Applying as a Transfer Student
For admission purposes, you are a transfer student if you have registered at a college or university after graduating from high school. Applicants are required to have performed well in a strong academic program and have typically completed at least 24 college credits with a cumulative GPA of 2.8 or higher by the time they submit their application. Restricted majors may have different admission criteria.
Applicants who do not specify a major on their application are considered for admission to the University rather than to a particular major. Transfer students with more than 56 credits must indicate a major on their application to be eligible for financial aid.
Offers of admission are conditional, pending receipt of all official transcripts records showing successful completion of academic work in progress.
Step 1: Apply Online
We offer two application options (apply using just one). There is a $50 application fee.
Apply: Common App Apply: SUNY App
SUNY or CUNY Two-year College Graduates
The State University of New York waives the $50 application fee for up to four college choices for students graduating from SUNY or CUNY two-year colleges who apply directly to State University four-year colleges for baccalaureate programs. If you are a transfer student seeking the fee waiver, you must complete the SUNY Application and the "My Transfer Colleges" section.
Step 2: Send Us Your Academic Credentials
Be sure to include your full name, date of birth, and home address on all correspondence. It is each applicant's responsibility to ensure that all application credentials are received.
- Required: Have your official transcript(s) sent from every college/university you have attended electronically or mailed to Stony Brook University, Office of Undergraduate Admissions, 118 Administration Building, Stony Brook, NY 11794-1901.
- If you have completed fewer than 24 credits after high school from a college or university
at the time of application, you must submit the following:
An official, final high school transcript must be sent to us by a school to our email directly to ugprocessing@stonybrook.edu or mailed to Stony Brook University, Office of Undergraduate Admissions, 118 Administration Building, Stony Brook, NY 11794-1901.
- Optional: You may submit your official SAT or ACT scores sent directly from the testing
agency
- SAT Code: 2548
Note: Transfer students with more than 56 credits must indicate a major on their application to be eligible for financial aid. It is each applicant's responsibility to ensure that all application credentials are received and that a final college transcript is sent to the Undergraduate Admissions Office prior to orientation. Applicants who expect to be degree recipients (AA or AS) should present evidence of receipt of the degree prior to orientation for advising purposes.
Step 3: 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, or review and submit and additionally requested items
Transfer Admissions Decision Notification Schedule
- FALL: Beginning in mid-February
- SPRING: Beginning in mid-November
- It is each applicant's responsibility to ensure that all credentials are received. Space in our class is limited.
Possible Additional Application 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.
- EOP transfer applicants must be a current student in an EOP/HEOP/SEEK/College Discovery program at their current college. Unfortunately, the ASAP program within CUNY is not considered an equivalent program. Students in ASAP or who are not in any of the programs above will not be considered for EOP admission at Stony Brook University.
- EOP transfer applicants must have already completed 24 college credits at the time they submit their application in order to be considered and have a GPA of at least a 2.8 or above.
- EOP transfer applicants are only reviewed for the Fall semester, and any applicants for the Spring or other semesters will not be considered
- EOP transfer applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible, with an application deadline of May 1 for any Fall semester. Applicants who submit an application or admissions documents after May 1 will only be reviewed on a rolling basis.
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.
Restricted Majors
Admission to Stony Brook University does not guarantee acceptance into the following restricted majors, which have additional admission requirements.
In addition to our regular admission criteria, successful applicants in these majors will typically have the following completed courses transferable to Stony Brook
Course equivalents from your prior university to Stony Brook University can be found in the Transfer Equivalency Database using the below SBU course codes.
Computer Science & Information Systems:
- Advanced Object Programming/Object-Oriented Programming (CSE 114)
- Calculus I (MAT131)
- 3.0+ cumulative GPA
- B grades or higher in prerequisite courses indicated above
- No retakes in prerequisite courses listed above
Data Science:
- Advanced Object Programing/Object Oriented Programing (CSE 114)
- Data Structures (CSE 214)
- Calculus III (MAT 203) or Foundations of Computer Science (CSE 113)
- 3.0+ GPA
- B grades or higher in prerequisites course indicated above
- At most one course retake
Engineering:
- Two semesters of Calculus-Based Physics (PHY 131/133 and PHY 132/134)
- Calculus I and II (MAT 131 and MAT 132)
- 3.0+ cumulative GPA (Chemical and Molecular 3.2+ cumulative GPA and Chemistry I and II CHE 131/133 and CHE 132/134))
- B grades in all prerequisite courses indicated above
- No retakes in prerequisite courses listed above
Applied Mathematics and Statistics:
- Linear Algebra (MAT211)
- Calculus III (MAT 203)
- 3.0+ cumulative GPA
- B- grades or higher in prerequisite courses indicated above
Course equivalents from your prior university to Stony Brook University can be found in the Transfer Equivalency Database.
CEAS majors include:
- 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
Those enrolled in Joint Admission Programs at Suffolk County Community College or Nassau Community College will be reviewed for admission in accordance with the program guidelines.
In addition to our regular admission criteria, successful applicants will have a more competitive grade point average. A minimum GPA of 3.2 is typically required.
Those enrolled in Joint Admission Programs at Suffolk County Community College or Nassau Community College will be reviewed for admission in accordance with the program guidelines.
Applying for Creative Writing
To be reviewed for the Creative Writing major, please submit the Creative Writing Supplemental through the StartSBU Portal. This supplemental includes a statement of purpose and writing sample.
Creative Writing supplemental materials are due by the application deadline to be considered for the program.
All transfer Music applicants if admitted are admitted as Pre-Music and will need to audition for admission directly to the major. Auditions and required placement exams are offered at the beginning of each semester. Interested students should be in touch with the Undergraduate Studies Director, Deborah Heckert (deborah.heckert@stonybrook.edu).
First-year students interested in these majors will initially enter through the College of Arts and Sciences, where they enroll in the required course prerequisites.
Transfer applicants who have not yet completed the prerequisites for an upper-division health science program should complete the required courses for that program prior to applying for admission. You will learn more about the admissions requirements for the program, including specific courses prerequisites, minimum GPA, and related healthcare experience. You will also learn about the application deadline and start date. When possible, it is advisable to complete any specific course prerequisites you still need at your current institution.
State University of New York (SUNY) policy prohibits Stony Brook University 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 (where a criminal history background check is required) 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, and other applicable 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.