Difference between revisions of "Incoming student portal"

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==Helpful information for incoming PhD and masters students==
+
=Helpful Information for Incoming Ph.D. and Master's Students=
  
'''This information was compiled by past and present graduate students to provide incoming students with information they believe will be helpful'''
+
This information was compiled by past and present graduate students to provide incoming students with information they believe will be helpful.
  
===Academic decisions and success===
+
===Academic Decisions and Success===
There are many ways to succeed in the Stony Brook Physics graduate program, and what you make of your degree really depends on your own background, your interests, and the kinds of research opportunities you are searching for. Collaboration, building a network of peers, and taking advantage of the opportunities that abound in the grad student community, broader department, and university can improve your likelihood of success, however you may define it.
 
  
Here we have compiled suggested paths towards success based on our collective prior experience:
+
There are many ways to succeed in the Stony Brook physics graduate program, and what you make of your degree really depends on your own background, your interests, and the kinds of research opportunities you are searching for. Collaboration, building a network of peers, and taking advantage of the opportunities that abound in the grad student community, broader department, and university can improve your likelihood of success, however you may define it.
  
*[[Advice:No prior graduate experience|Advice]] for students who '''did not take''' graduate courses during their undergrad (especially important for those who intend to do theory).
+
Here, we have compiled suggested paths towards success based on our collective prior experience:
*[[Advice:Prior graduate experience|Advice]] for students who '''did take''' graduate courses before or already have masters degrees.
 
*[[Advice:Background outside of Physics|Advice]] for students whose previous degrees are not in physics.
 
*[[Advice:Terminal Masters degrees|Advice]] for students who want terminal masters degrees.
 
  
===More general resources===
+
* [[Advice:No prior graduate experience|Advice]] for students who did not take graduate courses during their undergrad (especially important for those who intend to do theory).
*[[Self-diagnostic test]] - for evaluating your preparation for the core courses (note: ''for masters students'' these courses are not required; ''for PhD students'' these do not need to be taken immediately, and can be taken after remedial courses if necessary).
 
*[[Guide to living on Long Island]] - recommendations for living a balanced, healthy, and fulfilling life on Long Island and New York.
 
*[[Advice:Students to contact|Students to contact]] - current grad students whom you can contact for additional information
 
<!--*[[Advice:Research groups]] - current professors and research groups with brief descriptions and advice for joining and collaborating - (password protected)-->
 
*[[Working Outside the Department Advice]] - research opportunities outside of the physics department at Brookhaven, the Laufer Center, and Cold Spring Harbor
 
  
==Practical Information for SBU==
+
* [[Advice:Prior graduate experience|Advice]] for students who did take graduate courses during their undergrad or already have Master’s degrees.
===Before you arrive===
 
The 2021 orientation schedule is not yet available. It will be linked here once it is.
 
  
*[[Getting to Stony Brook|Getting to campus]] - for when you first arrive, especially if you're flying in
+
* [[Advice:Background outside of Physics|Advice]] for students whose previous degrees are not in physics.
  
*[[Getting housing]] - if you don't know where you'll be living when you get to campus yet, or you're thinking of moving out of on-campus housing
+
* [[Advice:Terminal Masters degrees|Advice]] for students who want a terminal Master’s degree.
  
*[[Health Form Information]] - What you need to know about the health forms you'll have to bring
+
===More General Resources===
  
*[[Supplies to bring to campus|Things to bring]] - what to pack before you leave
+
Additionally, there are a few resources to help you find your step at Stony Brook.
  
*[[Course placement]] - what to know about placing out of courses
+
* [[Self-diagnostic test]]: Evaluate your preparation for the core courses. ''Note: Master’s students are not required to take these courses and Ph.D. students are not required to take these courses immediately (these can be taken after remedial courses if necessary).''
  
*[[Mentorship program]] -  the status of the mentorship program in 2018 has not yet been determined
+
* [[Guide to living on Long Island]]: Recommendations for living a balanced, healthy, and fulfilling life on Long Island and New York.
  
*[[Methods of transportation#Parking passes|Getting a parking pass]] - if you're coming with a car, how to get a permit to park
+
* [[Advice:Students to contact|Students to contact]]: Current grad students whom you can contact for additional information.
  
===Once you arrive===
+
<!--* [[Advice:Research groups]]: Current professors and research groups with brief descriptions and advice for joining and collaborating - (password protected)-->
*[[Methods of transportation]] - for getting around the Stony Brook area once you've arrived
 
  
*[[Fees and finances]] - What you need to know about the money situation of a new student
+
* [[Working Outside the Department Advice|For students who want to work outside of the department]]: Research opportunities outside of the physics department at Brookhaven, the Laufer Center, and Cold Spring Harbor.
  
*[[Taking the comps|Taking the comprehensive exams (Should I take the comps?)]] - Tips on whether or not to take the comprehensive exams, and information for if you decide to
+
=Practical Information for SBU=
  
===For international students===
+
===Before You Arrive===
*[[SIM cards]] - Information about SIM cards for international students who will be arriving without working phones
 
  
*[[Social Security Numbers]] - an essential part of living and working in the US
+
The 2025 orientation schedule is not yet available. It will be linked here once it is.
  
==For master's students==
+
* [[Getting to Stony Brook|Getting to campus]]: For when you first arrive, especially if you're flying in.
*[[Advice:Applying to PhD programs|Applying for PhD Programs]] - tips for Masters (or undergraduate) students who are planning to apply
 
  
[[Category:Incoming student portal]]
+
* [[Getting housing]]: If you don't know where you'll be living when you get to campus, or you're thinking of moving out of on-campus housing.
 +
 
 +
* [[Health Form Information|Health form information]]: What you need to know about the health forms you'll have to bring.
 +
 
 +
* [[Supplies to bring to campus|Things to bring]]: What to pack before you leave.
 +
 
 +
* [[Course placement]]: What to know about placing out of courses.
 +
 
 +
* [[Mentorship program]]: The status of the mentorship program in 2025 has not yet been determined.
 +
 
 +
* [[Methods of transportation#Parking passes|Getting a parking pass]]: If you're coming with a car, how to get a permit to park.
 +
 
 +
===Once You Arrive===
 +
 
 +
* [[Methods of transportation]]: Getting around the Stony Brook area once you've arrived.
 +
 
 +
* [[Fees and finances]]: What you need to know about the financial situation of a new student.
 +
 
 +
* [[Taking the comps|Taking the comprehensive exams]]: Tips on whether to take the comprehensive exams, and what you need to know if you decide to.
 +
 
 +
===For International Students===
 +
 
 +
* [[SIM cards]]: Information about SIM cards for international students who will be arriving without working phones
 +
 
 +
* [[Social Security Numbers|Social security numbers (SSN)s]]: An essential part of living and working in the US.
 +
 
 +
===For Master's Students===
 +
 
 +
* [[Advice:Applying to PhD programs|Applying for Ph.D. Programs]]: Tips for Master's (or undergraduate) students who are planning to apply.
 +
 
 +
[[Category:Incoming Student Portal]]
 
[[Category:Guides]]
 
[[Category:Guides]]

Latest revision as of 19:20, 9 January 2025

Helpful Information for Incoming Ph.D. and Master's Students

This information was compiled by past and present graduate students to provide incoming students with information they believe will be helpful.

Academic Decisions and Success

There are many ways to succeed in the Stony Brook physics graduate program, and what you make of your degree really depends on your own background, your interests, and the kinds of research opportunities you are searching for. Collaboration, building a network of peers, and taking advantage of the opportunities that abound in the grad student community, broader department, and university can improve your likelihood of success, however you may define it.

Here, we have compiled suggested paths towards success based on our collective prior experience:

  • Advice for students who did not take graduate courses during their undergrad (especially important for those who intend to do theory).
  • Advice for students who did take graduate courses during their undergrad or already have Master’s degrees.
  • Advice for students whose previous degrees are not in physics.
  • Advice for students who want a terminal Master’s degree.

More General Resources

Additionally, there are a few resources to help you find your step at Stony Brook.

  • Self-diagnostic test: Evaluate your preparation for the core courses. Note: Master’s students are not required to take these courses and Ph.D. students are not required to take these courses immediately (these can be taken after remedial courses if necessary).


Practical Information for SBU

Before You Arrive

The 2025 orientation schedule is not yet available. It will be linked here once it is.

  • Getting housing: If you don't know where you'll be living when you get to campus, or you're thinking of moving out of on-campus housing.
  • Mentorship program: The status of the mentorship program in 2025 has not yet been determined.

Once You Arrive

  • Fees and finances: What you need to know about the financial situation of a new student.

For International Students

  • SIM cards: Information about SIM cards for international students who will be arriving without working phones

For Master's Students