Top 10% New York Seniors Get Fast SUNY Decisions
Eligible seniors at all public high schools statewide can now receive admissions decisions within days at ten SUNY campuses.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in College Applications
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New York's SUNY system is expanding its Top 10% Promise program, which lets high-achieving seniors receive admissions decisions within days at 10 participating campuses, including Stony Brook. The program expands this year to seniors at all public high schools statewide.
Why it matters
For New York students who rank near the top of their class, the program offers an early and fast answer about admission to a SUNY school, which can shape decisions about where to enroll and how to plan the rest of the application season. Expansion from a 68-district pilot to all public high schools widens that access to students across the state.
Eligible students must rank in the top 10% of their class and be on track for an Advanced Regents or International Baccalaureate diploma, with minimum SAT or ACT scores and at least two Advanced Placement or IB exam scores. High schools that do not rank students can have a guidance counselor certify eligibility.
The players
Stony Brook University
A public SUNY research university on Long Island that is the lead campus in the Top 10% Promise program.
SUNY (State University of New York)
New York's public university system of 64 campuses, which runs the Top 10% Promise across ten participating institutions.
Kathy Hochul
The Governor of New York, who announced the Top 10% pilot in 2024.
The details
Eligible students apply to the SUNY system as soon as possible, and responses typically come within days. If a high school does not rank its students, a guidance counselor certifies eligibility on the student's behalf. After acceptance, students must choose a specific program to complete the application.
Timeline
2024: Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the Top 10% pilot in 68 school districts.
Last year: About 200 students enrolled through Stony Brook's Top 10% pilot.
This year: The program expands to seniors at all public high schools statewide.
Nov. 1: Application deadline for Stony Brook's Simon STEM Honors Program, which may overlap with the Top 10% timeline.
Education Landscape
The expansion follows the 2024 pilot that began in 68 school districts and now reaches every public high school in New York. The source places this among the 234 schools nationally offering direct admissions this year, a trend toward earlier and faster admissions decisions.
Seniors at public high schools across New York can now check whether they meet the top-10% and test-score criteria and ask their counselor about certification. Students whose schools do not rank should confirm early with a guidance counselor, since that certification is part of eligibility.
The takeaway
Students aiming for a SUNY school should confirm their class rank, test scores, and AP or IB exam results early, and ask their guidance office how eligibility is certified. Those who also plan to apply to the Stony Brook Simon STEM Honors Program should note its Nov. 1 deadline alongside the Top 10% timeline.
Further reading
For more on how the admissions cycle works, explore College Applications coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Newsday.
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