Accepted Students Questions

Got accepted into the University at Buffalo today and I have a couple of questions

  1. UB vs University at Albany, Which is better for a Business major? Which has a better experience? Right now I’m leaning towards UA but if UB is better for my major then that would defiantly sway the balance a lot.

2)What is the best UB dorms for a freshmen? and will I have a chance of getting into them this late in the game (my parents want to wait one week to send in my deposits so I’d be sending in late February) whats the probability that the best dorms are all booked up at this point?

  1. I didn’t receive a scholarship in the acceptance package and their was no mention of one? Will they send notification of a financial reward at a later time or do I not qualify outright?

  2. Whats Buffalo like? I’m a city kid and the furthest upstate I’ve been out of NYC is a couple miles past the Tappen Zee. Is Buffalo a city/ how does it compare to NYC? Is their stuff to do? Is it as cold as its made out to be? Whats transportation like? (buses, subways,etc…) Is it diverse?

  3. What is UB like in general? How are the freshmen classes? Whats freshmen/undergraduate life like? Is it a party or a quiet school?

I’m sure I have tons of other questions but these are the only ones I can thick of right now. Thanks in advance and Good Luck to the Class of 2019

Also whats the sports scene like?

First and foremost, you have some homework to do. Get on Google. You need to visit both campuses, and talk to someone in the business departments of each. See what they offer, see what they’re like, see what experiential learning they offer/require. Accepted Students day is the best time to do that, but you can arrange visits at other times.

That being said, here are some observations on your questions:

(1) FWIW, UB’s undergrad business is ranked 79 by US News, UA 113. As always, use the ranking systems (there are a number of them) as a guide, not as gospel. UB’s MBA is well regarded (http://mgt.buffalo.edu/about/rankings), UA’s is ranked lower. A lot depends on your focus - UA and Albany in general are government focused, and if you want to do political science/government, I’d look there. Buffalo is more diverse economically, and is currently experiencing an economic upswing (google Buffalo Billion).

(2) Check with UB, but I believe as long as you get your deposits in by May 1, you receive the same consideration for housing as all other freshman. Check with UA on their policy.

(3) I believe any merit scholarship will be mentioned in your acceptance letter. Looking at your numbers on your other post, I’m guessing you probably didn’t qualify. Not sure, but I believe any need based aid will be sent out later (March?).

(4) Neither Albany or Buffalo remotely compare to NYC. Few places do. Albany is three hours away, Buffalo seven, so factor that in. Both locations have good transportation options back to the city. Buffalo is considerably larger than Albany, and as a city has more “stuff to do”, but I don’t think there’s a huge difference. Buffalo is close to Niagara Falls, and not far from Toronto. Albany is near Vermont and the Adirondacks. I would say Buffalo feels more “midwestern” and Albany feels more “New York”, but that’s my opinion. Buffalo is colder than Albany (it’s more the wind than the snow), but I’m in Albany and can tell you there’s not a whole lot of difference. Somewhat different weather patterns, but we have more snow right now than UB. It’s pretty darned cold here this winter.

(5) A few schools have students patrol their CC forums, but UB doesn’t, and you’re likely only to get parents’ and applicants’ viewpoints here. UB is a lot bigger, but as at all schools the size of UB and UA, you’re going to find plenty of social options regardless of which you pick. UA does have issues with community: google “kegs and eggs”; its off campus area is referred to as the student ghetto. I believe UB’s relationship with the community is healthier, but again, you will be able to find the right place for your lifestyle at either school.

Sports: UA has an active and enthusiastic sports environment. Basketball is big (they look to be on their way to the NCAAs). Football is 1-AA, not 1-A. UB is part of the MAC. They are 1-A across the board, went to a bowl game in 2013, and are trying to build their sports brand. So I would say UB’s sports environment is bigger (UB played Baylor in football and Kentucky in basketball; UA played Holy Cross in football, UNLV in basketball), though neither school is close to big time (Syracuse, Ohio State, etc.).

A couple of things I would like to add.

“but I’m in Albany and can tell you there’s not a whole lot of difference. Somewhat different weather patterns, but we have more snow right now than UB. It’s pretty darned cold here this winter.”

This is simply incorrect . Buffalo has and in the past years had more snow than Albany and every other suny university.
http://goldensnowglobe.com/current-top-10-snowiest-cities/
http://m.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/the-10-snowiest-colleges-acros/22129751

Also to give you a little knowledge , UB is the biggest suny. It also has the most endowment and comphrensive programs. It is ranked ‘better’ in every category when compared to Albany aswell.

Thanks guys @JustListening I defiantly got to do some research I applied really late and never really did any research so thanks for all the info and thanks @heresjhoonyn‌ for the weather info

Just wondering, when did you apply? I applied regular decision back in November and I still have not heard anything

I’ve been accepted into both Albany and Buffalo for economics. Albany has offered me a $5000 yearly scholarship but I believe Buffalo has a better rep. Which should I opt for? Will Buffalo give me better chances at a good grad school?

Sorry for the late response meloulena i applied in mid January (Buffalo) and late January (Albany).Cfc if you don’t mind me asking whats your gpa and SAT I heard back from Albany 2 days ago but didn’t get offered anything only got 2 pieces of paper saying Im in and how to enroll.

@DJ2015 SAT - 1170/1600, 83% ISC board.

I had one kid at Albany one at Buffalo, and both had great experiences. As a business major you will want to get internships during the school year at local companies, and both colleges offer that; Albany more so in the government sector. Both schools pretty much house all the freshmen who get deposits in on time in the same place (a big zoo!) and both have special interest floors. Both have a very small percentage of students in official frats/sororities. We live near NYC and it was very easy to take Amtrack from Albany back and forth but there are lots of transportation options from Buffalo. So just go for the one that feels right to you!