First Year

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First Year

Have you earned credits?

First Year Deadlines
Applications will be accepted after these deadlines on a space-available basis.
ENTRY TERM:
Fall 2024
EARLY ACTION DEADLINE:
October 15
REGULAR DECISION DEADLINE:
January 15
ENTRY TERM:
Spring 2024
PRIORITY DEADLINE:
November 1

What We Look For in a First Year Applicant
Stony Brook is a highly selective institution, seeking to enroll those students who demonstrate the intellectual curiosity and academic ability to succeed. Applicants are evaluated on an individual basis. There is no automatic cutoff in the admission process, either in grade point average, rank, or test scores. The Admissions Committee seeks to enroll the strongest and most diverse class possible.
First Year Deadlines
Fall 2024
REGULAR DECISION DEADLINEJanuary 15
STEP1 Apply Online

Ready to take the first step toward your future at SBU? Get started on your application today! We offer two application options (apply using just one). There is a $50 application fee.

Option 1

THE COMMON APP

APPLY: COMMON APP

Option 2

THE SUNY APPLICATION

APPLY: SUNY APP
STEP2 What You'll Need to Apply
 
*For Early Action applicants, school documents should be received by November 1. For Regular Decision applicants, school documents should be received by February 1. Applicants should be aware that it may take our office up to 5 business days to match school documents to their accounts; we encourage you not to request multiple documents be sent from your school counselor/administrator.

An official high school transcript must be submitted by your high school, either online with your application, by email (ugprocessing@stonybrook.edu), or by mail to Stony Brook University, Office of Undergraduate Admissions, 118 Administration Building, Stony Brook, NY 11794-1901.

*Please see the note under Step 2 regarding school document submission dates.

Official scores from the SAT, ACT or both must be sent directly from the testing agency. SAT Code: 2548, ACT Code: 2952.

*Stony Brook is test optional for applicants. Admission to Stony Brook is based on a holistic review of a student’s academic record including the overall grade point average and strength of curriculum, as well as other academic and personal factors such as co-curricular and community involvement, evidence of leadership, special talents or interest.

One letter of recommendation is required from a teacher or counselor. The recommender can email us the document to enroll@stonybrook.edu. Send two Teacher Evaluations if you are applying for any of our honors programs. If you are applying to WISE, at least one evaluation should be from a science or math teacher.\

*Please see the note under Step 2 regarding school document submission dates.

An essay on the topic of your choice is required and can be submitted with your application or uploaded to your StartSBU Portal. 
STEP3 Applicants for Honors Programs
 
Honors College, WISE, University Scholars, Scholars for Medicine, and Scholars for Dental Medicine

Honors Programs consider applicants for fall semester only.
DEADLINE FOR HONORS CONSIDERATION

 

The priority deadline to apply for Fall 2024 is October 15.

HOW TO APPLY

Indicate your interest on your application:

Common App or Coalition App

  • Indicate interest in your preferred Honors Program(s) in the application or supplement. 

SUNY Application

  • Submit your SUNY application (no supplement required)
  • After you have submitted your application, you will get access to the StartSBU Portal
  • In our Portal, indicate your interest for the Honors Program(s) you would like to be considered for (you can select more than one, but must indicate a preference for one). 

Students will be able to upload supporting documents, such as resumes or honors essays through their StartSBU Portal.

Learn more about the honors programs and their criteria.

Essay/Statement Requirements:

Honors, WISE, and University Scholars:

  • Upload to your StartSBU Portal one brief statement on “Why you believe you will be a good fit for your preferred honors program." Applicant should keep their statement to approximately 250 words.

Scholars for Medicine & Scholars for Dental Medicine Applicants:

  • Additional essay required, up to 650 words, on "What aspects about medicine/dental medicine intrigue you? Describe how these aspects influence your life."
  • SAT or ACT scores are REQUIRED for Scholars for Medicine and Scholars for Dental Medicine fall 2024 consideration.

Teacher/Counselor Evaluations or Letters of Recommendation:

  • Two total Teacher/Counselor Evaluations or Letters of Recommendation are required. These recommendations must be sent only by the person who wrote the letter, such as a teacher or school counselor. The letters can be attached to your application or emailed from the recommendor to enroll@stonybrook.edu.
    • WISE Applicants: At least one recommendation or evaluation should be from a science or math teacher

1. General admission decision.

  • Students are notified of their admission decision first (see below for honors decision timeline).
  • Decision Notification Schedule
    • Early Action Applicant: End of January

    • Regular Decision Applicant: End of March

  • Your honors consideration does not affect your admission decision.

2. Admitted students are then considered for their honors program(s) of interest.

  • Honors College, WISE, University Scholars will typically notify qualified applicants of their decision in mid to late March.
  • Scholars for Medicine and Scholars for Dental Medicine will contact qualified applicants directly with a request for an interview and then be notified of their Scholars for Medicine or Scholars for Dental Medicine decision in April.
STEP4 Additional Requirements
 
There are additional application procedures, eligibility requirements, and deadlines for the following programs and applicants:

The State University of New York's Arthur O. Eve Educational Opportunity Program (EOP/AIM) provides access, academic support and financial aid to students who show promise for succeeding in college but who may not have otherwise been offered admission.

Please note that the EOP/AIM program only considers applicants for fall semester admission. This program is dependent on New York State funding allocations, which vary from year to year. Students who wish to be considered for the EOP/AIM program will be notified at the earliest possible date if we are unable to consider their fall semester application due to a lack of funding.

The table below lists the income guidelines for EOP admission for the 2023-24 academic year. 

 
Household Size Income
1 $25,142
2 $33,874
3 $42,606
4 $51,338
5 $60,070
6 $68,802
7 $77,534
8 $86,266*

*For families/households with more than 8 persons, add $8,732 for each additional person.

 

Review more information on the EOP website

Home-schooled students constitute a small yet growing percentage of Stony Brook's applicant pool. We are happy to accept and review applications from students who have been home-schooled.

More information

Stony Brook University offers a world of possibilities for international students. Please review our application procedures for a list of required credentials.

More information

An additional application and audition are required for entry to our Music major.

View music major application

Admission to the BFA in Creative Writing requires a statement of purpose, writing sample and letter of recommendation submitted in the application portal.

 

Nursing is an upper-division major at Stony Brook University, requiring at least 57 credits and specific prerequisites. First-year applicants are considered for admission to the College of Arts and Sciences, where students are offered the opportunity to complete prerequisite courses prior to applying to the nursing major.

The School of Nursing Scholars Program offers a select number of students early assurance of a seat in the nursing program upon successful completion of core requirements and foundation courses.

More information on the nursing major

 

Social work is an upper-division major at Stony Brook University, requiring at least 57 credits and specific prerequisites. First-year applicants are considered for admission to the College of Arts and Sciences, where students are offered the opportunity to complete prerequisite courses prior to applying to the social work major.

Get more information

 

Restricted Majors
Applicants who do not specify a major on their application are considered for admission to the University rather than to a particular major. Admission to Stony Brook University does not guarantee acceptance into the following restricted majors, which have additional admission requirements.

Successful applicants in these majors will, in addition to our general admission criteria, are required to have:

  • 4 units of maths including Calculus for most CEAS majors
  • 4 units of science including Physics for most CEAS majors

Strong applicants typically have earned outstanding grades in high school calculus and physics, and performed exceptionally well on the Math section of the SAT and/or ACT. Stony Brook is test optional for applicants. 

  • Applied Mathematics and Statistics
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Chemical and Molecular Engineering
  • Civil Engineering
  • Computer Engineering
  • Computer Science
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Engineering Science
  • Information Systems
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Technological Systems Management

Successful applicants will, in addition to our general admission criteria, typically display evidence of achievement in mathematics and writing and will have performed particularly well on both the Math and Critical Reading sections of the SAT and/or ACT. Stony Brook is test optional for applicants. 

Admission to the BFA in Creative Writing requires a statement of purposewriting sample and letter of recommendation submitted in the application portal.

 

In addition to the application to the University, a separate Music Major Application is required. Students who perform successfully in the audition and their theory placement and musicianship exams will be admitted to the music major upon admission to the University. In addition, students participating in this audition process may be considered for scholarship offers and the opportunity to study with Performance Faculty.

These health sciences majors are upper-division and require completion of 57 college credits and specific courses/grade prerequisites. Those interested in these upper-division majors may apply for admission as a freshman in the College of Arts and Sciences, where they can enroll in the course prerequisites. An application to the upper-division program will need to be filed through the Graduate and Health Science Admissions Office the year in which you anticipate completing all prerequisites.

  • Nursing
  • Social Work

 

Social Work is an upper-division major at Stony Brook University, requiring at least 57 credits and specific prerequisites. First-year applicants are considered for admission to the College of Arts and Sciences, where students are offered the opportunity to complete prerequisite courses prior to applying to the Social Work major.

Get more information

 Additional Information
Freshman applicants admitted to the University but not initially accepted into their major of choice may apply for admission into the major after satisfying the requirements as outlined in the Undergraduate Bulletin description of the major.
RELATED LINKS
CHECK YOUR APPLICATION STATUS

Within two weeks of submitting your application to Stony Brook, we will send you login information to access your StartSBU Portal. You'll be able to:

  • Monitor your status and view your decision
  • Confirm receipt of items
  • Upload supplements, including essays and resumes
FIRST YEAR NOTIFICATION SCHEDULE
FALL:
  • Early Action Applicant: End of January
  • Regular Decision Applicant: End of March

SPRING: Beginning Mid-November

 It is each applicant's responsibility to ensure that all credentials are received. Space in our class is limited.
The State University of New York (SUNY) policy prohibits Stony Brook admission applications from inquiring into an applicant's prior criminal history. After acceptance, the College shall inquire if the student previously has been convicted of a felony if such individual seeks campus housing or participation in clinical or field experiences, internships or study abroad programs. The information required to be disclosed under SUNY policy regarding such felony convictions shall be reviewed by a standing campus committee consistent with the legal standards articulated in New York State Corrections Law. Students who have previously been convicted of a felony are advised that their prior criminal history may impede their ability to complete the requirements of certain academic programs and/or to meet licensure requirements for certain professions. Students who have concerns about such matters are advised to contact the dean's office of their intended academic program.

Take the Next Steps

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