Special Circumstances
We know some of you will come to Purchase with special circumstances. We have all the information you need below.
If you don’t find the answer below, please contact us.
Access & Accommodations
Information regarding a disability is not considered during the application review or admission decision process. All applicants must meet the same academic and technical qualifications for admission to Purchase College, SUNY, as outlined by the program’s requirements.
Applicants must demonstrate evidence of the academic preparation necessary to succeed in their chosen curriculum. An IEP diploma is not equivalent to a local diploma or GED and is not considered for admission. Students with an IEP diploma are advised to complete the GED exam and achieve a score of 2500 or higher to be considered for admission.
When a student seeks reasonable accommodations, each student’s needs are assessed on an individual basis by the Office of Disability Resources. Please visit our Disability Resources website for more information.
For more information, please see the Admissions Policy on Access and Accommodations.
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 understand that homeschool transcripts and application materials may differ from those of traditional high school students. To ensure a fair evaluation, homeschooled applicants should provide as much detail as possible about their curriculum, including course descriptions, texts used, and skill levels achieved. Required materials include a transcript through grade 11, official SAT/ACT scores, a detailed curriculum outline, and at least one letter of recommendation (from someone other than a parent). Applicants must also submit documentation demonstrating their program’s equivalence to a high school education, such as a GED, 24 college credits, or other qualifying evidence.
For complete details, please refer to the full policy: Homeschool • Admissions • Purchase College. You may also contact the Office of Admissions if you would like to discuss your academic preparation in more detail.
Narrative Transcripts
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.