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Admitted Students FAQ

The Office of Admissions can provide answers to your questions relating to program of study, dining options, student organizations, payment, important forms, and more. Here are a few of the most frequently asked questions:

  1. How do I find out more about the program to which I have been admitted?
  2. What kind of food will I find on campus and nearby?
  3. What types of clubs and organizations are available?
  4. What exercise facilities and recreation opportunities are available?
  5. Is the advance tuition payment refundable?
  6. Is the advance housing payment refundable?
  7. What forms of payment are accepted?
  8. Where and when do I need to send in the Health Form?
  9. What if I'm getting a low grade in one of my current high school classes? Is my admission going to be rescinded if I drop the class?
  10. When and how do I register for classes?
  11. When do classes start?
  12. How do I gain access to the online Housing and Meal Plan Application?
  13. Do I need to complete the online Housing and Meal Plan Application if I'm not going to live on campus?
  14. How am I assigned housing and may I choose my residence hall?
  15. What is a Living Learning Community?
  16. I am entering as a first-year student. In what type of room will I live?
  17. I am entering as a transfer student. In what type of room will I live?
  18. What meal plan must I purchase?
  19. Is tobacco use allowed on Syracuse University's campus?
  20. As an international student, what do I need to do when I arrive at Syracuse University?
  21. When do I take the ELAE exam?
  22. As an international student, how do I ship my luggage to the U.S.?

How do I find out more about the program to which I have been admitted?

You can learn more about the program to which you are admitted by exploring your college’s website.

What kind of food will I find on campus and nearby?

All undergraduates living in either Main or South Campus residence halls are required to enroll in a University meal plan. Meal plans provide a wide array of dining options on campus in the five residence hall dining centers (vegetarian, vegan, kosher, and halal options available), two food courts, 15 cafes, and four on-campus convenience stores. Within walking distance from campus are restaurants on Marshall Street or in the Westcott area. Or, explore eateries in downtown Syracuse by taking the Connective Corridor bus.

What types of clubs and organizations are available?

You can choose from more than 350 student organizations from academics, arts, and entertainment, to governance, Greek life, and more. Many students get involved in the community through service learning and volunteer opportunities. Visit the Mary Ann Shaw Center for Public and Community Service to learn more.

What exercise facilities and recreation opportunities are available?

Students can choose from a variety of Drop-In Fitness Classes, Intramural Sports, Sport Clubs, weight rooms, gyms, studios, tennis courts, and fields on campus. While students can participate in the various exercise and recreation activities on campus, there’s plenty to do off campus as well. Students can take advantage of Outdoor Adventure activities such as whitewater rafting, skiing and hiking. Visit the Barnes Center at The Arch Be Active webpage for more information.

Is the advance tuition payment refundable?

The advance tuition payment is $500 for the spring or fall semester. If you withdraw from Syracuse University, your advance tuition payment is fully refundable until May 1 (January 1 for spring applicants).

Deadlines for submitting the tuition payment:

  • Spring enrollment: As soon as possible. Enrollment is on a space-available basis
  • Early Decision: February 15 (if you were not admitted to your first choice, the deadline is May 1)
  • Regular Decision: May 1, or as noted on your letter of admission

Is the advance housing payment refundable?

The advance housing payment is $450 for the spring or fall semester. If you withdraw from Syracuse University, your advance housing payment is fully refundable until June 1, (January 1, for spring applicants). After that date, your housing commitment is financially binding. Refunds are subject to penalties according to schedules stated in Tuition, Fees, and Related Policies, a publication available from Bursar Operations.

What forms of payment are accepted?

When completing the Admissions Acceptance Form, you will see options for submitting your advance payments. The following forms of payment will be accepted:

  • ACH
    Electronic Funds Transfer from U.S. Bank Checking or Savings Account
  • Credit Card or Debit Card
    Using a secure online web connection and browser, you may use your credit or debit card to make a payment on your Bursar account. You may use MasterCard, Visa, or Discover credit cards, or debit cards with the MasterCard or Visa logo.
    Important: NelNet Business Solutions, an independent third party contractor, accepts payments to the Bursar account and charges a non-refundable convenience fee based on the amount charged. The convenience fee is 2.8% of the amount charged. PLEASE NOTE: Nelnet is increasing this fee to 2.85% effective January 1, 2023. This fee is established and charged solely by NelNet Business Solutions and not by the University. The convenience fee is paid in full to and retained by NelNet Business Solutions; the University does not receive any of this fee. The charge for the convenience fee will appear separately from the payment on your credit card statement.

More specific information is provided on the Admission Acceptance Form.

Where and when do I need to send in the Health Form?

Incoming students are asked to complete the following health and wellness requirements. Find instructions and additional information surrounding the health and wellness requirements on the Health and Wellness Services and Requirements webpage.

What if I'm getting a low grade in one of my current high school classes? Is my admission going to be rescinded if I drop the class?

Please seek assistance from your current teacher. The Office of Admissions cannot definitively advise you on whether to drop or switch your current course. The final decision should be made in consultation with your guidance counselor and in consideration of your goals and the requirements of the college to which you have been accepted, as well as your high school’s graduation requirements. You will need to decide what is the best course of action for your situation.

Your guidance counselor will need to submit your final high school transcript at the end of your senior year. Your admission is contingent upon maintaining the same level of academic achievement as demonstrated in your application as well as graduation from secondary school.

When and how do I register for classes?

This varies by school or college. For spring enrollment, you will register during orientation. For fall enrollment, you’ll receive information between late May and early June.

When do classes start?

Please check out the complete academic calendar for important dates.

How do I gain access to the online Housing and Meal Plan Application?

You must complete the following steps prior to gaining access to the online housing application:

  • Accept your offer of admission by submitting the online Admission Acceptance Form (AAF) with your advance tuition and housing payments.
  • If you have not already done so, activate your NetID.
  • Access your official Syracuse University email account.
  • Upon receipt of an e-mail from Syracuse University Housing to your syr.edu email account confirming your MySlice Student Services access to the online housing application, complete your housing application.

Do I need to complete the online Housing and Meal Plan Application if I'm not going to live on campus?

If your immediate family resides in the Syracuse area and you plan to commute from home, please check the appropriate box on the online Housing and Meal Plan Application.

If you are not obligated to the University’s two-year, on-campus living requirements and you plan to live off campus, please check the appropriate box on the online Housing and Meal Plan Application.

How am I assigned housing and may I choose my residence hall?

Residence hall assignments for first-year students are randomly assigned by the Office of Housing, Meal Plan and I.D. Card Services. First-year students complete their Housing Application through MySlice and can indicate a preference for a specific room type (open or split double). The University cannot guarantee that we will be able to accommodate all room type requests. Housing assignments will take into consideration living learning community interests, mutual roommate requests made through My College Roomie or special circumstances you have indicated on the Housing Application. The University will not accept requests for housing in a specific residence hall. Housing assignments are typically communicated to first-year and transfer students in early-to-mid July.

What is a Living Learning Community?

Living Learning Communities allow you to live and take classes with a group of students who are all joined by a common interest or academic major. Although living in a living learning community is optional, many first-year students find that the experience helps to ease the transition to college life. However, not all communities are residential. Check out your LLC options.

Living Learning Communities are offered on a space-available basis and fill up quickly. If you’d like to enroll in a community, please submit your completed Admission Acceptance Form as soon as possible so you may gain access to the online Housing and Meal Plan Application.

I am entering as a first-year student. In what type of room will I live?

First-year students live in one of the following residence halls on Main Campus: Boland, Brewster, Brockway, Day, DellPlain, Ernie Davis, Flint, Haven, Kimmel, Lawrinson, Sadler or Shaw. First-year students typically live in a double with another first-year student. View more information on floor plans, building descriptions, specific living options, and virtual tours of rooms.

I am entering as a transfer student. In what type of room will I live?

Transfer students typically live on South Campus. If you have completed fewer than 40 credit hours, you are encouraged to reside in University housing unless you have a family or commute from the permanent home of your immediate family. Housing for transfers is on a space-available basis until all vacancies are filled. View more information on floor plans, building descriptions, specific living options and virtual tours of rooms.

What meal plan must I purchase?

All first- and second-year students living on Main Campus will have unlimited meal plans. You can find more information on meal plan options on the Housing, Meal Plan and I.D. Card Services web page.

Is tobacco use allowed on Syracuse University's campus?

To help ensure a healthy, productive, respectful environment, Syracuse University is pleased to provide a smoke- and tobacco-free campus, effective July 1, 2015. Learn more about our tobacco-free policy.

As an international student, what do I need to do when I arrive at Syracuse University?

Upon arrival, please report to the Center for International Services to start your orientation and clearance procedures. They have prepared a checklist to help you make a smooth transition into life at Syracuse University.

When do I take the ELAE exam?

If required, international students must take the ELAE exam. You may take the exam upon arrival, prior to the beginning of classes. Visit the Center for International Services website for more information.

As an international student, how do I ship my luggage to the U.S.?

You may ship your luggage and boxes to Express Save Industries (ESI) in Syracuse. To do this, you must send a fax to ESI with the following information:

Your name
Address
Phone number
Fax number
Email address
Your anticipated date of arrival
Number of boxes and bags

The fax number for ESI is 315.454.0292. The charges will be a minimum of $10 monthly storage fee for each package less than 2x2x2 feet. To have the bags delivered to the front door of your residence or residence hall, there will be an additional charge. Further questions can be addressed to ESI at the fax number above.