<p>Both of these are on my short list. I plan to visit them this fall, so that should help, but I wanted some input on which would be better for me.</p>
<p>I am not 100% decided on a major, but at Stony Brook it would probably be Biology with the specialization Ecology and Evolution, possible minors including Geology, Geospatial Sciences, and German. At ESF probably Wildlife Science or Conservation Biology.</p>
<p>Other factors
- I am an out of state transfer student. I have a 4.0. I'm anticipating transferring with at leasttt a 3.8 (still have a year of classes to go, though, including calculus so we shall see.) I can't remember if they require it from transfers, but my ACT was 30. I am saving up, but I refuse to go into big debt. I am counting on a killer scholarship or I will keep applying to other schools until I get one. I will also be a Phi Theta Kappa member, I know they have a small scholarship for that. This is a second bachelors degree. That looks like it could be more of a problem to Stony Brook than to ESF?</p>
<ul>
<li>study abroad is one of my biggest factors. If I am understanding correctly, any SUNY student can take advantage of any other SUNY school's SU programs? If so, that's a non-factor, but it does look like study abroad is way more of a big deal at Stony Brook.</li>
</ul>
<p>-opportunities for research are majorly important to me. I have read that ESF has a lot, any opinions on Stony Brook?</p>
<p>-the fact that both of these campuses are not known for their party scene is a plus to me. I'm somewhere between an "adult" transfer and a traditional student, but I'm interested in the traditional academia of the college experience, not the party life.</p>
<p>-Ideally I would like to minor in German and take French as well. This would be an option at Stony Brook but not at ESF, correct?</p>
<p>-I like that Stony Brook has a wider academic reach, but I also like that ESF might offer more hands-on opportunities. I want to make sure that I don't specialize too early, though. I would like the flexibility in grad school options that comes with a Biology BS. Would that be possible with a Wildlife Science BS? It seems to have the same foundation courses as a Biology degree.</p>
<p>I realize that was an information dump, but I just need to hash it out. Any opinions at all, even just regarding campus life, etc. would be welcome. Thanks so much!</p>