Mixed signals on Stony Brook

Colleges and Universities A-Z Stony Brook University - SUNY
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<p>My son has applied and has been admitted (CEAS / Computer Engineering) to Stony Brook. He <em>really</em> liked the school when we visited back in November, especially based upon the impression of the students (he loved the diversity of the campus) and his conversation with a freshman adviser in CEAS. If he gets accepted into the University Scholars program, that may push SBU to the top of his stack -- and if he gets into the Honors College, that would clinch it. Quite simply, he loved the proposition of going to a premier public research university that was a bit smaller than his top choice (Rutgers) and that, with a little initiative, he would have access to that research as an undergrad.</p>

<p>I personally liked what I saw on the tour and thought that the school seemed to be a good fit for him.</p>

<p>However, when I visit the sites with reviews from students, Stony Brook seems to be a very mixed bag, especially with respect to:
-- The willingness of the faculty to engage with the students, even if the student takes initiative (perhaps this is mitigated with access to a network like University Scholars?)
-- Do undergraduates really have access to research provided that the student "knocks on the door"? Or would they have "ram the door open" like they would have to at Rutgers?
-- The friendliness and academic focus of the students (some reports indicate that cliques abound and are difficult to break into, and that the school has a drinking / pot rep)</p>

<p>We will likely visit again in March/early April, but I would love to have some feedback on these points.</p>

<p>Thanks in advance!</p>

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<p>Hey mtown, congratulations on your son’s admittance! I’m actually a member of scholars, and I have quite a few friends who are members of the honors college! So here we go:</p>

<p>As far as the willingness of faculty to engage with students, that is heavily related to the individual professor, course size and subject. I’ve actually had lunch with my TA’s and professors on occasion, and I’ve idly chatted with professors who teach 400 person chem lectures.
So as long as you’re willing to approach them (or even just happen to have an open spot at your table in the SAC (Yes, this has happened.)) you shouldn’t have an issue. There are exceptions, some professors are just plain mean, however, they are an extreme minority that have made quite a reputation for themselves.<br>
You won’t have an issue getting involved with research, it really isn’t that difficult to start, especially if you have prior experience. Just look into the subject area that you are interested in, figure out if there’s anything you’ve done, learned about, want to learn about that could apply to this project, and write a nice email or letter to the professor involved. It helps if you also happen to have that professor for a class, though thats not strictly necessary.<br>
If you plan on dorming, definitely apply for Roth (Science and Society College), as your freshman 101 and 102 seminars are more likely to be taught by someone who works in engineering, computer science, science in general than in other colleges. And since these classes are absolutely tiny (15 students, if that) its a great opportunity to engage with a professor.</p>

<p>And onto the student body… well. This is pretty subjective. It really, really depends on where you’re coming from. I’m an island kid from a town that’s over 90% white upper middle class, so take everything i say with a grain of salt. People can definitely seperate into groups very easily, especially international students who are more comfortable talking in their own language (usually korean/chinese) That’s not to say they are unapproachable or unfriendly at all, just that they might not be comfortable completely with their english, so dont be offended if they are confused or something.<br>
Continuing, Since most students are instate, the city kids tend to group together, as do the island kids, especially at the beginning of the semester. This definitely lightens up and again, is not a defined thing, just a trend ive noticed. It’s not even to say that they dont hang out together, because that would be an outright lie. It’s just that people tend to group with people are the most similar to them at first, and then branch out later. By the second or third week these distinctions are pretty much gone. The ones that tend to last more are ahead.
These are the cliques pretty much,
-the potheads (there are plenty, but they are generally pretty laid back about it, and dont tend to shove it in your face. Personally I dislike pot and I haven’t had an issue with them yet, despite having several friends in that group. I’d say most of the potheads are fairly light users and most are from NYC. The hardcore ones tend to run out of cash, or destroy their own gpa’s to the point that they stop dorming.)<br>
-The koreans (from korea) tend to group up alot but thats pretty well justified by the fact that they are in another country haha. Friendly guys and girls, just a bit out of their element at first.
-Chinese, same as the koreans, but seriously, nicest guys ever, and you can learn some really interesting cultural stuff from them.
-Jocks. Same as every college ever.</p>

<p>If you are an outgoing person, these groups literally do not exist for you. If you aren’t then they don’t need to exist for you. Just remember everyone is in the same boat when they get here (mostly). and pretty much everyone wants to make some friends. If you want ot break into an established group, the best way is to just ask one of your roomates or friends to introduce you. This is another benefit to requesting roth, you get 5-6 roomates who are mostly science majors like you.</p>

<p>Any questions feel free to contact me or post here, especially if you need clarification.</p>

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<p>^ thanks, chemswag, this is a very helpful response. It puts things in perspective. I don’t know why Stony Brook receives so many negative mentions from the different review sites. Perhaps you New Yorkers are even more self-loathing than us New Jerseyans!</p>

<p>I’m going to show this to my son and let him follow up directly with you with any questions. </p>

<p>One specific question regarding the Undergraduate Colleges (my son really liked this concept) was that he was interested in the ITS community. Also, when we toured, he did like the Mendelsohn Quad. Any insights on this one? </p>

<p>Thanks again for your help!</p>

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<p>ITS is great for anyone interested in computers or generally information technologies. Heres a list of the courses they are offering only to ITS students this semester: </p>

<p><a href=“Home | Undergraduate Colleges”>Home | Undergraduate Colleges;

<p>While these courses change every year (they are decided by what the professor wants to actually teach and are totally subjective) the general themes will likely stay the same, and favorites will probably return. As you can see, most of the ITS ones revolve (as expected) around game theory, electronics, robotics and general science and engineering.</p>

<p>Mendy is decently convenient in location, especially if you like Jasmine or Union food, and the rooms are corridor style doubles, so like an old fashioned university with the bathrooms in the halls and all that jazz. Some people dont mind it, and they are cleaned by staff, which is pretty nice. Other people cant stand not having a bathroom in their own room, want more roomates, want a common area, or enjoy walking 40 miles to class up hill both ways in the snow (Tabler/ACH) etc.</p>

<p>Mendy is like your classic dorm pretty much, there isnt that much to say about it. The rooms are plenty big, and feel alot bigger than the suite bedrooms, plenty of room for tv, xbox, guitars, whatever. You’re taking a little bit of a gamble with only one roomate but it works out most of the time, and switching rooms isnt a big deal when there are only two of you. There seem to be alot of engineers down there, i know a couple Mechies. </p>

<p>You’ll be fairly close to the rec center gym also, which is insanely nice (indoor basketball courts, track, treadmills, aerobic areas, Krav maga classes, you name it, it’s there. Except a pool, there’s no pool, thats under repair.)</p>

<p>Mendy is fairly far from the engineering, compsci, physics, math and lecture buildings, but it isn’t all that big a deal once you’re actually on the academic mall.</p>