I could say that after going here for a year that Stony Brook was definitely a swift kick into right- brained action.  The school itself definitely has its good points.  Let me break it down:

Ill start with the negatives first to get them out of the way:

-The food is very overpriced.

-The academic grading system is very unforgiving.  If you get a bad grade, it stays on your transcript, even if you re-take the class.  High demand classes like Human Anatomy are filled with 300 students and you cannot retake it if you p/nc it or fail it the first time. 

-for those like me who prefer a smaller school but cant afford to go to a private college, SBU is like a city, and it can be frustrating as a commute.

-Being a commuter sucks.  There is hardly any parking within a 1/2 mile radius to even get to class, so the easiest way is to park a mile away in the commuter lot and take the bus.  However, this is frustrating too, because sometimes the busses lag and you get to class late.  I have to get to school 20 minutes earlier than my actual commute to be on time.

-the classes are HUUUGE, like 300 students, for the D.E.C.  requirements and intro classes for majors (especially the science and math majors.

-Because of that and that the grading ruberic is so harsh, many students experience burnout during the semester, even with a normal course-load.  Unless you are someone who lives in his dorm (like all of the international students that blow everyone else away with self discipline).

-The school lacks a soul.  Maybe its because it is constantly under construction with new projects, maybe it is because it is a math/science school.  But there is no charm.  Mostly bland metal cylinders and right angles and big cement weird buildings that lack aesthetic value.  The newer buildings are getting nicer, though. 

-You have to work hard to feel like youre getting somewhere with this school. 

-everyhting constantly feels like an obstacle.  LOTS of RED Tape!!

-the school is very culturally diverse (with NYC/international kids), so there tends to be a NYC-feel: disconnected and anonymous, but theres still this sort of indifferent community among students.  Unfortunately, the friendliness form of community seems to be unity though burnout. 

Pros:

-Campus is always kept pristine, minus all the construction.

-They are really trying to make this school more attractive year after year. 

-The school is diverse, so you get a lot of different cultures (basically its open minded and close minded at the same time... there are the diverse NYC'ers and then the international students).

-The education you're going to get will be from very accomplished people with doctorates and awards in research. 

-The success rates of students who do well are generally pretty high.  I know some people who have gotten into Universities such as CMU and are now making 80k salaries less than a year out of school. 

-If you are an in-state student, I would say that you are getting your moneys worth.  Minus all of the annoying things about SBU, if you put yourself out there and try to enjoy what the school is trying to achieve as far as peer happiness, you can get through it. 

-If you are smart, you have people around you who are going to challenge you academically. 

So you see, you have to kind of be a certain type to REALLY enjoy SBU.  Otherwise, its a game of academic survival, and you really have to put your heart into whatever your're studying to feel accomplished at the end of the semester.