<p>My boyfriend and I have both been admitted into Stony Brook University as transfer applicants from Miami. He is majoring in philosophy and plans on getting into law for his graduate studies (not at SBU) and I am majoring in Anthropology and am leaning towards linguistics. I've read a lot, especially through 2 cents on Stony Brook, that has frightened me. Stony Brook has been my preferred University because of how they portray their anthropology program. I honestly don't care much about social and dorm life because I plan on living off campus with my boyfriend. I need to know that I am going to be around qualified and inspiring professors. I want professors who will make a lasting impression on me. Basically, if I am going to be spending so much money on an education, I need passionate professors who will teach me something more than mere concepts. Of course, I am aware that this will not be the case for most of my professors, but if I can be promised at least a few of those, that would greatly affect my final decision. Also, I would like to know if it is possible to live by campus without a car. Thoughts on their academics? Any other information would be appreciated as well.</p>
<p>I’m currently in the Anthropology program, and it’s pretty good. They’re more known for their graduate program though. If you want to pursue anthropology seriously postgraduate, you’ll want to take many classes beyond the basic major requirements. You also need to pick and choose the classes as there are some pretty bad professors. We don’t have much for lingual anthropology, the physical anthropology and archaeology focused classes tend to be more rigorous, and people usually take the ethnology courses for general educations.</p>
<p>As far as commuting goes, we do have a train station on campus so you can live anywhere on the Port Jefferson line near a train station have be able to get there without a car. Your best bet in that regard might be Port Jefferson or maybe Huntington. There are also some houses on or off of Stony Brook Rd. and Rt. 25A.</p>
<p>Inspiration does not exist at Stony Brook. Keleso said what I was also thinking. Anthro is more known for their grad program. There is that dude, Richard Leakey, at Stony Brook, no? He’s a famous professor in the field. Whether you can foster a relationship with him, or any of the professors, or be inspired by him, who knows. Though looks on the website he may not even teach, just doing research. I would be cautious in what you do here, meaning the situation. The life at Stony Brook is galaxies apart from Miami. And your “off-campus” experience may be as uninspiring as your on-campus experience. Long Island is a very weird animal unlike the rest of the country. It’s not fun and nothing to do. I am commenting on the social aspect of this decision because I think it and your desires are intertwined here. Inspiring professors usually wind up at a inspiring places and vice versa. This just isn’t it. And you also want to be happy, no? Rigorous education is at Stony Brook, not life and inspiration. The faculty, while many do not necessarily not care about undergraduates, are largely at Stony Brook to do research and there focus is on that, which means more time with graduate students. And that also means the type, the quality of professors at the university. Meaning you are looking at research oriented academics, not inspiring professors. It might be more accurate to perceive this place as a research institution that accidentally processes young eager minds expecting a quality experience, who are only let down. </p>
<p>I don’t know the answer to your situation. I just fear your primary desire to be at the Anthro dept you feel is best will cause more damage in the long run than weighing all the components of college. I think you sacrifice everything of the experience for college, not just being at college with John Belushi, for the off chance you will find the right mentor and inspiration at Stony Brook. The place just isn’t constructed that way. If your desire to be at the right anthro department is stronger than any other impulse, I think you prevent yourself from making a decision. I don’t know the right decision, just saying that prevents you from making it. A sure bet for Stony Brook would be to gain admission into the phd program. Top ranked program I understand. Can you do that? If you think you can do that, how about stay at Miami or go somewhere else, then come to Stony Brook for grad school. I think that is an entirely other beast.</p>
<p>The philosophy department I understand has it’s pluses. Ranked well in continental philosophy, whatever that is. A lot of debating about land? Anyway, philosophy major at stony to law is not a problem. Rigorous education and decent transcript/lsat will grant admission to law school. But, my point being, I would caution anyone considering law, especially if you are not in the running for the top law schools…</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/09/business/09law.html[/url]”>http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/09/business/09law.html</a></p>
<p>As for commuting, you can live near a train station like Keleso said. Check google maps and you can view the train line in relationship to the university.</p>