Admissions

Admissions Policy

We rely on high school GPA, transcripts (including grade performance and rigor of courses selected), extracurricular activities, college essay and counselor or teacher recommendations in making our admission decisions. We value strong writing skills, a solid secondary school program, and a student’s potential for making an important contribution to our campus community. Daemen College does not require applicants to submit standardized test scores (SAT, ACT) as part of the admission application. Our decision to make test scores optional demonstrates our commitment to enrolling students who reflect intellectual curiosity, persistence in reaching a goal, talent, motivation, and determination to make a difference in their lives and the lives of others. We will also give careful consideration to applications from students whose preparation is unusual and who can provide strong recommendations as to their ability to succeed in a college program of study.

Persons who desire application materials or wish to arrange for an interview and tour should contact the Office of Admissions, Daemen College, 4380 Main Street, Amherst, New York 14226. Telephone: (716) 839-8225. Toll-free: 1-800-462-7652 or visit our website:  daemen.edu/admissions.

College Requirements

Applicants for admission to undergraduate degree or certificate programs must possess, or be candidates for, a high school diploma, or must have received satisfactory scores in a high school equivalency examination.

Students who have been home schooled are requested to provide appropriate evidence of equivalency of high school education. Typically, this will be documentation in the form of possession of a General Equivalency Diploma (GED) or written attestation by the superintendent of schools in the student’s public school district of residence that the student has completed an appropriate program of home instruction. Appropriate documentation is also needed to establish eligibility for financial aid. All home-schooled students should discuss their particular situation with financial aid and admissions counselors.

If an applicant is approved admission to Daemen College and is currently a student, it will be understood that such admission has been granted on a provisional basis until all final records have been reviewed and found to be in accordance with Daemen’s admission requirements.

Departmental Requirements

Unless a course of study is listed below, a general high school academic program meets entrance requirements.

  • Art — Portfolio
  • Biology — Trigonometry* and Chemistry
  • Business Administration — Trigonometry*
  • Foreign Languages: French or Spanish — three years of a language or interview with Department Chair
  • Mathematics — Trigonometry*
  • Natural Science — Trigonometry* and Chemistry
  • Physical Therapy — Trigonometry* and Chemistry
  • Physician Assistant — Trigonometry* and Chemistry
  • Psychology — Trigonometry*

* Trigonometry is highly recommended: those who have not completed Trigonometry will be required to take an entry-level mathematics course.

Application Procedure for New First-Year Students

Applications are reviewed throughout the year beginning in August of each fall.

  1. Complete the application online or with the Office of Admissions, Daemen College, 4380 Main Street, Amherst, New York 14226. A visit to the Daemen campus is strongly recommended. Please email admission@daemen.edu or call the Office of Admissions at (716) 839-8225 or toll free, 1-800-462-7652, to arrange an appointment for an interview and campus tour or visit our website: daemen.edu/admissions.
  2. Ask your high school guidance counselor to forward transcripts directly to Daemen College, Office of Admissions.
  3. Decide whether or not you will be submitting your application as test-optional or would like to submit your SAT or ACT test scores or other documents such as scores from AP, IB, college credit, writing sample, as part of your application. (See Admissions Policy above)
  4. To be complete, all applications must include the following documents:
    • A completed Daemen College application
    • A personal essay
    • An official secondary school transcript
    • For Physician Assistant Majors:  two (2)  letters of recommendation are required. For all other majors no letter of recommendation is required
    • International Baccalaureate (IB) test scores and/or IB courses in progress (if applicable)
    • College credit courses offered on a college campus and taught by college faculty (if applicable)
    • College credit courses offered by the secondary school and taught by college approved faculty (if applicable)
  5. When the application for admission is complete the student’s credentials are reviewed. Applicants are then notified of the admission decision.

Admissions Requirements

  • Apply online or by mail
  • Applicants for admission must possess, or be candidates for, a high school diploma, or must have received satisfactory scores in a high school equivalency examination.
  • Minimum Cumulative grade point average of 80/3.0.
  • If you choose to submit an SAT/ACT score: An SAT score of 980 or above (Math and Evidence based reading and writing), ACT score of 19 or above (Composite score). 
  • One Letter of recommendation – Please have your guidance counselor complete the recommendation section of the application and submit a letter. 
  • A personal essay of at least 250 words or an un-timed graded paper of at least 250 words on a topic of your choice.
  • Average enrolled student GPA is 91.
  • Average enrolled student SAT score is 1142.

Transfer Students

Transfer students who have attended two-year or four-year colleges and who have a college average of at least “C” (2.0) are eligible to apply for admission. Transfer applicants must submit an application for admission indicating all previous institutions attended.

Transfer students who are admitted from colleges accredited by the appropriate regional/career/faith based accrediting body as listed in Accredited Institutions of Postsecondary Education will be considered for transfer. In most cases, a minimum grade of “C” is required for a course to be eligible for transfer. For students who have earned an associate or higher degree, courses with a grade of “D” may also be eligible for transfer.

Acceptance of transfer credit is based upon course content and the specific curricular requirements of the program in which a student intends to matriculate. Credit evaluations are completed upon receipt of all transcripts from institutions previously attended, and upon acceptance to Daemen College.

Final official high school and college transcripts indicating honorable dismissal from the last college attended must be sent directly to the office of admissions. Daemen College does not require high school transcripts of those applicants who have earned an associate’s or higher degree.

For detailed information on the transfer policy at Daemen College, please visit the registrar’s website.

Part-Time Students

Students who carry fewer than twelve semester hours of credit are classified as part-time students. They must fulfill all admission requirements.

Conditional Admit Students

Students admitted conditionally show evidence of academic promise and potential: the College is committed to facilitating their successful transition to college and will work with students to develop essential academic skills through personalized advisement and support from the Student Success Center. Conditionally admitted students may take a maximum of four to five courses per semester, as recommended by their advisor.

Non-Degree Students

Students who wish to enroll in courses to supplement professional backgrounds or to enrich their personal lives, but who do not plan to matriculate for a bachelor’s degree, enroll as non-degree students. Non-degree students must meet all academic standards for enrollment in courses. Applicants should contact the Academic Advisement Office to register for courses as a non-degree student. Non-degree students whose performance is below acceptable standards will not be permitted to continue to enroll in courses.

Cross-Registered Students

Students from WNY Consortium of Higher Education colleges or universities who wish to attend Daemen College for the purpose of transferring earned credits to their parent institutions must provide a cross-registration form, which is obtained from their parent institution.

Readmission

Students who have left the College and who desire to return are not automatically readmitted. If they have officially withdrawn, they must file an application for readmission and, if appropriate, submit official transcripts of any subsequent college level courses taken. Students who have taken an official Leave of Absence may return without submitting an application for readmission. A student returning from a Leave of Absence or accepted for readmission following a withdrawal must meet all requirements in force at the time of the student’s return to the College.

Veterans

Veterans and dependents eligible for GI Bill™ benefits must have a high school diploma or its equivalent to apply for admission to Daemen. To begin  the application process, the veteran or eligible dependent may contact the Office of Admissions to obtain an application, or may complete an online application for admission by visiting Daemen’s Admissions website. Veterans and eligible dependents who wish to study using GI Bill™ monies should consult the Veterans Administration’s Regional Office or visit www.gibill.va.gov to determine what forms should be filed to apply for or to transfer their benefits to Daemen College.  Both the application form and the transfer form can be completed on this site through VONAPP – the VA Online Application Process.

Once accepted as a student at Daemen, the veteran/eligible dependent will meet with the Daemen College Veteran Certification Officer to facilitate tuition, fees, books, and related expense payments. It is during this meeting that GI Bill™ entitlements and reporting procedures will be explained, as well as your obligations in maintaining eligibility to receive these funds.  In addition, the Veteran Certification Officer will assist you in managing the eligibility time limit, in preventing VA debt, and in other concerns regarding your VA payments.  DAEMEN COLLEGE IS APPROVED BY THE NEW YORK STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT FOR THE TRAINING OF VETERANS AND OTHER ELIGIBLE PERSONS.

ConAp (Concurrent Admissions Program)

Daemen College is a member of the Concurrent Admissions Program in conjunction with the U.S. Army. Admission to Daemen College is concurrent with enlistment in the Army. Actual enrollment is deferred until the active duty soldier has completed his or her enlistment. Interested students may contact the Admissions Office for more information about this program.

Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC)

Daemen College has a special cross-registration arrangement with Canisius College for students desiring to enroll in military science courses and earn an officer’s commission through the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (Army ROTC) program. All ROTC program requirements must be fulfilled during the period of enrollment and registration at Daemen College and at Canisius College.  Successful completion requires an additional period of obligated active or reserve military service. For more details on this program, contact the Daemen College Admissions Office.

Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program

The Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) seeks to make a college education possible for both educationally underprepared and economically disadvantaged students. This state and College sponsored program is designed for New York State residents who do not meet the traditional credentials for college admission but who have the potential for academic success. Participants are provided with a comprehensive academic program including an array of professional and financial support services that ensures their personal development and success at Daemen College. To be eligible for HEOP, applicants must have a high school or equivalency diploma and financial need. Special documentation of income is required in order to establish economic eligibility in accordance with state guidelines.

Students with Disabilities

Daemen College welcomes applications from qualified persons with disabilities. The College is committed to compliance with Section 504 of the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable accommodations are provided in classes, activities, services, and programs. The College campus and buildings provide access for students with physical disabilities.

All students are expected to meet the academic standards of their curriculum and to abide by the Student Code of Conduct articulated in the Student Handbook. Certain programs have additional technical standards relative to performance in clinical and similar experiential learning environments. Reasonable accommodations are determined on a case-by-case basis. Accommodations that would fundamentally alter the nature of a course, program, or activity cannot be authorized. Persons with disabilities are encouraged to discuss their specific needs with program faculty, their admissions counselor, and/or the Director of Disability Services  (Student Success Center, Research & Information Commons, 716.839.8228).

Students or applicants who have any questions concerning the College’s nondiscrimination policy or policy on accommodation of students with disabilities should consult the Institutional Policies section of this Catalog and may also contact the College’s 504/ADA Coordinator, Research & Information Commons, 716.839.8228.

International Students

Application Procedures and Requirements for International Students

  1. Complete the online application at daemen.edu/admissions/international/apply or request a paper application by e-mailing the Office of Admissions at admissions@daemen.edu or mailing Office of Admissions, Daemen College, 4380 Main Street, Amherst, New York 14226, USA.
  2. Submit all official secondary (high school) and post-secondary (college/university) transcripts. Transcripts should be submitted in both the country’s official language and translated into English. Transfer and Graduate students must send international transcripts through a credit evaluation service that can evaluate your transcripts to the American grading and course equivalencies. We recommend using Spantran  SpanTran Application – Daemen College, World Education Services, www.wes.org or Josef Silny Associates, www.jsilny.com. 
  3. International students for whom English is a non-native language must submit a DUOLINGO, IELTS (International English Language Testing System), or TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) exam score; this requirement may be waived for students who have lived in an English-speaking country for two or more years. Students who receive a score lower than the minimum requirement will need to complete an Intensive English Program at another institution with which it has a formal agreement prior to regular admission. To enter into academic course work at Daemen, the TOEFL Minimum Requirement is a 77 Internet Based Test, the IELTS Minimum Requirement is 6.5, the ELS minimum is 112 and the DUOLINGO minimum requirement is 100. Physician Assistant, Physical Therapy and Nursing require a minimum TOEFL total test score of 100 or a DUOLINGO score of 120.
  4. Proof of Financial Support must be submitted. You must show ability to pay for the entire cost of the academic program and living expenses in order to be eligible for the I-20 form necessary for a student visa (F-1) application. Financial support documentation will also be necessary when applying for your student visa at a United States Consular Office.

College Program for High School Students

This program is for academically qualified juniors and seniors who are recommended by their school counselors. They may take a maximum of two college courses per term while enrolled in a regular high school program. For further information, contact the Student Success Center, 716.839.8228.

Advanced Placement

High school students who have completed studies in an Advanced Placement program at their high school may be eligible to receive academic credit for these college level studies. A minimum score of three (3) on the Advanced Placement examinations (administered by the College Entrance Examination Board) must be earned in order for credit to be granted. Further information is available from the Office of the Registrar.

Credit by Examination

Daemen participates in programs through which applicants can receive college credit for competencies developed outside the formal classroom. Enrolled students who score successfully on select college proficiency examinations offered by the New York State Education Department or the College Board may receive credit applicable to a degree at Daemen. In order to have examination scores reviewed for the possible granting of credit, students must have official transcripts/grade reports submitted to the Office of the Registrar. Official transcripts must be sent directly from the examination source. Further information on acceptable exams and scores may be obtained from the Office of the Registrar. Further information on exams may be obtained by contacting Excelsior College Examinations, 7 Columbia Circle, Albany, New York 12203-5159, www.regents.edu or the College-Level Examination Program, P.O. Box 6600, Princeton, New Jersey 08541- 6600, www.collegeboard.com.

Veterans of the armed services may receive credit for satisfactory scores received on tests administered by the United States Armed Forces Institute and for their military educational experiences as recommended by the Commission on Accreditation of Service Experience.

Credit for Educational Programs in Non-Collegiate Organizations

Credit will also be granted for educational programs in non-collegiate organizations as published by the New York State Education Department; the amount of credit granted depends upon course content and the Daemen degree program in which a student wishes to matriculate. Daemen College also awards academic credit for learning through these extramural experiences as part of its Credit for Learning from Life Experience (CLLE) program, described in the Academic Regulations section of this catalog.

Developmental Courses and Placement

Student records are used to help determine placement in mathematics, science, and composition courses. Placement examinations may also be administered in these courses.  Daemen offers developmental coursework for students who need support in preparation for college-level work in composition and mathematics. If developmental work is required, a student must enroll immediately in the appropriate course sequence and remain enrolled until satisfactory completion. In cases where this requirement would result in a first semester first-year student’s inability to maintain satisfactory academic progress for eligibility for student aid, the student is permitted to modify the scheduling of developmental coursework under the direction of his or her advisor and subject to the approval of the Assistant Vice President for Student Success.

Health Record

In compliance with New York State Public Health Laws 2165 and 2157 students are required to submit immunization records as follows: Students born on or after January 1, 1957 and taking 6 or more credits are required to submit proof of immunization for Measles, Mumps & Rubella (vaccinations or titers). Students taking 6 or more credits must submit proof of immunization for Meningococcal disease (completed vaccination or vaccination series within the past 5 years or a signed waiver declining the vaccination). A Daemen College Immunization Form will be included in the acceptance packet sent from the Admissions Office. Students may submit the health form completed by a medical provider or submit health records from a provider’s office (stamped or signed by provider), an online patient portal or an employer’s office. Health records can be submitted online at daemen.edu/healthupload. For more information, please visit daemen.edu/healthrequirements.

Orientation

New students are introduced to campus life through an intensive orientation program offered during the summer. The purpose of the Summer Orientation Program is to provide new students and their families with an all-inclusive introduction to Daemen College that will ease their transition into the academic and social community of the institution. The program provides students and their families with greater access to the services, information, and assistance needed to best prepare them for their progression into the College. Orientation sessions include social events as well as seminars and discussion groups conducted by upperclassmen and women, administrators, and faculty. Orientation events offer the incoming student an opportunity to meet new friends, to meet with the faculty, and to become acquainted with College personnel and campus facilities.

Alcohol and Drug Policy

The unlawful possession, use or distribution of alcohol and illegal drugs by students and employees on college property or while engaged in College activities off the College campus is prohibited. A complete description of the College’s Drug and Alcohol Abuse Policy, pursuant to the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989, is published in the Daemen College Student Handbook.