For First Time Freshmen
Future Smitties
Complete your FREE application and secure your spot today!
Applicant Information
Traditional Freshmen
- A student who will graduate from High School (regardless of college credits taken while in school)
- A GED recipient or is a student who has completed High School has not attended any other higher education institutions
- A student who has not completed 12 or more college credits post-graduation, and is applying for an Associate or Bachelor Degree program at Paul Smith’s College
Required Materials for Application
- High School Transcript- includes final junior year GPA
- One Essay*:
- 1) Values & The Adirondacks (Recommended 250-500 words)*
Paul Smith’s College is located in a forested, rural setting and is shaped by hands-on learning and a strong relationship with the natural world. We recognize that students come to this in many ways; through wilderness experiences, city parks, neighborhood green spaces, creative work, community service, or simply a growing curiosity about the outdoors.Reflect on how your experiences, interests, or values have shaped your relationship to place, learning, or the environment. What draws you to a college rooted in hands-on work experience and learning, and how do you see yourself growing and contributing within this Adirondack community?
- 2) Tell Us More About YOU (optional)
Please share any additional information you’d like our Admissions Committee to consider that isn’t reflected elsewhere in your application.
- 1) Values & The Adirondacks (Recommended 250-500 words)*
*AI Warning: Our admissions officers prioritize the student’s voice over AI-generated content, as authenticity is crucial. While AI can be a tool to enhance your writing, blatant and fully AI generated essays are considered plagiarism and are subject to application denial.
Traditional Freshman, like all students, are encouraged to submit any/all of the supplemental documents below, however none are required for application review:
- letters of recommendation
- resume, portfolio, etc.
All application materials can be sent via the Common Application or sent directly to the Admissions Office.
An International Student is a student who is not a U.S. citizen and is seeking to attend Paul Smith’s College.
A Transfer Student is a student who has matriculated into another college and has attempted more than 12 credits of college-level coursework.
Learn more about Transferring to Paul Smith’s College and Credit Evaluations
A Veteran Student is any student who has served or is currently serving in the United States Armed Forces. Veteran Student applications will be reviewed as non-traditional freshman or transfer students based on their academic history.
Only at Paul Smith's
Take a look at our academic programs and see all that Paul Smith's has to offer.
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Paul Smith’s College awards Merit Scholarships based on a students overall GPA and will be automatically awarded based on eligibility when reviewing their Admissions application.
Freshman academic scholarships:
| Scholarship Name | Amount Per Year |
| Bobcat Scholarship | $10,000 |
| Faculty Scholarship | $15,000 |
| Dean Scholarship | $20,000 |
| Provost Scholarship | $22,000 |
| Presidential Scholarship | $24,000 |
Activity based scholarships are also available for students who have participated in select programs and meet particular criteria Please view the list below, and notify your Admissions Counselor if you qualify.
- Advanced Studies Scholarship: $2,000 per year
- awarded to any student who is currently enrolled in and has paid for their Advanced Studies dual enrollment courses.
- Sage Scholars
State Grant programs are also available in select states to eligible recipients:
The Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) is a collaboration between the New York State Department of Education and Paul Smith’s College. HEOP provides a means for traditionally underserved, low-income students to obtain admission as well as academic and financial support.
Students must meet both the academic and financial eligibility requirements to be considered for the program. Please reach out to your Admissions Counselor directly for more information or visit the HEOP page to learn more.
We are a proud participant in the Yellow Ribbon Program, along with accepting Post 9/11 GI Benefits. If you have questions about using these benefits to supplement your education costs, please contact the Financial Aid office at 518-327-6220 or financialaid@paulsmiths.edu for more information.
More on Financial Aid
Applying for financial is not as hard as you may think.
The Financial Aid Office can help make college affordable through a combination of grants, loans, scholarships, and campus work-study jobs. In fact, 98 percent of Paul Smith’s students receive some form of financial aid: it’s our investment in you.
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Student Success
Our Center for Academic and Career Success offers a variety of free services to students from academic coaching, tutoring, supplemental instruction & study groups, a writing center, career exploration, resume building and more!
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