Admissions

Be ready to study, but also to have the time of your life! Don't be afraid to make new friends, because the friendships I've made here have been very deep, and have developed quickly.

I only have a few tips for prospective students:
1) Bring rain boots and a large umbrella. You wouldn't believe how much it rains in the spring. I thought I was living in Seattle there for a while!
2) You may want to allot some money for you to buy staple food items to keep in your dorm room. SBU does a pretty good job with their food at Mellars (the cafeteria) but it is cafeteria food and you get bored with it after a while. Don't rely on the wide variety of fast food restaurants that are conveniently nearby. Make use of the kitchen available in every dorm.
3) Get to know your professors outside of class. They are wonderful people and have lots of things to teach you within and outside of the classroom walls.
4) You don't need to bring your whole closet with you the first day. You've got time to go home and get the things you discover you still need before the weather becomes too dramatic to handle. I learned this the hard way.
5) Don't date anyone the first couple of months. This is the time to make friends.
6) Bring a bike/longboard/skateboard/rollerskates(?) because there will be mornings you run late.
7) Keep your grades up. You don't want to lose your scholarships.
8) Second semester is tougher than first semester in every single way possible.
9) Call whoever helped you make it to college, at least once a week that first semester. They REALLY want to hear how you are.
10) You are about to get a whole ton of freedom with your time. Don't abuse it. Don't sleep in until 2pm (missing your first three classes). Don't be stupid.

If you attend, get connected and don't be afraid to get out of your comfort zone.

Come to as many visit days as you can.
Participate in Bearcat Days.
Come to at least one home basketball game.

Like any college or school, you have to study to get good grades.

Be excited about starting college because it is a wonderful time of transition and personal growth. Don’t sweat the small things before you get there. On the more practical side, if you are living in a dorm, you might want to invest in some under-the-bed storage units. Those really come in handy.

Take advantage of SBU's events for prospective students, namely Bearcat Days and Fall Visitation. This will give you an opportunity to meet with faculty and determine if the atmosphere fits your particular needs and preferences.

Be organized. Utilize your resources including study groups with peers and you tube videos. Don't give up your dream just strive harder.

If you are a prospective student I would definitely suggest going to see the university. As soon as I saw the campus, met some of my professors and adviser, I knew it was the place I wanted to be.