Undergraduate Bulletin

Fall 2024

Freshman Applicants

All applicants are evaluated with careful consideration given to a range of factors, including the rigor of their high school curriculum, academic achievements, and personal strengths and talents.
Successful freshman applicants will typically have:

  • a high school diploma or equivalent (a Regents diploma is preferred for New York State residents);
  • a strong high school academic program that includes:
    • 3 units of mathematics (4 units required for engineering, applied sciences, and pharmacology)
    • 4 units of English
    • 4 units of social studies
    • 3 units of science (4 units required for engineering, applied sciences, and pharmacology)
    • 2 or 3 units of a foreign language;
  • Standardized test scores that indicate the promise of success in a rigorous undergraduate course of study. SAT or ACT scores are required.
  • Students who show evidence of leadership, special talents or interests, and other personal qualities through extracurricular activities, volunteer work, and other nonacademic pursuits will receive special consideration.
  • Stony Brook's Admissions Office may request recommendations from counselors and teachers. 

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.

Majors in the College of Engineering & Applied Sciences: Successful applicants in these majors will, in addition to our regular admission criteria, 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. Consideration is given to students who have performed well in advanced science and math courses, as well as those who have participated in science, math, and research competitions.

  • 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

Business Management: Successful applicants will, in addition to our regular 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.

Music: 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. 

Restricted Majors in the Health Sciences: 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 Health Sciences Office of Student Services the year in which you anticipate completing all prerequisites. 

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.   

Application Procedures for Freshmen

The priority application deadline for freshmen is January 15 for the fall and November 1 for the spring. Applications and credentials received after these dates will be reviewed on a space-available basis.There are additional application procedures, eligibility requirements, and/or deadlines for:

Scholarships

For the most up-to-date and complete information about scholarships at Stony Brook, visit http://www.stonybrook.edu/scholarships or call Stony Brook's Office of Financial Aid and Scholarship Services at (631) 632-6840.

The Honors College

The Honors College offers a limited number of students the opportunity to become members of a special community of scholars and pursue a challenging four-year curriculum designed to promote intellectual curiosity, independence, and critical thinking. As the most selective academic program for undergraduates at the University, Honors College applicants are expected to demonstrate overall academic excellence in high school, possess outstanding standardized test scores, have a record of advanced or college-level coursework, and display evidence of strong writing ability. Exceptional talent in the fine and performing arts also serves to qualify a student for admission. All students admitted to the Honors College receive scholarship support. Visit http://www.stonybrook.edu/honors for more information.

University Scholars

Incoming freshmen with an exceptional record of academic performance in high school are automatically considered for University Scholars, which provides special privileges and academic opportunities. Visit http://www.stonybrook.edu/admissions/newhonors/uscholars for more information.

Scholars for Dental Medicine

Scholars for Dental Medicine offers selected students in the Honors College an opportunity to complete a combined Bachelor’s/DDS course of study while participating in pre-dential school classes and activities. Students accepted into the program are reserved a seat in Stony Brook University’s School of Dental Medicine upon graduation, provided they complete all applicable program requirements. Visit http://www.stonybrook.edu/admissions/newhonors/scholarsdentalmed for more information.

 

Scholars for Medicine

Each year a very small number of exceptional applicants are considered for the Scholars for Medicine highly selective eight-year combined undergraduate and medical degree track within the Honors College and Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) program. Visit http://www.stonybrook.edu/scholarsformedicine for application procedures and deadlines.

Honors in Computer Science

Honors in Computer Science offers small classes, provides advanced courses in select topics, and gives students admission to the joint B.S./M.S. Program in Computer Science.  For more information, please visit https://www.cs.stonybrook.edu/students/Undergraduate-Studies/HonorsProgram .

Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) Honors

The WISE Honors program offers educational and professional science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) opportunities for undergraduate female students at the university by facilitating individual, institutional, and social change. The main goals of the program are to: (1) provide academic support; (2) promote professional development; (3) facilitate research opportunities; (4) establish and maintain community outreach; (5) encourage global collaboration; and (6) enact inclusive strategies. The four-year curriculum is designed to promote academics, research, service and leadership. All students admitted to the WISE Honors Program receive scholarship support. Visit stonybrook.edu/wise for more information.

Credit for Courses Taken While in High School

Advanced Placement Credit

Advanced placement credit is granted to students who have taken the appropriate CEEB advanced placement examination and scored a 3 or higher. See AP Credit.

Courses Offered by Colleges

Courses offered by regionally accredited colleges and completed while the student was in high school will be evaluated for transfer credit according to the guidelines in the "Application of Transfer Credits to General Education Requirements" section in the "Academic Policies and Regulations" chapter.

International Baccalaureate

With its origins in Europe, the International Baccalaureate Program-now offered by some American high schools-leads to a diploma or certificates of examination. Stony Brook University will award six credits for International Baccalaureate higher level exams with scores of 5 or better for year-long courses.

General Certificate of Education Advanced Level (A-Level)*

With its origins in the United Kingdom, the General Certificate of Education or GCE is a secondary-level academic qualification that continues to be a popular measure of academic aptitude in other countries, including Hong Kong, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Singapore, and Sri Lanka. Stony Brook University will award up to eight credits per subject for A-level (Advanced) exams in year long courses with grade equivalents of C or better.