Special Admissions Programs

Full Opportunity Program: Through the Full Opportunity Program an effort is made to identify and recruit students from under-represented groups, students with special talents in the fine and performing arts and athletics, those who have participated extensively in school and community affairs, or have strong personal recommendations. The Full Opportunity Program provides you with a chance to enhance your academic credentials with a description of your individual talents and accomplishments.

Acceptance into the program provides you with access to support services designed to help you make a successful transition from high school to college, and to help guide you toward successful completion of your academic and career goals.

If you wish to identify yourself as a special talent applicant, you should include a personal statement and resume as well as three letters of recommendation in addition to submitting the SUNY Common Supplemental Form.

Students accepted through the Full Opportunity Program are guided through their first year at Fredonia beginning with academic advising that takes place during Summer Orientation. In cooperation with the student’s academic advisor, the Full Opportunity Program Director has the responsibility for designing programming to meet the academic needs of the students in the program. Some of the services offered include: mentoring programs, free assigned tutoring, workshops by faculty members, electronic newsletters, and assistance with course selection.

Educational Development Program: Applicants who demonstrate potential for completing a degree program, meet financial and academic guidelines, and have historically experienced educational and economic disadvantages, may seek admission through the Educational Opportunity Program (called the Educational Development Program at Fredonia). To be eligible for consideration you must be a New York State resident and have earned a high school diploma or its equivalent.

To be considered “financially eligible,” you must meet the economic criteria established by the New York State Education Department. Check the current SUNY Application Guidebook for the updated economic criteria listed under Educational Opportunity Programs in the booklet.

You are required to submit appropriate financial aid applications and verification of family income to supplement your request for admission as an EDP student. We may request additional information from you, as needed. A SUNY EOP Information form mailed to you from the APC must be filed as part of the application process.

You do not need to prove that you meet the economic guidelines if you can show that:

• Your family receives payment through the New York State County Department of Social Services;
• You live with foster parents who do not provide support for college, and your natural parents provide no financial support to you, or;
• You are a ward of the state or county.

To be considered “educationally eligible” means you do not meet the usual Fredonia admissions standards. However, you must demonstrate academic potential, proper motivation, and a strong desire for a college education. You apply for our EDP program by checking “yes” when answering the EOP question on the SUNY application. Transfer applicants receive consideration if they have previously been enrolled in a similar EOP/HEOP/College Discovery/SEEK program.

If you attended a college that does not have a EOP-type program, then we attempt to determine whether you would have been deemed eligible for EOP at the time of your acceptance to the other college.

For more information about the Educational Development Program support services, interested persons should refer to the Educational Development Program.

Joint Admission: Fredonia has implemented joint admission agreements with several two-year colleges, both public and private. Joint admission program students request admission to Fredonia by applying to the admissions office at the two-year college and completing requirements for the associate degree.

You must meet all requirements as stated in our University Catalog and the joint admission agreements in order to continue with your studies at Fredonia. You may obtain information from our transfer counselor in the Office of Admissions at Fredonia or the two-year college.

1. Time-Shortened Degree Program. Students enrolling at Fredonia may select from a variety of individually determined and contracted time-shortened degree options. Because some academic programs at the university are incompatible with the time-shortened degree, counseling from an academic or admissions counselor is advisable.

The following options are available:

1. Early Admission. Accelerated high school juniors who wish to enroll as university freshmen without a high school diploma, may apply for early admission. We expect applicants to have completed four units of study in college preparatory mathematics and sciences and a sequence in foreign languages with above-average academic achievement and SAT or ACT scores. Your high school counselor must submit a recommendation in support of your request for early admission. Since Fredonia does not award you a high school diploma you must make arrangements to receive high school credit for your college course work in lieu of the courses you would have taken in your senior year.
2. 3-1-3 Program. Local area high school juniors interested in beginning college during the senior year of high school may wish to explore this opportunity. 3-1-3 stands for three years of high school, one year cooperatively taught by an area high school and Fredonia, and three years at the university. As a 3-1-3 applicant you must present above-average test results on the PSAT, SAT or ACT, and a B high school average.

A counselor recommendation is required. Submit the SUNY application available in your high school guidance office and select curriculum code 0199. A conference with you and your high school counselor will develop your joint college and high school class schedule. For more information, interested persons should see 3-1-3 Program.