Honors

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Honors

University Scholars

The University Scholars Program is a vibrant community of high-achieving students at Stony Brook. The program allows students to make connections with our world-class faculty, participate in numerous activities and obtain leadership and research opportunities on campus. The purpose is to create a community of learners focused around our three pillars of leadership, scholarship and service.

A four-year program, University Scholars is made up of some of the university’s most active student and community leaders. Freshmen residing on-campus have the option of living with other Scholars in their Quad and enrolling in a Scholars-only section of their first-year seminar course to help foster a greater sense of community.

All Scholars are eligible to attend special symposia and field trips, obtain special academic advising throughout their career at Stony Brook, participate in the Scholars Council, partake in a variety of outreach activities and have priority registration for classes. Scholars in the program are typically involved in outreach initiatives on campus and in the community-at-large and are frequently the recipients of prestigious awards such as the SUNY Chancellor’s Awards, Undergraduate Recognition Awards and Provost’s Awards for academic excellence. About ten percent of Scholars participate in the Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities (URECA) celebration every year. There are approximately 250 Scholars enrolled in the program each fall.

Admission to Stony Brook's three largest programs for scholars (The Honors College, University Scholars and WISE) is highly competitive, and based on a variety of factors including high school academic record, strength of curriculum, standardized test scores, honors and awards, extracurricular achievements, leadership skills, unique individual talents, and life experiences that make students a good fit for their preferred program. Successful applicants to University Scholars (the middle 50th percentile ranges) have historically had 95-99 high school GPAs, 1390-1520 SAT composite scores, and 31-35 ACT composite scores. Test scores are optional for University Scholars consideration.

Admitted first year students will be notified of admission to the University before they are reviewed for honors consideration.

How To Apply

University Scholars Website

The Honors College

The Honors College is a small community of scholars who share an interest in a broad liberal arts education, work together outside the classroom and want to stretch their intellect and curiosity. With an interdisciplinary learning environment and abundant leadership opportunities, the Honors College prepares students for positions of leadership and for graduate school. Its distinguished faculty, a wide range of academic choices and the resources of one of the world’s top research universities make the Honors College the ideal place for students from diverse backgrounds to forge common interests and make a lasting impact on their communities.

The Honors College has a special curriculum for Honors students only, taught by regular members of the faculty in small classes. You will enjoy the opportunity to engage in research and other creative endeavors with our distinguished faculty very early in your career at Stony Brook. This dynamic learning environment transcends the four walls of the classroom and continues in the residential setting.

All First Year Honors College students are housed together and are provided priority housing. This highly selective, seminar-based program enrolls approximately 100 freshmen each year. Its students experience the individual attention and benefits typically found only in small liberal arts colleges while having access to the vast range of academic opportunities available only at a major research university. Highlights include innovative seminars, small classes and leadership opportunities.

Admission to Stony Brook's three largest programs for scholars (The Honors College, University Scholars and WISE) is highly competitive, and based on a variety of factors including high school academic record, strength of curriculum, standardized test scores, honors and awards, extracurricular achievements, leadership skills, unique individual talents, and life experiences that make students a good fit for their preferred program. Our most successful candidates typically have 97-100 high school GPAs, 1500-1560 SAT (critical reading and math) composite scores, and 34-35 ACT composite scores. Test scores are optional for Honors College consideration.

Admitted first year students will be notified of admission to the University before they are reviewed for honors consideration.

How To Apply

Honors College Website

Women in Science and Engineering (WISE)

WISE is a unique program designed to encourage talented students interested in math, science or engineering. If you are considering a career in physical sciences, life sciences, computer science, information technology, math, medicine, engineering or a similar field, you will benefit from WISE’s curriculum, extracurricular activities and interaction with other like-minded students.

The program encourages a diverse applicant pool that is inclusive of, but not limited to, members of underrepresented groups in STEM (e.g., African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, including Alaska Natives and Native Pacific Islanders, persons with disabilities, first generation, rural, veterans and in some STEM disciplines, women).

As a WISE scholar, you will pursue a regular academic program, with the addition of courses developed especially for WISE that give you firsthand experience in a variety of disciplines.

The curriculum consists of special courses designed to introduce students to the diversity and multiple opportunities within science and engineering in very personalized ways. Highlights of the program include research opportunities, personalized academic advising, advanced priority registration, professional development and mentoring.

The beauty of WISE is that it combines the vast resources of a major university with the close bonds and support of a small community of like-minded students and faculty. Approximately 130 students are enrolled in WISE each year.

Admission to Stony Brook's three largest programs for scholars (The Honors College, University Scholars and WISE) is highly competitive, and based on a variety of factors including high school academic record, strength of curriculum, standardized test scores (if reported), honors and awards, extracurricular achievements, leadership skills, unique individual talents, and life experiences that make students a good fit for their preferred program. Successful applicants to WISE (the middle 50th percentile ranges) have historically had 94-98 high school GPAs, 1380-1515 SAT composite scores, and 32-35 ACT composite scores. Test scores are optional.

Admitted first-year students will be notified of admission to the University before they are reviewed for honors consideration.

How To Apply

WISE Website

Scholars for Medicine

Stony Brook University offers an integrated eight-year program for students interested in attending medical school following their undergraduate degree. The Scholars for Medicine (SFM) track offers selected students in the Honors College, WISE Program or University Scholars Program an opportunity to complete a combined Bachelor’s/MD course of study while participating in pre-medical classes and activities. Students accepted into any of these tracks are reserved a seat in Stony Brook University’s School of Medicine upon graduation provided they complete all applicable program requirements.

Scholars for Medicine track requirements:
  • Complete the Honors program of study.
  • Complete all recommended pre-medical courses.
  • Maintain a minimum 3.2 science GPA & 3.4 cumulative GPA (3.2 cumulative GPA for students pursuing a BE in the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences).
  • Successfully complete the MCAT (minimum score determined by the School of Medicine, Committee on Admissions)

Applicants to all Scholars for Medicine tracks are notified in March whether they have been recommended for review by the School of Medicine Admissions Committee. If recommended for review, applicants are then notified within a couple of weeks as to whether they will be offered an interview. Final decisions are typically made prior to April 1.

Admission to Scholars for Medicine is highly competitive, and based on a variety of factors including high school academic record, standardized test scores, strength of curriculum, honors and awards, leadership skills, extracurricular achievements, and unique individual talents. Successful applicants to the program (the middle 50th percentile ranges) have historically had 98-99 high school GPAs and 1490-1590 SAT composite score or 35-36 ACT score. Candidates must also have documentation of U.S. citizenship or permanent residency in the United States.

Admitted first year students will be notified of admission to the University before they are reviewed for honors consideration.

Note: Students may ONLY apply for ONE of the following programs: Scholars for Medicine or Scholars for Dental Medicine.

How To Apply

 

Scholars for Dental Medicine

Stony Brook University offers an integrated eight-year program for students interested in attending dental school following their undergraduate degree. The Scholars for Dental Medicine program (SFDM) offers selected students in the Honors College an opportunity to complete a combined Bachelor’s/DDS course of study while participating in pre-dental 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.

Scholars for Dental Medicine requirements:
  • Complete their Honors College program of study
  • Complete all required pre-dental courses at Stony Brook
  • Maintain a minimum 3.5 overall GPA & 3.4 science GPA
  • Successfully complete the DAT with a score at or above the national average for that test year
  • Complete at least 100 hours of shadowing/observation in a dental setting
  • Participate in community service
  • Participate in research activities at the Dental School

Scholars for Dental Medicine program applicants are notified in March whether they have been recommended for review by the School of Dental Medicine Admissions Committee. If recommended for review, applicants are then notified, usually within two weeks, if they will be offered an interview. Final decisions are typically made prior to April 1.

Admission to Scholars for Dental Medicine is highly competitive, and based on a variety of factors including high school academic record, standardized test scores, strength of curriculum, honors and awards, leadership skills, extracurricular achievements, and unique individual talents. Successful applicants to the program (the middle 50th percentile ranges) have historically had 98-99 high school GPAs and 1490-1590 SAT composite scores. ACT exam scores are now considered in lieu SAT scores.

Admitted first year students will be notified of admission to the University before they are reviewed for honors consideration.

Note: Student may ONLY apply for one of the following: Scholars for Medicine or Scholars for Dental Medicine.

How To Apply

 

School of Nursing Scholars Program

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. During freshman and sophomore year, Nursing Scholars will participate in lower division nursing seminars and School of Nursing activities, and will develop relationships with faculty mentors and advisors.

Admission to the program is highly competitive, and based on a variety of factors including high school academic record, standardized test scores, strength of curriculum, honors and awards, leadership skills, extracurricular achievements, and unique individual talents.

Stony Brook nursing students enjoy all the advantages of being a part of an Academic Medical Center. Clinical experiences are highlighted at Stony Brook University Medical Center which is a dynamic 560 bed tertiary care hospital that is the only level one trauma center in the area. All of the students from the University’s Health Sciences Center, Medicine, Dentistry, Social Welfare and Health Management and Technology, interact closely playing a major role in shaping your future as a practitioner. These learning partnerships are what give Stony Brook Nurses the competitive edge upon graduation.

How to Apply

To apply to the School of Nursing Scholars Program, complete the Common Application and select "Pre-Nursing" as your intended major to be considered. Admitted first year students will be notified of admission to the University before they are reviewed for honors consideration.

Apply

Computer Science Honors

Stony Brook’s Computer Science Honors is designed to enhance the undergraduate experience for highly motivated and talented students like you. Students in Computer Science Honors attend some special, limited-enrollment classes, receive personalized academic advising sessions, get priority registration for computer science courses, enjoy a sense of community and fun social events with other honors students and faculty, and take advanced special topics courses.

Admission: All high-achieving first year applicants to the Computer Science major are automatically considered for Computer Science Honors. 

More Information

Simons STEM Scholars Program

The Stony Brook Simons STEM Scholars Program is a training ground for the next generation of diverse leaders in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. With merit-based scholarship funding, we aim to help students achieve scholastic goals with top-level education, so they can change the world with the skills they develop in their time here.

The program welcomes 50 students each year, with support including:

  • Dedicated on-campus housing, where for the first two years of the program, students will live together in an environment that fosters collaboration and support;
  • Internship and research opportunities and stipends, enabling students to pursue extracurricular learning experiences to supplement their STEM coursework and bolster their graduate school applications;
  • A Summer Bridge Program for incoming freshmen, where students will acclimate to Stony Brook and become part of the Stony Brook Simons STEM Scholar community before formal coursework begins, meet the mentors and advisors who will support and guide them and become acquainted with their peers;

In addition, Simons STEM Scholars students will receive:

  • Four years of scholarship support that will fully cover the educational costs for each and every student in the program
  • Academic and career advising
  • Peer and faculty mentoring
  • Community-building activities
  • Networking opportunities and support
  • Stipends for program-related travel and study abroad opportunities
  • Alumni support and outreach
  • Access to off-campus learning and research opportunities at state-of-the-art research facilities Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and Brookhaven National Laboratory (a U.S. Department of Energy national laboratory), both close partners of Stony Brook
Simons STEM Scholars Program Requirements:
  • High school GPA above 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or 87 on a 100-point scale. Some degree programs at Stony Brook may require higher standards for admission.
  • A strong interest in pursuing a doctoral degree in relation to a research-based career (PhD or MD/PhD)
  • Personal commitment to diversity and inclusion in the STEM fields 
  • Documented community service 
  • Documented leadership experience 

Note: The Stony Brook STEM Scholars program acknowledges the challenges many students and their families have faced over the past few years. If you are slightly below our requirements but have a deep passion for research and diversity in STEM, please still apply. You will still be in consideration for the program.

How To Apply

Simons STEM Scholars Website

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