Special Admissions Programs

SUNY Potsdam will offer early admission to exceptionally qualified high school juniors and seniors in a program referred to as College Unlimited at SUNY Potsdam (CUSP).

• Students applying for early admission must possess a "B" average or above in their course work and test scores indicating strong potential for college-level work.
• They should have 14 or more academic units from high school in the areas of social studies, English, foreign language, science and mathematics.
• In addition, applicants for early admission must demonstrate the necessary maturity to adjust to college life.
  • This is accomplished through submission of at least two letters of recommendation (including one from the high school principal or school counselor and one from a teacher of an academic subject).
  • The high school principal or school counselor must also send a letter approving any course work taken at SUNY Potsdam.
• Early admission candidates seeking federal financial aid will need to have a letter signed by the high school principal stating that course work will not be counted toward the high school diploma.

Note: This is not an Early Decision or Early Action Policy. Please contact the Admissions Office at (315) 267-2180 for more information.

If filing the SUNY Application, do not close the website after you hitting “submit.” You will also need to complete the SUNY Potsdam Supplemental Application, with an essay requirement.

The Bridges Program at SUNY Potsdam is a special admissions pathway for students who show strong potential, even if their high school record falls slightly below our standard admissions requirements. The program supports students for their first two years of college, providing financial support, holistic advising, tutoring, and other personalized resources to help them succeed.

All Bridges students are required to attend a mandatory summer program before their first semester. During this week-long program, students:

• Build connections and form a supportive community of peers,
• Participate in interactive workshops designed to strengthen academic and personal skills,
• Learn to navigate campus resources, including advising, tutoring, and student services,
• Receive guidance from their Bridges advisor, who provides the steps and tools needed to succeed academically and personally,
• Gain a head start on college life and develop confidence for the year ahead.

Bridges applicants typically have high school averages between 77 and 83 and demonstrate their potential through their transcript, personal essay, letter of recommendation, and senior-year grades.

For questions or more information, please contact us at bridges@potsdam.edu or call (315) 267-2019. We’re excited to welcome you to the Bridges community! View the Bridges website to learn more.

The Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) provides academic support and financial aid to students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels who show promise for mastering college-level work, but who may otherwise not be accepted.

EOP students must qualify both academically and financially. Students from historically disadvantaged backgrounds are given priority.

To learn more about eligibility, services, scholarships, and resources, visit the SUNY Potsdam Educational Opportunity Program page.

SUNY Potsdam and the New York National Guard join forces to now offer a mutually beneficial recruitment program that allows prospective Students/Soldiers the ability to enlist in the New York Army National Guard and be guaranteed admission into SUNY Potsdam upon completion of their Initial Entry Training.

This is the answer to that familiar question for high school students, military or college? Our answer is why not Both? Now you can join the National Guard and receive guaranteed admission to SUNY Potsdam. Learn More about the Guaranteed National Guard Admission Program

Visiting Student is a non-degree seeking status at SUNY Potsdam. 

Being admitted as a Visiting Student does not grant you automatic admission as a matriculated student.

Contact the Registrar's Office at registrar@potsdam.edu or (315) 267-3500 for information on becoming a visiting undergraduate or graduate student.

Visiting Student (Non-Degree Seeking) Application

Please complete this fillable Non-Matriculated Application (PDF) form (for undergraduate and graduate non-matriculated students) and upload it to the secure drop box here.

OR

College in High School (Students seeking to enroll in a course for credit at their High School)

OR

College Advancement Program (current HS students seeking to register for a course at Potsdam for college credit)

If you have been enrolled in an undergraduate program previously, or if you have completed a degree and are returning to seek a second bachelor's, you are considered to be a "readmitted student", and you will need to apply through the Admissions Office. View Undergraduate Readmission Website

Admission Criteria - Undergraduate

Note: All Admissions material should be uploaded to our secure drop box.

Current High School Student – Take a course at Potsdam

• Minimum 80.0 grade point average in a Regents/college preparatory curriculum as reported on an official high school transcript
• A letter of recommendation from high school principal and/or guidance counselor

Current High School Student (Coursework at your High School) - College in High School (CHS)

• High School Junior or Senior. Sophomores may be considered with letter of recommendation from Guidance Office.
• Minimum of 80.0 grade point average in a Regents/College preparatory curriculum as indicated on an official high school transcript.
• Visit the CHS website for more information and to register.

High School Graduate

• Official High School transcript or GED certificate 

Currently Enrolled Student with another College or University

• An official transcript through last semester attended
• Students must have both a current and overall minimum grade point average of 2.0 to be admitted
• Students who have been dismissed or separated from a college or university, and who are not eligible to return, do not qualify for admission as a non-matriculated student

College Graduate

• Official transcript from your most recent institution

Previously Enrolled Student with another College or University

• An official transcript through the final semester attended
• Students must have both a current and overall minimum grade point average of 2.0 to be admitted
• Students who have been dismissed or separated from a college or university, and who are not eligible to return, do not qualify for admission as a non-matriculated student

Admission Criteria - Graduate

Note: All Admissions material should be uploaded to our secure drop box.

• In addition to the application, students must submit official transcripts showing evidence of completion of their bachelor's degree.
• You must have a GPA equivalent to the requirements for admission into a graduate degree program. Exemptions may apply with additional documentation.
• If you are a lifelong learner, and do not intend to transfer coursework into an official master's degree, you may be eligible for an exemption to the six credit cap normally instituted on graduate coursework. To request this exemption, please download the Lifelong Learning Agreement form, and submit it to the Office of Graduate & Continuing Education. You will be notified at the time of your application for coursework. 

Additional Information

• Undergraduate: Normally 30 credit hours taken at SUNY Potsdam as a non-matriculated undergraduate may be applied toward the requirements for a baccalaureate degree. Acceptance of more than 30 credit hours taken as a student in this status may be approved by the dean of the School in which the student is accepted for matriculation.
   
• Non-matriculated students who are registered for coursework may be bumped to a waiting list if a matriculated student seeks a seat in the same class and none are available.
   
• All students are required to provide proof of measles, mumps and rubella immunization. If measles, mumps and rubella immunization is not provided by the stated deadline, the student will be dis-enrolled. Questions should be directed to Student Health Services at (315) 267-2377.
   
• Continuance as a visiting student at SUNY Potsdam requires a minimum of a 2.0 cumulative grade point average in completed coursework.

Advising/Registration

Advising is available for non-matriculated students. If you would like advising assistance before determining which classes to take, please contact the Registrar's Office. If there are no available seats in your preferred class/classes, the normal add/drop process will be your method of registration. The same applies if you will be registering after the start of a semester.

To register for classes during the add/drop period, email the instructor to ask their permission and then forward that email to the Registrar's Office at registrar@potsdam.edu. To drop a course during the add/drop period, or to withdraw from a course after the add/drop period, email registrar@potsdam.edu. 

If you have questions about advising/registration, contact the Registrar's Office at registrar@potsdam.edu or (315) 267-3500.

Tuition and Fee

Tuition and fees for non-matriculated students are assessed per semester hour for each course up to a maximum cost for a full-time, in-state student. Tuition and billing information is available on the Student Accounts webpage. You can also call One Stop at (315) 267-2943.

For more information about Health Insurance options, contact Health Services at (315) 267-2377.