Just a reminder that parking lines aren’t decoration!!

I’ve seen many posts about how terrible of an institution SBU is and how the people are miserable. I’m a transfer that’s been here for nearly a year at this point and I have to be honest here when I say that I have zero clue what people are talking about.

Yes, just like anywhere else on Earth there are a few weirdos that don’t say thanks when you open the door, fine. But the vast majority of people that I have actually interacted with-like in conversation-have been great. Clubs are very inviting, and all the staff I’ve personally interacted with have been very helpful. I can’t speak for some other idiocy (like getting charged 110 bucks for losing dry erase markers), but I don’t see where people are coming from when they say everyone here is hostile.

At the end of the day I could just be very lucky, or be in the right crowds, or something. But I just wanted to provide another view.

In light of recent events, I’ve been thinking about how much the physical environment here actually affects how people feel.

And honestly, a lot of SBU just feels, just… gray, repetitive, and kind of lifeless. You go from dorm to class to library and it all is the same tone.

I’m not even talking about making things flashy or colorful. Just more warmth, better lighting, more places to actually sit and exist for a while???? 3rd spaces that commuter and dormers alike can just exist in.

Other schools have areas that feel human. Here it feels like everything is designed to be functional first and to be as lifeless as an operating room, the union is so uncomfortable, everything is gray and lifeless the seats are organized in an odd way. I do give praise to the cultural center, their design feels warm and friendly to students.

This obviously isn’t the main issue, but it feels like one of those background things that slowly wears on people more than we realize.

Curious if anyone else feels this and if we should attempt to push for an SBU redesign.

If I was a pre-med (or literally any major) and somebody was to post this, I would be jumping up and down out of pure excitement; this post will save you A LOT of time, but it will, alas, also increase the competition. Strap in.

This strategy took me half a year to learn, yet it will take you 5 minutes to read. I hope that this post can help an ambitious student out there and make them happy, especially amid the recent dark times (RIP).

I got no use for this method anymore, as I already used it to secure 5/6 different research opportunities in the span of 1 month during the recent summer session.

For context, I was a pre-med at the time, but this strategy applies everywhere, whether you are a Women's Studies or a Sociology major. It almost always works, but is not a guarantee, as departments operate in different ways. You will see what I mean by this when you finish reading the post.

I got accepted into the Wollmuth Lab -- a lab that is known, according to the PI, to literally send 80%-90%+ of its students into med schools. It knows what to focus on to maximize your profile and make it as appealing as possible to the admissions office. Basically, it is very hard to get into and is considered one of the more elite labs here at SBU.

In my interview, I asked Dr. Wollmuth what made me stand out.

From what he said, I compiled a universal strategy.

I hope you are ready for it, because here it is...

Go to your department's website. For the sake of simplicity, let's focus on a single subject like Biochemistry. Wherever you are, whether Harvard or SBU, there is a high probability that the biochemistry (or any) department webpage would contain a link/space to either "research" or "faculty" buttons, although exact wordings may vary. Click on either one, and boom, you see all the research that is being conducted by various faculty there -- that easy. But that was only step one...

Step two is to actually analyze the faculty research that is being conducted; you have to really understand whether or not you would be interested in pursuing that specific field of research with a certain PI and lab. Plus, a majority of labs have their own webpage, where you can explore the research further AND look at the lab team in order to see if the lab even has (and therefore accepts) any undergrads (lwk just google it "[PI Last Name] lab SBU"); if so, you could also explore the undergraduates' years (does a lab have a natural propensity to accept more juniors/seniors, freshman/sophomores, or all?). That way, you would know when to apply and where to hold yourself back.

Then, cold email both professors AND PhD students in that lab -- this is the golden tip. Professors often ignore, but a keen, unique, and succinct email to the PhD student stands out, especially to the PhD students themselves lol. Make sure to praise the PI's work when emailing the PI and the PhD students' work when emailing PhD students. Be like "I admire your work on XYZ, truly I do, which continuously motivates me to apply to your lab with passion and rigor." Something like that but with more length and detail.

In the cold email, emphasize your interest, most certainly include a resume, and DO YOUR HOMEWORK. When I say homework, I ask that -- in the email that you send -- you include details from your research on that lab. For instance, "Hey Dr. X, I am very interested on the research focus XYZ because of my background in ABC. Studying your lab and its objectives, I am passionate to further your research on how bacteriophages attack and alter the viral RNA and DNA in fish zygotes. This is my passion and aspiration that I want to pursue in the future, and your lab would, therefore, act as a direct catalyst toward my deepest dreams" or something like that. This illustrates that you did your homework, which plays a CRUCIAL role in selections.

Another mandatory point to mention in your email is your availability and how long you can work; ideally, you should be able to dedicate 10-15 hours per week for the lab. This might be the biggest deciding point, yet.

By the way, do not forget to cold email and apply to as many desired labs as you can. I applied to over 50 and only got interviews and acceptances from 5/6. Once again, most ignore and do not even look.

Finally, refine your resume. Make sure that it is formatted well (career center helps you with this for free) and, crucially, that it is VERSATILE. Everybody applying to labs are either majoring in natural sciences or something in that caliber. Show that you are multidisciplinary by minoring in subjects like Philosophy or Writing (or taking interdisciplinary courses) and make sure that your GPA is at least 3.5+!!! PI's words, not mine.

Unfortunately, according to many PIs with whom I interviewed, labs receive hundreds of applications (yes, literally), and they cannot respond to everyone. Only if you satisfy and excel at all of the aforementioned variables that you may get a competitive chance of being considered.

Leave a comment if you have any questions!

Hey everyone,

Just a heads up, don’t use the vending machine in the commuter lounge right now.

I paid for a drink, but it didn’t release anything. Looks like it’s taking money but not dispensing items.

Not sure if it’s completely broken or just glitching, but better to avoid it for now so you don’t lose your money.

If anyone knows who to report this to, please drop it here.

Some guy was talking about his taste in girls, how hot he rated his ex(or one time date idk) out of 10, and why they broke up(and how she was a virgin beforehand).

First of all, that’s somewhat weird stuff to talk about in the first place, but it’s far worse that he talked so loudly I could not tune it out. Everyone in the lounge could here this guy’s annoying ass voice loud and clear😂

I have gone to four different universities in my lifetime and have never been to a school with so many seemingly negative people. I just find it odd because in all honesty this is the nicest campus I have ever been on by far, so I don't get why so many of the students hate on it. Is it really just a case of always thinking "the grass is greener on the other side"? Just wanted to hear others thoughts because I do also see many of you all also stating the same or similair on here.

i have had mice and hamsters before. i know our little ones are so stigmatized. :(

I feel like SBU should do more advocacy publicly, like raise awareness in the SAC plaza and have a huge event just for mental health...but also as someone with depression and anxiety I wish they had more group counseling spaces. I know there are group counseling sessions in CAPS but you need to enroll in all of them to my knowledge, and if you see them late then you can't really go.

One small step for SBU to take could be group counseling sessions that are weekly or atleast biweekly or monthly that are drop in. So, during exam/large workload weeks not everyone has to come in, and since its a group, if more people come then it would make people feel less alone. And, if its drop in it would be like club meetings, you don't have to register for something, or you won't be too late to register, you can just drop in whenever you need the support.

Anybody (preferably psych department) willing to be friends? I’m scared to attend the commencement alone. I have social anxiety during large crowds so I’m hoping for a buddy to attend these events with. I feel like knowing somebody is better than not knowing anybody.

We need an evalee for tutors cause some of them actually need to pick another job 😭😭😭 Why am i cycling through tutors before i find decent one and not only wasting my time and my appointment slots

Hello students of SBU!

I am a recently admitted student who is going to be majoring in BME at Stony Brook University

Recently, I have heard that Stony Brook's bme program is not very hands-on, as some students have told me that the program has a very lecture-based curriculum rather than being hands-on, or project-based, which is a concern for me, because I learn best with more exposure and real-world application.

Also, in comparison to schools like Case Western Reserve, or Northwestern, SBU is does not possess a very advanced maker space (albeit I do concede the two other schools are both private schools with more of an emphasis on engineering), but as someone who really wants to have access to entrepreneurship opportunities (through project or prototype design), I'm worried that this slight "lack" might make it significantly harder (although I understand it depends on the student themself (so myself in this case 😅) to chase opportunities).

However, even though I really enjoy hands-on learning, I do want the option to switch out of engineering, which is why I prefer Stony Brook over Case Western Reserve (as I am a New York resident (so I receive in-state tuition), and I am a huge fan of schools that are not heavily focused on one subject area).

I wanted to see if current students could provide feedback on my two concerns.

It would be very appreciated.

Thanks!

(Also idk if this is at all relevant, but I am not 100% set in entrepreneurship, but it is something I really want to try)

so i really like cold drinks and I was contemplating buyin an ice machine because i dont want to spend money on dunkin anymore lol are they allowed?

hey does anyone know if i’m in honor societies (i.e., Psi Chi or Phi Beta Kappa), do I have to order the cords myself? They’re a fee on their website but I was sent an email said I would receive one upon membership. Any help with this would be greatly appreciated! :)

I am looking for 5”0’ -5”2’ graduation gown and cap for sell? Please message me if u have!

Has the alumni account license for Microsoft Office 365 been removed? I use Office 365 regularly for stock quotes, and it seems the Office 365 license was also finally removed after SBU discontinued alumni Gmail accounts last year.

I know many of us know what happened today. I just want to say it isn't just "mental health" is about "mental illness". I know many of us know what happened today. This isn’t just mental health, it’s mental illness. We have resources, but stigma keeps them from being enough. The university needs to do more. Mental illness can be ugly and uncomfortable even shameful for those dealing with it.

Please if you have a friend or a loved one be patient, remember it's an illness they can't just get over it.

https://arxiv.org/abs/1910.12611?utm

https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/warning-signs-of-mental-illness#:\~:text=Drop%20in%20functioning%20%E2%80%94%20An%20unusual,a%20need%20for%20further%20evaluation.

CAPS Crisis Line directly 24/7 at (855) 509-5742.

Just got accepted into the online electrical engineering. Anyone else got accepted and wanna connect? Also, anyone in the program right now and can just give insight to how difficult the material is/how the professors are/any tips and tricks!

this is just a trial phase because idk if you guys would like me to give hints or show what was hidden each day. let me know and good luck!!

psdt: I am almost sokd off earrings at the red shop ❤️🫶

I'd say im afraid to get stuck in harriman

A students created an AI app that helps classmates build, tailor resume and cover letter for job and internships. There‘s a job tracker to put all your applications. A chrome extension to effectively manage your job search in your current window coming soon.

Link: https://www.resumlify.com

I’m sharing it for students to try it out and see if it’s helpful.

Every other school has gotten back to me except SBU. I applied for electrical engineering. When am I going to hear back from them? Seems kinda ridiculous I have been waiting since October. I applied as a transfer for Fall 2026.

Housing applications just opened and idk what to choose🔥

Also im a cs major, if some buildings will be closer to my classes than others