Orange County Community College (OCCC, SUNY Orange) Introduction and Academics

Introduction

Orange County Community College, or SUNY Orange, was founded in 1950 as the first county-sponsored community college in the State University of New York system. It’s main campus is located in Middletown, NY. In addition to more than 40 certificates and associate’s degrees, the school has programs for local high school students, business people and has special arrangements with nearby colleges and universities for graduate students.

The school has an intercollegiate athletics team as well as intramural and club sports. There are also several different student clubs and organizations and SUNY Orange frequently arranges artistic performances, lectures and cultural events throughout the year for students, faculty, staff and the community.

Information Summary

Ranks 187th in New York and 2725th overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	54.5
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	$7,080
Admission Success rate	N/A
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	22 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	63% / 47%
Enrollment Total (all students)	6,617

Academics

SUNY Orange offers individual classes for personal and professional growth as well as degrees and one-year career certificates. Students who wish to begin a new career upon graduation from the college may choose to earn an Associate in Applied Science degree. Students who wish to take advantage of SUNY Orange’s collaborative partnerships with SUNY four-year schools or other universities can earn an Associate of Arts or an Associate of Science degree. There are more than 40 different majors and courses of study.

SUNY Orange also offers several great programs that regularly receive national attention. Their two-year nursing program was the first of its kind in the country and continues to be one of the best in the United States. SUNY Orange was also the first school in the nation to plan and co-sponsor (with the local chamber of commerce) a business institute. This institute still stands as a model for other universities and is regularly recognized as an outstanding program by various news and college-ranking organizations.

The college works in conjunction with SUNY four-year institutions to place students who wish to continue on to a baccalaureate program. The benefits of completing the first two years of college at SUNY Orange include much lower tuition rates and the ability to stay close to home for another two years. The college’s wide array of programs ensures that regardless of what a student’s educational goals are, they can most likely be met in the friendly atmosphere and high-quality learning environment that Orange County Community College offers.

Most Popular Fields of Study

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Admissions

SUNY Orange accepts applications on a rolling basis right up to the day that classes start, but students are encouraged to apply as early as possible in order to get a seat in the desired program. In order to apply for any degree or certificate program, students need to complete the online application and submit it to the college along with the accompanying application fee and their official high school transcripts or proof of GED. Some students may be financially eligible for a fee waiver and may apply for this by completing the fee waiver form. Prospective transfer students also need to submit official transcripts from all other colleges attended.

Students who would like to apply for financial aid should do so at the same time that they complete their admissions application in order to allow time for processing. Students that are applying within 3 weeks of the start of class should apply in person.

There are special requirements for students who wish to participate in the Health Professions programs, so those students should contact the school for further information. SUNY Orange also offers an honors program and a program for high school students that wish to take college courses during their junior and senior years of high school. These programs have special requirements as well.

Financial Aid

SUNY Orange offers financial aid in several different forms including need-based and merit-based scholarships, grants, federally-subsidized loans and work-study programs. In order to determine financial aid eligibilty, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) that’s available online as early as January. Financial information from tax forms for both the student and their family will be necessary in order to accurately complete the FAFSA, so students should have this information on hand prior to starting the application.

Student Financial Aid Details

Ranks 6220th for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best scholarships and financial aid in New York.

Athletics

SUNY Orange has an intercollegiate athletics organization that participates in the National Junior College Athletics Association and competes in the Region XV Mid-Hudson Athletic Conference. The SUNY Orange Colts offer several intercollegiate sports including men’s and women’s basketball and tennis. Men may also choose to play baseball or golf and women have the additional options of softball and volleyball. The school’s colors are navy blue and orange.

SUNY Orange also offers intramural and club sports and recreational sports so that students may participate athletically at all levels. The school also offers summer camps and leagues to local high school students. Because the school promotes physical fitness for everybody, the campus recreational facilities located in the Physical Education building are open to staff, faculty, students and the community. There are weight rooms, a spin room, a swimming pool, tennis courts, racquetball/handball courts, a wrestling room/dance studio and three gymnasiums. There are also separate locker rooms for men and women.

Additional School Information

The State University of New York was established in 1948 and is a network of 64 unique colleges and universities throughout the state of New York that include all types of schools from small community colleges to one of the top veterinary schools in the country. The schools are spread throughout the state so that nearly every New York resident is within commuting distance to one and many of the schools offer educational and degree cooperation with one another. Combined, SUNY offers more than 7000 degrees and certificate programs. Many of the schools have top-notch research facilities and the system attracts expert faculty from a variety of fields. SUNY is committed to providing the highest quality education at affordable prices to students both in-state and from the rest of the country and around the world.

Bibliography

SUNY Orange. Orange County Community College State University of New York. Web. 26 Sept 2011.

SUNY State University of New York. State University of New York. Web. 26 Sept 2011.

Orange County Community College