Apply to PhD program
Application Deadline: December 1.
Before you apply. Some helpful advice about the graduate school application process can be found in the Bulletin of the Ecology Society of America here. It is important to reflect on your goals, interests, and preparation for your future career.
Prior to submitting an application to the doctoral program, you are strongly advised to contact a faculty member. Most inquiries begin in the summer before the application deadline. First, review the research interests and publications of the program faculty and identify one or two faculty members whose interests coincide with yours. Next, contact the faculty members with a detailed description of examples of the types of specific research questions that interest you (understanding that research interests may evolve), your educational and research background, and any special skills, training or experience you may have. Ask if the faculty member(s) would be interested in being your advisor(s). While students apply for, and are admitted to, the program and, not to specific research labs, prior contact with and support of a faculty member will substantially increase your chances of being admitted to the program.
Graduate Student Funding. Full-time doctoral students receive full tuition + broad-based fee scholarships and stipends as teaching or research assistants. For academic year 2024-5, 12-month research assistant appointments $32,191 over 12 months, while 9-month teaching or research assistant appointments pay $26,000 over the 9-month academic year appointment ($13,000 per semester). Over the three months of summer, additional funding is available through summer research appointments, teaching appointments, or federal work study, as available. All supported students are provided a health insurance package through the state of New York.
Additional university-wide fellowship opportunities can supplement this support including:
For the Fall 2024 application cycle (students beginning the PhD in Fall 2025), Stony Brook University is also recruiting students for Bridge to the Doctorate Fellowships, which provide two years of support to students interested in earning a PhD, who participated in LSAMP programs as undergraduate students. If this is you, you are most encouraged to get in touch!
How does the application process work?
Apply online via the Graduate School. Applications to the PhD program in Ecology and Evolution are evaluated holistically according to multiple criteria including academic preparation, scholarly potential, potential to contribute to an inclusive learning environment, alignment with the program, and written communication. Short remote interviews are conducted for a subset of applicants to evaluate characteristics important to success in graduate school, including perseverance, independence, curiosity, ability to work with others, maturity and oral communication skills. These evaluations are conducted by the admissions committee with input from potential advisors.
Applications contain the following required components:
Graduate School Application Form - This form includes general contact information, educational background, proposed advisors, and interest in pursuing internal fellowships.
Statement of Purpose - The statement of purpose to helps the admissions committee understand your academic objectives and helps us determine if you are a good match for the program. In your statement of purpose: (1) clearly articulate specific examples of the types of research questions that interest you (understanding that these may evolve), (2) describe how your background makes you a good fit for the Ecology and Evolution program and to the lab(s) to which you are applying; (3) summarize your research experience, highlighting any presentations, publications, or awards; (4) describe your potential for contributing to an inclusive learning environment, as evidenced by life experience, participation or leadership in affinity groups, mentoring, tutoring, outreach, or volunteer experiences.
Transcripts - Stony Brook University requires academic records (i.e. transcripts including a GPA) from each college-level institution the student has attended. Transcripts are used as evidence of academic preparation.
CV - Your CV summarizes your academic and work experiences. Be sure to include previous education, presentations, publications, academic honors, teaching experience, professional experience, leadership and volunteer experience, skills, and certifications. A helpful guide to preparing an effective CV can be found here.
Alternative: An effective CV format can be found here.
Letters of Recommendation - The Ecology and Evolution program requires three letters of recommendation from former professors, and/or from employers, supervisors or health care professionals for whom you have worked in a paid or volunteer position. You should encourage your referees to address the following topics: research experience, academic preparation, and potential for contributing to an inclusive learning environment.
TOEFL or IETLAS scores - Required if English is not your primary or native language.
Application Fee - The application fee is $100, and applications will not be processed without the fee. Fee waivers may be obtained for students with financial need, participants of designated opportunity programs, and veterans and active duty members of the Armed Services. In addition, students who attend a recruitment event with the Center for Inclusive Education may also be eligible for application fee waivers. Unfortunately, it is not unlikely that fee waivers can be granted for applicants that don't meet these criteria.