<p>Hi, I'm a rising senior who is applying to BS/MD programs as well as regular undergrads, Stonybrook included. Stonybrook seems like a great place for a pre-medicine student (not so expensive, good science classes, research opportunities out the wazoo), but I'm not so hot about living there. I've lived on Long Island for my whole life, and since I already have a car, I'd figure that Stonybrook would be a good place to commute. However, I've heard that in your freshman year, you're REQUIRED to dorm at Stonybrook (even if you had a car). This, in my opinion, is extremely unnecessary. How come freshman students cannot commute to Stonybrook during their first year? If it weren't for that situation, Stonybrook would be the perfect school for me.</p>
<p>Unless something changed within the past year, you are not required to live on campus. A large percentage of the campus community commutes. </p>
<p>Where did you see or hear something which contradicts this?</p>
<p>Well, you probably saw this coming but:
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/suny-stony-brook/625944-my-2-cents-sbu-must-read-prospective-students.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/suny-stony-brook/625944-my-2-cents-sbu-must-read-prospective-students.html</a></p>
<p>Apparently, you have to dorm as a freshman and are not allowed to commute as a freshman only? That’s what it seemed like. </p>
<p>Of course, that thread was written two years ago, so I’m not exactly sure how the current situation differs from back then.</p>
<p>Nearly 20% of freshman commute, so there is no concrete requirement. They probably encourage dorming to take full advantage of the undergraduate freshman colleges activities. </p>
<p>That post from two years ago doesn’t really apply anymore. Everything has changed in some form or another. I just graduated in May and the University has substantially improved in services and facilities since I came in 2006.</p>
<p>You don’t have to dorm at Stony Brook for your first year.</p>
<p>Thanks for the responses. I was kind of worried for a bit there, since Stony is one of those schools I would definitely consider going to for pre-med if I didn’t get into a BS/MD program. Could one of you explain how parking there actually works? Do we need a permit, or what?</p>
<p>There are six different kinds of parking lots:
- Residential Parking
These require you to have a specific permit which corresponds with the parking lot. For example, if you live in Kelly Quad you can only park in the parking lot associated with Kelly Quad and not Roosevelt Quad. - Faculty/Staff Parking
You can only obtain the permit to park here if you work for the University and commute to the school to work here. It’s free parking during certain hours. - Special Service Parking
Only school vehicles and logistical companies (Pepsi, FedEx) can park here. - Paid Parking
No permit required, and is available in many locations. The rate is $1.5/hour. Handicap is free in this area. It’s free on weekends and during certain hours. - Commuter Parking
Requires a commuter permit, but can park in any of the commuter parking lots. These lots tend to be rather far from the main part of campus and requires public transit once parked there. It becomes free parking between either 4PM or 7PM depending on the lot, and is permit parking at 7AM. - Railroad Parking
Parking for the railroad station, but can be used as a commuter lot as well. You cannot leave your car here overnight or it’ll be towed.</p>
<p>Since you’re commuting, you would receive a GREEN commuter pass.</p>
<p>If you decide to live on campus, you can’t park your car here until you’re a junior unless you can prove the necessity of one for medical reasons or having a job which requires you to drive there.</p>
<p>Yeah, and parking services isn’t a department you want to fool around with. They’ll ticket your vehicle several times a DAY if incorrectly parked. Park illegally and it’s impounded.</p>
<p>I was lucky to have a SS permit due to my position in the campus emergency response community. Otherwise, when I had a standard residential, I was ticketed several times for just parking to drop something off.</p>
<p>They will go over the entire parking thing at orientation - you’re going to have to go to the parking services website and enter your ID, drivers license number and information about your car. Parking generally sucks, but if you get ticketed, you can go on SOLAR and dispute the ticket. They almost ALWAYS accept your explanation. I know people who have disputed their tickets 10-15 times a semester.</p>
<p>They won’t accept anything but excellent appeals now. The budget cuts has made parking service enforcement’s job even more important.</p>