Undergraduate Admissions

Student Categories

Matriculated Student

A student who wishes to earn a degree at The College of Saint Rose should seek admission on a matriculated basis (i.e., on a degree-seeking basis).

Non-Matriculated Student

A student who wishes to take courses but who does not plan to earn a degree at The College of Saint Rose should seek admission on a non-matriculated basis (i.e., on a non-degree-seeking basis).

Freshman First-Year Student

An applicant who has never attended any college or university after graduating from high school.

Transfer Student

An applicant who has graduated from high school and attended another college or university.

Admissions Policy

Students who show evidence of strong academic motivation and the ability to benefit from a challenging liberal arts and professional education will be considered for admission. Admissions decisions are made after careful study of all data available for each candidate, including high school or previous college records, letters of recommendation, and essays.  First-time freshman applicants are expected to complete a strong high school college-preparatory program in order to be admitted to the College.  Through submission of application requirements, essays and interviews, admitted candidates show evidence that they possess other qualities important to The College of Saint Rose community such as:

• a willingness to take responsibility for their own education;
• an interest in taking advantage of the opportunities Saint Rose can provide;
• ability to engage in critical thinking; and
• an active interest in Saint Rose and its surrounding communities.

Test-Optional Policy

The College of Saint Rose is SAT/ACT test-optional, and as such, does not require submission of scores for admission. However, SAT or ACT scores will be considered as part of the admission decision if submitted with the application. While scores on either standardized test are generally optional, they are required for applicants who want to be considered for academic scholarships, for those seeking to participate in NCAA Division II athletics and, for those who have been homeschooled. International applicants are required to submit official scores from one of the following exams: TOEFL, IELTS, SAT or ACT.

Proof of High School Graduation

Proof of high school graduation or its equivalent is required of all students enrolling at the College. It is understood that high school records for students who have been out of high school for a long period of time may not reflect present capabilities. The Admissions Offices reserves the right to review the high school record of a transfer student candidate in light of college-level performance and achievements. All students matriculating at the College or those who wish to be considered for Title IV Federal Student Aid Program funding must have an official high school transcript with proof of graduation on permanent file regardless of freshman or transfer status.

Application and Deadlines

While the College operates with a rolling admissions policy, the non-binding, Early Action application deadline is December 1 and allows for early notification of admission decisions. Students wishing to be considered for most academic and other scholarship awards must have applications postmarked no later than February 1. These are non-binding dates and, if admitted to the College, students will have until May 1 to make their final enrollment decision.

Candidates normally receive a decision on completed applications within two to three weeks from the date on which all credentials are received.

Accepted applicants indicate a decision to attend The College of Saint Rose by completing and submitting the Intent to Enroll Form and a $300 enrollment deposit if they plan to live on campus, or a $150 tuition-only deposit if they plan to live off campus, by a postmarked date of May 1. For fall enrollment, the deposit is non-refundable after May 1. For spring enrollment, the deposit is non-refundable after December 1.

Students who are offered admission for a given term may request to defer enrollment for one semester only, if capacity allows, by submitting a request in writing to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

Freshman First-Year Applicants

Submit all of the following to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions: Students may apply online by visiting the College’s website at www.strose.edu. Students may also apply using the Common App (www.commonapp.org).

1. Completed application form with application fee. The fee is waived for students who apply using the College’s online application or the Common App

2. Official high school transcript (senior year grades, if available) or GED with a score of 2250 or better.

3. Scores on either standardized test (SAT or ACT) are optional, but are required for students who want to be considered for academic scholarships, NCAA Division II athletes and/or for those who have been homeschooled. International applicants are required to submit official scores from one of the following exams: TOEFL, IELTS, SAT or ACT.

4. One letter of recommendation from a teacher or guidance counselor.

5. Essay – students should reference the application for more details about essay options.

Students applying to any of the art or music programs must arrange for the review of an art portfolio or for a music audition by calling the respective department. Students may contact the Art Department at (518) 485-3900 and the Music Department at (518) 454-5178 to schedule appointments. Admission to the College does not guarantee admission to either of these programs.

Transfer Applicants

Submit all of the following to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions: Students may also apply online by visiting the College’s website at www.strose.edu. Students may also apply using the Common App at www.commonapp.org.

1. Completed application form with application fee. The fee is waived for students who apply online.
2. An official transcript, with a statement of honorable dismissal, from all previously attended institutions since graduation from high school, and catalogs from each institution if not available online. (A catalog need not accompany transcripts from Albany area colleges.)
3. All matriculating students or students receiving Title IV Federal Student Aid Program funding must show proof of high school graduation by submitting a final high school transcript, copy of high school diploma or official copy of receipt of the GED.
4. A letter of recommendation from at least one college instructor or counselor. Applicants who have been out of school or college for several years may submit a letter of recommendation from an employer, supervisor or community representative. 
5. Essay – students should reference the application for more details about essay options.

Students applying to any of the art or music programs must arrange for the review of an art portfolio or for a music audition by calling the respective department. Students may contact the Art Department at (518) 485-3900 and the Music Department at (518) 454-5178. Admission to the College does not guarantee admission to either of these programs.

Transfer Policy

Transfer students who have completed an Associate in Arts (A.A.) or an Associate in Science (A.S.) degree at a regionally accredited institution and who have a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 are generally accepted. The College reserves the right to evaluate transfer student applicants who do or do not meet the 2.5 criteria on an individual basis.

In evaluating the credentials of transfer candidates, the College, specifically the office of the Registrar, under the direction of the faculty, implements the transfer credit equivalency, and tries to give maximum credit for college work completed at other institutions.  Credit is given for all applicable courses in which a student achieves a grade of C- or above. Credits transfer, but grades do not. Credit is generally not given for professional and technical courses which would not be applicable to the bachelor's degree offered at The College of Saint Rose. Credit is also not given for independent studies or internships taken at another college.

Nontraditional learning evaluated through portfolio by another college is not accepted for transfer. However, students may have the opportunity to create a portfolio and have it evaluated for credit by faculty at The college of Saint Rose. Please see the Experienced Adult Portfolio webpage at EAP.

Of the minimum 122 credit hours required for a degree, transfer students must complete a minimum of 60 credit hours at The College of Saint Rose. A maximum of 62 credit hours from another institution will be accepted, but all credits may or may not fulfill specific degree requirements at Saint Rose.  Upon acceptance at the College, the transfer credit evaluation is forwarded to the student. 

Admission of International Students

The College seeks to foster an awareness of and respect for cultural diversity and, to that end, encourages applications from international students from all parts of the world. The College is authorized under federal law to enroll non-immigrant alien students.

Directions to the International Student’s Application:

1. Complete the admission application*. Students may access the International Student Application online by visiting the College’s website at www.strose.edu. In order to be considered for any of the scholarships the College offers, a student’s completed application must be postmarked by February 1.
2. Official high school and college/university transcripts are required as part of the application. Students may be required to submit those transcripts to World Education Services, Inc. (WES) or Educational Credentials Evaluators (ECE). The evaluation results will be forwarded by WES and/or ECE to the College.
3. If English is not the student’s first language, he/she must take the SAT, ACT, International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) exam, and submit the results of the exam to the Admissions office. A minimum score for the TOEFL of 500 on the paper-based exam, 173 on the computer-based exam or 80 on the Internet-based exam is required to be considered for admission to The College of Saint Rose. A minimum score for the IELTS of 5.5 is required for admission.
4. Complete the Certification of Finances form. The Certification of Finances (liquid finances) form indicates a student’s ability to finance his/her education and is necessary to issue the immigration form I-20. The completed application and Certification of Finances forms should be mailed to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, The College of Saint Rose, 432 Western Avenue, Albany, New York 12203-1490, USA.
5. Submit a an essay on any of the prompted topics on the application
6. Upon notification of acceptance, international students born on or after January 1, 1957, must submit proof of immunity against measles, mumps and rubella directly to The College of Saint Rose Health Service Office. New York State public health law clearly defines immunity.  Prospective students should refer to the appropriate section of this catalog.
7. International students are required to have the Mantoux (PPD) skin test done six months prior to arrival. If the test is positive, follow-up x-rays are necessary to determine whether or not tuberculosis is active. Physician documentation concerning the results of x-rays and any required medication is needed prior to arrival on campus. If medication is indicated, treatment should be started before coming into this country.
8. International students are required to have health insurance during their entire stay at the College (including summers). The College has a health insurance policy specifically for international students. The charge is placed directly on the tuition bill.
9. Accepted applicants indicate a decision to attend The College of Saint Rose by completing the Intent to Enroll Form and by forwarding a $300 enrollment deposit if they plan to live on campus, or a $150 tuition-only deposit if they plan to live off campus, by a postmarked date of May 1. For fall enrollment, the deposit is non-refundable after May 1. For spring enrollment, the deposit is non-refundable after December 1. Once the College has received the enrollment fee and all required forms, an I-20 will be processed and mailed to the student.

 *Within the application, students will be required to submit:

      - Copy of driver’s license (if applicable)

      - Statement of purpose of their visit to the U.S.

      - Copy of their passport

      - Copy of current I-20 or other such documentation (if applicable)

Articulation Agreements

The purpose of articulation agreements is to plan and sequence students’ course work during their first two years of college in such a way that the course work fits within the requirements of a specific baccalaureate program. Through such agreements, the transition of a student into upper-level course work occurs smoothly and without loss of credits. The College of Saint Rose maintains articulation agreements in various programs with the following junior and community colleges:

Adirondack Community College

Broome Community College

College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill

Columbia-Greene Community College

Dutchess Community College

Fulton-Montgomery Community College

Herkimer Community College

Hudson Valley Community College

Maria College

Mohawk Valley Community College

North Country Community College

Orange County Community College

Rockland Community College

Sage College of Albany

Schenectady County Community College

SUNY Albany

Ulster Community College

Westchester Community College

Counselors at Saint Rose and at these participating colleges are able to provide students with specific transfer information in programs covered by an articulation agreement.

There is a Transfer Course Database at www.strose.edu where potential students can view how courses taken at the current institution will transfer into Saint Rose.

New York State Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP)

Admission to the College for students is available through the Higher Education Opportunity Program, a supportive services program designed for undergraduate students who are both economically disadvantaged and academically under-prepared. Students who meet the State Education Department economic guidelines and who do not meet the College’s academic admission criteria, but who have demonstrated potential for success, are eligible to be recommended for HEOP. Students may contact the HEOP office at (518) 454-5280 for additional information.

Academic Opportunity Experience (AEO)

Admission to the College for students is available through the Academic Commitment and Educational Supportive Services (AOE), a supportive services program designed for undergraduate students who are academically under-prepared. Students who do not meet the College’s academic admission criteria, but who have demonstrated potential for success, are eligible to be recommended for the AOE program. Admission through this program is highly selective. Students may contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at (518) 454-5150 or at admit@strose.edu for more information about this special admission program.

Application for Early Matriculation

The College extends the opportunity to a select group of students to enter college after their third year of high school. Students admitted to the program should be academically and socially mature enough to gain from this unique experience. Application forms and information may be obtained from the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, or at www.strose.edu, or by calling (518) 454-5150. An official high school transcript, interview and three academic letters of recommendation are required as part of this application process.

Partners in Education (PIE)

Area high school students may combine some college work during the junior or senior year of high school by enrolling in the Partners in Education (PIE) program. Several lower-division courses (100-299 level) outlined in this catalog are available to PIE students at a reduced rate of tuition. Students interested in this program should consult their high school guidance offices and the Office of Undergraduate Admissions of the College to make necessary application and scheduling arrangements.

Credit by Examination

The College grants credit for the Excelsior College Examinations and for the Subject Examinations of the College-Level Examination Program of the College Entrance Examination Board on the following conditions:

1. Before taking the examination, the candidate must obtain the written approval of his/her advisor. Written approval may be obtained by completing the “Request to take a course at another Institution” form available in the Registrar’s office or on the College’s website.
2. A grade of C or higher is accepted as residence credit when the examination has been taken after matriculation for a degree; quality points are not granted for these examination grades.
3. Acceptance of credits earned by these examinations toward fulfillment of requirements for the major are determined by the faculty of the academic program concerned.
4. A maximum of 15 credit hours may be earned through these examinations.

Advanced Placement, University in High School Courses, and International Baccalaureate Coursework

The College encourages the use of Advanced Placement exams and ordinarily grants credit toward graduation for those achieving a grade of three or higher. However, some departments require a score of four or better to grant credit. Each academic department has the discretion to determine the acceptable test score and credits awarded.

Students must request that an official score report be sent to The College of Saint Rose directly from the College Board in order to be granted credit. The college code for The College of Saint Rose is 2091. Students will be notified of the number of credit hours granted and any course exemptions, if applicable. Contact the Office of Academic Advising for more information about advanced placement.

High school seniors wishing to transfer in college-level credit and apply it toward their Saint Rose degree should have an official college transcript sent to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. For more detailed information, students may contact this office at (518) 454-5150 or at admit@strose.edu.

The College of Saint Rose standard for granting credit toward graduation for International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme coursework (Higher Level only) is a minimum score of 5.

Admission of Non-Matriculated Students

The College recognizes that some applicants may wish to take courses for the purpose of personal enrichment or to secure credits pending change to matriculated status or for transfer to another college. Those students who wish to earn credits at The College of Saint Rose may be admitted on a non-matriculated basis if space and course availability allow. Non-matriculated students are limited to study on a part-time basis.

It is strongly recommended that students seek admission on a matriculated basis upon completion of 11 credits. Applicants under non-matriculated status must present proof of a high school diploma or equivalent as an admission credential. Application, advisement and registration are initiated at the Graduate and Continuing Education Admissions office.

Freshman applicants who have been denied admission to The College of Saint Rose may not enter as non-matriculated students. Transfer students who have been denied admission to the College are eligible for enrollment as non-matriculated students when recommended by Admissions staff. Students who have been dismissed from the College are not eligible for enrollment as non-matriculated students.

Advanced Placement Information

*All studio exams are currently evaluated on an individual basis. Credit may be granted for up to 3 courses based on a review of the portfolio.

*Students must take ENG 274 to complete L01.

*Students must currently meet with department to determine equivalency-need lab syllabus.

**Exam must have included lab component.

⁺If student took both exams, PHY 190 and PHY 190L is granted.

International Baccalaurate Information