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 REGULAR DECISION DEADLINE January 15 STEP 1 Apply OnlineReady 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.
THE SUNY APPLICATION
STEP 2 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 January 15. 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 (
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 *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.
STEP 3 Applicants for Honors Programs Honors College, WISE, University Scholars, Scholars for Medicine, and Scholars for Dental MedicineThe priority deadline to apply for Fall 2025 is November 1 .
HOW TO APPLYIndicate your interest in your StartSBU Portal after you submit your application.
Students will be able to upload supporting documents, such as resumes or honors essays, through their StartSBU Portal.
Essay/Statement Requirements:
Honors, WISE, and University Scholars:
Scholars for Medicine & Scholars for Dental Medicine Applicants:
Teacher/Counselor Evaluations or Letters of Recommendation:
1. General admission decision.
2. Admitted students are then considered for their honors program(s) of interest.
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 2025-26 academic year.
| Household Size | Income |
|---|---|
| 1 | $27,861 |
| 2 | $37,814 |
| 3 | $47,767 |
| 4 | $57,720 |
| 5 | $67,673 |
| 6 | $77,626 |
| 7 | $87,579 |
| 8 | $97,532* |
*For families/households with more than 8 persons, add $ 9,953 for each additional person.
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.
Stony Brook University offers a world of possibilities for international students. Please review our application procedures for a list of required credentials.
An additional application and audition are required for entry to our Music major.
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.
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.
Restricted MajorsApplicants 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:
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.
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 purpose, writing 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 first-year student 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 submitted the year in which you anticipate completing all prerequisites.
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.
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 LINKSWithin 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:
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.
