Application FAQs
Here you will find answers to frequently asked questions covering our application process for incoming and admitted students.Application Process
- What should be sent with the application?
- Do you have an application checklist?
- What else can I send to enhance my chances of admission?
- I am an International Student, should I send my financial documents with my application and/or official transcript?
- When does the official application process on ApplyYourself open for submissions?
- How much is the tuition?
- What are the language requirements?
- I need the application papers mailed to me. Can I get it?
- I cannot pay the application fee. What can I do?
- What training programs or certificate programs do you offer?
- The application deadline has passed, can I still apply for admissions?
- If I have a PhD can I apply for the MS program?
- Based on the profile I e-mailed to you, am I eligible for admission?
- Is it necessary to have a bachelor’s degree in CSE? Are students without a degree in CSE at a disadvantage compared to other applicants?
- Do you offer conditional admission?
- I do not meet your English proficiency requirement, do you offer conditional admissions to fulfill the requirements?
- Do you offer summer or part-time admission?
- How long does it take to obtain an MS degree?
- Am I a domestic or international student?
- I mistakenly applied for ECE, how can I transfer my application to CSE?
- I was previously admitted to the program but had to decline. Where should I note this on my current application?
- I have mailed my application materials to the department. When will I be notified that my mail was received?
- Where can I check my application status?
- When will my status be updated?
- How will I know if my application is incomplete?
- What is your institution's code for GRE and TOEFL?
- What are the typical test score results?
- Are my TOEFL and GRE test scores still valid?
- I have only one original copy of my TOEFL and/or GRE scores. Should I send them with my application?
- What happens to my application if my materials (GRE and TOEFL scores) are late?
- In what circumstance can the GRE and TOEFL be waived?
- I am a US Citizen/Permanent Resident, do I need to take GRE and TOEFL?
- I am an international student studying in the U.S., do I need to take GRE and TOEFL?
- Can the GMAT test be used as a substitute for the GRE?
- What are the "official transcripts" that are needed?
- I have scanned versions of my transcripts. Can I submit them online with my application instead of mailing them?
- I want to send in my application early, but I have no grades for the Fall semester. Do you really need it?
- I have not completed my application on ApplyYourself, can I still send my official transcripts?
Fill out the form online. Before filling out the online application, follow the link on the main WEB page, and read the "Application Instructions". Note, that we can access your application only after the application fee is paid. Visit the Graduate Admissions webpage for complete admissions application instructions.
The Stony Brook Graduate School provides an application checklist which is available on their website.
No additional materials are to be sent. Sending any additional application materials will slow down the admission process for all applicants. These additional materials will not be considered for review by the admissions committee.
No. Financial documents are not needed at this time. If you are admitted to the program, specific instructions will be provided to you with your offer letter.
Admissions for the next academic year (both Fall and Spring) become available on ApplyYourself during the middle to the end of August.
Current graduate tuition rates are available on the Financial Aid Website.
The language requirements are available on the Graduate School FAQ Website
No. We do not accept paper applications. Apply on-line (http://www.grad.sunysb.edu/admissions/)
TThe application fee is a requirement in order to be considered for admission. Fee waivers are available for Domestic student applications. Please contact the Graduate School for details and conditions.
We do not offer any training programs or certificate programs. We offer a MS and PhD degrees in Computer Science.
Applications submitted in ApplyYourself prior to midnight of the application deadline will receive full consideration for admissions. ApplyYourself will send a confirmation email to the email address on your application form to confirm submission. The link within this email MUST BE clicked to complete and fully submit your application. International student applications submitted to ApplyYourself after the posted deadline WILL NOT be considered due to the additional paperwork and processing required. PhD and domestic applications submitted in ApplyYourself after the posted deadline will be accepted but ARE NOT guaranteed to be reviewed. PhD applications received after the deadlines may not receive full considerations, especially for financial support.
Students who have already obtained a PhD in Computer Science are not eligible to apply for the MS program. Students with a PhD is in another discipline are eligible for the MS program.
We receive a large number of emails concerning admissions. Profiles or information submitted through email for pre-review will not be evaluated by the admissions committee or the admissions secretaries. The admissions committee will only review applications entered through ApplyYourself.
A bachelor’s degree in Computer Science is highly recommended, but is not a requirement. Students who have a bachelor’s degree in another field and who can demonstrate a strong computer science background, through employment and/or college-level coursework, may still apply. All applications are evaluated according to the same criteria. Therefore students without a CSE degree must demonstrate sufficient CS background within their application.
We do not offer any conditional admissions for any reasons.
We do not offer conditional admissions to fulfill any English proficiency requirements. The English proficiency requirements and the TOEFL exam must be met in order to be considered for admission.
We do not offer summer admission. For international students, due to VISA constraints, part-time MS/PhD students are not permitted.
he MS program is a 31-credit program, which can be completed in a minimum of three semesters.
f you are a US Citizen, permanent resident, or have a green card, you are considered a domestic student. Whether studying in the US or internationally, if you do not have US citizenship, permanent residency, or a green card, you are an international student.
We cannot transfer applications between departments on ApplyYourself. Additionally, we can only review applications which are submitted to CSE. We suggest you contact the Graduate School in this case.
In the Admission Information Page of the AppyYourself application this information can be included. There is no need to note your prior admittance in any other section of the application.
We are not able to provide individual confirmations of receipt. Your status will be updated in ApplyYourself. This update will serve as confirmation of receipt of materials.
You can check your status by logging into your application account in ApplyYourself. If you do not see a status, it is because we have not provided an update yet.
Due to the volume of applications we receive, statuses are not updated right away. Please check for status updates after the relative application deadline has passed.
Once your status is updated in ApplyYourself, you will be able to view what materials have not been received. Please do not worry that you will not have the chance to complete your application. If it turns out your application is incomplete, you will have the opportunity to provide us with any missing materials prior to review.
Official Tests (GRE/TOEFL)
The institution code for GRE and TOEFL is 2548. The Department code is 0402 for GRE and 78 for TOEFL. Please note, if the scores were sent with the wrong department code, we will still receive your scores so long as the institution code is correct.
Students admitted in 2011 had the following score averages:
TOEFL: 105 (iBT)
GRE General Test: Verbal 560 (68th percentile), Quant 780 (94st percentile), Writing 3.6
Note that test scores are only one of the criteria in the review process. The admission committee reviews all aspects of the application as a whole. A superlative score will not ensure admission if the remainder of the application is of low quality. At the same time, applications with below average scores can be compensated by other higher quality sections of the application.
TOEFL test scores must be no older than two years from the semester you intend to start the graduate program. GRE scores must be no older than 5 years from the semester you intend to start the graduate program.
There is no need to send a hard copy of your TOEFL and GRE scores. GRE and TOEFL scores are to be officially reported to us through ETS. Also, official IELTS scores must be sent directly to our department. We are not able to accept copies of IELTS. Make sure to request ETS to send your scores to Stony Brook University. Additionally, please enter you score in the AY online application form. This score will be verified with the electronic report. However entering it in the AY application allows immediate consideration of your application. Note that we will not issue a formal letter of admission without having received your score from the testing service.
Applications with late materials, such as GRE and TOEFL scores, can negatively affect the review process. There is a brief margin (1-2 weeks) after the application deadline where these scores can still be processed in time for review. Applications reviewed without scores will be negatively impacted. Note, that these materials are required before any offer of admissions will be issued.
All applicants are required to submit a valid GRE examination score. All Ph.D. applicants must submit a valid TOEFL score due to teaching responsibilities. MS applicants who have graduated and received a degree from an institution where English is the sole language of instruction can apply for a TOEFL waiver. All other MS applicants must submit a valid TOEFL score.
All applicants are required to submit a valid GRE examination score. If your native or primary language is not English, regardless of citizenship, a valid TOEFL score is required as described in #31.
All applicants are required to submit a valid GRE examination score. All Ph.D. applicants must submit a valid TOEFL score due to teaching responsibilities. MS applicants are required to submit a valid TOEFL score unless they qualify for a TOEFL waiver as described in #31.
No. The GMAT exam can not be used in place of the GRE or the TOEFL exam.
Transcripts
A document is official when it is issued by the school with the official seal/stamp and an official signature. Transcripts must be submitted to the program you are applying in a sealed envelope, signed across the seal by the appropriate academic officer. Applicants must submit official transcripts of all work beyond secondary school. Please request two (2) official transcripts from each institution you have attended. Photocopied documents or documents sealed by an accountant are NOT official and will not be accepted. Transcripts not written in English must be accompanied by an official translation. Final transcripts state that a degree has been conferred and provide the date of conferral. A provisional certificate, therefore, is not final but temporary. Students who apply with a current progress transcript and are accepted to the program will be required to send an official final transcript before final admittance to the program is given.
No. Scanned or digital versions of any transcripts will not be accepted and will be disregarded in your application.
Applicants for admissions to the Fall semester may submit their application through ApplyYourself at any time. Transcripts must include the Fall semester grades on the submitted official transcript. Applications without Fall semester marks will not be reviewed. The Fall admission deadline allows for sufficient time for Fall semester marks to be available and sent.
For more transcript FAQ's, please visit the Graduate School's Admission FAQ's page at: http://www.grad.sunysb.edu/admissions/faq.shtml
Yes. Details on where to send your transcripts are available on the Admissions webpage.
ApplyYourself
- My recommender cannot upload my letter of reference. Can I upload them myself? Or can you upload it for me?
- My recommenders will only send hard copy letters of reference. Where should I send them to?
- I thought I submitted my application, but when I login to ApplyYourself it does not say submitted. What do I do?
- Why do I need to enter my GRE and TOEFL scores in the application if there are sent by ETS to Stony Brook?
- There is an error my submitted application materials (resume/statement of purpose) which I uploaded on ApplyYourself. I forgot to upload my resume/statement of purpose. What can I do?
- I have been out of touch with my undergraduate college, can the 3 recommendations be accepted from the work place?
- I applied last semester but was rejected, can I reuse my SOP and Recommendations?
- How do I calculate my GPA in the application?
- I am a MS applicant, how do I fill out the CS Supplement?
- I am a PhD applicant, how do I fill out the CS Supplement?
- How do I determine the ETC code for my undergraduate and graduate universities on the Educational History section of the application?
We can only accept letters of reference submitted by the recommender themselves. Students cannot upload the letters to ApplyYourself and the department and university cannot upload the letters on your behalf. All letters must be submitted digitally through ApplyYourself.
We will accept at most one hard copy or paper letters of reference per application. Additional paper letters will not be accepted. Please provide the reviewer with the paper recommendation form that can be downloaded from ApplyYourself. Paper recommendations must be received in sealed envelopes, signed across the seal by the recommender. Letters should be mailed to:
Stony Brook University Department of Computer Science,Graduate Admissions Office - 1st Floor,
Stony Brook, NY 11794-4400
Please specify MS or PhD in the address or on the mailing envelope.
Please note, that hard copy letters of reference will slow down the review process of your application.
When submitting your application, ApplyYourself will send a confirmation email with a link. The application will not be completely submitted until this link is followed. Additionally, we are not able to view your application until the application fee is paid.
There can be delays in receiving test scores from ETS. By entering these scores in the application the admissions committee is able to begin reviewing your application. Note that the scores entered on your application will be verified with scores transmitted to the university by ETS.
The admission committee understands that errors do occur. Applications will be reviewed with the materials which have been submitted. Once your application is submitted in ApplyYourself, modifications will not be possible. Please make sure to review all submitted documents and materials prior to submitting your application.
This is a decision that each applicant must make independently. We will accept recommendations from the work place.
This is a decision that each applicant must make independently. In either case, all required documentation must be resubmitted through ApplyYourself as a new application.
Students should report their GPA or aggregate percentage (international students) according to the standard scale used by their universities. Do not attempt to convert to the 4.0 GPA scale. In the application, report the aggregate score/GPA achieved during the full course of your studies.
In the first section of the supplement, Computer Science Proficiency, applicants should enter courses which they have taken at the undergraduate or graduate level pertaining to the topics listed. If the applicant has not taken a course in the area "NONE" should be entered in the Title field. In the section, GPA Computation, international students and students who obtained undergraduate degrees outside of the USA must enter the GPA obtained each year during their undergraduate career. Additionally, the rank in class or institution should be indicated if denoted on the official transcript. Unofficial ranks will not be accepted and discarded.
In the first section of the supplement, applicants are asked to indicate up to two research areas of interest. At least one must be entered. A list of the research areas can be found at http://www.cs.stonybrook.edu/admissions/raclarif.html In the section, Computer Science Proficiency, applicants should enter courses which they have taken at the undergraduate or graduate level pertaining to the topics listed. If the applicant has not taken a course in the area "NONE" should be entered in the Title field. In the section, GPA Computation, international students and students who obtained undergraduate and/or graduate degrees outside of the USA must enter the GPA obtained each year during their career. Additionally, the rank in class or institution should be indicated if denoted on the official transcript. Unofficial ranks will not be accepted and discarded.
To enter the code, press the LOOKUP button. A new window will appear asking to enter the name of the university, City, State and Country. The easiest approach is to leave all fields blank except the Country field. Examples of Country abbreviations are as follows:
US : United States
CHN: China
IND: India
KOR: Korea
Post Review
- When will I receive a response to my application?
- I was admitted by your Department. What is the latest time to accept the offer?
- I was admitted to Stony Brook, but I am on the waiting list at another place. Can I delay my answer to you until I know the result there?
- I have graduate credits from another university. I would like to transfer them to Stony Brook. Is that possible? In fact, I would apply to Stony Brook only if such transfer is possible.
- I was accepted but I would like to defer my admission to a future date.
- I was accepted to ECE but I really want to be in CSE. Can I transfer my acceptance?
- Can I visit Stony Brook and the Department?
- How can I e-mail admitted students?
- When can I register for courses? If I wait to register will all the classes be full?
- What courses should I register for?
- I need to know the reason for my rejection so I can improve my future chances?
- I know students who were accepted but not coming, since I was rejected can I take their spot?
- Do you have a waitlist?
- My AY status was not updated and I was rejected, was I rejected because of my status?
- If I do not show up for the start of the semester, is my acceptance automatically deferred to the following semester?
We receive a large number of applications for Fall semester admissions; it takes a significant time to process and review all applications fairly. We may admit or reject applicants any time between the application deadline and April 14. Very few cases are decided late. Most applicants should hear from us before April 1. The decision status of your application will be posted in ApplyYourself. We suggest you login to Applyyourself to periodically check your decision status. Acceptance letters are only posted in ApplyYourself, NO paper offer letter will be mailed to you. If you are offered admission, you must log-in to ApplyYourself and formally accept or decline the offer.
Formal acceptance must be submitted in ApplyYourself no later than April 15.
The April 15 deadline is established in a resolution by the Council of Graduate Schools. Accordingly, all graduate schools should give you time to make a decision about the admission offer until April 15; we certainly do so. Our offer for admission expires on April 15th; if we do not receive a response by that date, we assume that our offer was rejected.
Visit the Graduate Admissions webpage for details on transferring credits.
We do not grant any deferrals of admissions. If you are unable to attend for any reason you will need to reapply for admissions for a future semester.
No. We are not able to transfer offers of admissions from one department to another.
You are welcome to visit. We recommend visiting Monday through Friday during normal business hours (9:00am - 5:00pm). Upon your arrival we will do our best to provide you with the information you need regarding our programs. If you would like to meet with specific people, it is best to setup appointments prior to your arrival through email. Whenever possible, the department does arrange an "Open House" for prospective students. Please contact us for further details.
We cannot release contact information of current or other admitted students. However once you arrive at Stony Brook you will be able to contact the graduate students through the department email directory and mailing lists.
Students may register for classes once all holds by International Services and the Graduate School are lifted. We suggest that you register for courses as soon as possible.
Please refer to the FAQ for the MS and PhD programs.
We receive a large number of applicants each a semester, therefore we can not give individual feedback to each applicant. If you did not receive an offer of admissions then the other applicants have higher qualifications.
No. Offers of admissions can not be transferred between students.
No. We do not have a waitlist for admissions.
No. Delays in updating your application status in ApplyYourself do not impact the decisions of the admissions committee. The status updates in ApplyYourself are for administrative purposes only.
No. Students who do not arrive and check-in at the start of the semester are considered to have declined the offer of admissions. We do not defer any offers of admission. Students must completely reapply for admissions for the next semester.
I-20
For other I-20 questions, please refer to the International Services webpage.- How long will it take to process my I-20?
- How will my I-20 be dispatched?
- I already made a VISA appointment but have not received my I-20 what do I do?
- My VISA was rejected can you write a letter on my behalf or contact someone to help me?
- I could not attend Stony Brook University but I still have my I-20, when can I come?
Once all necessary paperwork has been completely submitted and approved, it will take approximately 4-6 weeks to issue your I-20.
All I-20s are mailed via regular international postal mail or through eShip Global. Students who wish to use the eShip Global service must create and pay for their own account. When asked select Stony Brook University as the Sender and Erin Keffeler as the contact representative at International services.
Students are advised not to make a VISA appointment until after receiving their I-20.
No. We can not write any letters on your behalf.
I-20's are voided after the start of the semester and are no longer valid.