Stony Brook Academic Calendar

The State University of New York at Stony Brook (SUNY Stony Brook) operates on a traditional semester-based academic calendar, consisting of Fall and Spring semesters, with optional Summer and Winter sessions. The Fall semester typically begins in late August or early September and concludes in mid-December, while the Spring semester starts in late January and ends in mid-May. This structure includes standard breaks such as Thanksgiving, Winter Break, and Spring Break, aligning with many other universities in the northeastern United States. Additionally, SUNY Stony Brook offers intensive short-term courses during the Winter and Summer sessions, providing flexibility for students to accelerate their studies or explore specialized topics.

• Fall Semester Start: Late August 2025 (typically around August 25–28), marking the beginning of the academic year with orientation for new students.
• Thanksgiving Break: November 26–30, 2025, a short break aligning with the national holiday.
• Fall Final Exams: Mid-December 2025 (approximately December 10–18), concluding the semester.
• Winter Break: Mid-December 2025 to mid-January 2026 (approximately December 19, 2025–January 19, 2026), a longer break for students and faculty.
• Spring Semester Start: Late January 2026 (around January 20–25), following the Winter session.
• Spring Break: Mid-March 2026 (approximately March 15–22), a one-week recess.
• Spring Final Exams: Early to mid-May 2026 (around May 5–15), ending the academic year.
• Commencement: Mid-May 2026 (typically around May 20), celebrating graduating students.

• Early Action Deadline: November 1, 2025, for prospective undergraduates seeking early consideration, with notifications typically by mid-December 2025.
• Regular Decision Deadline: January 15, 2026, the standard application cutoff, with decisions generally released by late March or early April 2026.
• Priority Financial Aid Deadline: February 1, 2026, recommended for students applying for need-based aid to ensure timely processing.
• Enrollment Deposit Deadline: May 1, 2026, the national deadline for accepted students to confirm their intent to enroll.
• International Student Application Deadline: January 15, 2026, aligning with Regular Decision, with additional time needed for visa processing.

The academic calendar at SUNY Stony Brook aligns closely with regional and national norms for public universities in the United States, particularly in the Northeast, where semesters are structured around major holidays like Thanksgiving and winter festivities. This scheduling offers predictability for students, including international ones, who can plan travel and visa arrangements around extended breaks. The optional Winter and Summer sessions provide added flexibility, catering to diverse student needs, such as catching up on credits or engaging in research-intensive programs. While specific dates for the 2025–2026 academic year and admissions cycle are estimates based on historical patterns, they reflect typical timelines for institutions like SUNY Stony Brook.