Apply as an International First-Year Student
Choose Your Application
Complete and submit only one of the applications below. A $50 non-refundable fee is required.
Select “Buffalo, University at.”
Select “SUNY University at Buffalo."
After You Apply
We will send you an email with a unique link to your Applicant Status Page, where you can monitor your application status. You are strongly encouraged to check this page regularly for updates about your application.
Spring 2026 Dates & Deadlines
| Application | Date |
|---|---|
| Recommended application submission date | October 1 Students can continue to submit an application for consideration until capacity is reached. |
| Enrollment/Tuition Deposit deadline | December 1 or 10 days after acceptance, whichever is later. |
| Housing Deposit deadline | December 1 |
| Classes begin | January See UB Academic Calendar |
Fall 2026 Dates & Deadlines
| Application | Date |
|---|---|
| Application opens | August 1 |
| Early Action | November 1 |
| Honors College Priority Consideration | December 15 |
| Housing Application opens | January 22 |
| Regular Decision application completion deadline | February 1 Students can continue to submit an application for consideration until capacity is reached. |
| Enrollment/Tuition Deposit deadline | May 1 or 10 days after acceptance, whichever is later. |
| Housing Deposit deadline | May 8 |
| Classes begin | August See UB Academic Calendar |
First-year/first-time admission to the University at Buffalo is based on a holistic review of your application that considers your academic marks, test scores, essay and recommendations.
We are looking for students who excel academically, engage in extracurricular activities and maintain a good school-life balance.
*Any document not written in English must be accompanied by an English translation.
Students who are ready for academic success:
Admission to UB is selective and based, in part, on the quality of your academic record. You should feel confident applying to UB if you have an above-average academic record and have taken challenging courses in high school that prepare you to succeed at university. UB uses a 4.0 grading scale, and we expect applicants to have the equivalent of a 3.0 on that scale. That is the same as a grade of B, or 83 on a 100-point scale.
Our admissions counselors are experts in the many education systems around the world. They know how to compare your country's grading scale to the one we use at UB.
We will need to evaluate your academic performance in secondary school. We do this by reviewing your transcripts (mark sheets, grade sheets, report cards) or state exam results. Listed below by country of education or curriculum are the specific documents you should include in your application.
Academic credentials we expect from you
Must be submitted with application
Must be submitted before enrollment
Translations
Any document not written in English must be accompanied by an English translation.
When applying, you should indicate your intended major on the application form. If you apply via the Common Application or Coalition Application, you are encouraged to select a second-choice major.
Direct admission to accounting and business management is subject to limited enrollment. Due to the quantitative nature of these majors, it is recommended that students complete pre-calculus and be calculus-ready prior to enrollment.
Engineering applications receive an additional review to ascertain the applicant’s readiness in key science and math areas.
An audition is required for acceptance into acting, dance and music theatre. Portfolio review and an interview are required for BFA design/technology intended majors.
The Department of Architecture invites first-year/first time (freshman) applicants to submit a digital portfolio or architecture design project to demonstrate their creativity.
An audition is required for acceptance into music.
Accepted pharmacy first-year (freshman) students are afforded admission directly to the UB School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree Early Assurance Program (EA) 2+4=6 option.