Frequently Asked Questions for Visiting Students
Q: What plans may I exchange to Stony Brook on?
A: Stony Brook is open on Plan A, which means we will accept all NSE applicants
who will pay our in state tuition and fees.
Stony Brook is uneven on Plan B, which means we will accept slightly more NSE applicants who want to pay their home school tuition and fees than we place wanting to pay Stony Brook's tuition and fees. It is more difficult to be placed at Stony Brook on Plan B.
Stony Brook will normally close on Plan B after the first choice placement day at the conference. There normally will be no late placements on Plan B. If you don't understand what this means, check with your coordinator!
Q: What about financial aid?
A: You should check with your home school to find out if you should apply
on the FAFSA to Stony Brook or if your home school will be handling your
financial aid. You will not be eligible for any New York State aid; however,
any federal programs for which you are eligible will be granted. It may
be the case that you will not be eligible for college work study at Stony
Brook while on Exchange. It has been my experience that any NSE student
who wants to work is able to get a job on or off campus easily and quickly!
We have a financial aid counselor who is a liaison for NSE students and she will answer all your questions.
Q: What about my coursework at Stony Brook?
A: You need to check with your coordinator to find out how your Stony Brook
credits will be handled. Each school is different.
At the completion of your exchange a final official transcript will be sent gratis from Stony Brook to the office at your home institution that is specified by your coordinator. This may be the coordinator's office, admissions, registrar, records, transfer office, etc. It all depends on your school.
Q: What courses may I take on exchange at Stony Brook?
A: Closed classes are predominantly
in the professional programs and College of Engineering. These are highly
selective programs with very structured class sequences. Visiting students
such as NSE do not have the opportunity to participate in them. Otherwise, courses open to NSE students who have the appropriate prerequisites are listed on the NSE website.
Q: Do I need a certain grade point average?
A: In order to go on exchange you will need to adhere to your home campus
requirements.
If your home campus does not require a higher g.p.a., you must maintain a grade point average of 2.0 to continue on a year-long exchange at Stony Brook.
Q: Can I be a late placement at Stony Brook?
A: Stony Brook will remain open on Plan A for late placement until May
1 for the following fall semester. Stony Brook does not accept placements for spring-only exchange.
Normally, there are no late placements on Plan B.
Q: Does Stony Brook accept Study Abroad/Canadian Partners/International
Students for NSE?
A: Currently, Stony Brook does not participate in Study Abroad, Canadian
Partners, or the exchange of International students on NSE. You must be
a citizen or permanent resident of the United States.
Q: When will I receive information about housing, registration, enrollment,
etc.?
A: After the Stony Brook coordinator receives your acceptance of placement,
a package of material will be sent to you when the fall semester class
schedule booklet becomes available. It will include housing information
and application, non-matriculated enrollment form, and all the information
you need to create a viable schedule for the first semester of your placement.
Make sure you read all the material sent to you and return everything in a timely fashion. It will improve your chances of getting your first choice classes. The housing deadline is May 15, unless otherwise specified in the material you are sent.
The coordinator will register you for classes; you will not register yourself.
Q: May I bring my car to Stony Brook? What is transportation like?
A: You certainly may bring your car and register it on campus, either as
a resident student or a commuter, if you choose to live off campus.
Stony Brook is 60 miles (about 1.5 to 2 hours drive or train ride from Manhattan). Public bus transportation is not terrific. However, local public bus transport is available to nearby shopping centers and towns. Additionally, the free Stony Brook University bus system is comprehensive and covers all of campus and the nearest major shopping mall and town. Of course, if you're used to driving everywhere, then you'll miss your car!
We have a Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) train station right on campus. You can hop the train and find yourself at Penn Station at 34th Street (where Madison Square Garden is) in Manhattan in a short time (approximately one and a half hours)! Very convenient!
Our closest airport is MacArthur Airport in Islip (pronounced "ice-lip") about 20 minutes from campus. This is certainly the most convenient airport. The other two are Kennedy and LaGuardia. You'd have to count on 2 hours travel time (considering traffic) to Stony Brook.
Q: When should I plan on arriving?
A: Your packet of materials will
include the dates of arrival and when your mandatory NSE orientation
will be held. The orientation is usually one or two days before classes
start each semester. You get a chance to meet the other NSE students
and have most of your questions answered. Social plans for the semester
are also discussed at this time.
Q: When will I be notified of my housing assignment and/or my bill?
A: You should be hearing from our campus residences department sometime
in July regarding your housing assignment.
Our first bills go out sometime in mid-July. If you are on Plan A you will be responsible for New York State tuition, fees, and room and board, if you are living on campus. If you are on Plan B, you will pay your home school tuition and fees, and be responsible for Stony Brook's room and board, if you are living on campus.
Q: Are there student discount airfares available?
A: Here are a few websites that might be useful when you are searching for lower
airfare rates for your trip to your host campus.