Founded in 1957, Stony Brook University is a State University of New York (SUNY) public institution located in a suburban Long Island setting. It has a campus size of more than 1,450 acres on what feels like an exclusive resort style property. It is home to more than 25,800 students enrolled during the 2023-2024 academic year with 17,549 undergraduate and 8,316 graduate students.
The drive to the campus is pleasant and scenic within minutes of a small nearby downtown area. Numerous cultural sites are available at Stony Brook University. The Stony Brook Film Festival and other events are held annually at the Staller Center for the Arts. Children can learn about local natural history at the free Museum of Long Island Natural Sciences on campus. The Charles B. Wang Center, which has galleries, outdoor gardens, and distinctive East Asian architecture, is devoted to studying Asian and American cultures. Public transportation is available offering easy and convenient access to the Long Island Railroad (LIRR) and New York City.
College Ranking
Stony Brook University is ranked #58 ranking in National Universities by US News and Work Report and tied with North Carolina State University.
The college tour begins with an information session where important facts and figures are explained. Topics covered include student population, demographics, its 200+ academic majors and minors, sports and athletic programs and clubs and organizations.
Important dates such as early decision and early action are also discussed. The facts parents care most about is the cost of attendance, housing and meal plans are all explained.
Campus Tour
The tour is conducted by current students who can speak to the experience of life on campus. I scheduled my tour on a school holiday (Yom Kippur). I had not considered that while I was free from high school and available to do the tour, it also meant that Stony Brook students would also be away or not walking around campus for classes. In hindsight, I missed the experience of a busy campus bustling with movement from student activity. Stony Brook is very expansive and offers lots of outdoor open spaces. Because I chose to do my tour on a holiday, administrative office such as admissions and financial aid were also closed. I wondered if I would have a feeling of a close community with buildings being so dispersed. It’s not possible to see everything during a walking tour but feel free to explore the other areas by car when the tour ends. There is a definite feeling of being in a safe and protected environment surrounded by other young adults.
Student Union and Sports
There were serval open and modern areas for students to study and gather including the Student Union. The dining halls and athletics buildings were also well maintained and updated.
Overall, it felt like a great place to get an education and grow away from home and it is certainly worth the visit.