Undergraduate Admissions FAQ
Is FIT just a two-year college?
Do I need to choose a major before I apply?
Do I need to submit a portfolio?
When should I submit my portfolio?
What GPA do I need to be admitted to FIT?
Are SAT/ACT scores required?
Are interviews required? What is the topic of my essay?
How many letters of recommendation are required for admission?
What is the deadline for filing the SUNY application?
After I file the SUNY application, what else do I need to do to receive a decision
from FIT?
Is there a different application for international students?
If I am coming from another college, how do I know which credits will transfer?
Can I apply directly to a bachelor's degree program at FIT?
If I am transferring from another college, how long will it take me to earn a degree
at FIT?
Can I change majors once I have started?
How can I get housing on campus?
If I take courses as a non-degree student, will the credits count if I apply and get
accepted to a degree program?
How do I check the status of my application?
When can I visit campus? Can I meet with a counselor?
Is FIT just a two-year college?
FIT is a State University of New York college offering what we call a 2 + 2 curriculum. Students applying directly from high school begin a two-year associate degree (AAS) program. After completing an AAS, students may apply to one of FIT's two-year bachelor's degree (BS/BFA) programs. FIT also offers a master's degree (MA/MFA/MPS) in selected majors.
Do I need to choose a major before I apply?
Yes. You must select one major when you submit your application for admission. You cannot choose an undeclared major or double major. FIT does offer a variety of academic minors.
Do I need to submit a portfolio?
Only applicants to a major in the School of Art and Design will be asked to submit a portfolio. The portfolio evaluation is done by your major department. The results of that evaluation are forwarded to the Admissions Office and are considered when we make an admissions decision. Your portfolio should demonstrate your artistic ability and creativity, as well as enthusiasm for, and potential to succeed in, your chosen major. See Portfolio Requirements.
When should I submit my portfolio?
You can use our posted guidelines to begin assembling your portfolio well before you apply. You may submit your portfolio once you receive your login credentials for MyFIT, soon after you submit your SUNY application. More specific details about your portfolio submission will be provided to you with your login information.
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 types of courses taken. We generally consider applicants with a strong B average. 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 another college, we prefer to see solid academic achievement in core liberal arts classes.
SAT and ACT test scores are not required for admissions purposes. However, they are optional if applying to the Presidential Scholars (Honors) Program . If submitted, SAT and ACT test scores will be used for placement into English and Math classes at FIT. For placement into
English classes, you must take the SAT or ACT verbal exam, including the essay exam.
Use FIT school code 2257 when sending SAT scores and code 2744 when sending ACT scores.
Visit Placement Tests for more information.
International Students who have not taken the SAT or ACT exams will take Placement Tests before registering for any English, Math, and Science courses.
Are interviews required? What is the topic of my essay?
The Admissions Office does not conduct interviews. We encourage you to use the essay 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 are not considered in the admissions process.
What is the deadline for filing the SUNY application?
January 1 for fall admission and October 1 for spring. For more information, see Application Deadlines.
After I file the SUNY application, what else do I need to do to receive a decision from FIT?
You must submit all supplemental application materials by February 1 for fall and November 1 for spring in order to complete your application. The Admissions office will render a decision only after all required materials have been received. See How to Apply.
Is there a different application for international students?
No. However, you may require additional time to submit documents to a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) and schedule TOEFL/IELTS/PTE/Duolingo English Test exams, so get started early. Duolingo English Test scores will be accepted beginning June 2020. In addition, there may be materials required 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 degree transfer students will receive credit for courses they have completed 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 Students.
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 the eligibility requirements for your specific major through 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 program for students with sufficient transferable liberal arts credits and 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.
Yes, as long as they are part of the curriculum for the major to which you ultimately apply. However, there are restrictions:
- You must formally apply through the Office of Admissions before you accumulate more than 24 credits.
- No more than 30 credits taken at FIT in non-degree status may be applied toward a degree.
- 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 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? Can I meet with a counselor?
Our office offers information sessions and tours most Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, in addition to one Saturday each month. These sessions, led by Admission Counselors, provide you with information about FIT, an overview of our programs, curriculum, and campus resources, and a guide to the admission and application process.
If your questions are not answered during an information session, one of our counselors will be happy to meet with you. For more information about coming to campus please see our Visit FIT page for current dates and to register for a session. We look forward to having you on campus soon!