The University at Buffalo welcomes international first-year students (freshmen) who are prepared to take advantage of the opportunities offered by a top-quality public research university.
Admission to the freshman class at the University at Buffalo is based on more than just your grades. We perform 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.
Freshman or transfer status has a strict definition which is based upon the facts of your educational background.
If a minimum of one item in statement 1 and all of statement 2 is true, then you are a freshman applicant. Otherwise you are a transfer applicant.
STATEMENT 1: A minimum of one item must be true.
A. I am currently studying in high school (secondary school).
B. Even though I am not in high school, I am studying a secondary school curriculum.
C. I have completed high school.
AND
STATEMENT 2: This statement must also be true.
I have never enrolled in or studied at a postsecondary institution after completing secondary school.
Both are true? You will apply as a Freshman.
Any part not true? You will apply as a Transfer.
Admission to UB’s freshman class is selective and is based in part on the quality of your secondary school academic record and the number of spaces available in the class.
You should feel confident applying to UB if you have an above-average academic record and have taken challenging courses in high school to help prepare you to be successful at university.
UB uses a 4.0 grading scale and we expect students applying here 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 here 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 are the specific documents you should include in your application.
In addition, before you can start your studies here, you will need to show that you have earned the equivalent of a U.S. high school diploma. Also included in the below list are the credentials we recognize for each country and type of academic curriculum.
If you have already completed secondary school, we ask that you submit your graduation document along with your transcripts when completing your application.
If you haven’t graduated yet, don’t worry. You can bring proof that you completed secondary school with you when you arrive on campus for orientation. In the meantime, you will just submit copies of your transcripts.
Must be submitted with application
Must be submitted before enrollment
Any document not written in English must be accompanied by an English translation.
Submit both your academic transcripts and your proof of graduation with your application documents.
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. In general, the admissions consideration process is the same for most majors, including for exploratory students. Applications for the engineering program will receive an additional review to determine the applicant’s readiness in key science and math areas.
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.
An audition is required for admission to the Department of Music and the Department of Theatre and Dance. Intended theatre majors with professional experience are also required to audition.
The Department of Architecture invites freshman applicants to submit a digital portfolio or architecture design project to demonstrate their creativity.
Select majors in the College of Arts and Sciences and the departments of accounting and business management, architecture, computer science, engineering, exercise science, nuclear medicine technology, pharmacy, public health and statistics admit freshmen directly to the major. All other departments evaluate students for admission during their second year of study at UB.
