The State University of New York College at Old Westbury, often referred to as SUNY Old Westbury, is a public college located in Old Westbury, New York—with parts of the campus established in the neighboring town of Jericho, New York.
A member of the State University of New York (SUNY) system, the school houses approximately 5,000 students and serves as the only public liberal arts college on Long Island.
The College at Old Westbury Acceptance Rate
Students who want to apply to the College at Old Westbury should take note of the 68.6% acceptance rate. Since it admits more than two-thirds of applicants every year, Old Westbury is considered as neither highly competitive nor universally accessible.
In order to be considered for admission to the school, prospective students are required to have decent test scores and solid grades. Applicants need to submit either the SUNY or the Common Application, as well as SAT or ACT scores, high school transcripts, a personal statement, and a letter of recommendation.
Admitted Students Profile
The college has a total of 4,910 enrolled students—4,635 students were enrolled in undergraduate programs while 275 students were admitted to graduate programs. Based on gender distribution, 2,050 male and 2,860 female students are attending SUNY College at Old Westbury. According to race or ethnicity, the campus has 1,544 White, 1,291 Black, and 529 Asian students out of total 4,910.
Tuition Figures
The latest campus statistics show the undergraduate tuition and fees of SUNY College at Old Westbury amount to $8,143 for New York residents and $17,923 for those living out of state. Meanwhile, graduate school tuition and fees are priced at $12,015 for New Yorkers and $23,575 for non-residents of the state.
There are numerous forms of financial aid available at both the baccalaureate level and the graduate level. This enables students who otherwise could not afford higher education to attend the school. In fact, 2,940 students or 63.43% of the enrolled undergraduate students have received financial aid in the form of grants or scholarships with an average amount of $7,844.
Location
Spanning 604 acres, the campus is situated in central Long Island. The wooded college grounds can be found approximately 20 minutes from the city of New York, making it an accessible institution for many students.
Academics
SUNY College at Old Westbury offers around 40 different undergraduate majors and about 15 master’s programs in the fields of education and accounting. All academic offerings are housed in four different schools.
The School of Arts and Sciences includes the following departments of study: American Studies/Media & Communications; Biological Sciences; Chemistry and Physics; English; History and Philosophy; Mathematics, Computer and Information Science; Modern Languages; Politics, Economics and Law; Industrial and Labor Relations; Psychology; Sociology, which offers the BS in Criminology, and the BS and the BA in Sociology; and Visual Arts.
The School of Business, on the other hand, is made up of the Accounting, Taxation, and Business Law Department, as well as the Management, Marketing, and Finance Department. Presently, they are offering M.S. in Accounting Degree that can only be taken online. In 2006, the School of Education was accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education. On the other hand, the School of Professional Studies allows students to take evening, online, hybrid, and weekend courses—depending on which suits their schedule.
Apart from the standard programs, there is also an Honors Degree from the Honors College. A select number of students are invited to participate this exclusive new college and of course, numerous perks come with being a member of this elite institution.
Students who gain admission into the program receive a book scholarship or laptop computer, scholarships for residential dorms and study abroad, free parking permits and reserved parking, trips and activities, pre-registration priority, and honors designation on transcripts as well as several other perks. Honor College attendees may also join in a rigorous study program. Many students aspire to be in this program as schools, employers and professional programs all look favorably upon graduates of the Honors College.
Student Life
SUNY Old Westbury has a 17 to 1 student/faculty ratio. Students have the option to join over 50 organizations and clubs, which include the fraternity and sorority system.
The Old Westbury Student Government Association is composed of an Executive Board that includes a president, vice president, treasurer, secretary, public relations officer, executive staff officer and a governor of social affairs who is in charge of handling clubs and organizations on campus, as well as organizing student activities. Also present in the Student Government structure is a student senate and a judicial court.
The Old Westbury community runs on a Monday to Thursday schedule instead of the usual Monday to Friday adopted by most universities and colleges. Those who have science courses have labs that are scheduled on Fridays. The campus adheres to a strict “dry campus” policy which means no alcohol is allowed.
Athletics
The official colors of the SUNY College of Old Westbury Panthers are ivory and hunter green. The school is an NCAA Division III athletics organization, and students have the opportunity to join several different teams including men’s and women’s basketball, swimming, soccer and cross country. Additional options for men include baseball and golf while women may take up volleyball or softball.
The college has two soccer fields, eight tennis courts, and two outdoor recreational basketball courts. The school’s F. Ambrose Clark Physical Education & Recreation Center, also known as the Clark Athletic Center, has facilities that include a gymnasium with a 2000 seating capacity, 25-meter swimming pool, an aerobic workout room, and a strength and conditioning facility.
Notable Alums
Thousands of accomplished alumni have been produced by SUNY Old Westbury. Here are a few of the school’s most recognized graduates:
- Craig S. Harris (trombonist), Noted avant-garde jazz musician
- John McTiernan, Producer: Predator, Die Hard 1 & 2, Thomas Crown Affair and Hunt for Red October
- David Liederman, Founder David’s Cookies
- Maryann DeLeo, Academy Award Winning Documentary 2004: Chernobyl Heart
- Andrea Navedo, Actress: Jane the Virgin, Superfast! and Bright
- Kool Moe Dee, Grammy Award-winning rapper, first rapper to perform at the Grammys
Learn more about the other SUNY colleges. Each SUNY has its own unique offerings, campus and academic requirement.
