How to apply to Computer Science at Siena University: eight tracks in the School of Science, no prior coding needed, AP CS credit, free application and test-optional review, the November 15 international priority deadline and the Siena Guarantee of at least USD 57,000, for students in China, Canada and transfer students

Siena University is in Loudonville, New York, near Albany. Its B.S. in Computer Science is offered by the Computer Science Department in the School of Science. This guide summarizes Siena’s official information for students at high schools in China (including A-Level, IB and AP students), students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver) and transfer students.

1. The major and courses

• Eight tracks: the program page lists Foundations (preparation for graduate study and a range of careers), Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science Education (must be paired with the Education Certificate), Cybersecurity, Entrepreneurship, Game Development, Information Systems and Software Development. There is also a CS minor and certificate, and a B.S. in Data Science.
• What you study: the department has 16 full-time faculty teaching robotics, computer graphics, cybersecurity, machine learning, databases, web application development, networks, programming languages and more, in small lab-based courses with group projects. The program page says internships, research and project courses are built in.
• Languages: Java is the primary language for many courses, and every student learns at least one other language.
• Introductory course: about 60% of CSIS110 Introduction to Computer Science is common to all sections (data representation, hardware, operating systems, artificial intelligence); the other 40% follows a theme such as multimedia, music or scientific computing with Python, Linux programming or 3D programming with Alice.
• Upper-level electives: the department FAQ says the major requires 4 upper-level electives, or CSIS110 plus 3 upper-level electives.
• Full course list and credits: these are in the Siena catalog (catalog.siena.edu), which we could not read this time, so they are not covered here; check the catalog page for your track. The pages we read do not mention ABET accreditation.
• Second majors and minors: the department encourages them; common minors are math and business, and common second majors are math, physics and actuarial science.

2. Can you start without coding experience?

• Yes. The department FAQ says more than half of each year’s freshmen enter with no significant prior CS work, and the introductory courses are designed with that in mind.
• With AP credit: a 4 or 5 on AP Computer Science A comes in as CSIS120, and you can take CSIS210 and/or CSIS110 first; a 4 or 5 on AP Computer Science Principles comes in as CSIS110, and you take CSIS120 first.
• The pages we read do not describe a separate admission bar for computer science or the rules for switching into the major. This is not published; ask the department (csdeptchair@siena.edu).

3. How first-year applicants are reviewed

• Holistic review: a rigorous four-year college-prep program, typically with an 85+ (B) average; honors, AP, IB and dual-enrollment courses; and activities, leadership and service.
• How to apply: Common App or Siena’s free Express Application. Every student applies for free, with no codes or waivers needed.
• Test-optional: SAT/ACT are optional for most applicants. The baseline for test-optional review is 19 academic units (one full-year course = one unit), commonly 4 years each of English, math, science and history/social studies plus 3 years of a world language. The page says science majors (examples given: biology, chemistry, physics, health sciences) need 4 years of math and 4 years of science to be test-optional, or must send scores or email admissions@siena.edu. It does not say whether computer science counts; ask admissions.
• Materials: official high school transcript; the essay and one recommendation are listed as recommended. Admitted students reserve a place with a USD 500 deposit.

4. Dates and materials (international)

• International deadlines (international How to Apply page, no year shown): fall November 15 for priority consideration and February 15 for regular admission; spring November 1. Later applications are reviewed on a space-available basis.
• General deadlines (Deadlines page, no year shown): Early Action (non-binding) October 15, with a decision within a week of completion; Early Decision (binding) November 15; Regular February 15.
• Transcripts: transcripts and results from every secondary school attended, bearing the school seal and sent by a counselor, teacher or principal, with English translations if needed. The international FAQ says secondary transcripts are evaluated in house, so WES-type evaluations are not needed.
• Essay: a personal essay of 1–2 pages about your interest in Siena and your goals for studying in the United States.
• Recommendation: the international page says one letter is required, sent directly by a school official who knows you. (The general application page lists the recommendation as recommended; international applicants should follow the international page.)
• Tests: SAT and ACT are optional.
• Housing: the international FAQ says students live on campus all four years unless they apply as commuters.

5. English requirements

• International How to Apply page: if your native language or language of instruction is not English, submit TOEFL 79+, IELTS 6.5+ or Duolingo 115+. Students who fall short but meet the academic requirements can receive conditional admission through an approved partner program and are fully admitted on completion (email international@siena.edu).
• International FAQ: lists a minimum TOEFL of 65 and IELTS of 5.5, and says students with TOEFL 79 or IELTS 6.5+ skip the on-campus English assessment; it also mentions Duolingo (115+). The two pages differ, so confirm with admissions.
• Waivers: the FAQ says students living in a country where English is the official language (examples: England, Canada, Australia) or attending an English-medium school do not need a test.

6. Students at high schools in China

• Siena does not publish how Gaokao scores are used; ask international admissions (international@siena.edu).
• Transcripts must carry the school seal, be sent by a school official and include English translations; Siena evaluates them itself.
• Prepare the English scores above; students at English-medium international schools may be exempt, so confirm early.
• A-Level, IB and AP credit: AP scores of 4 or 5 earn credit; IB Higher Level scores of 5 or better earn credit; A-Levels are reviewed by each department and may earn credit depending on the grade. Official scores must reach Siena before enrollment.

7. Students at Canadian high schools (including BC)

• The international FAQ names Canada as an example of a country where English is the official language and says such students do not need an English test. It does not mention Quebec; students at French-language schools in Quebec should confirm with admissions.
• Grade requirements for the BC curriculum are not published. Review looks at a four-year college-prep program with roughly an 85 (B) average; ask admissions how BC grades are read.
• Canadian students apply through the international process; see section 4 for dates and materials.

8. Transfer students

• Requirements: at least a 2.5 GPA at your current college and three years of college-prep math (through algebra 2/trigonometry); School of Science applicants need pre-calculus.
• Deadlines: spring January 1, summer April 1, fall August 15. Apply with Siena’s free transfer application or the Common App transfer application; decisions take 7–10 business days.
• Materials: all college transcripts, the high school transcript, AP/CLEP results and the Transfer Recommendation Form. International students must have post-secondary coursework evaluated course by course by a NACES member.
• Credits: up to 66 credits from two-year colleges and 75 from four-year institutions; courses need a C or better and comparable content; at least 30 credits and half of the major must be completed at Siena.
• Transfer scholarships: the transfer page lists USD 21,500 a year for Phi Theta Kappa members, USD 19,000 for GPA 3.2+, USD 16,000 for 2.9–3.19 and USD 14,000 for 2.5–2.89. The scholarships page uses different GPA bands (3.0–3.19 and below 3.0); the two pages differ, so go by your admission letter.

9. Costs and scholarships

• 2026-27 costs for new resident students: tuition USD 48,300 (12–17 credits a semester); direct charges total USD 68,420; with books, personal and other indirect costs, the estimated total is USD 72,628 before aid.
• Siena Guarantee: the international page says international students who are admitted and send Siena’s financial aid form receive at least USD 57,000 in scholarships over four years (at least USD 14,250 a year full time, including merit scholarships). Siena also guarantees graduation in four years or pays for the rest.
• Merit scholarships: all full-time freshman applicants are considered automatically, and each student receives one award. The Presidential Scholarship looks for a 90+ average with honors/AP courses (SAT 1160+ or ACT 25+ if submitted); the Franciscan Scholarship looks for an 87+ average (SAT 1120+ or ACT 24+ if submitted). The amounts are not published.
• Aid for international students: the international FAQ says international students qualify for merit scholarships, with or without SAT/ACT, and are reviewed for need-based aid if they submit the financial aid form. They do not file the FAFSA.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Apply by November 15 for priority consideration, and by February 15 at the latest
• Apply free through the Common App or the Siena Express Application
• Prepare sealed transcripts with translations, a 1–2 page essay and one recommendation
• Prepare TOEFL 79, IELTS 6.5 or Duolingo 115; submit the financial aid form to qualify for the Siena Guarantee
• Ask international admissions how Gaokao scores are used

Students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver):

• Confirm the English waiver and how BC grades are read; follow the international deadlines

Transfer students:

• Fall deadline August 15; GPA 2.5 and pre-calculus; course-by-course NACES evaluation for coursework outside the U.S.

Sources: Siena University, Computer Science program page; Computer Science Department; department FAQ; Admissions Requirements and Application Process; Deadlines; International How to Apply; International Scholarships, Tuition and Fees; International FAQ; Cost of Attendance; Siena Scholarships and Grants; Transfer Students; AP Courses and Equivalents. The deadline pages show no year, and costs are for 2026-27. Check Siena’s website for the latest information.