Ask A Student!

<p>Hello,</p>

<p>I am currently a freshmen accounting major (School of Management) and have been absent from CC for quite awhile. I am not a Binghamton Ambassador or part of the admissions staff. I am just a student. Thus, I cannot give you any chances for admissions, but I certainly could give you information about Binghamton University.</p>

<p>When I entered into Binghamton, I was a management major, but I easily switched it to accounting by filling out one form. </p>

<p>I also live in College in the Woods, one of the five residential communities. It is very social and nice.</p>

<p>I am from the top specialized high school in NYC. And I love this school and I feel like it is very underestimated. </p>

<p>I am here to answer any questions you have about Binghamton, the college admissions process. </p>

<p>Thanks.</p>

<p>What classes do you take/plan on taking for your major and how tough are your classes now?</p>

<p>I’m attending SUNY New Paltz currently, and I really would like to transfer for Fall 2011 in SOM. (also wanting to major in Accounting. but my current major here in NP is Education.) But I hear it’s one of the toughest schools to get into.
What do you recommend the average gpa to be? And any advice? </p>

<p>Thanks :)</p>

<p>I am currently taking:</p>

<p>HDEV 105: College Students in Transition
CQS 111: Intro to Business and Computing (required SOM class)
ECON 162: Macroeconomics (required SOM class)
CHIN 203: Intermediate Chinese I
THEA 101: Intro to Musical Theater.</p>

<p>For next term, I have to take Microeconomics and Business Law I. It is a 5 year BS/MS Accounting program, so it will fulfill the 150 credit requirement to take the CPA license exam.</p>

<p>I find my schedule quite manageable and easy that is only because I am not taking any intense history or science classes. That is for now. </p>

<p>Here is the sample or typical curriculum: <a href=“http://www2.binghamton.edu/som/files/AcctBSMSprogram2008on.pdf[/url]”>http://www2.binghamton.edu/som/files/AcctBSMSprogram2008on.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Yes, Binghamton SOM is one of the toughest schools to get into. Definitely take some economics classes and keep your grades up. It is good to have a 3.8+ GPA, but even with that GPA it is tough to get in. Don’t give up.</p>

<p>Good luck!!</p>

<p>I do not have the GPA to get into SOM but I am very good at math (Math SAT - 750), and am planning to apply to Harpur as a math or economics major.</p>

<p>SOM is considered the prestige school in Binghamton for those oriented toward business, economics, accounting, etc. I also know it is just about impossible to transfer into SOM.</p>

<p>So do you think I would feel like a “second class” citizen attending Harpur as a math or economics major?</p>

<p>Thank you!</p>

<p>Absolutely not. In college, there is no stigma towards whatever your major is. Some of the smartest people I met here at Binghamton are in Harpur, Watson, Decker, etc. It is basically what you choose and what you have an interest in. It is perfectly fine to major in math and economics. </p>

<p>That is what I love about Binghamton. There is no stigma attached to anything including major, social class, etc.</p>

<p>Why did you decide to switch your major?</p>

<p>Accounting gives a lot of choice. Binghamton’s 5 year BS/MS accounting program prepares you for the CPA exam. With the CPA license, you are able to branch off into any field in business. Also, learning about how the business works with auditing (a part in accounting) is highly marketable and highly in demand. Accountants are always in need.</p>

<p>To throw some numbers in, Binghamton is number two in the nation for accounting. The top feeder school to Pricewaterhouse Coopers. (Binghamton has a prestigious honors program associated with Pwc.) The third feeder school to the Big 4 Accounting firms.</p>

<p>Can you tell me anything about the Industrial & Systems Engineering major?</p>

<p>Do you know people in it/know if it’s as good program?</p>

<p>Your sample curriculum is this: <a href=“http://www2.binghamton.edu/watson/advising/current/pdfs/ise-guidesheet-fall10.pdf[/url]”>http://www2.binghamton.edu/watson/advising/current/pdfs/ise-guidesheet-fall10.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Generally, I would say pre-med and engineering are the hardest majors where ever you go to school. I do not know the specifics about industrial & systems, but I know that for engineering students, they dive right into engineering in their first year. </p>

<p>In the past term, my engineering friends have created many projects such as a door lock that only opens the door when you have the correct knocking pattern. Once, they have made these projects they present to judges in this engineering fair. I know my friends got praised for the practicability of his project (adding a fan). </p>

<p>I know another recent project they had to do is to take apart a blender and recreate it. In addition, they learn how to use CAD to draw these objects on the computer. </p>

<p>I know you are open to go the workshop to make, fix, etc. anything you want. My engineering friends on their free time modify their nerf guns using their resources and things they learned in class.</p>

<p>I say, the engineering program is good, because you are already learning the basics of engineering from the moment you step into Binghamton. </p>

<p>Random Fact: IBM was founded in Binghamton, NY.</p>

<p>Wow, thank you so much for all of the info!</p>

<p>You said that College in the Woods is very social. Would you say that the other dorm complexes have a social feel from what you have heard. My son just visited this past Sunday for an open house and it was a VERY nice day. Hardly any students outside enjoying. I thought this a bit unusual?? Also what do you think about the system of no freshman only dorms? Do you think this makes it harder to meet friends in the beginning? In all freshman dorms I have heard that the students leave their doors open early on in order to meet meet others. Thanks.</p>

<p>I’m also a freshman at Bing, but an English major in Harpur. If 12love wouldn’t mind, I could answer some of the more liberal arts-focused questions that prospectives may have. I was asking questions on this board only a few months ago. :)</p>

<p>Academically and recreationally, I’m extremely happy here. Socially, I have a few gripes, but those are probably exclusive to me.</p>

<p>

</p>

<p>Excuse me if I’m hijacking… :]</p>

<p>I also live in CIW. I live on a floor that has eight doubles, a triple, and two suites. We’re split about 50/50 freshman to sophomores and juniors, and it’s still an extremely social atmosphere. Everyone leaves their doors open when they’re in the room (especially at the beginning of the semester) and the upperclassmen seem to want to take the freshmen under their wings and help them out. I feel like I’ve been exposed to much more of the social aspect of the school because I’ve gotten to know some upperclassmen on my floor. I’ve also gotten some great advice about classes, etc. Most juniors and seniors choose to live off campus or in the on-campus apartments, so all dorms will probably be primarily freshmen and sophomores anyway.</p>

<p>As far as all the other communities go… each one has their own stereotypes. CIW has the reputation of being most social, and it is, by far. Mountainview is suite-style. Mountainview is… on top of a mountain and the newest community (if you don’t take the new Newing construction into consideration), but I would dare to say that it is the most anti-social community as it is so far away from everyone else and suites are generally more closed-off anyway. Hinman is also suite-style and known to be more “academic” as it is right near the lecture hall and the library, but I know a lot of people who really, really enjoy Hinman. Newing has the repuation of being for greek life. While that might not be completely true, they are definitely the party dorms. The older buildings will be torn down next year. They’re building the new Newing community now. One of those new buidings – Bingham – has already been completed, and it is absolutely gorgeous. It is far from the rest of campus, but when the rest of the community is finished, it will probably blend in a bit more. Dickinson is the oldest community at Bing. It is right in the center of campus and close to the unions, etc. People complain about it a lot, but I actually like the feel of Dickinson… it’s the most “dormy” looking building, as far as traditional dorms go. </p>

<p>If I had to do it all over again, I would definitely choose to live in CIW again as a freshman. I might move to the new Newing next year just because of the… newness of it all, but I’ll probably stay in CIW. </p>

<p>As for the people not outside on Sunday (and it was BEAUTIFUL – really rare), we’re not really a ultimate-frisby-in-the-quad type school. It bothers me a little bit, but there’s not much you can do about it. A LOT of upperclassmen live off campus, and A LOT of underclasmen actually go home on weekends. Bing is much more of a “suitcase school” than I thought it would be. I’ve been home for the weekend twice this semester, and I have friends who have gone home four or five times. People also go to visit their friends at other schools a lot. I think it may just have to do with this year’s freshman class, but weekends in Binghamton aren’t extremely popular. That also bothers me… but, nothing you can do. Also, it really depends on the time you visit. You’re most likely to see people wandering around outside at 2 or 3 p.m. rather than 10 or 11 a.m. As college students, we collectively sleep until about noon on weekends. ;)</p>

<p>Thanks so much. You really touched on everything I was curious about and even a bit more! :)</p>

<p>Hey, nervoussenior10, feel free to join in any time. Another opinion is always better. : D</p>

<p>I couldn’t have described the dorming situation any better.</p>

<p>But, I do disagree with the whole “suitcase school” feel. Throughout this whole semester, I haven’t been home once. My friends have been home once but only for emergency purpose reasons like seeing the dentist, etc. </p>

<p>For college students, Sunday is usually our work day - to study for exams, to do our homeworks, to socialize a bit, etc. Although the past Sunday was a beautiful day, college students do sleep late and the rest of the day is usually spent trying to get everything done. Also, this past Sunday was free Harry Potter movie premiere ticket lineup day. When you were there, everyone was probably either on that line or just got their tickets and realized that they spent too much time and need to study.</p>

<p>I personally love CIW, because of the interesting hallway design. Some in suites; others, corridors. Even the people in the suites leave their suite dorms open. Everyone is able to freely talk to anyone. Also, I love the idea of no freshmen dorms. With only freshmen dorms, you are only restricting yourself to certain people. I have met so many friendly and helpful upperclassmen.</p>

<p>nervous senior, i have a question about psychobiology at harpur: do you know how the job market is looking for neuroscientists? is it in big demand? will jobs always be available? starting, average salaries?
also im from ohio and i dont know anyone here. ive heard the stereotype “rude attitude of NYC residents” is this true? would you say it is a generally friendly campus or is it hard to make friends?</p>

<p>NYC resident here.
I wouldn’t call us that rude. xD
But I guess living in the city for so long would make me blind to any rudeness that there is.</p>

<p>@penguin11</p>

<p>I am from the city and I admit in NYC, we are rude but that is only because living in the city is hard. You need to be cautious, watchful, and sometimes distrusting. Binghamton is not the city, so the environment changes people. I know that for me I changed once I came to Binghamton. I found it so much easier to make friends. Everyone is so friendly here. </p>

<p>I admit I was freaked out when upperclassmen introduced themselves to me and offered me help. The friendliness is genuine here. And once again, a stereotype is a stereotype. It does not define everyone.</p>

<p>Don’t mean to barge in-</p>

<p>I’m from Long Island and the students, staff and faculty are extremely friendly here. I remember at orientation I had gotten lost and a summer student directed me to where I needed to be… Everyone is pretty approachable and I have had a great experience as far as that goes. </p>

<p>That being said, making friends depends on the person. I have trouble with that myself and that didn’t change when I got here. People are certainly friendly but that doesn’t always translate into instant friends. </p>

<p>FYI- I am a soph-junior in Harpur. I also live in CIW.</p>

<p>I have a question. I applied as a transfer for the spring. (still have not heard back, but I’m hopeful of a response soon) Is it easy for a transfer to receive on campus housing? Whats the process like? (I currently commute and live at home, so I wouldn’t know)</p>