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Admissions

Policy

It is the policy of the College to admit qualified applicants whose academic preparation and experience indicate that there is a reasonable chance for success in the chosen curriculum.

Requirements

  1. Freshmen Admission
    Each candidate for admission to the College must submit evidence of the following:
      • Graduation from a secondary school accredited by its State Education Department, or
      • Possess a General Equivalency Diploma (GED) with a minimum score of 245/2450.
      • Have completed, with a satisfactory level of achievement, the minimum prerequisites for the curriculum selected.
      • Demonstrate evidence of academic preparation necessary for a reasonable chance of success in the curriculum selected.The IEP diploma is not considered to be equivalent to a local diploma or the GED and is not considered for admission.
  2. Transfer Student Admission
    Applicants who have previously registered at another college or university following graduation from high school are considered transfer students. In addition to completing the SUNY Application for Admission, transfer students must also submit an official transcript from each college or university previously or subsequently attended and an official high school transcript or GED. It is recommended that transfer applicants generally have a minimum GPA of 2.0, unless otherwise stipulated by specific program requirements, as seen in the college catalog.For all transfer students, equivalency credit for course work will be determined by the College Transfer Counselor and/or the respective School Dean or designee. Courses completed at another institution transfer only as credits (i.e., letter grades and quality points do not transfer).The Office of Admissions reserves the right to request additional information; applicants may, of their own accord, submit additional supportive documents.
  3. Special Candidates for Admission
    Early admission may be granted to an applicant who has completed grade eleven of a secondary school, is recommended by the principal or counselor, and meets the special requirements of the College. Early admission is established to provide higher education prior to high school graduation for successful secondary students. Specific arrangements are the responsibility of the applicant.
  4. All full-time students must complete the Health History and Physical Exam form found in the College admission packet or on the Health Center’s Forms web page. This form must be submitted to the SUNY Canton Davis Health Center four weeks prior to the first day of the semester. This form includes the mandatory New York State immunization requirements for students attending college. All students in Nursing (AAS and PN), Physical Therapist Assistant, Dental Hygiene, and Early Childhood Education curriculums must complete the physical exam section. The physical exam section is optional for other students. Intercollegiate Athletes DO NOT USE THIS FORM. Athletes need to complete the Athletic Health History and Physical Exam which can be found on the Health Center’s forms page or the Athletic web pages. Be advised that athletes will not be allowed to try out for a team or to practice with a team until a pre-admission physical examination is completed.
  5. New York State Public Health Law (NYSPHL) 2165 requires students attending colleges and universities to demonstrate proof of immunization against Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR). All students (six or more credit hours) at SUNY Canton will be required to show written proof of MMR immunity to the Davis Health Center prior to the first day of classes. Exemptions to this requirement are:
    • Students born before January 1, 1957.
    • Students who hold genuine and sincere religious beliefs which are contrary to immunizations.
    • Students for whom immunization would be physically detrimental or otherwise medically contraindicated.
    • Students taking all classes online and not living on campus.
    • Students who are non-degree and part time.New York State Public Health Law (NYSPHL) 2167 requires institutions, including colleges and universities, to distribute information about Meningococcal Disease and vaccination to all students attending college (six or more credit hours). The law also requires that these students, whether they live on or off campus, acknowledge in writing that they have one of the following:
    • A record of Meningococcal Meningitis immunization within the past ten years.
    • An acknowledgement of Meningococcal Disease risks and refusal of Meningococcal Meningitis immunization signed by the student or student’s parent or guardian.Failure to comply with either of these mandatory health requirements within 30 days from the start of classes will result in suspension from college. All of the health requirements can be found in the SUNY Canton Mandatory College Requirement Health/Physical Exam and Immunization Form in the admission packet.
  6. Prospective bachelor degree students are required to take either the SAT or ACT exams. Associate and certificate students are not required to submit results of the SAT or ACT but are strongly encouraged to do so. All new, matriculated freshmen will be assessed for proper placement in English and Math courses prior to the first day of class.
  7. In addition, the applicant must also meet the specific and recommended requirements established by the faculty for each specialized curriculum.

Implementation

  1. Each applicant will be notified of the Admission decision within a reasonable time after November 1 for the Spring and Fall semester applicants.
  2. Applicants whose qualifications do not indicate a reasonable chance for success in the chosen curriculum will be denied.
  3. All curricula are limited to space and availability. Admission will be offered to the candidates most qualified for admission.

SUNY Canton Admission Policy for Ex-Offenders/College Dismissal

SUNY policy dictates that the application and materials of applicants with prior felony convictions be reviewed by an admissions review committee. This policy is developed and implemented with consideration given to the requirements set forth in Section 23A of the New York State Correction Law.

  1. No application for admission to SUNY Canton will be denied by reason of the applicant having been previously convicted of a felony or dismissed from a college for disciplinary reasons unless:
    • There is a direct relationship between one or more felonies/dismissals and the SUNY Canton campus community.
    • The granting of admission to SUNY Canton would involve an unreasonable risk to property or to the safety or welfare of specific individuals or the general public.
  2. Applicants convicted of a felony or dismissed from a college for disciplinary reasons must meet the same admissions requirements expected of all entering students. Each applicant should understand that a decision will not be made on his/her application until all the necessary information including academic records, letters of recommendation, and information regarding his/her specific offense(s) is provided to the College.
  3. Applicants with a felony conviction must obtain and submit an official criminal history record from the Department of Criminal Justice Services. Applicants with a disciplinary dismissal must authorize the release of appropriate information concerning their dismissals, by submitting an Authorization for Release of Information form.
  4. Applicants with a felony conviction or disciplinary dismissal are encouraged to submit reports from probation/parole officers where applicable, as well as personal references which may include but not be limited to counselors, parole/probation officers, current or past employers, or religious advisors.
  5. Factors to be considered for the admission decision: • The bearing, if any, of the felony conviction/disciplinary dismissal from college will have on his/her fitness or ability to function successfully in the educational setting of SUNY Canton.
    • The seriousness of the offense(s) as it relates to an unreasonable risk to property or to the safety or welfare of specific individuals or the general public.
    • Any information produced by the applicant, or produced on the applicant’s behalf, in regard to his/her rehabilitation and good conduct.
    • A Certificate of Relief from Disability or good conduct issued to the applicant, which will create a presumption of rehabilitation in regard to the offense(s) specified therein.
    • History of repeated felony convictions/disciplinary dismissals.
  6. Factors which will not be considered for the admission decision:
    • Offenses other than felony convictions, unless disciplinary dismissed.
    • Sealed records from applicants convicted of felonies as Youthful Offenders, Juvenile Delinquent, or Juvenile Offender.
  7. Upon receipt of official criminal history record or authorization of release of information form, as applicable, applicant will be required to meet before the Admissions Advisory Board. Additional representation will not be allowed in the interview unless approved accommodative services are required.
  8. The Admissions Advisory Board will be comprised of a representative from Admissions, Dean of Students, University Police, the Personal Counseling Center, Faculty, and Risk Assessment.
  9. The Admissions Advisory Board will convene at least once per month to ensure timely turnaround of admissions decision for applicants.
  10. The Committee reserves the right to place specific conditions on the applicant’s acceptance and continued attendance at SUNY Canton as it deems necessary. The student must sign a statement indicating that they understand and agree with the conditions. Information regarding any conditions will be given to the student and filed in the student’s admission record.
  11. If the Committee finds that a person’s admission would involve an unreasonable risk to any part of the college community, the applicant will be informed that his/her admission has been denied. An applicant may appeal the Committee’s decision by contacting the Vice President for Academic Affairs in writing within five business days of the receipt of the Committee’s written decision. The Vice President for Academic Affairs, upon review of all materials, will respond to the applicant within 20 business days. The Vice President’s decision is final.
  12. A student falsifying or omitting data on the application or any requested supplemental forms will have their admission rescinded or may be required to meet before the campus’s Judicial Board. Normal refund policy applies.
  13. All readmission applicants that were not matriculated in the previous semester must sit in front of the Advisory Board even if previously admitted with the felony/dismissal. Students wishing to attend SUNY Canton as a non-matriculated student who has a felony conviction/disciplinary dismissal must also submit required paperwork and meet before the Admissions Advisory Board.
  14. A copy of this policy is available to all interested parties upon request.