Stony Brook University: Rankings, Courses & Admissions

Stony Brook University is accepting applications for the 2025 intake through a selective admissions process. Each year, it enrolls over 3,700 full-time first-year students and draws more than 18,000 undergraduates in total. Early Action applicants must submit all documents by November 1, 2025, and Regular Decision applicants by January 15, 2026.

Below is a breakdown of the admissions requirements and deadlines for Stony Brook University:

Academic Requirements

You must meet specific academic, language, and visa requirements to apply successfully to the Stony Brook University. For example, a minimum IELTS band score of 6.5 is required for English-taught programs. Each requirement plays a role in shaping your eligibility.

Begin by reviewing the academic qualifications needed for your intended program.

Academic Qualifications

Stony Brook University assesses applicants based on their academic records from secondary and post-secondary institutions. For transfer students, a detailed course-by-course evaluation of foreign transcripts is required through an agency such as World Education Services (WES), including a GPA calculation.

The general academic requirements include:

Language Proficiency

Non-native English speakers, including those from countries like India, must prove English proficiency through tests like IELTS, TOEFL, or Duolingo, with an TOEFL score of 80 as an example. Applicants with at least four years of study at an institution where English is the primary language may be exempt.

The minimum required scores for accepted tests are:

Competitive Exams

For certain programs, such as Scholars for Medicine and Scholars for Dental Medicine, standardized test scores like the SAT /ACT are required. For other programs, standardized test scores may be optional or not needed, depending on the specific course of study.

Here are the general criteria for undergraduate admission at Stony Brook:

Note: Requirements may differ by program, so referring to the specific program page for the most up-to-date testing requirements is essential.

For more details on the application process and to ensure you meet all requirements, visit Stony Brook University's official admissions page.

Visa Requirements

Most international students at Stony Brook University enter on F-1 visas, though some may have J-1 visas, H-1B, H-4, or L-2 visas. You don't need a new visa if you already have an F-1 or J-1. F-1 students cannot enter the U.S. more than 30 days before the program starts and should check for any additional fees on the Visa Reciprocity Table.

Below is a list of required documents and steps for the visa application process:

Note: You must pay the SEVIS fee prior to attending your visa interview and present the receipt during the interview.

It's a good idea to check with Stony Brook's International Student Services office to verify all necessary steps for a smooth and successful visa application process.