Questions About the University at Albany
Q. How many students attend the University at Albany?
A. There are approximately 12,400 undergraduate students and 5,000 graduate students. The student/faculty ratio is 20:1. The number of freshman applications submitted to the University for Fall 2007 was over 20,00 and over 6,000 students applied to transfer. The number of enrolled students for Fall 2006 is 2,400 freshman and 1,400 transfers.
Q. What is the average class size?
A. The median class size is 30 students. The vast majority of classes offered are in classrooms.
Q. What about the lecture classes?
A. A small percentage of our classes are held in the Lecture Centers and are taught by professors. These classes range in size from 100-500 students and usually feature additional discussion groups or lab sections.
Q. What sports do you have?
A. We field 19 Division I intercollegiate teams, offer 18 club sports and recreational programs, and boast exceptional facilities. The SEFCU Arena and Physical Education Building house an exercise and health room, indoor pool, dance studio, indoor basketball and volleyball courts, 4 squash and handball courts and an indoor track.
Q. Is the campus safe?
A. The University makes a strong commitment to its students in creating a safe environment. There are many programs designed to make students aware of potential dangers as well as other programs such as Don't Walk Alone which provides escorts for students on campus. The University Police Department is staffed around the clock with 35 professional law enforcement officers
and 30 security officers. Residence halls are secured at all times. Students must have an ID to enter the dorms. There are telephones at the entrances to all residence halls. The campus is well lit and there are Blue Telephones (directly linked to Public Safety) strategically placed around campus for emergency calls.
Q. How is the food?
A. The University at Albany offers a lot of choices to its students, including vegetarian and kosher meal plans. Each residence hall has a dining room with several meal plan options. At any given meal there are roughly 15 choices. The Campus Center also offers Sbarro's, Freshens Frozen Treats, Au Bon Pain, Ritazza Coffee Cafe, Zepp's Sandwich Shop, and Outtakes convenience store. Please visit Chartwells Dining for more information.
Q. What about job placement?
A. During the undergraduate experience, students have many opportunities to do career exploration as well as learn practical skills for a career. The Career Development Center offers workshops and services focusing on job searches, resumes, and interviewing skills. The office coordinates on-campus recruiting from small and large businesses alike.
Questions About Freshman Admissions
Q. What are the University's mean SAT scores for gaining admission?
A. Applicants are required to submit SAT or ACT scores with a writing component. The results of these tests are only one criteria used in determining admission. The middle 50% of accepted students for Fall 2007 scored between 1100 and 1240 on the critical reading plus math section of the SAT exam.
Q. Will I be able to graduate in four years?
A. Yes, the University at Albany guarantees that any freshman can graduate in four years provided that they continue to make reasonable progress toward their degree. This means that students register for 15 credits each semester, meet with their advisor at least once per semester and take their required courses when they are offered.
Q. Can students have a car on campus?
A. Freshmen are not permitted to have cars on campus, but all other students can.
Q. When will I hear about Orientation?
A. Students who have submitted the admissions deposit will receive a registration packet from the Orientation Office in the middle of May.
Q. When do I register for housing?
A. In order to access the housing application online, you must initiate your MyUAlbany and email accounts. After paying your admissions deposit of $150, you will receive a letter with a unique “PIN” number. With your PIN, you must first activate your UAlbany email account. Once you establish the account you can access the housing application.
Questions About Transfer Admissions
Q. When will I know what credits will transfer?
A. A tentative number of transferable credits is noted on your acceptance letter. A formal credit evaluation will be prepared after you have sent an admissions deposit.
Q. How will I know what courses transferred?
A. You will receive a "Degree Audit Report" during your Planning Conference that outlines your degree requirements for your major, and indicates how the courses you've previously taken fit that academic plan. Advisors will discuss this with you and explain how your Degree Audit was determined.
Q. As a first semester student, do I need to send a college transcript since I don't have any grades yet?
A. No, but an official transcript will need to be sent after completion of the semester. A mid-term progress report may be requested. The final high school transcript and SAT/ACT scores must be sent upon applying.
Q. I applied as a freshman, got accepted but didn't go and now I'm at another institution - do I need to reapply?
A. Yes, as a transfer applicant; we will need to see your official college transcripts and may need your final high school transcript before making an admissions decision.
Q. When will I get an answer?
A. As soon as the application is complete and all documentation has been received, your file will be reviewed. The decision will be made as quickly as possible, and your decision letter will be mailed within 1-2 days after the decision has been made.
Q. Will I get housing?
A. Housing for transfer students is limited and not guaranteed, and students will be accommodated on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Q. What kinds of on-campus housing opportunities are available?
A. The University offers a variety of exciting on-campus living options for students. For more information concerning housing, visit the Office of Residential Life.
Q. I have been out of school for a long time. Will my credits still transfer?
A. The counselor will prepare a credit evaluation based on the transcripts provided. There is no "statute of limitation" on the transferability of courses.
Q. Will all my credits transfer?
A. The credits will be evaluated, but a general rule is that credits will transfer if there are comparable courses here and a grade of "C" or better is earned.
Q. When can I register for classes?
A. At Orientation, when an advisor has been assigned to assist you.
Q. If I can't get all the documentation in on time, can I be considered for the next semester?
A. Yes, a formal written request should be directed to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.
Q. As a transfer student, can I apply as an EOP student?
A. Yes, but in order to be accepted as an EOP student, you must be enrolled in an EOP, HEOP, SEEK, or College Discovery program at your current college.
Q. I attended college briefly many years ago, and never took any SATs. Do I need them?
A. No, if you have 24 or more transferable credits, your college performance will be our primary focus.
Q. When will I hear about Orientation?
A. Once you are admitted to the University and after you have submitted your admissions deposit, you will receive a registration packet from the Orientation Office.
Q. I want to register for classes. Can I do so anytime?
A. All students must meet with an academic advisor before registering for classes. Advisors are prepared to meet with new students during Orientation (also known as the Transfer Planning Conferences). When you sign up for a Conference, a packet is prepared for you and is sent to your advisor. This provides your advisor adequate time to review your records prior to meeting with you during your Conference advisement appointment. Tours and information sessions are also offered during the Conference.
Q. I have been taking courses at UAlbany through the General Studies program. I just got admitted to a degree program. Why do I have to attend a Planning Conference?
A. Students who have been taking courses at UAlbany and are admitted to a degree program must attend a Planning Conference also. The Planning Conference affords you the opportunity to meet with your academic advisor prior to General Registration Day. All students at UAlbany are required to meet with their academic advisor prior to every registration for classes.
Q. What about Day Care Services?
A. There is a day care center on campus. Call (518) 442-2660 for more information about U-Kids Day Care. Please keep in mind that waiting lists exist for many day care centers, so contact those of interest as soon as possible once you are considering UAlbany. Additionally, there are a number of day care services offered throughout the Capital District area. You may wish to consult the yellow pages of the phone book for locations and phone numbers.
Q. Is there a parent orientation program?
A. Yes. There is an informal one-hour parent/spouse program that will occur at the same time as your pre-advisement meeting. This is an excellent opportunity for your family member to learn more about the campus environment at UAlbany.
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