Binghamton v. Hunter

<p>I've come down to two schools. I was accepted into Binghamton at the College of Community and Affairs. For Hunter I was accepted into the Arts and Sciences college. However I'm pretty sure I want to do something with dentistry in the long run. As of now I am extremely confused as to what I should do. If I decide to attend Binghamton I will receive a small amount of aid (I heard Binghamton was quite stingy with their aid this year) and for Hunter, I am pretty sure I will get full ride. This has been troubling me for quite some time. All my friends are staying in the city but I've always wanted to dorm. I'm not sure what I should do at all right now. Any suggestions? My parents have agreed to go with whatever I choose.</p>

<p>I’m actually a freshman currently attending Hunter and probably transferring to Binghamton for the fall. I guess I’m slightly biased since I’m transferring out of Hunter but here’s my opinion:
Hunter is a good school. However, there’s no real “campus” if that’s what you’re looking for. You will not get the cliched college experience here, or at any other CUNY for that matter. The campus consists of 3 building set to accommodate the 20,000+ kids. (it’s a tight fit!) The area is in a lovely part of Manhattan I’ll give it that.</p>

<p>The social life is not great. Most students commute to school and leave the campus immediately after campus to continue their lives. It takes an effort to makes friends but it is doable. I’ve met some very interesting and cool people here, but I haven’t forged any lifelong friendships. It’s just not that sort of school.</p>

<p>The academics are good to great. I’ve had some really great professors, many of them have PhDs and published work in their fields. Of course, there are some not so great professors but that goes for any school. </p>

<p>SO, I would say go to Binghamton and dorm, especially if expenses are not a concern. You’ll be fully immersed in campus life, meet awesome people, and have that full experience if that’s what your after. Plus, Binghamton is just generally regarded as the better school of the two. The academics are stellar and the opportunities are endless. Again, I don’t hate Hunter, it just hasn’t provided me with the experiences and opportunities I’m after and i don’t think it will. Also, how long would your commute be to Hunter? My commute is exhausting! </p>

<p>One last thing: don’t stay home because your friends are! Make your own decisions and get out there and experience something different…Hope this helps lm writing it on my train ride home. (:</p>

<p>I was about to jump on this question, but everything revoltxo said was ON POINT. I’m a sophomore at Hunter, and I’m transferring next fall to (most likely) Binghamton (or maybe Stony). The only thing I would emphasize is how cramped the school is. I’ve been coming to the realization for many years now that I do not like small places with many people. That’s what Hunter is. Crowded stairwells, crowded bathrooms (right after classes end), crowded cafeterias, crowded computer labs, and a crowded commute to and from the city at rush hour! I’m getting anxious just thinking about it.</p>

<p>I chose Hunter BECAUSE it was a commuter school, thinking I would just go to class, leave, and meet up with my friends from high school. This was a delusion. I did not want to move on with my college life and leave my high school life behind. I ended up being lonely most of the time (not friendless, just out of touch with people, because everyone was busy with their lives at college too).</p>

<p>A positive thing about Hunter is the science research. You’re bound to find a faculty member who you really like, and conducts awesome research you’ll be interested in.
I really can’t add much but my personal stories about Hunter.</p>

<p>But if you would have to take out $40,000+ for an UNDERGRADUATE degree, and plan on going to graduate school or med school for which you will have to take out even more money, I strongly advise against it. If you can get away with as little debt as possible and go to Bing, do it. There will be so many more experiences on campus with fellow students than you can imagine, more opportunities, and more FREEDOM!</p>

<p>Thank you guys so much! I’m still waiting for my financial aid package to arrive and its making me anxious. I’ve been wanting to go to Binghamton since sophomore year (more for the being away part but also because it’s a great school). I don’t want to end up choosing Hunter to save money and hating it because even my cousin in Hunter is telling me to go to Binghamton. Thank you soon to be ex Hunter students!!! I would appreciate some opinions from Binghamton students right now so I can get both sides of the story.</p>

<p>hope you decided on Binghamton. At hunter now and I hate it.</p>