Stony Brook University

Stony Brook University is definitely a science and medical school. It has an enormous research facility, its own medical and dental school, accredited engineering departments and basically impacts the entire LI from employment to development. Please don't listen to people who say nobody has heard of Stony Brook. Stony Brook is well known in the science field. Researchers at Stony Brook have discovered and invented countless things. It is a great graduate school and research school.

Students & Social Life: A lot of people complain about the students. Most of the freshmen I met started off as a Biology major wanting to do Pre-med but I'd say less than 10% actually ended up in med school. As a local of Queens, I transferred into Stony Brook knowing a ton of people from high school. The reason why people say it's full of groups is because probably at least 10-30 people from their own schools are there so they will stick to people they are familiar with. People do socialize, but it really depends on where you go to and who you want to know. There are events/clubs/sports for almost anything. A lot of students commute because Stony Brook is in LI and close to NYC.

For people who complain - If you don't like campus life, take the train to Manhattan and party there, the school isn't segregated in a forest, its 1 hour or so to get back.

The school is predominately Asian(30-40%) since you have to add a ton of International Korean/Chinese/Japanese students so if you're not looking to see a ton of Asian people, this probably isn't the place to go.

The Greek Life does exist, but it's very small compared to a lot of liberal arts colleges.
Academics: The sciences here are extremely hard and like one person said, "it's perfect for Asians that study all day". It?s quite competitive for grading, especially in the sciences because everyone wants that A but there are curves so you basically compete with everyone for your grades. I'm a Computer Engineering major and our department is significantly smaller than most departments so I never hated any of classes for being too large or terrible professors but I hear that's a problem in other classes.

Obviously if you're a liberal arts or business major going to Stony Brook, nobody really cares because and you probably won't get too much recognition. For those who deny it, I did a double major in CE and business and dropped business because I hated how easy it was and filled with uninspired students in the classes that just wanted to party and get a high paying job in the future.

For those people who want a real career in life, look into the health professions in Stony Brook, the people and academics are really great. For science and engineering majors, Stony Brook is the cheapest alternative to getting a great degree for a low price.

If you're looking into partying and having a great time with the entire school, this is definitely NOT the place to go to. There are a lot of football/basketball div 1 colleges with better school spirit, facility, etc.

3rd Year Male -- Class 2011

Scholastic Success: A, Collaboration/Competitive: F

Stony Brook helped me by introducing me to the real world---if you want something you have to rely on yourself, so go out and get it. Seriously though, it's a school where you have to put the time and effort in to make it an enjoyable experience. You have to go out and make friends (they don't just come to you) you have to work outside fo class (you don't just get knowledge).

Overall I had a great experience and a great 4 years. I double majored, played D-1 Sports for a nationally ranked team, worked at the mall, made the dean's list, and still managed to have parties at my house off campus consisting of over 300 people. (Oh yeah, I also dated a cool/hot chick who is now a model in NYC).

Is it the best place in the world, no, but you can make it a great time if you try. I have a great job now, making good money and am loving life. I knew what I was getting into, with it being a little bit of a commuter school and adjunct professors and larger classes, but I had a philosophy to deal with everything. Guess what, if you sit your butt in the front row of the classroom, it's just as if you are taking classes with 15 people. If you go to teachers hours, they will help you. If you take the time to meet your professors and network with them, they can and will help you. If you read yoru texts book, you will learn teh same material (same text books as my friends at yale)

Working world- better known for technology and health; however it's a 60 year old school, not 200 years old...the alulmni base will continue to grow, especially around NYC, more and more student are ending up in Financial related positions in and around the city, and the academic requirements continue to improve year after year.It's your life and your school. Make the best out of it. If you don't, you have no one to blame, but yourself and will continue to be a complainer for the rest of your life.

Alumnus Male -- Class 2000

Graduating as an Engineering Major, the school met my needs. Although the Eng. school is quite rigorous and competitive to get into (due to the sheer numbers of applicants if nothing else) the reputation is not well known anywhere outside NY. This is really a problem for all SUNY schools. If you are a NY state resident, Buffalo may be a better choice, in terms of curricula options. If you are an out-of-stater, I would probably attend a different school, hopefully your in-state university. One piece of advice I would give anyone is to keep your UG debt load low. Grad school is becoming a pro-forma path these days, and I would use the extra money for that (or have it paid by an employer). The idea of spending 200K for a major private school degree is really a flawed plan. Definitely go to Stony Brook rather than graduate with mounds of debt. It may not be ideal - what in life is?

2nd Year Male -- Class 1986

Education Quality: B, Campus Aesthetics: C-