SUNY Cortland: 2024 Requirements, Scores & GPAs

This is the go-to guide for getting into SUNY Cortland. We suggest you read until the end... Not only will we layout the exact GPA and test scores you should aim for when applying to SUNY Cortland, but we’ll also offer creative ways to help your application stand out from the pack. We breakdown SUNY Cortland statistics better than any article out there and show you how these have changed over time. Also, make sure to check out SUNY Cortland on CampusReel to see what it’s really like here. If you're interesting in transferring to SUNY Cortland, the read our transfer guide. You can also use the below calculator to help determine your likelihood of acceptance at SUNY Cortland

What GPA do you need to get into SUNY Cortland?

SUNY Cortland’s average GPA is 3.37. SUNY Cortland does require GPA. This average GPA means SUNY Cortland is very selective. Often times, schools in this range are trying to increase their selectivity and “prestige”. We can’t read the minds of SUNY Cortland application readers, but they likely want to increase the average GPA from 3.37 to 3.54 this year - to play it safe, we recommend striving for the 3.54 GPA.

*BEFORE CONTINUING PLEASE NOTE: GPA and “prestige” DO NOT mean a college is right for you. SUNY Cortland may seem amazing on paper, but you may hate it... That’s why 700,000 students transfer colleges every year - they end up going to the wrong school. It’s crucial to watch the videos on CampusReel and make sure you can envision yourself on SUNY Cortland’s campus. These SUNY Cortland admission statistics do not sufficiently tell you what a college or university is like.

What is SUNY Cortland’s acceptance rate?

Last year SUNY Cortland’s acceptance rate was 50.839999999999996. However, check out how the acceptance rate has changed over time.

As you can see, SUNY Cortland is a little easier to get into than last year.

Acceptance rate alone does not indicate your likelihood for getting into SUNY Cortland - it’s a very high level understanding of the true competition. Use the acceptance rate as a general guide for curating a list of 10-15 schools that fall into different ranges of competitiveness. Then, use the below data to get a deeper understanding of how your application will compare to the rest of the pool.

Does SUNY Cortland Require Test Scores?

SUNY Cortland requires that you either take the SAT or ACT. See the table below for how SUNY Cortland’s accepted students have performed on both tests. You may be wondering how many test scores should you submit. Generally, don’t freak out about taking the test too often. Industry consensus is that you can submit up to 6 tests as a reasonable limit.

SUNY Cortland SAT Requirements

SUNY Cortland’s average SAT score is 1065 - this is the sum of the math and reading portions of the SAT (the 1600 scale). Check out the below table for a deeper look into how students performed - it’s also very interesting to look at the average test score over time. The trend over time helps give insight into whether SUNY Cortland is getting more or less competitive.

SUNY Cortland’s average SAT score is 1065. To be a competitive applicant for SUNY Cortland your SAT score should come close to the average. If you’re closer to the 990, you’re likely going to have a tougher time getting accepted. To consider SUNY Cortland a “target” school (one that you are likely to get into) you should aim for a score of 1140.

SUNY Cortland ACT Requirements

SUNY Cortland’s average ACT score is 69. To be a competitive applicant for SUNY Cortland your ACT score should come close to the average. If you’re closer to the 63, you’re likely going to have a tougher time getting accepted. To consider SUNY Cortland a “target” school (one that you have a good chance of getting into) you should aim for a score of 75.

SUNY Cortland Requirements

Now you know where you need to be for getting into SUNY Cortland from a grade and test score perspective. Let’s quickly outline what else you’ll need to provide for your application to get reviewed, and then we’ll move onto the most important section: differentiating your app.

How to get into SUNY Cortland

Follow these steps to maximize your chances of getting into SUNY Cortland. Everything you read above will help prepare you for what you need to achieve to have a shot at SUNY Cortland, but these steps will take you even further in applying that knowledge and differentiating your application.

Main Academic Excellence that is in line with SUNY Cortland admission standards.

1. Score at least a 1065 on the SAT or 69 on the ACT.
2. Maintain a GPA of at least a 3.37.

Join Extracurriculars that Align with SUNY Cortland’s Values.

1. Join your school band, a sports team or another group activity. If SUNY Cortland values music heavily, for example, then try to participate in an organization related to that topic.
2. Volunteer in your hometown. Cortland has tons of ways to be involved beyond just the college. SUNY Cortland wants applicants that are also good ambassadors for the school - they want students who will give back to the local community and broader Cortland area in general.
3. Spend your summer doing something that speaks to your values, personal growth, leadership qualities and other less quantifiable characteristics. SUNY Cortland needs to see past your test scores and grades - they need to know that you will be a valuable and contributing member of their community. You are more than grades and test scores - your experiences should demonstrate that.

Prepare Your Application

1. Write a stellar essay that shows SUNY Cortland something they can’t figure out from the other parts of your application. For a detailed guide on writing the best college essay, check this out.
2. Get teacher recs that speak to your character. If you know what you’re majoring in and include that in your SUNY Cortland app, try to have at least 1 recommendation from a teacher in that department.
3. Apply Before the Deadline. Too many students wait until the last minute to submit their application, and too much can go wrong during this precious time window. Since many students are applying on the last day, it’s possible that SUNY Cortland’s own system crashes. Don’t risk the added stress this can cause - submit your app a few days early.