Hello all! I'm drawn towards applying to Stony Brook University. Is their acceptance rate known? Plus, anything special they look for in applications? Interested in any experiences you might want to share. Cheers!
Stony Brook University has an acceptance rate of approximately 49%, meaning almost half of all applicants are admitted. Like many other universities, Stony Brook University makes their admissions decisions based on various factors including your academic standing and personal attributes.
As for academics, Stony Brook tends to admit students who have strong academic profiles. This means that good grades, a rigorous schedule of coursework (AP, IB, Honors, etc.), and competitive SAT/ACT scores (if you decide to submit them) are important.
Their review process also considers non-academic factors such as extracurricular activities. Those with a "spike," or deep involvement and achievement in one particular area, can stand out. Leadership also helps add to your application—think of activities where you hold prominent roles such as a club president or a team captain.
Lastly, make sure your application essays are well-crafted and thoughtful. Try to go beyond the typical essay topics to make your application more memorable and unique. Your essays and short answer questions are your opportunities to show them who you are beyond your academic accomplishments and extracurricular involvement.
Everyone's experience with college applications differs slightly, but the formula for a strong application is generally the same: strong academics, thoughtful essays, and meaningful involvement outside the classroom.
If you want to know how you personally stack up at Stony Brook, I'd check out CollegeVine's free chancing engine, which accounts for all quantifiable elements of your application, including GPA, course rigor, test scores (if you have them), and extracurriculars to give you personalized odds of acceptance at Stony Brook and hundreds of other colleges: https://www.collegevine.com/admissions-calculator/. This tool will also give you suggestions on how to improve your chances, for example by raising your GPA slightly or earning a leadership position in one of your extracurriculars.
Best of luck!
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