I’m currently in the process of transferring from Syracuse University. I simply don’t like the school enough to continue to put myself into so much debt. I got accepted into all 3 schools I applied to Suny New Paltz, Albany, and Stony Brook. I’m going to be entering as a bio major but may pick up a second major in journalism or atmospheric sciences. (Very different majors I know) I’m aware that Stony has the best academics but I’m very concerned with their commuter school status. I’m dedicated to my academics but doing nothing but school is very depressing and I believe it’s part of the reason why I’m having such a miserable time here at Cuse. I simply couldn’t find my niche and now do nothing but go to class. I’m sorta leaning towards Albany but are my job prospects/ grad school opportunities going to suffer? I honestly have no clue what I’m doing and I just don’t want to pick the wrong school again.
I live on Long Island and Stony Brook is definitely a commuter school. Plenty live there, but many go home. Depending on the major, there are many international students (especially science) so that also might result in isolation. If your school is depressing now, SB might be worse for you. New Paltz is about 1/3 the size and from all accounts is a fun warm and welcoming place to be, wonderful town near by and student body artsy and eclectic and accepting of all. my friend’s son, physics, went from NP to SB this spring and hated SB, is going back to NP in fall. he had to come home for a medical procedure but feels very alone here at SB. although he lives close by, he did dorm and complained of the commuter status. i know another young man who had that same issue and transferred to Geneseo where he was very happy and graduated from there recently. everyone is different, i do know of a mother and then her daughter who loved it there. it could be the hard sciences that get the less social environment. idk. since youre especially vulnerable to that, go to new paltz and feel loved. everyone does that goes there it seems. you will find your niche!
@excitedbutnervousmom thank you for your reply! That’s exactly what I was thinking about Stony Brook. I know academics are important but I just don’t think I would be happy at SB. New Paltz seems awesome my best friend is transferring there next year too but I think I’m actually going to go to Albany because it has the atmospheric science major I’m leaning toward. (I was more focused on bio when I applied but changed my mind) thank you! You made me feel better about my decision 