California Resident - SUNY'S

Colleges and Universities A-Z SUNY - General
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<p>Hi , This is my first post on this website . I am soon to be a junior in high school and I've been spending my summer looking at colleges. Preferably I would like to go to college in NY because thats where my heart has been for as long as I can remember. In the beginning I so wanted to go to NYU. Then I did some more research and the school just ISNT for me. Then I started looking at Long Island University - Brooklyn and I fell in love. Then as I went on with my search I realized FOR 1) Its too small for my taste; as well as some other things. Then I was looking at Brooklyn college and I liked it also. But then it just wasn't appealing anymore. Especially since they have no dorms yet. Although I hear they are building some? Anyway , As time went on I began looking at SUNY's . And I think that might be my biggest bet. I've especially been looking into UB(University at Buffalo) and UA(University at Albany) . For someone who hasn't even visited the school, from my research I can just about tell you anything about the school . Lol. But don't test me :-p
Also I've been looking at buffalo STATE for back up.</p>

<p>Would you please tell me everything you know about these schools? What my chances might be as an out of state student and so on. Heres some things I would love to know..</p>

<p>UB - diversity , housing , activities , student life, class room size, academics, pre-med ?
night life , & partying.
UA - I already know this is a party school... Everything that follows with UB
BuffState - Everything that follows with UB & UA</p>

<p>Thank you sooo much !</p>

<p>I Havent taken the SAT or ACT or PSAT yet, but I have a practice PSAT comming soon so maybe I will get results and post them.. heres some info..</p>

<p>I have fluctuating grades.
Its been from 2.86 - 3.0
I ended soph year with 2.86</p>

<p>Volunteered - Cedars Sinai Hospital
Sports - Track & Field (9)
Associated Student Body - (10) plan on doing in 11 & 12
Activities - Stage Crew </p>

<p>I have more but i cant even think.. when i do ill post.</p>

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<p>If you are going to be a junior, work hard on getting your gpa up. You will have a lot more options. UB is a very large school far from NYC and they get a huge amount of snow. I am not a huge fan of either UB or UA. My personal favorite is SUNY New Paltz…
1 1/2 hour drive to NYC, about 6,000 students, good diversity and a fun college town waliking distance to the school. Check it out.</p>

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<p>SUNY Oneonta has a really pretty campus.</p>

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<p>Lilymoon - Hey, Thanks for the info . I was a bit skeptical about going to UB at first. Ive actually even started looking more into Pace University . I actually love the fact that its in NYC because thats where I planned on being from the get go. Im from California as said before so I dont know much about snow , and ive never even been in the snow. But ive been to NY NJ and places in that area around Christmas so i know how cold it gets. Thanks for your suggestion. What do you have to say about Pace ?</p>

<p>What extra-curriculum classes do you suggest I take for this year .</p>

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<p>momomom-Thanks alot ! What do you think or know of Pace University ?</p>

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<p>The schools you mention are in upstate NY which is not at all like the NYC area that you probably think all of New York is. SUNY schools are great, but if you live in Cali, why not go to a UC? It would probably be cheaper, easier to transport, and a lot of them have great reputations as well!</p>

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<p>Im aware of the location. Ive been to NY many times . Pace is the only one in NYC .As for location im really not worried about . Untill I go visit to see how I like it. I have my reasons for wanting to go out there =/; but theyre a bit personal.</p>

<p>Thanks :)</p>

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<p>well…the SUNYs have a great reputation inside the state, but not so much elsewhere. Remember that.</p>

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<p>tecdhnomancer - thanks ; i do understand . as i go on more with my college search Ive been feeling alot more other colleges as well . Such as Pace, Hofstra,St.Johns. ect.</p>

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<p>

</p>

<p>UB is a large, very diverse research university with 2 campuses (well, 3 actually, but most people will never set foot on the third). There are many housing choices - North Campus in Amherst is the main campus and houses more students in 2 large dorm complexes. The Ellicott complex is actually like a small, self-contained college with restaurants, classrooms, dorms, etc. Governor’s houses the honors college and many international students. There several university-owned townhouse style apartment complexes on North for upperclassmen and grad students. The campus is large, but easy to navigate and shuttle buses run continuosly both around campus and between North and South campuses. The campus has very clean lines, appears well-maintained, and the facilites are nice, but not extravagant. They have a number of academic buildings which are connected by enclosed walkways (handy in the windy winter weather), large athletic complex, arts center, Student Union, and Commons area with restaurants, shops, drugstore, bookstore all centrally located. You would have quite a hike to get to shops off campus, but I believe there are some mall shuttles and many students do their shopping near South Campus.</p>

<p>South campus also houses many students in a variety of dorms - large and small. It is the older, original UB campus and looks more like a traditional school. It’s also more integrated into the community and it’s easy to walk to nearby stores or hop on the subway (1-line only) or bus. South campus is where the architecture, med, nursing and pharmacy schools are (or soon will be) located but many students that have classes exclusively on North campus are housed here too. The neighborhood around South Campus is not ideal and although serious incidents on campus are rare, it’s not advisable to wander around alone after dark.</p>

<p>Undergrad classes are likely to be large lectures for the common general ed requirements such as biology/chemistry, history, etc. but they do have recitations once a week which will be much smaller, with TA’s who answer questions, give tips, etc. Overall, though UB is a large school, it seems much smaller once you’ve visted a few times. All of the students/alums I’ve met over the years seem to be very happy with their experience there. My guess is that it takes a little time to get used to and figure out how things work and then students appreciate the diverse opportunities that come with being at a big school.</p>

<p>If you’re interested in sciences, I would recommend UB, Binghamton, and Stony Brook. But you do need to bring your gpa up!</p>

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<p>sk8rmom- thanks that really helped me ! I plan on bringing my G.P.A up also. I had a 3.0 but it dropped after finals which sucked . But since this is my JR. year I plan to spend alot more time in the books ! And I plan on studying Biology . Thats another reason why I’m looking at UB, As well as there Pre-Med program.</p>

<p>Thanks again !</p>

12

<p>The University at Albany is great choice!</p>

<p>The location is great - with easy access to Boston, Montreal, and NYC…each about 2 ½ hrs by car, train or bus. The city of Albany is the NYS capital and the third largest seat of government in the US. The capital region is close the Catskill Mountains, Adirondack Mountains and the Berkshire Mountains. This is also where the Hudson River meets the Mohawk River. I could go on about the region, but it’s a great location with a lot of history…like Saratoga for example.</p>

<p>You haven’t mentioned what you’re interested in studying, but as a large University your choices are significant. You can get a general idea of what courses are offered by browsing the Undergraduate bulletin. It worth noting that UA is part of a 20 institution local consortium that will allow you to take classes at other schools if Albany doesn’t offer what you want or need…this includes colleges like Skidmore, Union, and so on. Albany is a college town, so you can imagine there’s plenty to learn.</p>

<p>The uptown campus was designed by world renowned architect Edwin Durell Stone and is designed for easy access to classes. Many people complain about the design, but many like too! There is no doubt that it is unique…as is the Nanotech College. For the most part faculty and staff are friendly and willing to help. The school has “Project Renaissance” which is a freshmen program designed to make a big school a little smaller by housing students together in the tower at Indian Quad, and offering activities designed to help learn how to transition from HS to college and make friends.</p>

<p>Read the Wikipedia site about UA…it’s good.</p>

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<p>a few clarifications on the travel info above ^^^</p>

<p>Montreal is a good 4 hour drive from Albany – easy and close enough but NOT 2-1/2 hrs!. NYC and Boston about 3 hrs. (lsd87 must have a pretty heavy foot on the pedal on the Northway, the Turnpike and the Mass Pike!)</p>

<p>The train to NYC does take 2-1/2 hrs (gorgeous ride along the Hudson River), to Montreal takes most of a day, and it’s not worth the incovenient schedule to take the train to Boston from Albany.</p>

<p>There are various bus routes, I think Greyhound and Adirondack Trailways serve those cities from Albany.</p>

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<p>I guess the foot is a bit heavy and the memory dim!</p>

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<p>lsd87 - thanks alot . that was very informative .
I plan on studying biology . Also if theres a pre med program I am interested in that .</p>

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<p>Early Assurance to SUNY Upstate Medical University [url=<a href=“http://www.albany.edu/advisement/prehealth2/earlyassure_upstate.html]earlyassure_upstate[/url”>Academic Advising | University at Albany]earlyassure_upstate[/url</a>]</p>

<p>Early Assurance to Albany Medical College [url=<a href=“Academic Advising | University at Albany”>Academic Advising | University at Albany]earlyassure_md[/url</a>]</p>

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<p>Take a look at the SUNY New Paltz biology dept. I have heard good things about it.
[State</a> University of New York at New Paltz: Biology Department - Programs](<a href=“http://www.newpaltz.edu/biology/programs.html]State”>Undergraduate Programs | SUNY New Paltz)</p>

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<p>don’t know if you’ve already made your decision from months ago. Our daughter attends UB and loves it. We’re from San Diego. It was cheaper for her to go to Ub than to go to UCSD (she was accepted there too). Good luck</p>

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<p>right now I’d say you’d have trouble getting into Albany or UB, you probably could get into Buff State though and some of the other smaller colleges (not Oneonta or New Paltz with your gpa). Good luck.</p>