Freshman Requirements (applicants who have never attended post-secondary school):
Admission to SUNY Old Westbury is based on students’ successful completion of secondary school and on their academic achievement. All evaluations conducted by WES or ECE are designed to equate the level of education in 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 not English must prove English proficiency by fulfilling one of the proofs of English requirements stipulated above.
An official copy of a transcripts must be submitted to Enrollment Services for each institution attended. Inaccurate or misleading information, submission of false records or omission of application information may result in denial of an admission offer, revocation of an admission or administrative dismissal from the SUNY Old Westbury.
Undergraduate International Transfer Requirements (applicants who have attended post-secondary school):
Admission as a transfer student is based on the academic achievement within the post-secondary institution. Students must provide transcripts from all colleges or universities attended. The GPA is calculated by taking the average of all course work attempted. An evaluation of foreign credentials is required for admissions. We recommend using WES or ECE but, will accept evaluations from any NACES member. Evaluations must be course by course and reflect a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of a 2.0 for most programs at our University. However, teacher education and accounting programs will require a 3.0 GPA, and programs within the School of Business currently require a minimum of a 2.70 (GPA) and proof of the aforementioned requirements.
Note: 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). Please consult the website's appropriate Undergraduate or Graduate Catalog for additional course requirements for the declaration of the major.
Graduate International Admissions Requirements:
Admission to SUNY Old Westbury is based on an earned bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. All applicants must have an official Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Exam (GRE) exam score report dated within the past two years. In addition, a personal statement and two (2) letters of recommendations are required for admissions.
Admission into graduate programs is based on a combination of all criteria including the undergraduate major and coursework, grade point average, test scores (GMAT or GRE ), letters of recommendation and interviews.
Please note that the recommended scores indicated below are used as a guide and not a specific minimum.
An official copy of a transcripts must be submitted to Enrollment Services for each institution attended. Inaccurate or misleading information, submission of false records or omission of application information may result in denial of an admission offer, revocation of an admission offer or administrative dismissal from SUNY Old Westbury.
Minimum post-secondary education grade point average requirements:
- School of Business= 3.0 GPA
- School of Education = 3.0 GPA
- Most other graduate programs (School of Arts and Sciences) = 3.0 GPA
Standardized tests required:
- School of Business = GMAT recommended score of 500.
- School of Education= GRE score recommended score of 500 (153 under the new scoring system).
- School of Arts and Sciences= GRE score recommended score of 500 (153 under the new scoring system).
For more information about the specific graduate programs, visit the Graduate Admissions section of our website.
English Proficiency Admissions Requirements:
All international students from countries where English is not their native language must show sufficient proof of English language proficiency. Students must show proof of the English proficiency language admissions requirements by completing one of the following:
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): A minimum score of 513 on the paper version or 183 on the computer, or 61 on the Internet version is required. 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.
- 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.
- iTEP score: 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
- English Language Course Options for Conditional Admission:
- Students attending an ELS Center may be eligible for conditional admissions (undergraduate admission) upon completing the English for Academic Purposes program (Level 112), providing all other academic requirements are met. See www.els.edu for more information about this English language program.
- Successfully completing Stony Brook University’s Intensive English Center (IEC) Level B program.
- Completion of an English composition course with a grade of C or higher from an accredited college or university in the United States.
- Successfully completing the Language Immersion at Nassau County Community College (LINCC) program.
- Successfully completing The Intensive English Language Program in English as a Second Language (ESL) program at Fulton Montgomery Community College.
- Successfully earning a score on an English examination that would qualify students for college credit at SUNY Old Westbury. Exams include the College Level Exam Program (CLEP) exam, the Advanced Placement exam (AP) or the International Baccalaureate (IB) exam. Please note that scores on the SAT and/or ACT do not count towards proof of English language proficiency.