How to Get Into SUNY Cortland

SUNY Cortland is a public university located in Cortland, NY. SUNY Cortland does not publish a comparable institution-wide acceptance rate. Check the official admissions source for current program-specific requirements.

SUNY Cortland is a public, residential university in Cortland, New York, and a member of the State University of New York system. Founded in 1868 as the Cortland Normal School, it developed from a teacher-training institution into a university offering bachelor’s and master’s education across the ar...

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Academic Profile of Admitted Students

Required Materials

• Common Application or School Application

  Complete the application with personal information and essays

• High School Transcript

  Official transcripts showing all coursework and grades

• Standardized Test Scores

  SAT or ACT scores (check if test-optional for recent years)

• Letters of Recommendation

  Usually 2-3 letters from teachers, counselors, or mentors

• Personal Essays

  Application essays and supplemental questions

Additional Considerations

• Application Deadlines

  Early Decision/Action typically November 1-15, Regular Decision January 1-15

• Application Fee

  Most universities charge $50-100 application fee (fee waivers available)

• Processing Time

  Decisions typically released in March-April for fall admission

• International Students

  May require TOEFL/IELTS scores and additional documentation

Academic Excellence

• • Take challenging coursework (AP, IB, honors courses)
• • Show consistent academic improvement over time
• • Excel in your intended major's prerequisite courses

Stand Out from the Crowd

• • Develop unique extracurricular activities and leadership roles
• • Write compelling essays that showcase your personality
• • Demonstrate genuine interest in the university and program
• • Get strong letters of recommendation from teachers who know you well
• • Consider applying Early Decision/Action if the school is your top choice