What does Stony Brook look for in the personal essay?
I've been trying to get a better idea of what kind of college essay stands out to the admissions team at Stony Brook. I know every school says to 'be yourself,' but I'm wondering if there are specific qualities or topics that resonate more with Stony Brook readers?
Is it better to focus on my academic interests, or should I highlight unique personal stories? For some context, I'm interested in STEM but I also have some artistic hobbies and family responsibilities. I'm a bit stuck on whether to emphasize my academics or to try and tell a memorable story from my personal life.
Advice from anyone who's applied and been accepted (or even not accepted) would be really helpful. What did you write about, and how do you think it helped your application?
Is it better to focus on my academic interests, or should I highlight unique personal stories? For some context, I'm interested in STEM but I also have some artistic hobbies and family responsibilities. I'm a bit stuck on whether to emphasize my academics or to try and tell a memorable story from my personal life.
Advice from anyone who's applied and been accepted (or even not accepted) would be really helpful. What did you write about, and how do you think it helped your application?
4 months ago
•
26 views
Camille Luong
• 4 months ago
Advisor
Stony Brook looks for authentic, reflective essays that offer real insight into who you are beyond your grades and test scores. They want to see what unique perspectives, qualities, or experiences you would bring to campus.
While there isn't a single 'right' topic, it helps to focus on a story or experience that is meaningful to you rather than a generic summary of achievements. Since Stony Brook is known for its STEM programs, talking about your passion for STEM can be helpful, but what really resonates is when you connect this to something personal. For example, instead of just saying you like science, you might describe a time when you solved a real-world problem using your interest in technology—maybe you built a simple app to help your family organize chores or you fixed a broken appliance at home because of your curiosity. This ties your academic interests to everyday life and says a lot about your initiative and creativity.
On the other hand, don’t shy away from highlighting your artistic side or family responsibilities, especially if these parts of your life show resilience, leadership, or creativity. For instance, balancing family responsibilities with academic work, or bringing together your STEM and artistic interests in a passion project (like designing graphics for a science club), reveals multidimensional interests. These unique combinations are often memorable and help set you apart.
As an example, one applicant wrote about setting up a mini-art gallery in the school library to showcase student work—even though their main interest was computer science. They connected this to problem-solving and bringing people together, both of which are values Stony Brook appreciates.
In the end, a strong Stony Brook essay usually blends personal growth or a challenge overcome (no matter how big or small) with reflection. Focus on not just what you did, but what you learned about yourself in the process.
Aim for a specific, vividly told story—maybe a moment of conflict or a unique intersection of your interests—that goes beyond a basic list of activities. This helps admissions officers remember you as a real person, not just a collection of stats and awards.
While there isn't a single 'right' topic, it helps to focus on a story or experience that is meaningful to you rather than a generic summary of achievements. Since Stony Brook is known for its STEM programs, talking about your passion for STEM can be helpful, but what really resonates is when you connect this to something personal. For example, instead of just saying you like science, you might describe a time when you solved a real-world problem using your interest in technology—maybe you built a simple app to help your family organize chores or you fixed a broken appliance at home because of your curiosity. This ties your academic interests to everyday life and says a lot about your initiative and creativity.
On the other hand, don’t shy away from highlighting your artistic side or family responsibilities, especially if these parts of your life show resilience, leadership, or creativity. For instance, balancing family responsibilities with academic work, or bringing together your STEM and artistic interests in a passion project (like designing graphics for a science club), reveals multidimensional interests. These unique combinations are often memorable and help set you apart.
As an example, one applicant wrote about setting up a mini-art gallery in the school library to showcase student work—even though their main interest was computer science. They connected this to problem-solving and bringing people together, both of which are values Stony Brook appreciates.
In the end, a strong Stony Brook essay usually blends personal growth or a challenge overcome (no matter how big or small) with reflection. Focus on not just what you did, but what you learned about yourself in the process.
Aim for a specific, vividly told story—maybe a moment of conflict or a unique intersection of your interests—that goes beyond a basic list of activities. This helps admissions officers remember you as a real person, not just a collection of stats and awards.
Related Questions
Students also ask…
Camille Luong
Nomadic
Stanford University, BAH in Urban Studies
Experience
5 years
Rating
5.0 (5 reviews)