<p>If I send in my application before or on Nov 15, how long will it take to get an answer back?</p>
<p>My son received his response on-line by 2nd week of January, folllowed up by a letter a couple of weeks later. He applied early as well. He is now a student at UA.</p>
<p>Thank-you for that..</p>
<p>How does he like it there?</p>
<p>He enjoys Albany a lot. There is lots to do close by (it's a relatively large city) and he is involved in a lot of activities. He is very busy with school work...but still finds the time for social activities...made a lot of new friends. He is in Project Rennaissance(you can find more info on this on-line at the Albany site)...but is not too happy with the program, wishes he just did the regular curriculum. He is in a suite and it seems every one gets along pretty well...he already decided that he will be rooming with one of his suite mates in a regular corridor style next year. </p>
<p>As with most freshman, college was a bit of an eye opener from the amount of school work necessary to keep up, but he has learned from some of his earlier mistakes and is transitioning well.</p>
<p>Good. I'm glad to hear that he likes it. </p>
<p>I have another question. If I did go to UA, I would be coming from GA. Did he have a lot of friends already going there or going with him? How hard do you think it is to make friends if you're from out of state (especially if you're shy)? lol</p>
<p>He did have a couple of people from his hometown that went there. One of his friends is in the honors college...he see's every so often for some studying...the other person he knows from home he does not hang with at all.</p>
<p>I would say that almost all the people he met are new. Shy or not you will meet people...you will have a roommate, you will live either in a corridor setting or a suite...and there are lots of people in/out all the time. I think from being out of state you will meet even more people...sort of unique for a state school as most kids are from NY. </p>
<p>My son said that almost all the people he has met are nice. His roommate is a real jock...my son is not...but they get along well...however they do not do a lot of socializing together. That is quite common. My son is into going to the local mall (huge by the way) seeing a movie and hanging with his UAlbany friends on the weekends. He got involved with the chess club, plays some sports and scrabble. He is never bored...actually he is tired all the time from doing so many things. </p>
<p>Don't let the out of state scare you...just be sure you are comfortable with the school, understand it gets brutally cold in the winter (and I mean COLD)...just be sure its the place you want to be and make the best of it.</p>
<p>I think I'm taking your thread in a diff direction, but I am encouraged to hear positive things about Albany, like that RichNY's son plays chess and scrabble...so there are intellectuals there! And I loved dancebabe9008's pictures. My D wants a big school and I think she could get into Albany (she's a junior). How cold is "brutally cold?" We're downstate NY, is it that much more cold or just compared to Georgia?</p>
<p>if you have really good grades shoot for something better than albany...albany is a 3rd tier school...the campus is really run down and very unattractive....downtown albany is nothing special either..also albany is HUGE party school...if you want a good suny school...check out binghamton or geneseo</p>
<p>I personally thought that Albany was very pretty. But I don't mind concrete like some do. I have a pretty good gpa, although my SAT score is low. I visited Binghamton and I preferred Albany MUCH better. Maybe because it was raining the day I visited Binghamton, but it all seemed so damp and dark in all of the buildings. </p>
<p>But of course, it is all a matter of personal preference.</p>
<p>Sorry to scare you with the "cold" statement. I live in Middletown NY about 1 1/2 hours south west of Albany and in the winter it is not uncommon to see temperatures below 0. Albany is a sure bet to be 10-15 degrees colder. Personally I don't mind it...as I am a skier...but I do look forward to spring-time. As most of the classes are close to each other...I think it is not much of an issue...just something to dress for (remember...lot of layers). </p>
<p>Bran10--I am not going to try to defend Albany...sure if you want to find a party you can find one. I guarantee you that finding a party at Binghamton or Geneseo would not be a problem either. My brother went to Brown University(a lot higher rated than any SUNY school)...and when I visited (this was years ago) I could not believe the amount of partying that went on...shocking actually. I think it is up to the person. 3rd tier school? I don't think you should generalize...I know of a number of very successful (both friends and in business) people that graduated Albany. It's what you want to make out of it. Examples...A freind of mine is a very well known NY criminal attorney that graduated Albany and speaks highly of the school. Another friend of mine is a VP at a well known Consumer Products company...loved the school...and his son went as well and is a CPA.
Is Binghamton and Geneseo higher rated, yes...no denying that...is Albany a good school...yes. Again...it's up to the individual. My son got wait listed into Bing and probably could have gotten in if he pushed, but he really liked Albany and he is not unhappy with his decision. </p>
<p>To all...Choosing a school is obviously a very important decision, weigh all your options...but remember...no matter where you go, if you feel you are not in the right place...transferring is always an option...but no matter where you go...hard work and dedication is the key to success.</p>
<p>You are absolutely right RichNY; I went to an Ivy and there was much partying, much of it disgusting. I imagine Albany would be good for those interested in government or politics. I know Albany grads who have done well since graduation, although they tell me the city is depressing.</p>