Reviews

Stony Brook offers a great, quality education for a state school price, however, getting a quality education depends primarily on the student. Many of the science and math based classes are quite large and are often held in huge lecture halls. Due to the large class sizes, many people don’t go to class, and often, especially in 100 level classes, attendance is not mandatory. However, some professors do take attendance and often attendance, depending on one’s professor can be critical to the class. Majority of the professors at Stony Brook are also quite brilliant and because Stony Brook is a research school, the professors are a great help to students and are often more than willing to help.

Campus life again is dependent on what a student makes of it. Due to its large commuter population, Stony Brook is often referred to as a commuter school. However, living on campus can be quite rewarding and an amazing experience as well. The campus is “dead” on the weekends, however, more events and programs are planned on the weekends to reach out to those who stay. Moreover, there are a number of clubs, intramural sports, and frats and sororities that students can be a part of.
There is also a mall run bus on the weekends that takes students to the Smith Haven Mall and the surrounding shopping centers.

Like all colleges, Stony Brook does have quite a fee for housing for those who live on campus. However, overall, Stony Brook offers an amazing education for the state school price. Moreover, the experience that one makes at Stony Brook can be rewarding and memorable.

- Join clubs and organizations. Stony Brook is a large state school, and joining clubs can help new students meet people with similar interests.
- Stay on the weekends!! It may seem like there is nothing to do, but staying on the weekends is fun and there is usually something to do, or at least bond with others who stay on the weekends.
- Go to classes that are small in size. Many professors take note of who comes and going to classes can prove to be rewarding.
- Participate in the different events that Stony Brook has, especially Roth Regatta and Strawberry fest, it is a great way to meet people and have fun.

The great thing about stony brook is diversity. The student body is diverse in many different ways and almost anyone can come to stony brook and find their niche.

As at any school, at Stony Brook you get out of the experience what you put in, and the most rewarding class will be the one you work hard in, but the effort is made easier by the excellent faculty--the majority of which are renowned experts in their field--and the other students on campus, most of whom are more than willing to help out others in classes.

SBU has very much a welcoming feel to it. The faculty and the other students are accommodating and friendly, and there is a sense of community among all who attend. There is also always something to do on campus, whether it be student or administration organized, and there are constantly things to get involved in outside of classes.

The resources and experiences available to SBU students are incredible considering how affordable the school is, especially for in-state students. Aside from the classes, there are such places to explore as the Staller Arts Center, which offers a variety of professional and student performances for those on campus to enjoy.

Don't come to Stony Brook with expectations of a state school experience. The campus is diverse and edifying beyond the limits of the state its in, and will be most rewarding to students who come in with an open mind and who are willing to work with the resources and students on campus.

Self motivating, relaxed, and unpretentious. SBU isn't a party school, and students do have to work hard to do well, but the campus is a place to have fun as well.

Stony Brook University is known for its science and engineering-you need to work for your grades. People are smart and motivated and it's very easy to find someone to help you. The more you put in, the more you will get out, especially since everyone else is working just as hard. Please keep in mind for the rest of this review that I personally am an engineering student, and have had the most experience with the engineering workload and curriculum.

It's a very large school and sometimes you can get lost. However, there are far more clubs and activities than anyone can ever be interested in, unless all schoolwork is neglected. In that case, Stony Brook science or engineering is still not for you, lest you fail out. Students tend to have a great sense of camaraderie, especially in the harder courses.

I am from California and pay out of state tuition, but it is still a good deal. The education is excellent, but sometimes the accommodations can leave something to be desired. Things are sometimes broken and take a while to be fixed. The laboratories and research are top-notch and opportunities abound, but once again, one must take action.

Study hard and try to avoid overloading your schedule. If you like massive crowds and massive opportunities, this place is for you. If you prefer someplace where people trust each other enough to leave their backpacks in the hallway, perhaps choose a smaller school.

I have been attending Stony Brook for a year and half and I have learned quite a bit. The professors are endearing as well as interesting. They keep the topics fun as well as informative, and due to the fact that Stony Brook provides it's students with a large variety of classes to choose from there's always something new to learn.

Everything about the school is wonderful. The campus is gorgeous on a sunny day and makes walking around enjoyable. The library is full of helpful information and people, there are extracurricular activities for everyone (ranging from arts and crafts, sports, and dancing class), and the food choices are surprisingly good.

I feel that what I pay for school is a steal considering the prestigious reputation that Stony Brook upholds. It is significantly less than most other schools and I appreciate that I can get a high-quality education for such a low price. Also, when considering all the things that Stony Brook provides (multiple on-campus computer sites with free printing, free use of gyms and enrollment in extracurricular activities, and the helpful career center) you can't get a better deal anywhere else.

The size of Stony Brook may seem daunting but it can be a good thing if you let it. As long as you immerse yourself in the school and the overall experience you will do fine.

Stony Brook is great for students who were active in high school. The students who made every effort to receive outstanding grades while at the same time were involved in multiple extracurricular activities.

activities

Professors challenge you intellectually every single day. Science classes are extremely competitive especially to weed out pre-medical students. Be prepared for late nights studying. Meet some top people in their respective field. Will never get another opportunity to meet so many intelligent people that are passionate about their subject.

Stony Brook is a very large school in numbers, but it becomes much smaller once you join an organization on campus. Join a club and it will help your social life greatly. Many tend to stay in their room and study all of the time, but many opportunities exist to meet many people. You make the best of it. Try not to be just another number. Many people are known for their ID number, don't be one of these people.

In state SUNY tuition is low as it is. I personally have financial aid from my FAFSA and some small department scholarships and I don't pay anything out of pocket except for textbooks. Be on top of your financial account. They will charge you for things you already paid for. Know how to annoy the bursar and financial aid office, but be nice.

Amazing school with infinite resources. How many schools are building a hotel on campus in these economic times? Very competitive, but will prepare you for the real world.

Lots of pre-medical students, but other majors are great and just as respected. All majors have top professors in their field. Explore everything from the humanities to math. Very good for science oriented students. Who knows, you just might double major in biochem and film some day :-)

Most of the classes I have encountered are great. There are some where the instructor preforms less than expected. I discovered many new interests of mine while taking diverse classes.

The environment is great and there are many ways to get involved. The staff at Stony Brook really care about the success and happiness of their students. Students have to take advantage of opportunities and try to expand outside the comfort zone. I have been here for 3 years and do not wish to be elsewhere.

Very little tuition compared to other schools. Definitely worth the money because you get a great education. We are one of the two AAU schools from the SUNY system and we have the lowest tuition from the 64 schools.

There are students here who do not appreciate or are aware of everything Stony offers because they are unadventurous and did not do the proper research. If you prefer a school in an urban area, do not come to Stony. Stony is located in a suburban area, but there is plenty to do if you are involved. Going home every weekend becasue you do not like the suburbs is not a fun way to experience college.

The education that this university brings to the table for any incoming freshman as well as the upperclassmen is unrivaled. The professors can vary in their effectiveness and enthusiasm when it comes to each and every class. However, the determined effort to put in work is unlike no other. No other university will work you harder in maintaining the grade you seek. In summary, an A in Stony Brook is very well earned and not received by accident. The courses can be challenging especially the science and engineering courses that I have been taking. But staying on track is all you need to make it here.

I wouldn't go anywhere else. City College was one of my choices initially. But having been here and making the friends and family I have today are indescribable stories that have to be told. Stony offers a campus lifestyle, something home-y, for a lack of better words, for the incoming freshman. It has its perks with being close to NYC and the dorm life, but can be a bit boring on the weekends. However, there are plenty of clubs to join and friends to make whether that be a dance club, acapella, cultural clubs, and so forth.

It definitely is worth my money. Being a SUNY school and having only to pay 16-17K yearly while receiving a superior education at a state school, not to mention the tons of opportunities that come with research in labs and nearby facilities, cannot be attained anywhere else. Stony definitely has the resources needed for the average student to make it well off in their future endeavors. It really depends on the motives and enthusiasm with which each student continues his or her education.

I think Stony Brook can be a little intimidating for incoming students. It does seem large and can be puzzling to the average individual who has no clue about college or what is supposed to occur here. But that is the situation with every college. The key to making it successful over here is not over-indulging in parties and social gatherings but placing that to a minimum and being active about one's education. Study hard weeks before your tests and the grades will show your hard work.

This school is great for the academically oriented student. Anyone who likes to challenge themselves has come to the right school. It is growing to be a haven for those who like the liberal arts as well. Journalism thrives here and so does music/art. But knowing that this school is a science/engineering school, it will definitely provide opportunities for those students who seek the next level in those fields.

At Stony Brook, it seems imposssible to pass any class without really learning the material! The class sizes can be large 400-500 students sometimes, but there are a lot of teaching assistants and staff members who are more than willing to help you understand a topic. There are also learning centers around campus where student can be guided by a tutor ( at no additinal fee) and study as a group, or can study on their own and ask peers for help too. Many textbooks are written by the professors, and sometimes the way they explain a topic is too indepth and can be confusing, so asking a grad student or teaching assistant is a good option. Otherwise, you are learning more than you intended too! In addition, there are many opportunities to do research with a professor on virtually any topic, and doing that will definitely boost one's comprehension of the topic!

The atmosphere here is competitive, which will help you push for better grades but makes day to day classes a little edgy. Being at such a large university does not exactly have a small-town friendly charm to it either. However, there are so many diverse student groups, clubs and organizations that it is easy to find a niche if you go out and participate, which makes the experience a lot more enjoyable. I will also add that as a out-of-state commuter student, there are still so many ways to get involved that commuting has minimal effect on the groups I can join. There are lots of resources to help commuter students with traveling and they make commuter students feel like a part of the campus community with special commuter events. Without joining a group, though, don't expect to be so pleased- you have to reach out, no one will drag you to the fun events, though attendance is required to some events for the freshman introductory course.

I feel that the education I am getting here is high-quality. The professors are more than qualified to teach and plenty of resources are provided to help students get good grades. Other resources where I feel the money is well spent is on the career center, which helps identify and link interests to careers, and hosts multiple job fairs, resume and cover letter reviews, networking help and even etiquette dinners. The Wellness Center hosts many group fitness classes, and blood pressure screenings, wellness expos and sessions all to help keep students healthy. Students are given opportunities to do research, which may help with getting a job later on. There are many student events going on all the time, although now that budgets are being cut, the value is not as good as it used to be.

Get ready to buckle down and study! Courses are challenging, and you really must reach out and find the help that you need. Step out and attend various events, get to know people-they are more willing to help than they seem, and it is a great way to practice networking skills that will help you land a job. Attend info sessions and take advantage of free services- they are there to help you succeed!

Self-motivated, leaders, focused, competitive

Stony Brook University affords one the opportunity to achieve goals they never thought possible. You will be pushed and tested but it is for your benefit in the future. For the price of the school, the amount you will learn about life, relationships and in your field of study will be invaluable!

Get to know your peers immediately as they will be one of the best resources to utilize. Developing a group of friends who are just as motivated as you will help you make it through large classes and lessen the rigor of four years of intense classes. In addition, listen to your friends advice about the classes they have taken and the specific professors that teach them. Getting the A is about mastering the material but also about being well aware of what the Professor expects and how he or she grades. Be strategic in how you make your schedule; your first year you don't want to get trapped taking two or three pre-medical classes along with a DEC such as News Literacy. This brings me to my next point. You will be required to take DECs otherwise known as gen. eds. These can either really enrich your college experience or make it really tedious and seemingly stressful. In other words, select DECs that interest you and that you are also willing to work hard if it is required of you.

Coming from a small school with no more than twenty pupils in my class was a huge leap to Stony Brook. In particular, if you are a science/ math major with aspirations of graduate school mainly medical school, prepare to be around very driven individuals who will stop at nothing to get the best grades possible. Professors know this and they make the classes the difficult; thus, an A and many times an A- was attained through arduous work and well deserved. More than anything, you will learn time management, independence and acquire discipline if you didn't already come to college with these qualities. Prepare to study religiously and don't second guess yourself if your first test and quiz scores are not what you are used to.

Depending on which quad you live in and who you live with, dorm life is really entertaining and provides relief after a long day of running around from the library to your classes. I've come to believe that each quad has something unique to offer and a distinct vibe. For example, H Quad is home to a wide array of people from different majors but most have the desire to participate in leadership and service activities. When you are tired of quiet and more secluded living, you may take a jaunt to Kelly or Roosevelt quad which offers a more urban vibe and lively scene once Friday rolls around.

Food is extremely expensive especially if you don't have a meal plan and have to pay closer attention to the actual price of food. Paying $2.50 for a small ocean spray drink may freak you out at first so go to Costco in the beginning of the semester and stock up on water, juices and snacks. Moreover, the food taste pretty well but can get redundant by the end of the semester. Be sure to take advantage of the different dining facilities Stony Brook has to offer. If you get tired of weekend Brunch in the Union, take a trip over to Kelly and try the fish market!

Getting together with friends for dinner, participating in game nights, dance classes, going to concerts or the shows of comedians that visit the school and taking trips to the city every opportunity you get will make your college years at Stony fulfilling. After studying long and hard for a midterm, take a day to unwind and enjoy your roommates or friends. Specifically, I enjoy attending the division one basketball games especially as March approaches and games are intense!

Compared to many people I know attending private schools, the couple thousand I pay a year seems like pennies. Stony Brook tries their best to be just but there are 20K+ students and the demands for additional financial assistance as far as scholarships is limited.

Roth Regatta, Strawberry Fest, Stony Brook Concert Series, midnight breakfast/screams before finals and campus involvement hours are all unique traditions of Stony Brook. The camaraderie between the student body and faculty is ostensible and enjoying the great weather and fresh strawberries are more than a student could ask for.

This school caters to those who only want to succeed in not only academics but some sort of extracurricular activity. In addition, if you breezed through high school with fairly exceptional grades and intend on doing that in college don't come to stony brook. If you are fearless, inspired, driven and willing to step outside your comfort zone you will be pleasantly surprised by what you take away from the school.

At the beginning of each semester, there will be an involvement fair. There are over a hundred clubs and something for everyone. From joining the newspaper to music appreciation club, you can really fill your agenda with a club meeting Monday through Thursday. If you have a talent and wish to foster it more be sure to meet others who have the same interests and joining a club is the appropriate way to do just that.

Your first few weeks at the school there will be a plethora of sorority and fraternity events. Attend them if you are curious and even if you aren't go and you may learn something valuable. In particular, the historically black fraternities and sororities host fashion shows, step shows and parties that are a great way to escape a long to do list.

The campus is large but have no fear! There are emergency boxes posted on sidewalks in which you can press and be escorted by State certified police officers. In addition, campus residence facilitates a program in which students patrol the residence halls and also escort students if they feel apprehensive to walk across campus alone.

At Stony Brook University, they offer many different classes with various difficulties. Each professor has their own way of doing things, but I learn a lot in each class. It is necessary to read the textbook for whatever class it is because the professor will base the lectures on the textbook most of the time. Also you have to go to class because the professors might hint on what will be on the tests, but will not put them on the lectures for the people who do go to class to reward them.

Extracurricular activities and groups can be fun and rewarding if you enjoy the people in them and the activities you do. For instance, Greek life (sororities and Fraternities) can reward you with networking with hundreds of people who can hook you up with jobs when you graduate, internships while you are at school, or advice for classes they have taken. There are plenty of activities on campus during the week that you will almost never be bored.

As a SUNY school, if you are instate then Stony Brook is fairly cheap, but one of the top SUNY schools there are. For a lot of math and science majors, it is even better than many private schools. Even out of state students do not pay an incredible amount of money to get a great degree. If you are interested in certain types of research, Stony Brook University has professors doing research who will help you with that. A way which Stony Brook does not help with money is the cost of the food. It is quite expensive and the meal plans will take money out that you do not even get to use, so I suggest getting the lowest meal plan and just adding money on it if you live on campus because you have to get a meal plan if you do.

Read the textbook. Even skimming it will not be enough, but if you read and understand whatever book they give you, then you will succeed in doing well in the class. Also going to lectures is very important, especially if they take attendance as that will be part of your grade. However, even if they do not take attendance, going to class is still very important because of the tips and hints the teacher says that you won't know if you only read the lecture, because most of them are found on blackboard.

driven, hardworking, outgoing