SUNY's Top 10% Promise directly admits students in the top 10% of their high school class to at least one of 10 selective SUNY campuses, including Binghamton, Stony Brook and the University at Buffalo, with no application fee. Starting with the class of 2027, it covers every high school in New York State; it previously reached a smaller set of schools. You must also meet one academic marker, and you must apply through ApplySUNY, not the Common App.
All program details are from SUNY's Top 10% Promise page for counselors.
Who qualifies
You must be in the top 10% of your high school's graduating class, as determined by your school, and meet one of these:
- On track for an Advanced Regents diploma or an IB diploma, or
- On track for a Regents diploma (or a private school diploma with the Regents course distribution) plus one of:
- SAT of 1100 or higher (reading and math)
- ACT of 23 or higher
- Two AP exam scores of 3 or higher in English, history, math or science
- Two IB exam scores of 5 or higher in English, history, math or science
The 10 participating campuses
| Campus | Admit rate | Middle-50% SAT |
|---|---|---|
| Binghamton University | 39% | 1340-1500 |
| Stony Brook University | 49% | 1330-1500 |
| SUNY New Paltz | 62% | 1170-1340 |
| SUNY ESF | 63% | -- |
| SUNY Geneseo | 66% | 1190-1340 |
| University at Albany | 69% | -- |
| SUNY Oneonta | 70% | 1120-1310 |
| SUNY Purchase | 74% | 1185-1380 |
| University at Buffalo | 74% | 1210-1380 |
| SUNY Polytechnic Institute | 81% | 1025-1370 |
Sources: SUNY (participating campuses); U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, most recent year reported (admit rates and SAT ranges, as shown on each school's College Intel page). Dashes mean no SAT range was reported.
Every eligible student is admitted to at least one of the 10. SUNY tells you which ones in your ApplySUNY portal.
How to apply
- Apply through ApplySUNY. The Top 10% Promise isn't available through the Common App.
- Answer "yes" to "Are you an eligible student interested in SUNY's Top 10% Promise program?"
- Your high school confirms your eligibility and provides your transcript through SUNY's counselor system. New York City public schools send transcripts automatically.
- Check your ApplySUNY portal to see which campuses admitted you.
No application fee applies to qualifying Top 10% Promise applicants.
The fine print
- Don't reapply separately. SUNY says that if you aren't admitted to a campus through the program, you shouldn't apply to it again; the program already gave you full admission consideration there.
- You can still apply elsewhere. Apply to other SUNY campuses, and any other college, through the regular process.
- Your major may be limited. After you're admitted, you pick a major. If yours isn't listed, you didn't meet that program's academic criteria. Programs with auditions or portfolios add steps.
What this means for you
- Ask your counselor now whether you're in the top 10%; your school makes that call.
- Use ApplySUNY, not the Common App, for any campus where you want Top 10% consideration.
- Apply during SUNY's Free Application Weeks (through Nov. 2) if you're applying to other SUNY campuses too; fees are waived for up to five. See SUNY acceptance rates and deadlines.
- Pair admission with aid. TAP and the Excelsior Scholarship can make SUNY tuition-free for families earning up to $125,000; see New York college financial aid.