbury shuttle bus that operates between the railroad station and the College. The N-20 bus costs approximately $2 and the Old Westbury shuttle is a free service for an Old Westbury student (must show student ID card). For information about the New York area train and bus schedules and to get the fare information visit their website at www.mta.info.

Students can get to the College from one of the major airports by using the Air Train from JFK airport to connect with the Long Island Railroad (LIRR) train station in Jamaica, Queens. Transfer to the LIRR train that stops at the Hicksville station. Take the N-20 bus from the Hicksville train station to the front gate at the College. Our campus shuttle bus will pick up students at that front gate and bring you to the campus buildings.

1) What is the climate for Long Island and New York City? top

Average temperatures

The temperature in New York changes with the season. New York City and Long Island average temperatures are as follows:

Fall season (September to December) = October average temperature is 63° F day, 47° F night

Winter season (December to March) = January average temperature is 38° F day, 25° F night

Spring season (March to June) = April average temperature is 58° F day, 41° F night

Summer season (June to September) = July average temperature is 83° F day, 66° F night

The climate in New York State is often cloudy during the months of November, December, and January. This changes significantly from June through September, however, with plenty of sunshine during that period. The average monthly amount of rainfall in the summer months is about 4 inches and is much less during the winter months.

To find out more about the local weather visit www.accuweather.com and for information about the climate in New York City visit www.erh.noaa.gov.

1) What is so unique about the College's location? top

The College sits on a 604-acre campus, offering a setting similar to rural parts of the state. There are many trees and open meadows that surround the main buildings of the campus. Students can go outside their residential hall and enjoy a nice jog or walk in this quiet setting or they can get to several wonderful shopping malls within a 15 minute bus ride.

 The primary reasons International students choose Old Westbury for its academic quality and the personal attention they receive. They also enjoy the convenience of having a lovely country setting and being able to get to New York City (midtown Manhattan) within 30 minutes by train. They feel that the best of both worlds are within easy reach.

What is there to do in New York City?

Old Westbury students can chose from a large list of festival, concerts, conferences and sports events to attend and enjoy. The College's division of Student Affairs and Student Government Association often organize trips throughout the year to encourage students to participate in such activities as Broadways shows, walking tours of New York City neighborhoods and visits to museums.

If you want to know more about the thousand and one things you can do in New York City, visit these websites; www.nyctourist.com or www.iloveny.state.ny.us.

What can you enjoy on Long Island?

SUNY College at Old Westbury is located on the North Shore of Long Island, 22 miles east of New York City. If you are a student that loves to explore nature, there are many activities from walking on the sand at Jones Beach or taking a ferry to Fire Island. Those that want to explore the parks can visit nearby Cantiague Park and walk the trails, play shuffle board or go ice-skating. To find out more about the local parks visit the Nassau County Parks Department website at http://www.nassaucountyny.gov or visit our website at www.oldwestbury.edu for links about tourism information.

You can also find out more about events and activities on Long Island by visiting the Long Island Convention and Visitor’s Bureau website at www.licvb.com.

4) How do I apply to the College? top

As a College with one of the most diverse student bodies in the Northeastern United States, Old Westbury is proud to include among its undergraduate student body citizens from more than 20 countries and welcomes applications from other international students who can add to the rich mixture of ethnicities and cultures currently represented on campus.

Old Westbury welcomes applications from international students who have completed secondary education and are eligible to enroll in a university level program. SUNY College at Old Westbury uses the State University of New York (SUNY) application. This application is used to apply for up to four colleges within the SUNY system.

What documents are required for admission?

The following documents are required for admission and can be obtained by visiting www.suny.edu/student/form.cfm to download a copy or to fill out on-line.

• SUNY Application- the application code for the College at Old Westbury is 46.
• Autobiographical Essay
• Data Entry Information (Education History)
• English Proficiency Report
• Foreign Student Financial Statement

In addition, a letter from the applicant’s sponsor must also be submitted. The “Letter from Sponsor” form must be notarized. This form will be mailed to you.

The following application documents must be submitted directly to SUNY College at Old Westbury:

• Secondary school transcripts and certificates.
• An original copy of the secondary school transcripts and certificates in the original language (for all applicants who have never attended post-secondary education).
• Post-secondary school transcripts and certificates (diploma)
• Applicants who have attended a post-secondary school must send a copy of their post-secondary school transcripts and certificates in their original language. It is also strongly recommended that a syllabus or college catalog translated into English, be forwarded to the Office of the Registrar. This will facilitate the academic advisement and transfer credit evaluation process.
• An evaluation of all non-American educational documents conducted by either the American Association of Admissions and Registrar's Organization (AACRAO) or World Evaluation Services ( WES).
• All applicants must have all educational documents evaluated by the AACRAO or WES. An official copy of the AACRAO or WES evaluation must be sent to the College's Office of Enrollment Services unless an Admission Advisor waives the specific evaluation (this waiver may be available for a few foreign countries only). Contact the Office of Enrollment Services for further information. Information about AACRAO's Foreign Evaluation Services can be found at www.aacrao.org and information about WES can be found at www.wes.org.
• TOEFL and IELTS test scores
• All applicants whose native language is other than English must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). A minimum score of 513 on the paper version or 183 on the computer, or 65 on the Internet version is required. For graduate admissions a minimum score of 550 on the paper version or 213 on the computer, or 80 on the Internet version is required. For more information, visit www.ets.org .
• A minimum composite score of 6.0 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). For graduate admissions a score of 6.5 (IELTS) is required. For more information, visit www.ielts.org .
• Immunization record
• New York State Public Health Law requires all enrolled college students born after January 1, 1957 to show proof of immunity against measles, mumps and rubella. These records are required upon entry to the College and are kept on file in the Office of Student Health Services. Students must also show proof of vaccination for meningococcal meningitis disease or sign a statement on the College’s Immunization form stating that they decline obtaining this vaccine. To download the form visit www.oldwestbury.edu/campus/formsapps.cfm.
• Transfer students must also submit copies of their passport, visa, I-94 and previous I-20’s.
• Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT)
  • All graduate applicants must take the GMAT exam. A minimum GMAT score of 500 is required. For more information, visit www.gmac.com .

After all documents are received and admission standards are met you will be sent:

• An acceptance letter and package

The Acceptance package contains all information required to complete the enrollment (registration process).

• A request for I-20 form

This form must be completed and returned to Enrollment Services

• A request for $50.00 Tuition Deposit

Students that are living on campus must also submit another $50 for the housing deposit.

• A Student Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) I-901 Fee Form

This form is required for all international students applying for a student visa. The fee for F-1 student visa is $100. For more information about this fee visit www.ice.gov.

• Transfer of F-1 Status form (transfer students only)

This form must be filled out by the foreign student advisor (DSO) from the previous institution you attended. Caution- transfer students should not have their previous college release the SEVIS record until you have been accepted to the College. The SEVIS release date must be indicated on the F-1 Transfer form. Consult with the International Admission Advisor at Old Westbury to help you determine the release date.

What are the Admission requirements?

Freshman requirements
(applicants that have never attended post-secondary school)

Admission to the College is based on a student’s successful completion of secondary school and on their academic achievement. All evaluations conducted by World Education Services are designed to equate the level of education in the other countries to the level of education within the U.S. International freshman applicants must 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 score a minimum of 513 on the TOEFL exam (183 computer or 65 on the Internet version) or 6.0 composite score on the IELTS exam.

Undergraduate International Transfer Requirements
(applicants that have attended post-secondary school)

Admission as a transfer student is based on the academic achievement within the post-secondary institution. The evaluation that is required from AACRAO or WES must reflect a minimum cumulative average of a 2.0 for most programs at the College (2.70 for Teacher Education majors, 2.5 for programs within the School of Business (2.7 for Accounting), Computer and Information Science and a 2.0 for Criminology majors). Transfer applicants whose native language is other than English must score a minimum of 513 on the TOEFL exam (183 computer or 65 Internet version) or 6.0 composite score on the IELTS exam.

Transfer students that have taken English Composition for credit in an American College and received a grade of C or higher are exempt from TOEFL or IELTS. English as a Second Language courses are not an exemption to TOEFL or IELTS.

Graduate International Admissions Requirement
Admission