Stony Brook University Admissions: Acceptance Rate, GPA, SAT
SUNY flagship on Long Island — a rising R1 with strong STEM and health sciences.
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What it takes to get into Stony Brook
Stony Brook accepts roughly 44% of applicants — competitive but more accessible than the most selective Ivies.The middle 50% of admitted students score between 1280 and 1440 on the SAT, and the average unweighted GPA is around 3.82.
Numbers alone don't get you in. Stony Brook reads holistically — they want to see academic rigor in your high school transcript (AP/IB/Honors course load), genuine intellectual curiosity, leadership in extracurriculars, a clear “spike” or area of demonstrated excellence, strong essays, and recommendation letters that vouch for your character.
Test-optional policies vary year to year. Even where tests are optional, applicants who submit scores in the 75th-percentile range typically have an edge. Check Stony Brook's admissions page for the current cycle's policy.
What Stony Brook Weighs in Admissions
Visual breakdown from Common Data Set Section C7
Stony Brook Acceptance Rate
44% acceptance rate with SAT, GPA benchmarks and selectivity analysis.
How to Get Into Stony Brook
Data-driven admissions strategy based on CDS weights and what actually matters.
How to Write the “Why Stony Brook?” Essay
Research tips, common mistakes, and what admissions is actually looking for.
See Where You Stand
GPA vs SAT scattergram — compare your stats to admitted and rejected students.
Practice Stony Brook Interview Questions
AI-scored mock interview with real alumni questions. 5-dimension feedback.
Stony Brook Admissions FAQ
What is Stony Brook's acceptance rate?
Stony Brook admits approximately 44% of applicants based on the most recent reported Common Data Set figures. This rate has trended downward over the past decade as application volumes have grown.
What SAT score do you need for Stony Brook?
Admitted students at Stony Brook typically score between 1280 (25th percentile) and 1440 (75th percentile) on the SAT. Hitting or exceeding the 75th percentile gives you a meaningful edge.
What GPA do you need for Stony Brook?
The average admitted student at Stony Brook has an unweighted GPA of approximately 3.82 on a 4.0 scale — though weighted GPAs and course rigor matter just as much as the raw number.
Is Stony Brook test-optional?
Stony Brook's testing policy varies by cycle. Some years they are test-optional, some years test-required. Always confirm on the official admissions page before submitting.
Compare Stony Brook with similar schools
Stats are approximate, drawn from publicly-reported Common Data Set figures. Confirm current numbers on Stony Brook's official admissions site.