Transfer Students
• What is new student orientation?
• When do I register for my classes?
• What happens at orientation?
• How do I get an orientation date?
• How should I prepare for orientation?
• When will I receive my credit evaluation?
• When is new student orientation?
• Where is orientation?
• Can I bring guests to orientation?
• What does the orientation fee cover?
• Who can I contact if I have questions or need accommodations?
• What is an "Orientation Hold" and why do I have one?
What is new student orientation?
The new student orientation program at Stony Brook University is a fun and exciting way for students to begin their Stony Brook experience. Orientation is divided into two parts. Part I, known as summer orientation, is a half-day orientation session that focuses on advising and registration. Part II, known as Experience Stony Brook, focuses on getting acclimated to the University climate, culture, and community. Both part I and part II are mandatory for all students.
When do I register for my classes?
We look forward to you completing your degree at Stony Brook University. Please note that Stony Brook's undergraduate
degree program is geared toward daytime students (part-time and full-time), with limited scheduling of evening classes.
The University does not offer on-line or weekend undergraduate classes. The University offers courses Monday-Friday which
necessitates often taking classes at least 3 or 4 days (typically 5 days for science-related coursework) per week.
You will register for your classes at your one-day summer (or January) orientation.
What happens at orientation?
During your half-day summer orientation, you will meet with other transfer students, as well as university faculty and staff, including academic advisors, faculty and Orientation Leaders. You will take your Photo ID picture before beginning your day and have a chance to visit the information fair in the lobby. A meal is provided. Students will hear from Campus Residences or Commuter Student Services, as well as Academic Advising. Students will work with academic advisors, faculty members, and orientation leaders to develop their fall schedule.
Click here for a glance at the
AM or
PM half-day summer orientation schedule for transfer students. Please note that schedules are subject to change. Students in the EOP/AIM will follow a different schedule, as will international students.
During Experience Stony Brook, you will be formally welcomed to the University by President Kenny at Convocation. You will meet with other transfer students and participate in team-oriented activities. Finally, you will receive important information about your rights and responsibilities as a Stony Brook student, including policy information on issues such as drugs and alcohol, sexual assault, hazing, and the University code of conduct.
How do I get a summer orientation date?
When students are admitted to Stony Brook University, they are assigned a unique Stony Brook ID number that allows them to access our online system, known as
SOLAR. The SOLAR system allows students to accept their admission by paying their tuition deposit online, as well as their housing deposit (if applicable) and student orientation fee. When a student has paid all deposits, an orientation date will be assigned based on the order in which they were received. The student will receive their orientation date in the mail, along with additional orientation materials.
How should I prepare for new student orientation?
Students who have paid their deposits will be mailed a Transfer Registration Checklist with their orientation materials. The Registration Guide Checklist contains critical information on the math and writing assessment, which many students must complete prior to their summer orientation date, if required. Students who do not complete these items prior to orientation may be unable to register for necessary classes due to missing information. In addition, the Registration Checklist also contains information about submitting all college transcripts and AP scores to the University prior to summer orientation. Click
here to download the Transfer Registration Checklist.
For Experience Stony Brook, students are required to bring their student ID to all events, as student attendance will be taken via their ID cards. Student ID’s will be picked up when students check-in to the residence halls or on the first day of Experience Stony Brook for commuter students.
When will I receive my credit evaluation?
Transfer students will receive their credit evaluation when they arrive for their half-day summer orientation program. Students should be sure to bring copies or originals of any and all college transcripts with them, in order to verify information that may not have been received. Other recommended items include course syllabi or university catalogs that provide descriptions of courses taken at other institutions. Transfer counselors will be available to evaluate credits not reflected on the evaluation received.
When is new student orientation?
Summer orientation (part I) takes place primarily on Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout the months of June and August. Students will be scheduled for a morning or afternoon session based on the order in which they were received. Students who are in EOP/AIM will have special orientation dates. In addition, international students will be assigned to a specific orientation date. Students who are unable to attend the orientation that they are assigned are encouraged to contact the office of orientation as soon as possible.
Experience Stony Brook occurs Saturday, August 30, Sunday, August 31, and Monday, September 1, 2008.
Where is orientation?
Summer orientation occurs in the Student Activities Center (SAC). Students will spend most of their day in the SAC. Students driving to summer orientation should be sure to park in the H Lot, also known as the Student Activities Center lot. Parking cannot be validated for the parking garage or other areas of campus. Click here for additional information on
traveling to campus.
Experience Stony Brook takes place across the entire campus. Students will be attending programs in LaValle Stadium, the Staller Center, and various other locations on campus. A detailed schedule will be provided to students when they arrive at Experience Stony Brook.
Can I bring a guest to orientation?
During summer orientation, students are allowed to bring up to two guests, however guests will not be allowed to participate in the summer orientation program with the student. Parents and family members are welcome to attend the Parent/Family Orientation, which takes place in a separate area of the Student Activities Center. For more information on the Parent/Family orientation, visit
the Parent/Family website.
Guests are welcome to assist students with move-in, as well as participate in the Family BBQ during the first day of Experience Stony Brook. After the Family BBQ, parents and students part ways, as students are formally welcomed during University Convocation. Guests are not able to attend other Experience Stony Brook events.
What does the orientation fee cover?
The Stony Brook University's orientation fee of $180 provides the students with two programs. A one-day orientation session welcomes the students to the university, with an overview of the undergraduate experience, a meal, community building activities, academic advising, ID photos, and registration for classes. During this time the parents and family members attend a separate program where they are introduced to the campus resources. The second program, "Experience Stony Brook", is during the first weekend prior to the start of the semester. This second part of orientation focuses on student responsibilities and expectations through workshops and theatre performances, and includes several social and community building activities, but does not include meals. Students learn about campus resources and opportunities. Orientation fees are mandatory for all students except for EOP/AIM students and must be paid directly to the office of orientation. As orientation fees do not appear on a student's tuition bill they cannot be directly covered by financial aid. Should a student need to reschedule or cancel an orientation reservation, they must call at least seven days prior to the scheduled session. All refund requests must be made in writing and all reimbursements will result in a $50 processing fee.
Who can I contact if I have questions or need accommodations?
Students who have questions about orientation or require an accommodation (including dietary needs) should contact the office of New Student Orientation and Family Programs at 631-632-6710.
What is an "Orientation Hold" and why do I have one?
The Orientation Hold prevents students from registering. All new students will have an this hold prior to attending Orientation. The hold will be removed after Orientation. Students who do not pay the orientation fee will also have this hold until their orientation fee is paid.