Application process
The application process for prospective members of SBVAC involves attending open houses and undergoing an interview process, with about 10 to 15 new members accepted each semester from a pool of around 100 applicants.
Reilly said that every applicant is evaluated fairly and equally. However, this process has been criticized by some former applicants, who claim that personal connections and bias play significant roles in the admission procedure.
When asked about these claims, Reilly emphasized the organization’s commitment to equal opportunity and being a welcoming community. He also said that they are always looking for passionate individuals who are eager to contribute to EMS services.
One such applicant who requested anonymity due to being a medical school applicant reflected on her frustrating experiences when applying to SBVAC in 2018 and 2019.
“At the time, I remember it feeling very discouraging, especially with [Stony Brook] being a big commuter school. It was one of the few things I was really looking forward to getting involved in on campus,” she wrote in an email to The Statesman.
She expressed concerns about SBVAC’s reputation for exclusivity and what she felt was an unfair application process.
“It’s like a clique a little bit. If your friends are in it you’re guaranteed in and if they’re not [then] not really and they all sort of think of themselves … really highly when they don’t really do anything,” she said. “They [also] used to take your picture when you applied … and the guys would just then hire the girls they thought were cute. Those were things I heard in my freshman [and] sophomore year[s].”
When she applied during her freshman year, her application was denied because she did not attend one of their open houses, which she said was never stated as a requirement.
“[The president at the time] said that if I had communicated earlier … we could’ve worked something out and I was like well I’m communicating now is there any way to make an exception … so that you guys can consider my application because it never said anywhere that it was mandatory,” she said.
However, her application was denied, and she went on to work for Port Jefferson Emergency Medical Services (PJEMS).
“Ultimately I’m glad that it didn’t work out [because] of what a positive experience I had working at PJEMS,” she said. “[SBVAC] was just sort of negative and toxic to a lot of people.”
SBVAC did not respond to requests for comment about these incidents.
Those who gain entry into SBVAC start the probationary class and must complete a series of requirements, including skill tests, written exams, a mid-semester practical, supervised practice driving an ambulance and a Basic Life Support (BLS) certification class.
While some members of SBVAC come in already certified Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), the organization does not offer the certification training course for new members. Instead, all new members — regardless of their licensing status — must participate in SBVAC’s own training program. New members who are not licensed can obtain certification through external programs and SBVAC will reimburse them for the costs once they achieve certification. However, this is not required.
