In an effort to help New York's top high school seniors get accepted at SUNY colleges and universities around the state, the state has launched the SUNY Top 10% Promise Program.

According to a press release, the Top 10% Promise is a direct-admissions program that automatically grants acceptance to graduating high school students whose GPAs are in the top 10% of their class to select SUNY campuses. The nine initial participating campuses are University at Albany, University at Buffalo, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, SUNY Geneseo, SUNY New Paltz, SUNY Oneonta, SUNY Polytechnic Institute, Purchase College and Stony Brook University.

"Access to higher education has the potential to transform New Yorkers' lives and change the trajectory of a student’s life," Gov. Kathy Hochul said. "Offering New York students graduating in the top 10% of their class direct admission to SUNY campuses will help reduce barriers to higher education while ensuring our students can continue their education and pursue their dreams right here in New York state."

Students in all New York State school districts will be eligible to participate when the SUNY Top 10% Promise is fully in place. In the first year, 68 school districts were invited to participate.

"There is a place at SUNY for every New Yorker, and The SUNY Top 10% Promise will make it even easier for our highest-achieving high school students – particularly those from low-income backgrounds – to discover SUNY’s extraordinary value and academic excellence. With thanks to Gov. Hochul for her leadership, this new direct admission program will advance educational equity and open the doors to higher education even wider," SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. said.

The program will take effect for the Fall 2025 semester.