<p>I have in reality found the perfect fit. SUNY New Paltz is located in a small town with a 60s feel to it, there is an artsy student body, close enough to NYC that you can take trip to see a Broadway play, a concert or just visit the city, perfect size. Not a dominating greek scene. I was concerned about the large instate population but has been insured that it is not a commuter school. The tuition is also very nice for an international without much financial aid.. I would love for the campus to be prettier but.. oh well.</p>
<p>Yet I am left with this ... gut feeling. There is just something that doesn't feel right, even though technically it is perfect. Is this a feeling I should trust?
Does anyone have any experience with New Paltz?</p>
<p>Thank you! I appreciate any and all info & experiences about the school. Basically what I want is that true college experience, you know?
I realize its no trip down the block, but the opportunity is there - its no plane ride or 9 hour drive. And I really don’t want to attend an urban college so it seems like a good compromise.</p>
<p>My S’s best friend from HS was very happy at New Paltz. My S visited and liked the campus as well as his friends. It is probably 2 hours to NYC which is nice. As for “perfect” – well no school is perfect – but if you found a place where you feel you can be happy and get the education you want (at a SUNY price no less), then you are fortunate indeed.</p>
<p>“Its not a day trip to nyc bud. Its like a 6-7 hour trip haha.”
How can you say that? Every where I’ve read about it has said its a 90 min/2 hour distance and I found at least one bus who uses 90 minutes… </p>
<p>And Happy1, thank you! I really appreciate the responses.</p>
<p>Sometimes our guts speak to us and say “this is me!” and that is all that is needed. Other times there are doubts for one reason or another…so you have to examine the doubts. Is it a prestige thing? What was the source of the doubt? What is the reason you think its a perfect fit? Programs? Professors? Student body? Cost? </p>
<p>Don’t over analyze it, but don’t brush it off either. I’m big on fit and vibe. Unless its screaming at you NOT to go, then I wouldnt be too concerned. And besides, you have until May 1 to make the final decision. Relax, ponder. Put the books down. See what offers come in and compare and make another visit in April. Then decide. </p>
<p>It will all come together. Nervous feelings are normal. You are not alone.</p>
<p>Dear Victorialie–Let me tell you a little story. When I first visited NP with my daughter her junior year of high school, she turned to me and said, “There are no flowers here.” That was a bright, sunny day, open house in April. I turned to her and replied, “So you’ll join the horticulture club and plant flowers.” That sort of became our mantra whenever we visited a campus. And yes, we visited many schools that were filled with flowers. Following that first visit, we went back in September, she applied, was accepted, went back on Accepted student visit, she spent an athletic recruit weekend there in December. Bottom line–she is a freshman, absolutely LOVES everything about NP…the convenience and social life of the town, her roommates, her teammates, her academics, the price is right, and she’s far enough away, yet close enough to home–it is only two hours from NYC though I don’t think you’ll want to travel to Manhattan on a regular basis like every weekend. NP offers many cultural opportunities, too. And what a surprise–when we drove her there in August there were plenty of flowers!!! And as a joke, I signed on to the “flower of the month club” so there’s plenty of pretty on the window sill. (The snow is quite pretty, too).</p>