Find your educational adventure worldwide at Stony Brook University! Learn about how to apply if you’re from another country, see the many different programs we offer, and experience our lively campus. Come study with students from all over the globe and strive for greatness in education at Stony Brook University. This post on International Students Admission to Stony Brook University will help you.
Overview of Stony Brook University
Stony Brook University, also known as SBU, is a big public school in Stony Brook, New York. It’s been around for about 67 years and is part of the State University of New York system. The campus is really huge, with lots of buildings spread over more than 1,450 acres of land. It’s the biggest public university in New York in terms of area.
Originally, the school started in Oyster Bay before moving to Stony Brook in 1962. It’s a pretty important school, belonging to groups like the Association of American Universities and the Universities Research Association. It’s known for doing a lot of research.
Stony Brook University also runs the Brookhaven National Laboratory with Battelle, which is a big science lab run by the US government. They’ve got a Research & Development Park next to the main campus and a few business centers in the area. Plus, they’re a major employer on Long Island, with thousands of students, employees, and faculty.
For sports, Stony Brook’s teams, called the Seawolves, compete in Division I of the NCAA. They switched over to the Colonial Athletic Association in 2022 after being in the America East Conference for a while.
See also: International Students Admission to University of Chicago
International Students Admission to Stony Brook University
Stony Brook University offers over 200 different programs to explore. They also provide cool chances for students to do research during their undergraduate studies. It’s located in a great spot on Long Island’s North Shore, just 60 miles away from New York City.
Application Types
If you’re from another country and need an F-1 visa to study in the US, you’ll fill out either a first year or transfer application. There isn’t a separate application just for international students.
- First year students, also called freshmen, are either still in high school or just finished high school but haven’t started college yet.
- Transfer students are people who finished high school and then took college-level courses, either in the US or another country.
When you apply, your citizenship and also the type of visa you want to get (and if you already have a visa, which one) will show that you’re an international student.
See also: International Students Admission to Duke University
International students are those who:
- Want to study in the US using a student (F-1) visa. If you have a B-1 or B-2 visa, you’ll need to switch to an F-1 visa.
- Currently have an F-1, F-2, J-1, or J-2 visa.
Application Requirements for International Students Admission to Stony Brook University
For First Year Applicants
High School Transcripts
To apply, you need to provide your grades from the last three years of high school, and they must be in English. If you’ve already graduated, send in your grades from the last four years of school, thus, including both middle and high school if needed. Make sure your school sends your transcripts directly. Your counselor can upload them online through your application system or email them to enrollintl@stonybrook.edu.
See also: International Students Admission to Brown University
English Proficiency Test
To demonstrate your English proficiency, you must submit an official score report from one of the following exams: TOEFL, Duolingo, SAT, ACT, IELTS, AP, IB, A levels, or PTE Academic. Stony Brook University’s codes for SAT and TOEFL are 2548 and 2952 for ACT. While the university offers test-optional admissions, international applicants are still required to also provide proof of English proficiency through one of these exams. However, if you’re from an English-speaking country or have attended a U.S. high school for at least three years, you may be exempt from this requirement. Students who don’t meet the English proficiency criteria might still be considered for conditional admission.
Here are the minimum scores required for each exam:
- TOEFL (Internet-based & Home Edition): 80
- TOEFL Essentials: 9
- IELTS: 6.5
- Duolingo: 105
- ACT English: 19
- SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (New Exam): 480
- IB English Higher Level: 5
- AP English Language/Comp or Literature/Com exam: 3
- A-level (Advanced) English: C
- PTE Academic: 53
- GaoKao: 125 (out of 150)
- CSAT: Rank 1
See also: International Students Admission to Carleton College
Letter of Recommendation
You’ll need at least one letter of recommendation from a teacher or counselor. They can also submit it electronically through your application portal using the Teacher/Counselor Evaluation Form, or they can email it directly to enroll@stonybrook.edu.
If you’re applying for any of our honors programs, make sure to send in two Teacher Evaluations. For WISE, if you have one, it’s recommended that at least one evaluation comes from a science or math teacher.
Essay
You’re required to write an essay on a topic of your choice. You can however, include it with your application or upload it to your SBU Applicant Portal.
See also: International Students Admission to Oregon State University
For Transfer Students
If you’ve been to any college or university after finishing high school, you’ll apply as a transfer student. To be eligible, you should have done well in your courses, completing at least 24 credits with a GPA of 2.8 or higher when you submit your application. If you have fewer than 24 credits, you’ll also need to send in your high school transcripts.
Additional Application Requirements
If you haven’t completed at least 24 credits from a college or university when you apply:
- Required: You must send your final high school transcript by email to ugprocessing@stonybrook.edu or by mail to Stony Brook University, Office of Undergraduate Admissions, 118 Administration Building, Stony Brook, NY 11794-1901.
- Optional: You can choose to submit your official SAT or ACT scores directly from the testing agency.
- SAT Code: 2548
- ACT Code: 2952
For certain majors, like those in the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences or Business, there are specific admission criteria.
We give special consideration to graduates of university-parallel programs, such as AA and AS degree holders from colleges within the State University of New York and City University of New York systems. However, admission into specific programs isn’t guaranteed. Graduates of career-oriented programs (AAS and AOS) are reviewed on an individual basis and compete with other transfer applicants.
See also: International Students Admission to University of Kansas
If you don’t specify a major on your application, you’ll be considered for admission to the University overall, not for a specific major. But if you have more than 56 credits, you must choose a major to be eligible for financial aid.
Admission offers are conditional until we receive all official records showing successful completion of your current coursework.
Scholarships Available for International Students Admission to Stony Brook University
Stony Brook University values and rewards excellence in learning and research through various scholarships for both new and continuing students. Some scholarships are solely based on merit, while others consider special talents, leadership, community service, or financial need.
For scholarships where financial need is a consideration, it’s recommended to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) early, ideally in January before the fall enrollment. Scholarships are part of the overall financial aid package and cannot exceed the total cost of attendance. They can be used for any expenses related to Stony Brook education, not just tuition.
See also: International Students Admission to Colby College
Merit-Based Scholarships
All incoming first-year students are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships. Most of these scholarships don’t require a separate application; eligible students are reviewed based on academic qualifications. Scholarships are offered based on available funds.
Scholarship Universe
Scholarship Universe is a platform where current and incoming students can create profiles to match with available scholarships. Undergraduates and incoming first-year students can explore scholarship opportunities through this platform.
Graduate Scholarships
Graduate students may be eligible for scholarships through their respective departments to support their academic journey.
Veterans
Stony Brook University is committed to supporting veterans, service members, and their dependents in accessing education benefits, transitioning into college, and achieving academic success.
See also: International Students Admission to Amherst College
Financial Information for International Students Admission to Stony Brook University
Once you register for classes, charges will show up on your student account. It’s your responsibility to pay these charges after registration. You must settle all tuition, fees, and other costs by the due date. You can pay your student account using a credit card or check on the SOLAR System website.
If you don’t pay by the due date, you’ll face late fees, and you won’t be able to access transcripts, diplomas, or certifications, or register for future semesters. Not paying doesn’t count as officially withdrawing from classes; you need to do that through the Registrar’s Office. Just not attending classes won’t cancel your financial responsibility or qualify you for a refund. Refund eligibility depends on when you officially withdraw, as outlined in the Tuition Refund schedule. Keep in mind that tuition, fees, and charges might change without warning.
See also: International Students Admission to University of Pittsburgh
Conclusion
In summary, Stony Brook University warmly welcomes international students who are eager to pursue top-notch education in a diverse and inclusive setting. With a strong dedication to excellence, diversity, and innovation, Stony Brook offers abundant chances for both personal and academic development. Come be part of our global community and set off on a transformative path toward a promising future at Stony Brook University.