Founded in 1816, SUNY College at Potsdam. is a Public college. Located in New York, which is a city setting in New York, the campus itself is Town. The campus is home to 3,416 full time undergraduate students, and 280 full time graduate students.
The SUNY College at Potsdam Academic calendar runs on a Semester basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 12:1. There are 248 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at SUNY College at Potsdam include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.
Quick Facts
Acceptance Rate
71%
Application Deadline
Application Fee
50
SAT Range
ACT Range
Admissions at are considered Selective, with ,28% of all applicants being admitted.
In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 14 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.
73% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 30% were in the top quarter, and 9% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.
STUDENT LIFE Reviews
We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at SUNY College at Potsdam.
0%
“We”re apathetic”
0%
“We know about current events and vote”
92%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
8%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
0%
“We save it for the classroom”
17%
“Sometimes, but not often”
58%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
25%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
8%
“I only go out in groups”
33%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
58%
“I feel extremely safe”
9%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
45%
“We bought the gear”
45%
“We live for the big game”
0%
“It”s not really our thing”
0%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
42%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
58%
“We”re a very artistic group”
8%
“Haven”t met them”
8%
“Available in class”
83%
“They keep regular office hours”
0%
“They”re always available”
0%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
17%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
83%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
0%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
25%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
58%
“We only party on weekends”
17%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
17%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
50%
“There might be people who do”
33%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
0%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
0%
“We”re apathetic”
0%
“We know about current events and vote”
92%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
8%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
0%
“We save it for the classroom”
17%
“Sometimes, but not often”
58%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
25%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
8%
“I only go out in groups”
33%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
58%
“I feel extremely safe”
9%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
45%
“We bought the gear”
45%
“We live for the big game”
0%
“It”s not really our thing”
0%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
42%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
58%
“We”re a very artistic group”
8%
“Haven”t met them”
8%
“Available in class”
83%
“They keep regular office hours”
0%
“They”re always available”
0%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
17%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
83%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
63 Students rated on-campus housing 3.9 stars. 21 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate off-campus housing?
33 Students rated off-campus housing 3.7 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate campus food?
64 Students rated campus food 4.3 stars. 53 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate campus facilities?
64 Students rated campus facilities 4.3 stars. 44 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate class size?
64 Students rated class size 4.6 stars. 64 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate school activities?
64 Students rated school activities 4.2 stars. 44 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate local services?
64 Students rated local services 4.1 stars. 36 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate academics?
64 Students rated academics 4.4 stars. 55 % gave the school a 5.0.
SUNY College at Potsdam REVIEWS
What's your overall opinion of SUNY College at Potsdam?
12 Students rated SUNY College at Potsdam
Grace
01/10/2020
I hate it there! The people are not friendly and they are even less intelligent, they are far too proud for their level. The interact with prospective students in a manner that should be saved for their drug dealers and they expect people to look at it like it's normal.
Raechelle
12/12/2019
It’s an amazing school overall , as time goes on it’s becoming more and more diverse . The school is also very inclusive. I feel safe on camp expressing myself and being who I feel I truly am. There is always something happening on campus , always a show or something to do so I’m rarely ever bored. I also enjoy the fact that the class is very close knit and everyone knows everyone .
Malik
04/22/2019
When I first entered SUNY Potsdam in Spring 2016, I had gotten my first glance of the traditional college experience and what it’s like to be independent. Taking some of my favorite and more influential classes such as Physical Geology, Calculus, and Anthropology, as well as more rigorous classes like Chemistry, Structural Geology and Igneous & Metamorphic Petrology, I developed a love-hate relationship with Potsdam, just with a more prevalent emphasis on the love spectrum of things. Every college has its dark days but I’m glad Potsdam uses its dark days as learning and teaching experiences that I’ve personally used towards myself and to others. You will meet some of the most interesting and treasured professors that will root for you, even after graduation and will always stay in contact with you. You make memorable friends and when times start getting rough at Potsdam, you can depend on the community to be on your side.
Kayla
01/02/2019
SUNY Potsdam is one of the best schools to go to. If you are a artistic performing arts person you'd fit right in. Theres a place for everyone and no one is left out. The classes are the right size for the obtaining the most knowledge, the professors are very caring about you and your work, the sports and team spirit is amazing and the food is awesome, and everyone is friendly. I honestly love my school so much and I know I made the right choice coming here. And I recommend other people to come here as well.
Lashunda
11/27/2018
SUNY College at Potsdam is a great school. At first, it's somewhat different because I'm not used being in such an isolated area but you get used to it as time goes by. The people on campus are friendly and always look out for each other for the most part. The classroom sizes are generally ok size not to big not too little. Teachers encourage students to attended office hours if they don't understand something or simply because they need to discuss an issue they are having. All sports teams and other extracurricular activities encourage team bonding and a way of building a family or friendship for everyone.
Tessa
06/21/2018
Potsdam is a wonderful environment where I believe students finally have an opportunity to explore who they are and have a huge support group behind them. There are endless friendly faces and endless opportunities to get involved in so many ways on campus. It's a community unlike any other I have ever been a part of and I wouldn't trade it for the world.
melissa
05/17/2018
I haven’t visited yet but I have heard such wonderful things about it an have talked to some wonderful an compassionate administration who work there. The online campus tour is absolutely beautiful an I cant wait to hopefully become a bear at Potsdam !
Angela
03/20/2018
Suny Potsdam is not a very gig campus which means that in a few month you will get to meet a lot of people. This school is dominant by white Americans but there is diversity. This school is not perfect, any issue that is presented can be fix in a few weeks.
Ally
03/10/2018
I love going to Potsdam. There is a great sense of community among all the students and faculty. There is always an opportunity to make new friends, learn something new, and just enjoy college. Potsdam is a visually beautiful place to be all year round, but especially in the fall.
Tara
01/15/2018
I think Potsdam, and crane both are wonderful places. Both allow interactive and upbeat learning. Teachers are attentive and helpful to students. I love the school, and love the homey environment. I feel at home at this school, because everyone is there for you. It's like wonderful little community. I wouldn't have it any other way.
Journee
04/29/2017
SUNY College at Potsdam is a very welcoming school! From the staff to the students everyone is so welcoming. The class size is perfect and the teachers are all very accommodating. If you are struggling there is always a professor there to help you figure what you need to do to get back on track! I knew from the first time I ever stepped foot on campus that I wanted it to be my new home.
Emberlin
02/09/2017
SUNY Potsdam is a wonderful school particularly for students who have limited opportunities, financially. However, the school falls short in the sense that the enrichment of particular majors is very limited. A student who considers pursuing a degree at SUNY Potsdam would benefit most were they to go into the school's wonderful music or education program. Otherwise, further investigate the value of other programs before committing full time to the school.
The fall 2020 acceptance rate for SUNY College at Potsdam is 71%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020, _____ students were offered admission.
What should every freshman at your school know before they start?
Learn how to study. Many High School students get by with decent grades without actually studying- but find they don't really know how to study and learn material when they are in college, where the classes are much more challenging. Get involved in campus activities as soon as you get to school. They help you make friends and build a support system. Study abroad. There is no greater teacher than to go out and experience the world, gaining infinite perspective. Keep in touch with your family. Now that you're out of the house you just might find that it's easier to talk to your parents, siblings, etc. You don't want to lose those connections; now is the time to build real adult relationships that will last forever. Don't let a romantic relationship consume your life and govern all your decisions. You will lose yourself in that relationship and down the road might just look back and realize you didn't get to do everything you wanted to during the best and most important years of your life.
What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?
The worst thing about SUNY Potsdam is the rooming assignments. It's done randomly so chances are you're going to get put in a room with a roomate who doesn't share any interests as you. This is what happened to me, and I'm finding it very difficult to move out of the current room I'm in and into a room better suited for me.
My classmates are some of the most hard working and down to earth people I have ever met. The student body is full of such diversity and we all teach one another about our differences. Everyone accepts everyone else for who they are. We aren't afraid to stand up for what we believe in, but we also stay open minded. We listen well to what people have to say, and learn from other students stories.
Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!
Small classes; Excellent communication between professors and students; Available help if needed; Excellent Computer Science Department; Exclusive dormitory for seniors and juniors; Excellent meal plans and quality of food.
It's known for its music and education programs. It's small and very friendly. It's also known for being in a cold, snowy area, so there's a lot of drinking in order to "keep warm."
What kind of person should not attend this school?
Someone who hates the cold/rain, someone who is not looking at education for their career choices, a person who has little/no appreciation for the arts, and someone who doesn't work hard
What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school?
Crane School of Music; we have world renowned musicians on campus all the time.
The food is excellent.
Our radio station is a blast.
Profs are SO accessable & kind.
People are WONDERFUL.
It may not be ethnically diverse, but there are so many different walks of life, you never know who you'll meet.
Hockey is a way of life!
There is beautiful country all around, so exploring is always a possibility.
Potsdam is generally wonderful, give it a shot!
What's the most frustrating thing about your school?
The most frustrating thing about the school is the weather. Some days it is warm and the next day it is freezing. The weather can go from raining to snowing in the same day. Also it rains a lot in the spring and the sidewalks get huge puddles.
For the most part it's alright. Some departments are really lacking funding though, of course one of them being my major so that really limits the classes that are available for me to take and that's really a bummer. The school is nice though I guess.
All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA.
Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.
97% of students attending SUNY College at Potsdam receive some sort of financial aid.
56% were awarded federal grants.80%received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.