Suffolk Reporter

Over 100 students at Stony Brook University have applied for competitive fellowships for the 2025-26 academic year, marking the largest group of applicants in the university's history. The ‘I Hit Submit!’ celebration took place on December 4 at the Shore Club to honor their efforts.

“This year’s applicants have shown incredible determination,” stated Ashley Staples, director of External Fellowships and Scholarly Development. Students applied for more than 20 national and international merit-based awards.

The event included student speakers who discussed their experiences with the application process. Gabriella Vaccaro, an undergraduate student and Barry Goldwater Scholarship recipient, remarked, “Applying to awards helps create a vision for yourself where you learn to articulate your goals and interests.” She emphasized that feedback received during this process is beneficial for future applications.

Graduate student Anastasia Iorga, a recipient of the American Association of University Women American dissertation fellowship, urged persistence. “It is a numbers game! All it takes is one, so be sure to apply for each award you might be interested in,” she advised.

While some students have received notifications from programs like the Marshall Scholarship and Gilman Scholarship, most are still awaiting decisions expected by spring. The celebration recognized their hard work despite the uncertainty ahead.

Faculty and staff who supported students through recommendation letters and mentoring were acknowledged as well. Staples highlighted the importance of such support: “The encouragement and support from mentors and peers during this time are invaluable.”

David Rubenstein, associate dean of the Graduate School and former Goldwater scholar, praised applicants’ dedication. He noted that they had honed critical skills through writing and revising applications — skills valuable across professions.

By spring's end, most applicants will know if they've secured fellowships. Successful candidates will be honored at the Graduate School’s Wall of Honor ceremony in spring.