High School Equivalency Diplomas
Purchase College welcomes applications from students who completed a GED/TASC.
- An official GED diploma with a minimum total score of 660 is required for consideration, with a minimum score of 165 in all four Core Subjects. To obtain an official GED diploma, visit the GED website. We will not evaluate an applicant’s file with a photocopy of the GED.
- An official TASC with a minimum score of 500 in each subject is required for consideration. To obtain an official TASC diploma, visit the TASC website.
- An interview may be required of all GED/TASC applicants. Scheduling information will be sent to students once the application has been processed if an interview is needed.
- We also encourage all GED applicants to take the SAT or ACT and submit their official scores to the Office of Admissions.
Homeschool
We acknowledge that the transcripts of homeschooled students may be different than those of traditional high school students and that our application forms may not fit their individualized program. We attempt to be as fair and equitable as possible in evaluating applicants to ensure they are given every consideration in the application process. Although individual students may not be able to submit everything that we ask for, homeschooled students should submit as much information as possible describing their curriculum, which may include course descriptions, texts read, and skill levels completed. This information can be very helpful as we examine a student’s ability in the five academic areas of Math, Science, Social Studies, English, and Foreign Language.
In order to help us best assess the fit for Purchase College the application must include the following:
- A transcript outlining the subjects studies and results of your high school program through the end of grade eleven.
- Official SAT or ACT test scores (sent directly from the testing agency).
- A detailed outline of the homeschool curriculum, including subject areas studied, texts used, and time spent on each discipline.
- At least one letter of recommendation from a tutor, evaluator, or teacher who is not a family member. We prefer two academic references, but we realize that this may be difficult. A second letter of reference may come from an employer, supervisor, or any non-family member who can address important personal qualities such as responsibility, creativity, discipline, and initiative.
Applicants must also submit ONE of the following:
- A letter from the superintendent of the school district in which the student resides, attesting to the student’s completion of a program of home instruction that is the substantial equivalent of a four year high school course;
- The High School Equivalency Diploma; a passing score on the general comprehensive examination for the state high school equivalency diploma (GED) (and the diploma itself when available). A student may not take the GED test until July 1st of the year in which he or she turned 16.
- Successful completion as verified by the degree-granting institution of 24 semester hours as a recognized candidate for a college-level degree distributed in accordance with 8 NYCRR Section 3.47(a)(2)(ii)(d);
- A previous college-level degree from an accredited degree-granting institution; or
- Evidence of having passed five Regents examinations in the subjects listed in 8 NYCRR Section 3.47(a)(2)(ii)(f).
**A diploma issued by a correspondence school that is not accredited or registered in the state in which it is located is not acceptable as the recognized equivalent of a high school diploma.
Access & Accommodations
Information regarding a disability will not be considered in reviewing an application and making a decision. Students must meet the same qualifications for admission as any other student.
Students with an IEP diploma/certificate are advised to take the GED exam and earn a 2500 or higher in order to be considered for admission. If a student with a disability is admitted to the college, they will work directly with the Office of Disability Resources. Please visit our Disability Resources website for more information.
Students that will not receive traditional alphanumeric grades during their time in high school are asked to submit their test scores for application review. Please review our Test Optional Policy guidelines here for further information.