Admissions

University Honors Programs Admissions Information

Admission to a University Honors Program is based on a range of criteria. The Programs are looking for academically accomplished and well-rounded students who have demonstrated an ability to succeed in an Honors Program at Stony Brook and are poised to take advantage of the research, scholarly, and community-based opportunities available to them at the University. Successful applicants have succeeded in challenging academic courses, while showing energy and leadership in extracurricular areas of interest, including the visual, performing, and literary arts, athletics, sciences, community service, and student government. Admission is highly competitive.

The Women in Science and Engineering Program (WISE) encourages a diverse applicant pool that is inclusive of, but not limited to, members of underrepresented groups in STEM (e.g., African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, including Alaska Natives and Native Pacific Islanders, persons with disabilities, first generation, rural, veterans, and in some STEM disciplines, women). To qualify for WISE, applicants must have a demonstrated aptitude and interest in science, mathematics, or engineering.

General Admissions

Students must first be admitted to Stony Brook University before being reviewed for admission to the University Honors Programs. Prospective Honors students can apply to one of the University Honors Programs as part of the general admissions process. When applying, students should indicate their preferred Honors Program.

If you're using The Common Application or Coalition Application, you can apply to your desired Honors Program through the general application process. However, if you're submitting the SUNY Application, you must apply to your desired Honors Program and upload an essay on a topic of your choice through the SBU applicant portal.

Application steps and information about the process may be found here:First Year Admissions.

Please note the following:
- October 15: Priority Consideration deadline. Applicants interested in admission to a University Honors Program are encouraged to apply by this Early Action deadline. Please see the University Admissions' First Year application page for additional deadline information.
- May 1: Deposit deadline to accept the offer of admission.
- All students accepted into one of the University Honors Programs will be automatically enrolled in their respective program upon depositing with the University.
- Admission decisions for Priority Consideration notifications will be sent out in late winter.
- University Honors Programs admission is test optional except for students applying to the Scholars for Medicine (SFM) or Scholars for Dental Medicine Programs (SFDM).
- The Scholars for Medicine and Scholars for Dental Medicine Programs will personally contact qualified applicants for an interview. Admitted students will be notified in April. Students may only apply to one of the following: Scholars for Medicine or Scholars for Dental Medicine.
- SFM applicants must be permanent residents. Permanent residents or international students may apply to the SFDM Program.
Recent incoming cohorts have had the following high school grade point averages and standardized scores*:

Honors College: 97-100 high school GPAs, 1500-1560 SAT (critical reading and math) composite scores, and 34-35 ACT composite scores.

University Scholars: 95-99 high school GPAs, 1390-1520 SAT (critical reading and math) composite scores, and 31-35 ACT composite scores.

WISE: 94-98 high school GPAs, 1380-1515 SAT (critical reading and math) composite scores, and 32-35 ACT composite scores.

*Admission to a University Honors Program is test optional; only Scholars for Medicine and Scholars for Dental Medicine require the submission of standardized test scores.
The Scholars for Medicine (SFM) Program is an integrated eight-year program for select students interested in attending medical school following their undergraduate degree. The SFM Program offers students in Honors College, University Scholars, or the WISE Program an opportunity to complete a combined Bachelor’s/MD course of study while participating in recommended pre-medical courses and activities.

Students who have been accepted into the Scholars for Medicine Program are guaranteed a seat in the Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University upon graduation provided they fulfill the following requirements:
- Complete their Honors program of study.
- Maintain a minimum 3.2 science GPA and 3.4 cumulative GPA; 3.2 cumulative GPA for students pursuing a BE in the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences.
- Complete successfully the MCAT (minimum score determined by the Renaissance School of Medicine, Committee on Admissions).
The Scholars for Dental Medicine (SFDM) Program is an integrated eight-year program for select students interested in attending dental school following their undergraduate degree. The SFDM Program offers students in Honors College, University Scholars, or the WISE Program an opportunity to complete a combined Bachelor’s/DDS course of study while participating in pre-dental courses and activities.

Students who have been accepted into the Scholars for Dental Medicine Program are guaranteed a seat upon graduation provided they fulfill the following requirements:
- Complete their Honors program of study.
- Complete all required pre-dental courses at Stony Brook.
- Maintain a 3.5 cumulative GPA and 3.4 science GPA.
- Complete successfully the DAT with a score at or above the national average for that test year.
- Complete at least 50 hours of shadowing/observation in a dental setting.
- Participate in research and community service.
A small number of students currently enrolled at Stony Brook University may be accepted for admission into a University Honors Program.

First-year and sophomore students may apply for admission into Honors College; University Scholars; or the Women in Science and Engineering Program (WISE). Acceptance will be based on qualitative and quantitative criteria.

Applications are due December 1 for Spring enrollment; June 1 for Fall. Notification of admission decisions follows four to six weeks after the application deadlines.

Current Student Admissions Criteria
- Current enrollment in Stony Brook courses at the time of application. Students will not be accepted directly into a University Honors Program from another institution. Note: Applications will not be accepted after the start of their junior year (by tenure, not credit standing).
- 3.5 minimum cumulative GPA in a well-rounded academic program.
- STEM major for WISE applicants.
- Established leadership and commitment in extracurricular activities.
Current Student Application Process
- - Complete the University Honors Programs Current Student Application and the two required essays.
    
    Request two instructors to complete the Instructor Evaluation Forms
    
    Please email all documents to universityhonors@stonybrook.edu

University Honors Programs Admission Questions

Yes. The University Honors Programs highly recommends interested applicants apply by the Priority Consideration deadline of October 15. Notifications of admission decisions occur late in winter.
You are expected to have followed and succeeded in a rigorous program of study. We understand that you cannot take courses your high school does not offer, or that you might not be able to take every AP course offered by your high school. Students who are admitted to a University Honors Program typically demonstrate success in a range of courses (AP, IB, and college-level) as this serves as a good indicator of probable success in a rigorous academic program at Stony Brook. Applicants interested in the WISE Program are encouraged to take advanced coursework in the sciences and mathematics. Please note that a maximum of 30 AP credits can be transferred to the University.
SAT II Subject test scores provide additional information about the scholastic abilities or applicants. We encourage students to submit SAT II scores if they are available, but these scores are considered in the context of the entire application and are not required for admission.
For the SAT, we consider your highest individual critical reading and math scores even if they were received on two different sittings. For the ACT, we only consider your composite score and do not combine individual scores from various test dates. Please note that standardized test scores are not required for admission into a University Honors Program. They are required for admission to Scholars for Medicine or Scholars for Dental Medicine Programs.
Yes. Acceptance to the Scholars for Medicine and Scholars for Dental Medicine Programs is contingent upon acceptance into a University Honors Program. Applicants retain their University Honors Program admission if they do not gain admission into one of the medical programs.
Appeals are only considered if the applicant has substantive new information to add to the application. A letter of appeal and documentation may be emailed to universityhonors@stonybrook.edu.