Applying to Binghamton University
Each year, Binghamton University welcomes new students from all over the world to our campus in the Southern Tier of New York state. In this section of the Academic Guide, you will find information on admissions for undergraduate, graduate, international, transfer and non-degree seeking students. Students seeking admission to Binghamton University can fill out either a Common, SUNY, or Coalition application. More information and the applications can be found on the Admissions website. Some of our schools and colleges have specific admission requirements. To view these, as well as information about each school and the academic programs they offer, please visit the Academic Degrees and Programs page.
Deferred Admission
Undergraduate students who wish to defer their enrollment should follow the requirements found on the deferred admissions webpage. For graduate students, please see the appropriate section in the Graduate School Manual for information on deferred admissions. Deferments are reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the Admissions Committee. Students must submit an enrollment deposit before a deferral request can be reviewed.
Admission Integrity
Binghamton University values enrollment honesty and integrity. Undergraduate and graduate students applying for admission or readmission/re-enrollment must provide full and accurate information on the appropriate application. Students plagiarizing or falsifying information by any method may be suspended or dismissed from the University or have their admission rescinded.
Special circumstances refers to the consideration of undergraduate and graduate admissions applications from individuals who have been suspended or expelled from a college or university for disciplinary reasons. Disciplinary suspension or expulsion from another college or university is not grounds for automatic rejection of an application for admission to Binghamton University. If the applicant is academically admissible, additional information is requested about the expulsion or suspension. A Special Circumstance Committee chaired by the dean of students requests a personal statement and signed release form giving Binghamton permission to obtain and discuss documents related to the incident.
The Special Circumstance Committee may recommend acceptance of the applicant, acceptance of the applicant with restrictions on participation in University life at Binghamton University, or rejection of the applicant based on the nature of the incident(s) that caused the disciplinary suspension or expulsion. An appeal of the decision of the committee may be made to the provost and vice president for academic affairs. Questions regarding this policy should be directed to the Provost, Binghamton University, PO Box 6000, Binghamton, New York 13902-6000.
Felony Convictions
Binghamton University adheres to the State University of New York policy that prohibits University-wide and individual SUNY campus admission applications from inquiring into an applicant’s prior criminal history. Note that students who have previously been convicted of a felony are advised that their prior criminal history may impede their ability to complete the requirements of certain academic programs, to meet licensure requirements for certain professions and/or live in campus housing. Students who have concerns about such matters are advised to contact the dean’s office of their intended academic program.
First-year applicants are defined as students who have attempted no college coursework, or whose only college courses were pursued before high school graduation. All of Binghamton’s undergraduate schools accept first-year applicants. Binghamton offers Early Action admissions.
Applications are available online. Binghamton University accepts The Common Application, the State University of New York (SUNY) Application and the Coalition Application. First-year applicants are required to submit a high school transcript. An essay and a teacher or counselor recommendation are also required for all applicants. Binghamton is SAT/ACT test-optional. Updates to this policy can be found on the test-optional FAQ webpage. Binghamton accepts SAT and ACT scores sent directly by the testing agency and from an official high school transcript. There are also opportunities for some students to self-report scores, which must be followed by official scores if the student deposits. All students with well-documented educational and personal achievement records are encouraged to apply.
After admission for the fall term has been offered, an enrollment deposit of $350 must be paid by May 1, or 20 days after admission, as specified in the admission letter. Deposits are non-refundable after May 1. Students enrolling must be graduates of an accredited secondary school or offer evidence of equivalent education (e.g., TASC).
Payment of an undergraduate admission deposit indicates that the student plans to enroll. Students may accept an admission offer from one school only. If a student pays a deposit at more than one institution, Binghamton may revoke the offer of admission.
All enrolling students must complete, with the aid of a health official, a health history and a physical examination report prior to orientation and course registration. Students unable to submit health forms because of religious affiliation should consult the Decker Student Health Services Center website.
First-Year Admission Decisions
Specific enrollment goals are set for each undergraduate school. Available spaces in relation to the number of applications and admission policy play a role in who is admitted. Admission is very selective. First-year applicants are admitted to one of five undergraduate schools/colleges: Harpur College of Arts and Sciences, College of Community and Public Affairs, Decker College of Nursing and Health Sciences, School of Management, and Thomas J. Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science. Applicants to the University are admitted on the overall strength of their applications. There is no automatic cutoff in the admission process, either in GPA, test scores, or rank, as the Admissions Committee is aware of differences in how secondary schools grade and rank their students, as well as ways in which secondary school offerings and competitiveness vary.
The Admissions Committee seeks to enroll a strong and diverse class. Applicants are urged to use the activities and essay section on their application. The Admissions Committee is sensitive to all types of achievement and welcomes information about the applicant’s values, aspirations and personal challenges.
New York state students who are historically disadvantaged and meet both academic and financial criteria should apply to and may be admitted to the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP).
Under the New York state-supported Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), Binghamton provides an avenue for low-income first-year and transfer students from historically disadvantaged backgrounds to pursue a bachelor’s degree. Students are provided with financial assistance, tutoring and counseling, the opportunity to take advantage of credit-bearing developmental courses where needed and other student support services. Continued enrollment in EOP is contingent upon meeting program expectations and use of student services. Complete program guidelines set forth by New York state can be accessed online. In addition to an application, students applying through this program must also submit required EOP financial materials. Further instructions on how to apply can be found online. EOP is not offered for exclusively online programs.
In addition to the admission requirements for undergraduate admission, international students seeking entry to Binghamton University’s programs need to fulfill additional requirements.
International applicants are defined as applicants intending to study in the United States with an F1 or J-1 visa authorization. First-year international students should consult the First-Year Admissions section and Transfer international students should consult the Transfer Admissions section.
International applicants are required to meet the academic standards for admission, demonstrate English proficiency at the college level, and submit documentation of sufficient funds to cover all educational and living expenses for their entire first year of study.
The University requires original transcripts and official English translations when applicable. Transcripts should contain the grades from secondary school and/or university with an explanation of the school’s grading system.
Official test results for TOEFL, IELTS, SAT, ACT, or Duolingo are required for most students. For application requirement details, visit the first-year or transfer international students admissions instructions webpages.
International students must provide financial documentation indicating that they have sufficient funding to pay for their own tuition, fees, housing, meals, insurance, and personal expenses. The amount of $49,400 (as of September 2023, subject to change) is the current estimate of these expenses. The University does not provide federal or state aid to international undergraduate students.
Admitted applicants who meet the above requirements are issued the appropriate Certificate of Eligibility to apply for a student or exchange visitor visa. The University sends all admitted applicants additional details regarding admission policies and procedures for international students.
With the exception of students placed through special education exchange agreements and those enrolling for the summer term only, all international students are required to be enrolled in a degree program.
English Proficiency
Binghamton University is committed to the success of its students and provides advising, academic, and language support as necessary to students whose native language is not English.
Admitted students whose application or on-campus English proficiency exam indicates that additional language courses would enhance degree progress will be required to take English for Multilinguals (EML) courses during the first year of study. These courses will count toward graduation.
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A transfer applicant is someone who graduated from high school and has attempted or completed at least one 3-credit college course before enrollment. The completion of one full-time college semester is preferred.
Applications are available online. Binghamton University accepts The Common Application, the State University of New York (SUNY) Application and the Coalition Application. EOP applicants must also submit the required EOP materials. Transfers with fewer than 24 post-high-school college credits must submit a high school transcript (or equivalent). Binghamton is SAT/ACT test-optional. Updates to this policy can be found on the test-optional FAQ webpage. For some students, admission decisions may be delayed until grades from two consecutive college semesters or in-progress grades from the current semester are available; in such cases, students are notified of this requirement. Transcripts should be sent directly to the Undergraduate Admissions Office at Binghamton University.
Transfer students are admitted on the strength of their academic performance at the two and/or four-year colleges they have attended and - in certain cases - prerequisites, high school transcript(s) and test scores, if provided. Further information on admission standards can be found on the transfer admissions webpage.
College coursework record(s) should be sent in a timely manner to the Undergraduate Admissions Office to ensure a final credit evaluation is conducted by each school at Binghamton University.
Internal Transfer/Intra-University Transfer
Students enroll in a specific undergraduate school at Binghamton University. If internal transfer to a different school is sought, an application must be submitted online by the fall or spring deadline. Guidelines for intra-university transfer (IUT) can be obtained online, and students are responsible for meeting the specific academic requirements of the school to which they seek a transfer. Spaces for intra-university transfers are limited and competitive. IUT is not available for exclusively online students.
Transfer Credit
The awarding of transfer credit is determined by each undergraduate school. Evaluations are completed for admitted and/or enrolled students by the advising office of each school, available via the BU BRAIN. It is essential that all final college and final high school transcripts (or equivalent) and scores such as AP, IB, A-Level and CLEP for newly-enrolled students be received before classes start so that a complete transfer credit evaluation may be conducted by an academic advisor. Questions regarding transfer credit decisions may be discussed with the academic advising staff within your school at Binghamton University.
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The University encourages certain types of students to pursue coursework on a non-matriculated basis within certain academic limits. Those who wish to take courses for credit, and who intend to apply for matriculation into the University, may enroll as non-degree students, provided they have been out of high school at least one year and give evidence of the ability to do satisfactory work. Others, including visiting students interested in taking a limited amount of coursework for transfer or prerequisite purposes, may also do so as non-degree students. Finally, those interested in taking credit-bearing courses for personal improvement or enjoyment, which will not transfer into a degree from the University, may do so as a special type of student known as the lifelong learner.
All undergraduate non-degree students are strongly encouraged to meet regularly with the non-degree student advisor in the Harpur College Academic Advising Office to explore available options and develop a personalized educational plan to guide their efforts at Binghamton University.
Undergraduate non-degree students may attend part-time or full-time each semester, are limited to a total maximum of 24 attempted credit hours of coursework, and must maintain GPA standards set by Harpur College.
Beyond that point, individuals may continue taking courses at Binghamton only by gaining admission into a degree-granting program or agreeing to become lifelong learners. Applications for admission to the University and information on deadlines are available from Undergraduate Admissions. Students may apply for lifelong learner status through the Harpur College Academic Advising Office.
Students suspended or dismissed from another college or university may not enter Binghamton until one major semester has elapsed since the date of dismissal. Summer Session and Winter Session are not major semesters.
Applicants 21 years or older without a high school diploma or its equivalent who have not enrolled in any previous college-level coursework may apply only as non-degree students. Upon completing appropriate coursework, a student may apply for a high school equivalency diploma and, upon receiving it, seek admission to a degree program by completing the appropriate application for matriculation. Students interested in earning a high school equivalency diploma should work with the New York State Education Department.
While non-degree status has certain limitations, many students have found it to be a strategic and useful way of continuing their journey toward achieving their most valued educational goals.
Visiting Students
Students attending and in good standing at other colleges or universities who wish to enroll in the University for one or two semesters apply as non-degree students. This status is generally available only for Harpur College of Arts and Sciences and College of Community and Public Affairs, but inquiries about spaces in the Decker College of Nursing, School of Management, and Thomas J. Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science should be directed to the Admissions Office. Admission as a visiting student or for one of the education-abroad programs does not imply admission to a degree program at Binghamton University. Visiting students who become interested in pursuing a degree at Binghamton must apply for admission by completing the SUNY application.
College Link Program
This program is open to qualified Binghamton-area secondary school and home-schooled students who wish to take coursework in the arts and sciences at Binghamton University during their junior and/or senior years.
Courses taken by College Link students carry regular University credit and will appear on their official University transcript. College Link students are considered non-degree students and, therefore, not admitted into a degree-granting program of the University.
Specific information concerning admissions procedures and academic standards for the College Link Program is available in the Harpur College Dean’s office and the Harpur Advising website.
Student Auditors
Students may satisfy their interest in a subject area or explore a new area of study through a course audit. By auditing, they participate in the course but do not receive credit for it. Course Audit Petitions are available in the Registrar’s Office and the Graduate School. Students may register for audits within the course add period only. Credit-bearing courses may not be changed to audit courses after the course add deadline, nor may audited courses be changed to credit courses after this deadline. Audited courses do not satisfy degree requirements.
Prospective auditors are advised of the following:
- Students who audit a course must pay full tuition and fees.
- Audit students are expected to attend class regularly and to fulfill course requirements. Successful completion is listed on the transcript with a notation of AU in place of the grade; the course is expunged from the record if the student fails to meet the requirements.
- A course taken on an audit basis will not be counted in determining full-time status for financial aid eligibility, student loan deferments, NCAA eligibility, assistantship or fellowship eligibility, on-campus housing, or some health insurance coverage.
Older Adults Auditors
New York residents 60 years of age or older may audit courses free of charge when space is available. Courses may not be taken for credit. Consent of the instructor is required. Persons interested in auditing courses are encouraged to contact the Harpur College Academic Advising Office at 607-777-6305.
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