University at Buffalo (UB)
The University at Buffalo welcomes first-year/first-time (freshman) applicants who are prepared to meet the rigorous academic demands of a top 40 public research university. Admission is based on a holistic review of your application using the following criteria.
When you apply to the University at Buffalo, you must be honest at all times. Be sure that all documents and information that you submit with your application are correct and accurate. You are responsible for everything that is submitted with your application, even if someone else helps you to complete it. Withholding or omitting information and documents or giving false information may make you ineligible for admission, subject to dismissal and/or be ineligible for transfer credit.
First-year/first-time (freshman) and transfer status have strict definitions that are based on the facts of your educational background.
You are considered a first-year/first-time (freshman) if you have never studied or enrolled in any college/university or postsecondary studies after completing secondary school. You're considered a first-year/first-time (freshman) student even if you have advanced standing, for which you may receive university credits. This includes A Levels, International Baccalaureate (IB) and Advanced Placement (AP).
You are considered a transfer student if you have completed secondary school and you subsequently enrolled or studied one or more subjects in a college or university. If you engaged in any study in a college or university, you must apply as a transfer applicant.
If a minimum of one item in statement 1 and all of statement 2 is true, then you are a first-year/first-time (freshman) applicant. Otherwise, you are a transfer applicant.
STATEMENT 1 (A minimum of one item must be true.)
AND STATEMENT 2 (This statement must also be true.)
If both are true, you will apply as a first-year/first-time (freshman) applicant.
If any part is not true, you will apply as a transfer applicant.
First-year/first-time (freshman) 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.
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 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 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 both your academic transcripts and proof of graduation with your application documents.
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. In the meantime, you can 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.
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 first-year/first time (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 first-year/first time (freshman) students directly to the major. All other departments evaluate students for admission during their second year of study at UB.
You will upload these documents electronically to your Applicant Status Portal. Please do not send documents through the mail. Please note: Any document not written in English must be accompanied by an English translation.
We encourage you to collect and scan all the necessary documents as early in the application process as possible, even before you apply.