<p>I recently got accepted to Stony Brook for Biology and Binghamton for Psychobiology, and I was just wondering if you all could give me your opinions about which would be the better choice for me.</p>
<p>I want to become a psychiatrist, which means I'll have to go to med school. I would prefer to live in a busy-ish city. I live in Albany now and I like it for the most part. I debated going to NYU, but my father and I decided that it would be too expensive since I'm going to med school. I would also like a diverse student body, friendly people, etc.</p>
<p>I've heard that the city of Binghamton (which I plan on visiting soon) has somewhat depressing weather and doesn't have much going for it activites-wise; while Stony Brook is a "suitcase" school (everyone goes home on the weekends) and has insufficient dorm space. Are these things true? Of course, my main priority is the educational quality and how well my undergrad school will prepare me for med school, but I'm going to have to live where ever I go. Are any of you current Binghamton students wishing to transfer, or have you had a good overall experience? Same for former/current Stony Brook students..</p>
<p>I totally agree with your concerns about Stony Brook being a suitcase school. It’s true–a significant number of students go home on the weekends. This is something to seriously take into consideration if you’re looking for the typical on campus experience.</p>
<p>Stony Brook is not in a city, but rather rural. The weather is the best of any SUNY school. People do go home on weekends, but there are still plenty of people around and ample opportunity for things to do…not a big deal really.</p>
<p>The Binghamton area is actually similar in many respects to Albany. The weather is similar, older rust belt like atmosphere, decent malls, there is a good bus service (free for students) to get you most places.</p>
<p>Both are good choices. In terms of dorms, both schools have had issues…although I’d have to give the dorm edge to Binghamton. Good luck!</p>
<p>I think I would classify Stony Brook as a suburban campus rather than rural. I’m a parent, not a student, but many of D’s friends go to Stony Brook and claim a significant number of students do go home on the weekends.</p>
<p>I live 5 minutes from Stony Brook and know many current students. Students involved in sports there tend to stay on weekends and be more involved with the school. The train to NYC runs from the campus if you are a city person, it is very accessible. One negative of Stony Brook is the cost of off campus housing, it can be high and there isn’t really a designated student area, you would be renting housing surrounded by families.It is suburban, not urban. Malls, beaches, strip centers, no real college town. </p>
<p>I toured Binghamton with my daughter and found the city depressing. The weather is gloomy due to its valley location. However, if you are not an athlete, you might prefer the weekend social life at Binghamton. The campus is nice, it is surrounded by woods. Academically, they are both excellent choices for premed.</p>
<p>Tour both and go with your gut feeling. Good luck.</p>
<p>hey there adaeze. Im a junior at bing and i went to stony brook for my entire freshman year so maybe i can help you out. tbh bing has a MUCH better social atmosphere than stony brook. it was way easier for me to make friends at bing than sbu and they were much happier. a lot of students at stony brook think it sucks and only attend because they feel they have to. this is the major contributor to its overall depressing atmosphere. not to mention a large portion of the students go home on the weekends, even the ones who reside on campus - and weekends start thursday night i remember one time i got locked out of my room and there was no one on my side of the hall to help me out. thats not to say everyone on campus leaves, but for me the majority of my friends went home home every weekend.
Although binghamton has depressing weather and a depressed city, i know few students who hate the school. Most of my friends, myself included, love the school and are excited to return every semester.
although stony brook may have better food, weather, and more diversity, i can tell you that the students at bing are 100Xs happier than the students at sbu, and thats the most important thing.
and btw i know a few people in psychobio and as far as i know its a pretty well supported program. if you wana know anything else feel free to pm me</p>
i remember one time i got locked out of my room and there was no one on my side of the hall to help me out. thats not to say everyone on campus leaves, but for me the majority of my friends went home home every weekend.