<p>This is one school that my DD is looking at. It says it is the public honors college of the SUNY system. Since money will be an important factor here, I was wondering about the level of instruction at this public college. I know I could probably ask a student but I really wanted feedback from a parent who is familiar with the school.</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>janesmom:
Would you be paying in state or out of state tuition? I think it's a good value for in state prices, but not very good for out of state. As SUNYs go, it's certainly one of the better ones. But it still isn't especially well ranked on a national scale. For instance, US News ranks it - Universities–Master's (North), 14</p>
<p>To give you some idea, here is that list:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Villanova University (PA)</p></li>
<li><p>Loyola College in Maryland</p></li>
<li><p>Providence College (RI)</p></li>
<li><p>Fairfield University (CT)</p></li>
<li><p>College of New Jersey *</p></li>
<li><p>Bentley College (MA)</p></li>
<li><p>Rochester Inst. of Technology (NY)</p></li>
<li><p>Ithaca College (NY)</p></li>
<li><p>University of Scranton (PA)</p></li>
<li><p>St. Joseph's University (PA)</p></li>
<li><pre><code>St. Michael's College (VT)
</code></pre></li>
<li><pre><code>Quinnipiac University (CT)
</code></pre></li>
<li><pre><code>Simmons College (MA)
</code></pre></li>
<li><pre><code>SUNY Col. Arts & Sci.—Geneseo *
</code></pre></li>
<li><pre><code>Emerson College (MA)
</code></pre></li>
<li><pre><code>Marist College (NY)
</code></pre></li>
<li><pre><code>Alfred University (NY)
</code></pre></li>
<li><pre><code>Hood College (MD)
</code></pre></li>
<li><pre><code>Bryant University (RI)
</code></pre></li>
<li><pre><code>Le Moyne College (NY)
</code></pre></li>
<li><pre><code>La Salle University (PA)
</code></pre></li>
<li><pre><code>Arcadia University (PA)
</code></pre></li>
<li><pre><code>Gallaudet University (DC)
</code></pre></li>
<li><pre><code>Manhattan College (NY)
</code></pre></li>
<li><pre><code>Mount St. Mary's University (MD)
</code></pre></li>
<li><pre><code>Wagner College (NY)
</code></pre></li>
<li><pre><code>Nazareth College of Rochester (NY)
</code></pre></li>
<li><pre><code>Lebanon Valley College (PA)
</code></pre></li>
</ol>
<p>Lots of my sons' friends go there, as it is a popular choice for upstate kids who don't want to go too far from home. Of course the majority of kids will be from Long Island/NYC region. Their friends are happy there. It's sort of has the feel of a big, liberal arts college that would be a good deal at in-state tuition. Sadly, outside of this region few have ever heard of it. (Don't get me wrong though - that would not matter to me at all, but it might to some people.)</p>
<p>We visited two years ago and in addition I have several friends with kids in attendance or recent graduates. Academically, it is pretty much what you would expect from a large LAC with average student SATs of about 1250. Academic intensity is in the moderate range. Any A/B student from a reasonably good HS should be able to easily handle the academic demands. We had some very positive interactions with admissions, administration and faculty. My D was interested in a double major with a higher level of music so Genny came off the list except as a safety. A new science building was under construction but we spent little time evaluating the sciences since Bing is a better choice for the sciences.</p>
<p>From the perspective of a Long Islander, the location is the biggest problem. The town is very small and isolated. Although Rochester is only about 30 or so miles away, the typical student does not have a car and has minimal interest in going to Rochester in the dead of winter. Commercial ground and air transportation are pretty inconvenient. There is nothing to do for entertainment in the local area, except of course for drinking. It was clear that the longstanding drinking reputation is still intact. Other negatives mainly stem from financial issues. Student:teacher ratios are not good. A new science building was underconstruction but most of the campus was vintage mid 1970's, cheap institutional architecture. The architecture has little to do with academic quality, but I am concerned about the teacher ratios and similar financial constraints.</p>
<p>Be careful about that "honors college" label. To me, that simply means that it's the best or most selective of the SUNY "colleges." SUNY has four "university centers" that are better known, and in my view better, than any of the "colleges."</p>
<p>But don't get me wrong; I'm not downing the school. Geneseo is a great choice if you want the liberal arts college-type experience at SUNY prices. All the people I know who went there are bright people and loved the place.</p>
<p>I am assuming Janesmom is a fellow New Yorker as how else would she have heard about Geneseo?? As per Weenie- it is ranked 14 in the North for Universities offering Masters degrees and from Edad it is a bit larger LAC geared for students with SAT's of 1250 (old scoring method). For a NYS resident the cost would be under $15,000/year. Which sounds like a pretty sweet deal to me. Especially when you compare it to Ithaca, Scranton and Emerson which would probably cost between $25,000-40,000.
I think some of the posters are putting a very negative slant on a pretty good school. I am not as familiar with Geneseo as I am with other Suny campuses. I do know upstate NY as I went to school in Oswego, d's are in Cortland and Ithaca. But I am sure the town of Geneseo (and yes- it could be a bit dull, rural, cold etc) is not much different from the towns that many rural schools are in- including the locations of Colgate, Williams College, and Hobart.
Some of the LI kids from my district prefer Buffalo and Albany to Bing and Geneseo because they would rather be in a more urban setting. But that is totally a personal preference. </p>
<p>I also think NY parent's should always have one or two SUNY's in the mix, as MOST of us need financial safeties too! Good luck with the search.</p>
<p>
[quote]
I think it's a good value for in state prices, but not very good for out of state.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>the actual out of pocket cost for out of staters in the SUNY system is actually very reasonable (between $10,000-11,000 in tuition per year) -- mucy less than many other states' OSS tuitions. (eg. to compare tuitions at some other smaller public LAC's -- The College of NJ charges in-stateres close to $11,000, OSS pay over $17,000; at St. Mary's College of Md, in-staters pay over $9,000, OSS pay close to $18,000). it certainly draws the top students from NYS -- it and Binghamton are considered the two most selective SUNY's -- Binghamton being a university center, Geneseo being a LAC.</p>
<p>It is a VERY rural location. If you drive through "downtown" Geneseo, you could well blink and miss it. :) The campus itself is a typical SUNY -- very red brick. Built on a hill so for some buildings, the entrance on one side may be on the first floor and on the other side the second floor because its built on the hill.</p>
<p>We've known a number of really bright kids who either didn't get into their top choice privates or who couldn't afford their top choice privates who have gone there and been happy. We also know kids who looked at it and felt that they could never survive 4 years there -- You'd really need to visit.</p>
<p>Marny has a good point about location. The town of Geneseo is really no different than many of the towns that are homes to some very fine colleges. Many are small, and many have "seen better days" - and MANY are "northeast cold" in the winter. The town of Geneseo is no better or worse than most of them.</p>
<p>In summary, I think if you are including SUNY for financial purposes, and you'd like a smaller school than one of the univeristy centers, and you want the highest performing of all the smaller SUNYs, then Geneseo is your ticket. </p>
<p>(Note - fewer than 1% of the student body is from out of state.)</p>
<p>Weenie- by listing Alfred you reminded me of another NYS "bargain". There is a state component at Alfred that charges reduced state tuition. I think it is in their School of Ceramics- but that includes a # of art programs and I think bio-engineering is somehow affiliated within the department. Another bargain is through the SUNY Environmental Science and Forestry school - and I believe the program is actually housed at Syracuse U. The most well known NYS bargain is at Cornell. The schools of Industrial Labor relations, Ag and Human Ec. offer reduced tuition to NYS kids. I am paying around $18,000 tuition for ILR. Not as cheap as SUNY tuition, but certainly not bad for an Ivy League education.
I guess it's habit, I always look for a bargain. Hey- it's in the genes. Never pay "retail" unless you must.</p>
<p>Janesmom- if you want: why don't you give us a bit of info about your d. There really are some SUNY programs out their that might meet her needs quite well.</p>
<p>"The town of Geneseo is really no different than many of the towns that are homes to some very fine colleges."</p>
<p>From what I saw of Geneseo, the entire town consists of a handfull of residential streets, a WalMart about a mile from campus and a handful of sandwich shops and other stores - right next to campus. You could see the entire town and go in and out of every store in well under a half hour. Each prospective student needs to visit and envision themselves in the environment. You need to think about what you would like to do on the weekends.</p>
<p>edad:
Welcome to upstate.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone. </p>
<p>I really need a financial safety. My D will be in the top 5% of her class of around 400. Her stats are high. She loves math and english. </p>
<p>We live in NY also. She does not want to head up to Buffalo. Is Bing any better? I guess a priority in any school would be a solid English department.</p>
<p>I personally do not think Bing is "better" - in spite of what rankings will tell you. It is bigger.</p>
<p>I would say that if her financial safety is a SUNY, go with Geneseo. Of course, with those stats she could have lots of possibilities at good merit aid at private schools or other out of state publics.</p>
<p>Is Bing better?? It's personal preference. All I can say is that I know a bunch of kids who would rather go to Albany because it is in a decent size city.<br>
U of Rochester ( not a SUNY) has been fairly generous with merit aid in the past. As d # 1 applied there 3 years ago, I cannot say what the current financial situation is like now. In the past, it was pretty easy to get merit aid of about $10,000 but it would still cost you about $30,000 to attend. But it's a lovely school with alot to offer.<br>
Weenie- I really have been spending alot of time upstate as both girls are there. All I can say is -- they're trying!! For fun we were at Turning Stone and the Wine Museum near Canandaqua Lake also paid a visit to Carousel mall. I know what you mean- Target and Bed Bath and Beyond are BIG TIME. At least Cortland has a Wal-Mart and an Applebees.
I do appreciate the beauty and serenity of the Finger Lake region- it's a great vacation, but it might be hard for me to live there all year round.</p>
<p>So a lesser competitive school that will give merit-aid would be better than a top SUNY? D's SAT's M/V are in the 1400's.</p>
<p>I am thinking of Manhattan or Fordham.</p>
<p>Janesmom,
Is your daughter currently a Junior? (I'd assume so.) Have you looked at private schools that offer merit aid?
It is hard to get more than $12,000/yr from Rochester unless you have significant financial need.
Could she be a candidate for Cornell?</p>
<p>It's what you can afford!! Assuming that it would cost me $30,000 + to go to Manhattan or Fordham (good schools but not great IMO), I'd rather send my kid to SUNY Buffalo or Albany. Though, I would spend the $ 30,000 for U of Rochester.<br>
SUNY uses one application for up to 7 schools, why doesn't d just apply to 2 or 3 SUNY's and see what the financial aid packages are in April?? Then you'll decide how much you want to spend. Good luck.</p>
<p>Let her check out the Communication department in the Ag. school at Cornell. That may be the "closest Match" as she likes math and English. To take advantage of the NYS programs, one needs to match up to the programs in ILR (mostly social sciences), Human Ec (also social science) or CALS which could include business (AEM) or communication. If you think SUNY is a lot to learn about, Cornell programs are even more complicated.
I'll be back later if you have any questions about the programs at Cornell.</p>
<p>Thanks Marny. Yes I would like to know more about Cornell. I just assumed if she was interested in English that was not covered under the NYS tuition.</p>
<p>My daughter ended up at a LAC with a good financial package. She did consider Geneseo and Bing. A professor friend from NYC told us that amongst NY academics Geneseo is considered the best SUNY. I would suggest an overnight at any of these.</p>
<p>Has she looked in to CUNY honors? Prestigious and quite competitive.</p>
<p>Cornell is a great school, of course, but so so so hard to get into. I know people with 1500+ SATs that were denied. Just an observation! And, anecdotally, the public units are even harder (at least judging from the kids from my daughter's high school last year).</p>