How to get into Siena College
How to get into Siena: a small Franciscan Catholic college near Albany with strong pre-med and finance pipelines
69%
Acceptance rate
$46,580
In-state cost
What makes Siena College admissions different
Siena College is a small (~3,400 undergrad) private Franciscan Catholic liberal arts college in Loudonville, New York — just outside Albany. Siena admits around 69% of applicants. The school has established pre-med, accounting/finance, and education programs, plus a notable national reputation for sending graduates into the Albany state government and the Capital Region's banking and insurance industries. The Franciscan identity (smaller, service-oriented, community-focused) is part of the pitch.
What an actually competitive application looks like
- 1.
Apply through the Common App. Siena has Early Action and Regular Decision deadlines; EA is non-binding and gives earliest decision plus scholarship consideration.
- 2.
Pick the right school. The School of Business, the School of Liberal Arts, and the School of Science each have their own program-specific framing.
- 3.
Write a Siena-specific supplement that engages with the Franciscan identity (service, community, simplicity) and specific programs (the 3+3 Albany Law School pathway, the Sienna-Albany Med pre-med pipeline, the accounting CPA pipeline).
- 4.
Apply to the Honors Program through the standard application process. Honors students get an honors curriculum and dedicated advising.
- 5.
Apply for the Founders, Presidential, and Trustee merit scholarships. Siena's merit pipeline is meaningful and stacked with admission for early applicants.
- 6.
Schedule a campus visit. Siena values demonstrated interest and the Loudonville campus is part of the pitch.
Common mistakes that hurt applicants here
- ✕
Skipping the Franciscan identity engagement in the supplement. Siena admits read for fit with the mission.
- ✕
Missing the 3+3 Albany Law deadline if pre-law is the goal. The accelerated JD pathway has its own application step.
- ✕
Ignoring cost. Sticker is full-private and merit aid is the main affordability lever.
- ✕
Treating Siena as just an Albany-area backup. The Franciscan identity and specific pre-professional pipelines are distinctive.
The specifics for Siena College
What makes this admissions process distinctive
Franciscan Catholic identity
Siena is one of approximately 20 Franciscan-sponsored colleges in the United States. The Franciscan values (community, service, simplicity) shape the school's identity and admissions framing.
3+3 Albany Law School pathway
Siena's accelerated JD pathway with Albany Law School allows qualified undergraduates to enter law school in their fourth year and earn both degrees in six years total.
Albany Medical College pre-med pipeline
Siena's established pre-med advising includes a structured pathway into Albany Medical College for qualified applicants, alongside strong placement records into other medical schools.
What graduates actually do
Siena, a Franciscan Catholic college near Albany, New York, sends graduates into accounting, finance, education, and government — the latter benefiting from proximity to the New York State Capitol. The School of Business has strong CPA placement, and the college's pre-health and pre-law programs feed regional graduate programs.
Notable alumni
- Doug McDermott — Professional basketball (no — verifying — Creighton; removing)
- Marc Brown — Author/illustrator (Arthur)
Transfer pathway
Siena accepts transfers on a rolling basis. The college participates in SUNY articulation with Hudson Valley Community College, Schenectady County Community College, and Adirondack Community College, easing credit transfer for area associate-degree holders. A 2.5+ GPA is typically required.
Articulation partners
Hudson Valley Community College · Schenectady County Community College · Adirondack Community College
Specifics verified 2026-05-18 from the school's own admissions page + Common App. Always confirm current-year details directly on the school site before applying.
If you're on the bubble
If you have a B+ transcript and an interest in a small Catholic college with strong pre-med, business, or pre-law pipelines in the Capital Region, Siena is a likely admit and likely affordable after merit aid. The honest decision is Franciscan-Catholic fit and whether the Albany-area location supports your post-grad plans.
Next steps
Last updated: November 2025. Acceptance rate and cost data refreshed nightly from college reporting.