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.
Test-Optional Policy
The University at Buffalo has adopted a test-optional policy. This means that standardized test scores are not needed for admission or scholarship consideration. Applicants who opt not to submit their test scores will not be at a disadvantage.
We encourage applicants to request that their applications be reviewed without test scores unless they believe that their scores provide a more accurate representation of their academic abilities compared to their high school records.
If it is determined that submitted test scores do not accurately reflect a student’s potential, the scores will not be considered in the admission review process.
SAT Code: 2925
ACT Code: 2978
If submitting scores, SAT or ACT standardized test scores must be submitted directly from the testing agency.