Undergraduate Admissions FAQs
Is FIT just a two-year college?
FIT is a State University of New York college offering a 2 + 2 curriculum, which means that students applying directly from high school begin a two-year associate’s degree (AAS) program; upon completion of that program, students may apply to one of FIT’s two-year bachelor’s degree (BS/BFA) programs. FIT also offers a master’s (MA/MPS) degree in selected majors.
Do I need to choose a major before I apply?
Yes. You must select one, and only one, major on your application for admission. You cannot choose a double major, nor can you choose a major with a minor. See Undergraduate Programs.
Do I need a portfolio if I am applying to a business/technology major?
No. Only applicants to an art/design major will be asked to submit a portfolio. The portfolio evaluation is done by your major department. The written results of that evaluation are forwarded to the Admissions Office and are considered when we render a decision. Your portfolio should demonstrate your artistic ability and creativity, as well as enthusiasm for, and your potential to succeed in, your chosen major. See General Portfolio Guidelines.
When should I send my portfolio?
Use our posted guidelines to begin assembling your portfolio well before you apply. However, don't submit your portfolio until after you have filed your application and received an emailed authorization form and detailed instructions from FIT Admissions as to how, when and where.
What GPA do I need to be admitted to FIT?
The Admissions Committee looks at your overall academic performance - as well as individual grades and the kinds of courses taken - to choose applicants with the greatest potential to succeed at FIT. Although each major receives a different number of applications for a limited number of places, we generally consider applicants with a grade point average of 3.0 or better. Students are encouraged to take a college-preparatory curriculum. In high school, this might include AP, IB, honors and regents (for NYS students) classes. If coming from college, we prefer to see solid academic achievement in core liberal arts classes.
Are SAT/ACT scores required?
SAT and ACT test scores are not required for admissions purposes. They are, however, required for the Presidential Scholars Program. They are also required for placement into your English and Math classes at FIT. If you have not submitted SAT/ACT test scores to the Center for Placement, you will have to take FIT’s own placement exam.
Are interviews required? What is the topic of my essay?
The Admissions Office does not conduct interviews. Instead, we rely on your essay to give you the opportunity to tell us more about yourself. Make your essay compelling and relevant to your application. In other words, tell us how your experiences have prepared you to commit to your chosen major at FIT. Feel free to include all activities and accomplishments in which you take pride. Presentation is also important, so keep your essay to no more than 750 words and check your spelling and grammar.
How many letters of recommendation are required for admissions?
None. Letters of recommendation will not be considered in the admissions process.
Is there a deadline for filing the SUNY application?
Priority application deadline is January 1 for fall admission and October 1 for spring. For more information, see When Do I Apply?
After I file the SUNY application, what else do I need to do to receive a decision from FIT?
You must satisfy all FIT Admissions Requirements in order to complete your application. The Admissions office will render a decision only after all required items are on file. See How to Apply.
Is there a different application for international students?
No. However, there may be additional requirements for students educated outside the U.S. and/or students who need to apply for an F-1 visa. See International Students for more information.
If I am coming from another college, how do I know which credits will transfer?
Associate's degree transfer students will receive credit for courses they have completed at regionally-accredited colleges with a grade of "C" or better that are equivalent to the liberal arts courses required by FIT's associate-level programs. For more information, see Transfer Credits.
Can I apply directly to a bachelor's degree program at FIT?
In order to apply to a bachelor's degree program, you must have already earned either an AAS or a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in an appropriate and approved major that includes the equivalent of FIT's required liberal arts distribution, OR 60 credits in an appropriate and approved bachelor's degree program, including the equivalent of FIT's required liberal arts courses. See Undergraduate Programs.
If I am transferring from another college, how long will it take me to earn a degree at FIT?
Bachelor's degrees always take two years, but some of our associate degree majors offer an accelerated one-year degree program for students with sufficient transferable liberal arts credits and, for those applying to an art and design major, a strong portfolio. See Eligibility Requirements.
Can I change majors once I have Started?
FIT students interested in transferring to a new major are not guaranteed admission. All internal transfer candidates will be held to the same criteria as external candidates for admission to the new major. By transferring between majors at FIT, students will be considered for semester one in the new curriculum. That is why choosing the right major to begin with is so important.
How can I get housing on campus?
Once you have been accepted to FIT, you will receive an admissions packet that includes instructions to apply for on-campus housing. You must pay your tuition deposit before your housing application will be considered. Please see Residential Life for more information and for housing rates.
If I take courses as a non-degree student, will the credits count if I apply and get accepted to a degree program?
Yes, as long as they are part of the curriculum for the major to which you ultimately apply. However, there are restrictions: 1) You must formally apply through the Office of Admissions before you accumulate more than 24 credits. 2) No more than 30 credits taken at FIT in non-degree status may be applied toward a degree. 3) A minimum of 50% of the credits identified in an FIT degree program as major and related credits must be taken while in FIT degree status. If you want to earn a degree at FIT, it is better to apply and get into matriculated status as soon as possible. See How Do I Apply?
How do I check the status of my application?
After you have applied, you will receive an email confirmation from FIT with instructions to access MyFIT, your one-stop online resource for activating and completing your application. You will use MyFIT to monitor your application status and view your assigned FIT email account. If you have not provided us with a valid email address, it can take 3-4 weeks for this confirmation letter to arrive by postal mail.
When can I visit the campus?
After you have applied, you will receive an email confirmation from The best time to visit us is any Tuesday, Wednesday, or Friday at 12 noon (except for major holidays) when you can attend one of our information sessions led by an FIT Admissions Counselor. These sessions are not tours; they are designed to give you all the information you need to apply to FIT. Or, attend our Open House in October. For more information, see Admissions.
FIT is a State University of New York college offering a 2 + 2 curriculum, which means that students applying directly from high school begin a two-year associate’s degree (AAS) program; upon completion of that program, students may apply to one of FIT’s two-year bachelor’s degree (BS/BFA) programs. FIT also offers a master’s (MA/MPS) degree in selected majors.
Do I need to choose a major before I apply?
Yes. You must select one, and only one, major on your application for admission. You cannot choose a double major, nor can you choose a major with a minor. See Undergraduate Programs.
Do I need a portfolio if I am applying to a business/technology major?
No. Only applicants to an art/design major will be asked to submit a portfolio. The portfolio evaluation is done by your major department. The written results of that evaluation are forwarded to the Admissions Office and are considered when we render a decision. Your portfolio should demonstrate your artistic ability and creativity, as well as enthusiasm for, and your potential to succeed in, your chosen major. See General Portfolio Guidelines.
When should I send my portfolio?
Use our posted guidelines to begin assembling your portfolio well before you apply. However, don't submit your portfolio until after you have filed your application and received an emailed authorization form and detailed instructions from FIT Admissions as to how, when and where.
What GPA do I need to be admitted to FIT?
The Admissions Committee looks at your overall academic performance - as well as individual grades and the kinds of courses taken - to choose applicants with the greatest potential to succeed at FIT. Although each major receives a different number of applications for a limited number of places, we generally consider applicants with a grade point average of 3.0 or better. Students are encouraged to take a college-preparatory curriculum. In high school, this might include AP, IB, honors and regents (for NYS students) classes. If coming from college, we prefer to see solid academic achievement in core liberal arts classes.
Are SAT/ACT scores required?
SAT and ACT test scores are not required for admissions purposes. They are, however, required for the Presidential Scholars Program. They are also required for placement into your English and Math classes at FIT. If you have not submitted SAT/ACT test scores to the Center for Placement, you will have to take FIT’s own placement exam.
Are interviews required? What is the topic of my essay?
The Admissions Office does not conduct interviews. Instead, we rely on your essay to give you the opportunity to tell us more about yourself. Make your essay compelling and relevant to your application. In other words, tell us how your experiences have prepared you to commit to your chosen major at FIT. Feel free to include all activities and accomplishments in which you take pride. Presentation is also important, so keep your essay to no more than 750 words and check your spelling and grammar.
How many letters of recommendation are required for admissions?
None. Letters of recommendation will not be considered in the admissions process.
Is there a deadline for filing the SUNY application?
Priority application deadline is January 1 for fall admission and October 1 for spring. For more information, see When Do I Apply?
After I file the SUNY application, what else do I need to do to receive a decision from FIT?
You must satisfy all FIT Admissions Requirements in order to complete your application. The Admissions office will render a decision only after all required items are on file. See How to Apply.
Is there a different application for international students?
No. However, there may be additional requirements for students educated outside the U.S. and/or students who need to apply for an F-1 visa. See International Students for more information.
If I am coming from another college, how do I know which credits will transfer?
Associate's degree transfer students will receive credit for courses they have completed at regionally-accredited colleges with a grade of "C" or better that are equivalent to the liberal arts courses required by FIT's associate-level programs. For more information, see Transfer Credits.
Can I apply directly to a bachelor's degree program at FIT?
In order to apply to a bachelor's degree program, you must have already earned either an AAS or a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in an appropriate and approved major that includes the equivalent of FIT's required liberal arts distribution, OR 60 credits in an appropriate and approved bachelor's degree program, including the equivalent of FIT's required liberal arts courses. See Undergraduate Programs.
If I am transferring from another college, how long will it take me to earn a degree at FIT?
Bachelor's degrees always take two years, but some of our associate degree majors offer an accelerated one-year degree program for students with sufficient transferable liberal arts credits and, for those applying to an art and design major, a strong portfolio. See Eligibility Requirements.
Can I change majors once I have Started?
FIT students interested in transferring to a new major are not guaranteed admission. All internal transfer candidates will be held to the same criteria as external candidates for admission to the new major. By transferring between majors at FIT, students will be considered for semester one in the new curriculum. That is why choosing the right major to begin with is so important.
How can I get housing on campus?
Once you have been accepted to FIT, you will receive an admissions packet that includes instructions to apply for on-campus housing. You must pay your tuition deposit before your housing application will be considered. Please see Residential Life for more information and for housing rates.
If I take courses as a non-degree student, will the credits count if I apply and get accepted to a degree program?
Yes, as long as they are part of the curriculum for the major to which you ultimately apply. However, there are restrictions: 1) You must formally apply through the Office of Admissions before you accumulate more than 24 credits. 2) No more than 30 credits taken at FIT in non-degree status may be applied toward a degree. 3) A minimum of 50% of the credits identified in an FIT degree program as major and related credits must be taken while in FIT degree status. If you want to earn a degree at FIT, it is better to apply and get into matriculated status as soon as possible. See How Do I Apply?
How do I check the status of my application?
After you have applied, you will receive an email confirmation from FIT with instructions to access MyFIT, your one-stop online resource for activating and completing your application. You will use MyFIT to monitor your application status and view your assigned FIT email account. If you have not provided us with a valid email address, it can take 3-4 weeks for this confirmation letter to arrive by postal mail.
When can I visit the campus?
After you have applied, you will receive an email confirmation from The best time to visit us is any Tuesday, Wednesday, or Friday at 12 noon (except for major holidays) when you can attend one of our information sessions led by an FIT Admissions Counselor. These sessions are not tours; they are designed to give you all the information you need to apply to FIT. Or, attend our Open House in October. For more information, see Admissions.