How to Write the Stony Brook University Essays 2025-2026
Stony Brook University, one of the two flagship SUNY institutions, was established in 1957 as a college for the preparation of secondary school teachers of mathematics and science. Since then, they have expanded their focus but they still maintain a strong emphasis on STEM.
While there is no required supplemental essay for general applicants, Stony Brook does require applicants to their Honors College and more specialized programs to submit essays. Keep reading to learn what these essays are and how you can craft a strong response to them.
Stony Brook University Supplemental Essay Prompts
Scholars for Medicine/Dental Medicine Applicants
Prompt: What aspects about medicine/dental medicine intrigue you? Describe how these aspects influence your life. (650 words)
Honors, WISE, and University Scholar Applicants
Prompt: Please discuss why you are a good fit for your preferred University Honors Program (Honors College, University Scholars, or WISE). (250 words)
Simons STEM Scholars Applicants
Prompt 1: Tell us more about yourself; in particular, how your academic, extracurricular, and life experiences have influenced your desire to pursue a career in STEM. Additionally, explain how the Stony Brook Simons STEM program will help you achieve these goals. (250 words)
Prompt 2: Please tell us how pursuing a Phd in STEM will help you achieve your educational and professional aspirations? (250 words)
Prompt 3: Why is the advancement of historically underrepresented groups in STEM fields important? (250 words)
BFA in Creative Writing Applicants
Prompt: We’re interested in getting to know you as a person, as a writer, and as a reader. (Writers are chronic readers.) Tell us about a book that changed you in some way, even if you hated it. How does it fit with what you write and, perhaps more importantly, with how you write? What do you want to get out of this major? (2 pages)
Writing Sample: The writing sample is our opportunity to get to know what you write about and how you write it. Please submit 10-15 pages of your best and most characteristic work. If you mostly write poetry, submit poems. If you mostly write stories or plays, submit those. You can also combine genres if that’s your thing.
Quality, not quantity. Please don’t try to squeeze more writing into a 10-15 page count than can fit. It’s much better to submit one 12-page short story or a 12-page chapter from a novel than to cram two 8-page samples that you’re not excited about into a 15-page document. Your writing sample could be eight poems that you really love; it could be a 6-page short story and six poems. Whatever pages you feel best represent who you are as a writer are the ones that should go into your sample. (10-15 pages)
Scholars for Medicine/Dental Medicine Prompt
What aspects about medicine/dental medicine intrigue you? Describe how these aspects influence your life. (650 words)
This essay prompt asks you to reflect on why you are drawn to the field of medicine or dental medicine. It’s not just about stating your interest in the field, but delving into the specific aspects that captivate you and how they have shaped your life and aspirations. The goal is to convey your passion and the personal experiences that have led you to this path.
This essay is similar to a “Why This Major?” essay, in that you will be sharing your passion for medicine/dentistry, but it will also need to be slightly more technical than a typical “Why This Major?” response because you need to get specific about the field you want to pursue.
Brainstorming Your Essay
It’s possible you might know right off the bat what draws you to medicine, but just in case you need some help narrowing down the ideas in your head, you can ask yourself the following questions:
- What specific aspects of medicine or dental medicine fascinate you? (i.e. patient care, medical technology, public health)
- Is there a specific discipline you would like to pursue within these broader fields?
- What sparked your interest in medicine or dental medicine originally?
- How have you engaged with these aspects in your academic or extracurricular life?
- What personal experiences have strengthened your resolve to pursue this field?
- How do these aspects align with your long-term goals?
- How do your interests in medicine/dental medicine reflect your values or identity?
Tips for Writing Your Essay
When writing your essay about your interest in medicine or dental medicine, it’s important to start with a vivid, personal anecdote that immediately draws the reader into your world. Rather than opening with a general statement like “I’ve always wanted to be a doctor,” consider grounding your essay in a specific moment that sparked your curiosity. For instance:
“The first time I held a dental mirror, I was leaning over a plastic model of teeth in my high school lab, mesmerized by how a small tool revealed hidden cavities I hadn’t noticed before.”
Vivid anecdotes like this show, rather than tell, why you are passionate about the field.
As you expand on your experiences, connect them to the way they shaped your thinking, curiosity, and growth. Simply listing activities or shadowing experiences is less compelling than explaining what you learned from them. Demonstrating that you are capable of reflecting on your experiences and learning from them shows maturity and self-awareness.
It’s important to balance your technical interest with interpersonal awareness. You might talk about research, experiments, or hands-on learning, but you should pair that with examples of how you connect with people. For example:
“During my time volunteering at a pediatric clinic, I learned to calm anxious children before their vaccinations by getting them to talk about their day or sing their favorite song, realizing that small gestures and big smiles can make a huge difference in the patient experience.”
It’s also important to emphasize service, empathy, and impact, because medicine and dentistry are as much about caring for people as about technical skill. Include details that show you understand the human side of healthcare and are motivated to help others.
Finally, end by linking your experiences to your future goals. Close the essay with a reflection on how these experiences have prepared you for a career in medicine or dental medicine and what kind of professional you hope to become. Ending on a forward-looking note demonstrates purpose and vision, leaving the reader with a clear sense of your aspirations.
Example Essay
“The fluorescent lights of the community health clinic hummed softly as I stacked clipboards and prepared the waiting area for patients. A line of families had already formed, some jittery with nerves, others chatting quietly while their children fidgeted in their parents’ laps. I knelt to help a little boy tie his shoelaces and offered a sticker as a small reward for bravery after his vaccination. Watching the nurse soothe him with calm words and gentle hands, I felt a tug of recognition: medicine is more than anatomy and biology; it is empathy in motion. In that brief moment, I understood that healthcare is as much about human connection as it is about science.
Volunteering at the clinic made abstract concepts tangible. In my biology class, I had studied immune systems and pathogens, but seeing vaccines administered and patients guided through procedures transformed that knowledge into something real. I organized paperwork, checked vitals, and helped families fill out forms, noticing how small actions could ease anxiety or confusion. Every interaction demanded attention to detail, patience, and the ability to communicate effectively—skills I hadn’t fully appreciated until I saw their impact firsthand.
Outside the clinic, my curiosity about medicine continued to grow. For a school research project, I investigated how vaccines trigger immune responses and analyzed historical outbreaks to understand public health strategies. Reading case studies and scientific reports was engaging, but connecting these ideas to what I had seen at the clinic made the science feel urgent and meaningful. I began to see medicine as a field where problem-solving and service intersect, and where knowledge can directly improve someone’s quality of life.
My time at the clinic inspired me to specialize in pediatric medicine one day, focusing on preventive care and patient education. Stony Brook’s emphasis on research opportunities, hands-on clinical experience, and community outreach will allow me to build both the technical expertise and the interpersonal skills necessary for this path. Participating in programs like the HSC summer research initiatives will let me investigate real-world medical challenges while learning from experts in the field, preparing me to make meaningful contributions in my career.
Medicine intrigues me because it combines intellectual challenge with human connection. Every patient I assist and every new concept I learn offers an opportunity to help, to reflect, and to grow. Volunteering at the clinic has fueled my commitment to a future in healthcare, and studying at Stony Brook will provide the mentorship, experience, and academic foundation I need to serve communities with both knowledge and compassion.”
Honors College, WISE, and University Scholars Prompt
Please discuss why you are a good fit for your preferred University Honors Program (Honors College, University Scholars, or WISE). (250 words)
This essay is a classic “Why This Program?” prompt. The key for this type of essay is to provide specific reasons why this program aligns with your academic and personal goals, and how your experiences make you a strong candidate.
Brainstorming Your Essay
Before you brainstorm, you’ll need to do some research into the specific honors program you are applying for—if you haven’t already done so. Spend a decent amount of time poking around the website to better understand the differences between the three programs and why you feel like the one you chose for you is the best fit.
Then, you can ask yourself questions like the ones below to get inspiration:
- What specific aspects of the program appeal to you? (e.g., curriculum, research opportunities, mentorship, community)
- How will your past academic and extracurricular experiences have prepared you for this program?
- What are your long-term goals, and how will this program help you achieve them?
- Have you engaged with any projects, research, or clubs that are directly relevant to the program’s focus?
- What unique qualities or perspectives do you bring to this program that would make you a valuable member?
Tips for Writing Your Essay
The first step in answering this prompt is to connect the program you’ve chosen and its mission/values to your own strengths and experiences. Get specific here by showing the admissions committee what in your life has prepared you to join the honors community.
If you’re applying to WISE, maybe you’ve led your school’s robotics team or volunteered at a science outreach event for younger students. If you’re drawn to the Honors College, you could emphasize how you thrive when integrating perspectives from different subjects—like blending biology and creative writing in a research project. These stories show that you don’t just want the program; you’re ready to contribute to it.
It’s also important to highlight your fit with the community beyond the classroom. Honors programs look for students who are collaborative, curious, and motivated—not just academically strong. Think about a time when you worked closely with peers to solve a problem, or when your enthusiasm for learning inspired others. Tie that back to the small, close-knit feel of the Honors community at Stony Brook, where those traits will help you thrive.
Finally, look ahead to what you hope to gain. Do you see yourself conducting research with a professor, leading a seminar discussion, or joining service projects with your cohort? Be specific. The best essays balance what you bring to the program with what you’ll gain from it.
Let’s look at how a student could structure his essay:
Liam is a student passionate about biomedical engineering who has been captivated by the possibilities of tissue engineering. He could discuss how his strong research interest aligns with his goals of contributing to advancements in regenerative medicine. Liam might describe his experience working on a school project where he designed a model of a bioprinter to create synthetic tissues, and how this hands-on experience deepened his understanding of the field. Additionally, he could highlight his eagerness to collaborate with faculty members in the Honors College whose research in tissue engineering he admires, aiming to gain further insights and contribute to meaningful projects. Through these experiences and his dedication to learning, Liam aspires to make significant contributions to the field of biomedical engineering.
Example Essay
“When I first joined my high school’s robotics team, I was one of only three girls in a room of twenty. At first, I kept to small tasks, like organizing tools or soldering wires, unsure if I truly belonged. But over time, I learned to design circuits, lead coding sessions, and even mentor incoming freshmen. What began as hesitation grew into confidence—and showed me how important it is for women to have supportive spaces in STEM.
That’s why WISE resonates so deeply with me. Its commitment to mentorship and collaboration mirrors the way I’ve grown through robotics. Just as my own mentors guided me, I want to encourage younger women to dive into engineering without fear of being overlooked. Through WISE’s peer mentoring network, I see myself helping to build the same sense of community and belonging that gave me courage.
I’m also excited about the chance to expand my research skills. In my physics class, I designed a project testing different materials for energy efficiency, and it opened my eyes to how small experiments can connect to big questions. At Stony Brook, WISE’s emphasis on research opportunities will give me the tools to pursue these questions on a larger scale, while the interdisciplinary approach will keep me thinking beyond just one field.
WISE is more than a program to me—it feels like a community where I can both grow as a scientist and support others on their journeys.”
Simons STEM Scholars Prompt 1
Tell us more about yourself; in particular, how your academic, extracurricular, and life experiences have influenced your desire to pursue a career in STEM. Additionally, explain how the Stony Brook Simons STEM program will help you achieve these goals. (250 words)
This prompt asks for a personal narrative that connects your academic, extracurricular, and life experiences to your passion for STEM. It also requires you to explain how the Simons STEM program specifically will help you achieve your goals. It’s a combination of the “Why This Major?” and “Why This School?” essay tropes.
The key here is to weave your personal story into a compelling narrative that demonstrates why you’re a perfect fit for the program.
Brainstorming Your Essay
Since you have a lot of content to fit into only 250 words, you’ll want to spend extra time flushing out your ideas during the brainstorming process.
- What first sparked your interest in STEM? Was there a specific moment or experience you can recall?
- How have your academic pursuits reflected your passion for STEM?
- What extracurricular activities have you engaged in that align with your STEM interests?
- Have you faced any challenges that have influenced your path toward STEM?
- Why do you want to join the Simons STEM program, and how will it help you achieve your goals?
- What specific opportunities or resources through the Simons STEM program are you excited to engage with? Why?
Tips for Writing Your Essay
In terms of structuring your response, we recommend you begin by sharing your previous experiences and then move into why you are excited about joining the Simons STEM program towards the latter half of your essay.
You don’t just want to rehash your resume though. You should build a narrative that shows your passion for STEM. Consider a student who wants to study computer science. The first example would be a generic response that just tells us about their interest, whereas the second example shows the reader their passion come to life:
Bad Example: “I want to study computer science because technology is the future and I’ve learned that I really enjoy computers through my involvement in the Coding Club at school.”
Good Example: “The first time I fixed my family’s old laptop, I stayed up until 2 a.m. reading forums and rewriting code until the screen flickered back to life—and I realized I loved the logic behind problem-solving with computers.”
However, you’ll need more than just a strong anecdote to open your essay—you need to tell a cohesive story about your academic, extracurricular, and life experiences that have led you to pursue a future in STEM. Be careful though; you don’t want your essay to sound like you are just ticking off requirements by listing an academic, an extracurricular, and a personal reason for studying STEM. It’s better to have a central theme connecting your experiences than to list all the ways you were influenced to study in a STEM field.
Let’s look at these example students to see how they picked a central theme and used it to talk about their past experiences:
- Ethan developed a passion for environmental science after spending summers on his grandparents’ farm, where he saw the impact of climate change firsthand. He could write about how this experience led him to major in environmental engineering and how he’s been involved in a research project on sustainable farming practices. He could explain how the Simons STEM program’s focus on interdisciplinary research will allow him to explore solutions to environmental challenges.
- Ankita was inspired by her sister’s battle with a rare genetic disorder to pursue a career in genetics. She could discuss how this personal experience, combined with her work in a lab researching CRISPR technology, has fueled her desire to contribute to genetic research. Nina might mention how the Simons STEM program’s resources will help her further her research in gene editing.
- Aiden has been building robots since he was 10, eventually leading his high school’s robotics team to national championships. He could focus on how his love for robotics has shaped his academic journey and how he hopes to use robotics to address real-world problems. Aiden might highlight how the Simons STEM program’s advanced robotics lab will provide the perfect environment for him to develop innovative solutions.
You will notice how each of these examples ended with the student connecting their STEM interest to the Simons STEM program—you should do the same. Clearly articulate in your essay why this program, and Stony Brook as a whole, are the right fit for you. You can accomplish this by using specific details about the program (i.e. professors, classes, labs, internship programs, etc.) that align with your previous experiences and/or your future goals.
Simons STEM Scholars Prompt 2
Please tell us how pursuing a PhD in STEM will help you achieve your educational and professional aspirations. (250 words)
Whereas the last prompt wanted to know about your past experiences, this prompt requires you to be forward-thinking and share your goals for the future. The focus here should be on demonstrating a clear understanding of what a PhD entails and how it will help you achieve your long-term aspirations.
Brainstorming Your Essay
Before you begin writing, you’ll probably need to spend some time considering your career goals. Stony Brook is of course aware that you are only 17 or 18 and they don’t expect you to have your entire life figured out before you’ve even gone to college. Still, they want to see your capacity to dream big and they are curious about what you might want to do now—you’re always allowed to change your mind.
Consider the following questions:
- What are your long-term career goals? Do you want to teach? Work in a lab? Work for a corporation like NASA, Boeing, Pfizer, etc.? Become a doctor?
- Why is a PhD necessary to achieve your goals?
- How does a PhD in STEM align with your academic interests and research experiences?
- What specific skills or knowledge do you hope to gain from a PhD program?
- How will a PhD in STEM enable you to contribute to your field of interest?
Tips for Writing Your Essay
When responding to this prompt, remember that the admissions committee is looking for clarity of purpose. A strong essay should show not only what you hope to achieve but also why a PhD is necessary for reaching those goals. Avoid vague statements like “I want to make a difference in the world” and instead specify what issues you want to tackle—whether it’s developing sustainable energy solutions, advancing biomedical devices, or improving data security. Admissions officers want to see that you already have a direction in mind, even if it will evolve over time.
Another key to a compelling response is weaving in evidence of your past preparation. Highlight research experiences, STEM projects, or independent work that demonstrate your ability to handle advanced inquiry. For instance, if you conducted lab research that made you curious about the next unanswered question, use that as a springboard to explain why you’re eager to continue with doctoral-level work. Showing that your interest grows naturally from past experiences makes your aspirations feel authentic and achievable.
Finally, connect your goals to the unique opportunities that come with earning a PhD. Explain how the program’s rigorous training in research, mentorship, and collaboration will equip you to achieve long-term ambitions, whether those involve academia, industry, or policy. Admissions officers want to know that you understand the commitment involved and see the PhD not as an abstract achievement but as a tool for impact. A clear trajectory—anchored in passion, preparation, and purpose—will make your essay stand out.
Take a look at a few examples from students:
- Lydia wants to become a leading researcher in bioinformatics. She could discuss how her undergraduate research in data analysis for genomics has fueled her desire to pursue a PhD, where she hopes to develop new algorithms for analyzing genetic data. Lydia might explain how a PhD will give her the advanced skills and knowledge needed to lead her own research lab in the future.
- Michael is passionate about renewable energy and wants to contribute to the development of new solar technologies. He could write about how his work on a senior project involving solar cells has inspired him to pursue a PhD in materials science, where he hopes to develop more efficient solar materials. Michael might also discuss how a PhD will prepare him for a career in academia, where he can mentor the next generation of engineers.
- Sam aims to work in the field of neuroscience, specifically studying neurodegenerative diseases. She could describe how her volunteer work with Alzheimer’s patients and her research on neural pathways have solidified her goal of pursuing a PhD in neuroscience. Samantha might explain how a PhD will enable her to conduct groundbreaking research that could lead to new treatments for these diseases.
Don’t forget: even though the prompt doesn’t explicitly ask how Stony Brook will help you achieve your educational and professional aspirations, it never hurts to include direct ties to the school’s offerings. However, only do this if you are able to weave it in naturally (most likely when you are talking about what a PhD will provide you), as you don’t want it to sound forced.
Example Essay
“From the first moment I stepped into Dr. Gonzalez’s lab, I knew I was home. For three years, I’ve been shadowing researchers in a genomics lab, which has confirmed my desire to one day lead a research lab focused on developing new algorithms for analyzing genetic data, which I believe will play a crucial role in advancing personalized medicine. Pursuing a PhD in bioinformatics will provide me with the advanced skills and knowledge needed to achieve this goal. Between the observations I learned from Dr. Gonzalez about how to run a lab and the skills I will develop working at the Veeramah Lab at Stony Brook after class, I feel I am prepared to handle the challenges of a PhD program. I am excited to contribute to the field by developing innovative tools that can improve our understanding of complex genetic data and lead to more effective treatments for patients.”
Simons STEM Scholars Prompt 3
Why is the advancement of historically underrepresented groups in STEM fields important? (250 words)
This prompt asks you to reflect on the importance of diversity in STEM fields, particularly the advancement of historically underrepresented groups. The key is to articulate why diversity matters in STEM and how it can contribute to the field’s growth and innovation.
This essay is more straightforward than your typical college essay. However, just because the prompt doesn’t specifically ask about your experiences doesn’t mean you cannot incorporate them. In fact, we encourage you to! That’s what will take it from a response that belongs in an English class to a college essay.
Even if you don’t consider yourself a member of a historically underrepresented group in STEM, you can still use your personal experiences. For example, maybe you were on a group project and it was stronger because the girls in your project brought a perspective you never considered. Or maybe you were building something for your robotics competition and your friend from a different racial background suggested an idea for a robot that could solve a problem in his community that you weren’t aware of. Just be careful that you show your experiences make you appreciate STEM representation, and that you don’t come off as privileged.
Tips for Writing Your Essay
A good response will show the admissions committee, not tell them, why advancing underrepresented groups is important. You want to avoid writing something like this:
“It’s important to advance underrepresented groups in STEM to ensure that everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed. When people from different backgrounds work together, they can come up with new ideas and solutions.”
While there is nothing false about this, it’s boring and it reveals absolutely nothing about the student, their experiences, and their outlook. Instead, you want to incorporate your previous experiences to show the admissions committee what happens when historically underrepresented groups are lifted up. For example, this would make a stronger basis for an essay:
“My whole life I’ve been told to get 8 hours of sleep, yet I’ve never felt fully rested and I beg my alarm clock for a few more precious minutes. Turns out I’m not the problem: science is. The majority of studies doctors base their recommendations off of were conducted with primarily male participants—completely overlooking how women’s bodies might have different needs. Yet, if female scientists were involved with creating these clinical studies, something tells me the participant pool would accurately reflect the wider population and maybe, just maybe, my need for more sleep would be validated by science.”
This example takes a specific fact this student cares about and uses it to show how the underrepresentation of female scientists has had a genuine impact on medical recommendations, and in turn, this student’s experiences. Not to mention, it also incorporates humor so we feel like we get to know this student better.
You only have 250 words so don’t feel like you have to talk about all historically underrepresented groups in your essay. The student above will have a more concise essay if she just focuses on women in STEM, rather than trying to talk about other groups too.
There are many ways you can justify why diversity is important—whether that’s different perspectives lead to innovation or STEM provides an avenue for advancement for historically disadvantaged groups—but remember that your reason should connect back to you in some way. Use the opportunity to talk about how it connects to your values, experiences, interests, or goals.
Example Essay
“When my cousin Maya, who uses a wheelchair, visited my high school for the spring play, the building’s lack of ramps meant she had to be carried down a set of stairs just to reach her seat. Watching her embarrassment in that moment left me unsettled. It wasn’t that ramps or accessible pathways were impossible to design—it was that too few engineers had considered the needs of people like her. That night, I began to understand that underrepresentation in STEM doesn’t just affect who gets to participate in the field; it affects the very structures we build and the communities they serve.
The absence of wheelchair users in engineering means that accessibility is often treated as an afterthought rather than a starting point. From theaters without ramps to sidewalks without curb cuts, the built environment reflects whose voices were not at the table when designs were made. Seeing the way Maya’s world was limited—not by her abilities, but by the choices of designers—ignited my desire to pursue engineering with a focus on inclusive design.
After that night, I worked with my school’s student council to map out accessibility challenges around campus. We presented our findings to the administration, suggesting simple fixes like adding portable ramps to stages and clearer signage for accessible entrances. It was a small step, but it showed me how awareness could lead to action, and how diverse perspectives—in this case, Maya’s—could inspire meaningful change.
Advancing underrepresented groups in STEM matters because diversity doesn’t just change the face of a profession; it changes its output. Engineers, scientists, and innovators who bring lived experiences of disability push the field to imagine solutions that others overlook. For me, it’s not just about opening doors to STEM careers—it’s about ensuring those doors have automatic openers, wide entryways, and ramps, so no one is left waiting outside.”
BFA in Creative Writing Prompt
We’re interested in getting to know you as a person, as a writer, and as a reader. (Writers are chronic readers.) Tell us about a book that changed you in some way, even if you hated it. How does it fit with what you write and, perhaps more importantly, with how you write? What do you want to get out of this major? (2 pages)
This prompt is an opportunity to delve into your identity as a writer and a reader. It asks you to reflect on a book that has significantly impacted you, connecting this reflection to your writing style and goals for the BFA in Creative Writing. The key is to be introspective and show how your reading and writing experiences have shaped who you are and what you hope to achieve.
Brainstorming Your Essay
To begin, you’ll want to consider what books have had a significant impact on you, either positively or negatively. Make a list and then go back and ask yourself why each one affected you. Did it open your eyes up to a new perspective? Did it influence your writing style? Did you learn new storytelling tactics you loved or hated? Did it change how you showed up in the world?
Don’t fall into the trap of thinking you have to pick a book with a certain level of “consequence”. A student could easily choose Dr. Seuss’ Green Eggs and Ham and say that book made them fall in love with repetition and a narrative style that builds on itself, which are tactics they regularly employ in their writing.
A good thing to point out is that while the prompt asks how the book affects what you write, it thinks how you write is more important, so be sure to spend more time in your essay addressing the how than the what.
That being said, the prompt also wants to know what you hope to get out of studying Creative Writing at Stony Brook. As you brainstorm, don’t forget to ask yourself what you hope to achieve as a writer. Once you have a solid sense of that, figure out how Stony Brook’s BFA program will help you reach your goals. Research specific classes, initiatives, professors, clubs, and more that will help you strengthen your skills as a writer and ultimately accomplish what you want.
Tips for Writing Your Essay
When approaching this essay, remember that the admissions committee isn’t just looking for a book report—they want a window into you as both a thinker and a writer. The key is to be personal, specific, and reflective.
Instead of summarizing the plot of the book, describe the moment you encountered it: maybe it was a dog-eared paperback you found on your grandmother’s shelf, or a novel you were forced to read in class but couldn’t stop thinking about afterward. Use vivid details to capture your experience with the text and connect it to your own worldview. The committee will be more impressed if you show how the book reshaped your thinking, your craft, or your sense of storytelling—even if it was a book you disliked. Sometimes resistance reveals just as much as admiration.
Equally important is tying the book back to your writing. This is where you can share more about the types of stories you are drawn to and the way you approach your writing. Don’t skimp out on details here—show the admissions officers how your writing is practically affected by the book. Make sure to reflect not only on how you read but also on how you create.
Finally, when you are addressing what you hope to get out of your major, make sure to mention specific resources at Stony Brook that excite you. However, it’s important you also connect each resource to your interests and goals. Essentially, show how Stony Brook’s creative writing major in particular will give you tools to experiment, refine your craft, and push your storytelling in new directions. Your essay should feel less like an academic analysis and more like a conversation—passionate, curious, and alive with the energy of someone who loves words.
You can look at how these students might hit on all these points to write a compelling essay:
- Lucas is a writer who loves blending fantasy with gritty realism. He could discuss how reading A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin reshaped his understanding of fantasy, leading him to write stories that subvert traditional fantasy tropes with morally complex characters. Lucas might explain how this book influences his current writing and how the BFA program will help him refine his unique voice by taking classes like The Ethics of the Creative Imagination.
- Annie is drawn to poetry and the raw, emotional exploration of identity. She could write about how reading Citizen by Claudia Rankine opened her eyes to the power of poetry as a form of social commentary, which has since influenced her poetry that tackles issues of race and identity. Maya might discuss how she hopes to use the BFA program to further explore the intersection of art and activism in her writing.
- Olivia enjoys writing speculative fiction that explores human nature. She could discuss how The Road by Cormac McCarthy, with its sparse prose and haunting themes, deeply impacted her writing style, leading her to focus on the psychological depth of her characters in dystopian settings. Olivia might express her desire to use the BFA program to refine her ability to create compelling, character-driven narratives.
BFA in Creative Writing Writing Sample
The writing sample is our opportunity to get to know what you write about and how you write it. Please submit 10-15 pages of your best and most characteristic work. If you mostly write poetry, submit poems. If you mostly write stories or plays, submit those. You can combine genres if that’s your thing.
Quality, not quantity. Please don’t try to squeeze more writing into a 10-15 page count than can fit. It’s much better to submit one 12-page short story or a 12-page chapter from a novel than to cram two 8-page samples that you’re not excited about into a 15-page document. Your writing sample could be eight poems that you really love; it could be a 6-page short story and six poems. Whatever pages you feel best represent who you are as a writer are the ones that should go into your sample. (10-15 pages)
This is your chance to showcase your writing abilities and style. The admissions committee wants to see the quality of your work, so it’s crucial to submit polished pieces and representative of your voice as a writer. You should choose works that demonstrate your strengths and align with your goals as a writer.
You have the ability to combine multiple pieces, so think about the overall impression you want your samples to give of you as an author, and then work backwards from there to figure out what would make a good submission.
Do you pride yourself on your character development? Maybe submit one short story then that shows multiple characters’ arcs. Are you passionate about imagery and colorful language? You could include 3 poems you’ve written and the opening chapter of a fantasy novel you’re working on. Maybe you think dialogue is your strong suit so you submit scenes from a screenplay.
Whatever you choose, you want to make sure your writing sample is representative of your voice. While it’s a good idea to show your versatility as a writer, it’s far more important to focus on your best work that exemplifies your writing style.
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