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!
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
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.
Do you find there’s enough academic rigor at your school?
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.
Describe the dorm life at your college.
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.
Describe the food and dining at your college.
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!
What’s there to do for fun at your college?
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!
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
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.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
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.
Which types of students will excel at your college?
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.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
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.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
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.
How would you describe campus safety? Do you feel safe on campus?
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.
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.