Summer Orientation (Fall Admitted Students)

What happens at orientation? 

During your one-day orientation, you will meet with other students from your Undergraduate College, as well as university faculty and staff, including your academic advisor, your Faculty Director and Orientation Leaders. You will take your Photo ID picture before beginning your day and have a chance to visit the information fair in the lobby. After your Undergraduate College program, you will work with academic advisors, faculty members, and orientation leaders to develop your spring class schedule. Click here for a sample schedule of the student orientation program. Please note that this schedule is subject to change. Specific groups (Honors College, WISE, Athletes, EOP/AIM, University Scholars and International Students) will vary slightly. 

How do I get a orientation date? 

When students are admitted to Stony Brook University, they are assigned a unique Stony Brook ID number that allows them to access our online system, known as SOLAR. The SOLAR system allows students to accept their admission by paying their tuition deposit online, as well as their housing deposit (if applicable) and student orientation fee. The student must also complete the online New Student Preference form on SOLAR. When a student has completed the entire Preference form, and paid all deposits, an orientation date will be assigned based on their Undergraduate College. Dates will be assigned beginning in mid March. Click here for more information on the Undergraduate Colleges. The student will receive their orientation date in the mail, along with additional orientation materials.

How should I prepare for new student orientation? 

Students who have paid their deposits and completed their online Preference form will be mailed a Planning Guide with their orientation materials. The Planning Guide contains critical information on course preferences, math placement exams and writing placement exams. After May 1, students must complete the Advising Planning Form (found on SOLAR) and complete any required assessments. Students who do not complete these items prior to orientation may be unable to register for necessary classes due to missing information. In addition, the Planning Guide also contains information about submitting high school transcripts, college credit transcripts and AP scores to the University.  

When is new student orientation? 

Summer orientation (part I) takes place on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays primarily during the month of July depending on the Undergraduate College that a student is assigned to. Each Undergraduate College will have two orientation dates and students will be scheduled for one of these dates based on the order in which they were received. Students who are in the Honors College, WISE, Athletes, and EOP/AIM will have special orientation dates. In addition, international students will be assigned to a specific orientation date. Students who are unable to attend the orientation that they are assigned are encouraged to contact the office of orientation as soon as possible. 

Where is summer orientation?

Summer orientation occurs in the Student Activities Center (SAC). Students will spend most of their day in the SAC with the exception of the walking campus tour. Students driving to summer orientation should be sure to park in the H Lot, also known as the Student Activities Center lot. Parking cannot be validated for the parking garage or other areas of campus. Click here for additional information on traveling to campus. Click here for a campus map to the H lot. 

Can I bring a guest to orientation? 

During summer orientation, students are allowed to bring up to two guests, however guests will not be allowed to participate in the summer orientation program with the student. Parents and family members are welcome to attend the Parent/Family Orientation, which takes place in a separate area of the Student Activities Center. For more information on the Family orientation, visit the Family website. 

What does the orientation fee cover? 

The Stony Brook University's orientation fee of $180 provides the students with two programs. A one-day orientation session welcomes the students to the university, with an overview of the undergraduate experience, a meal, community building activities, academic advising, ID photos, and registration for classes. During this time the parents and family members attend a separate program where they are introduced to the campus resources. The second program, "Experience Stony Brook", is during the first weekend prior to the start of the semester. This second part of orientation focuses on student responsibilities and expectations through workshops and theatre performances, and includes several social and community building activities, but does not include meals. Students learn about campus resources and opportunities. Orientation fees are mandatory for all students except for EOP/AIM students and must be paid directly to the Office of Orientation via your SOLAR account. As orientation fees do not appear on a student's tuition bill they cannot be directly covered by financial aid. Should a student need to reschedule or cancel an orientation reservation, they must call at least seven days prior to the scheduled session. All refund requests must be made in writing and all reimbursements will result in a $50 processing fee.

Who can I contact if I have questions or need accommodations? 

Students who have questions about orientation or require an accommodation (including dietary needs) should contact the office of New Student Orientation and Family Programs at 631-632-6710.

What is an "Orientation Hold" and why do I have one? 

The Orientation Hold prevents students from registering. All new students will have an this hold prior to attending Orientation. The hold will be removed after Orientation. Students who do not pay the orientation fee will also have this hold until their orientation fee is paid.

What is new student orientation? 

The new student orientation program at Stony Brook University is a fun and exciting way for students to begin their Stony Brook experience. Orientation is divided into two parts. Part I, known as summer orientation or January orientation, is a one-day orientation session that focuses on advising and registration, as well as an introduction to your Undergraduate College.

What is the Advising Planning Form? 

The purpose of the Advising Planning Form is to gather information that will be used by your Advisor to provide recommendations for which classes are best for you. The goal is to make your course registration at Orientation as smooth as possible. Every student must complete the Advising Planning Form before coming to orientation. The Advising Planning form is available on SOLAR under “New Student Information.”

When do I register for my classes? 

When you attend Orientation Part I, you will register for your first-semester classes. You will sit with your Advisor(s) and Orientation Leaders who will help you create a schedule that best fits your needs and prepares you for a successful academic career at Stony Brook University. You must complete the Advising Planning Form (found on SOLAR) before coming to orientation so that your Advisor(s) can appropriately prepare for these sessions.

What classes do freshmen take? 

Because every student is different, so are the courses students take in their freshmen year. However, freshmen tend to have similarities in their course selections. Please visit the Undergraduate Colleges Advising Website for information about typical freshmen schedules at www.stonybrook.edu/ucolleges/advising.

Please note that Stony Brook's undergraduate degree program is geared toward daytime students (part-time and full-time), with limited scheduling of evening classes. The University does not offer on-line or weekend undergraduate classes. Courses are offered Monday-Friday which necessitates often taking classes at least 3 or 4 days (typically 5 days for science-related coursework) per week.