Looking for a school with a diverse, down to earth student body

College Search & Selection
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<p>I'm a senior currently attending a public school in Long Island, NY. I'm interested in majoring in English and possibly Journalism as a double major or a minor. My stats are decent- 3.8 W GPA, 1860 SAT and fairly good EC's, recommendations and essays. The schools I am applying to are: </p>

<p>Boston University
Fordham University
Ithaca College
Syracuse University
Providence College
Depaul University
Hofstra University</p>

<p>Possibly applying to: University of Connecticut, SUNY New Paltz, University of Rhode Island (last 2 as safeties). </p>

<p>However, after visiting some schools I'm beginning to get a little worried that I won't fit in. For instance: Fordham. I felt like almost everyone there was rich, white, and catholic. After speaking to quite a few people, I'm told that Providence College and Hofstra University consists of similar student bodies. This worries me as I am no where near rich and I consider myself very down to earth. I would like a University that is a bit more down to earth and diverse, rather than the same old preppy, white, rich kids (totally don't mean to be stereotypical, not everyone i've seen were like this). </p>

<p>Anyone know of any schools I should check out before finalizing my list? I absolutely loved Ithaca College, so maybe schools similar to this one? </p>

<p>Thanks.</p>

2

<p>First if you’re nowhere near rich I’m wondering how you’ll afford OOS publics like UConn and URI and the privates on your list. There are always Bing and Geneseo for affordable options.</p>

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<p>I guess people in Long Island are rich enough to afford OOS tuition.</p>

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<p>[Alfred</a> University : Academics : Degrees/Majors](<a href=“http://www.alfred.edu/academics/degrees_majors.cfm]Alfred”>http://www.alfred.edu/academics/degrees_majors.cfm) List of Majors</p>

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<p>[Alfred</a> University : Financial Aid : Undergraduate Freshmen Scholarships](<a href=“http://www.alfred.edu/finaid/freshmen/scholarships.cfm]Alfred”>http://www.alfred.edu/finaid/freshmen/scholarships.cfm) </p>

<p>Oops, left this out, merit at Alfred University (NY) </p>

<p>Princeton Review’s Best 373
USNWR’s Great Schools Great Prices
Fiske Guide 2011
USNWR’s Best Regional Universities North </p>

<p>I am sure some “informed” person is going to mock my post, but I have put him on my “Ignore List” several weeks ago so I can’t read his posts. </p>

<p>2200 Undergrads, Great Academics, Small classes-know your professors.
Division III Athletics, No Greek Life, Shuttles run to Buffaolo & Rochester airports at peak vacation times. </p>

<p>School of Engineering, School of Business, College of Liberal Arts, School of Art & Design </p>

<p>A real hidden gem, established in 1836, feel free to send me a private message.</p>

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<p>If you are looking for a down to earth student body then I would steer clear of Syracuse, Hofstra and Ithaca. I am not as familiar with the student bodies of the other schools you are applying to…but generally, the private schools do consist of a wealthier population.
My son started out at the University of Miami and transferred to SUNY New Paltz as a second semester Junior. What a difference! The student body at SUNY New Paltz is SO down to earth and creative. He loves it there and has met so many nice people. They are very strong in English and Journalism. This was a safety school for my son as he had pretty high stats, but he didn’t care…he wanted a place where he would be happy and no longer cared about the ranking of the school. UMiami taught him that.
BTW, I spent 2 years at Syracuse before transferring so I have some personal experience there.</p>

7

<p>I had the same response as Erin’s Dad. These are not good aid schools so they will attract those who can pay. If you need aid, it’s going to be hard.</p>

<p>The kids you’re looking for will be found at state schools and the privates good with aid.</p>

8

<p>Other posters make a good point about finding more down to earth kids at public schools. You might want to consider U Delaware.</p>

9

<p>Revolt…</p>

<p>Those OOS schools are not safeties if you can’t afford to pay for them. Those OOS publics aren’t going to give you aid to help you with their HIGH non-resident costs.</p>

<p>How much will your parents pay each year?</p>

<p>Frankly, I don’t think any/many of the schools on your list will be affordable unless your parents will pay a lot of money. Those schools don’t meet need.</p>

<p>What SUNYs or CUNYs do you like?</p>

<p>**Your parents budget is likely going to determine where you should apply. **</p>

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<p>I was told by my guidance counselor that I would receive good merit money at URI, which is the only reason why I would apply. </p>

<p>My EFC is $10,000. However, my parents and I can pay more than that as I have personally saved on my own close to $10,000 (probably will be more after graduation). I was going to apply to U Delaware and UConn, however I feel that a private school would probably end up costing around the same price as those OOS publics. </p>

<p>I like SUNY Binghamton, but the school has become extremely competitive that I’m not even going to bother to apply (a friend of mine was rejected with a 97 GPA and over 1300 M+CR score). SUNY New Paltz seems OK, I’m just not extremely interested. Other than that, I do not like the SUNYs and since the CUNYs don’t offer housing (or their housing is limited), I’ve crossed them off my list as well. </p>

<p>If anyone else has any other options, please let me know. I would love to finalize my list ASAP. BTW, it would be nice to stay in the New England/Mid-Atlantic area but I would be willing to look beyond. I would prefer a school in a cool city or town where there is a lot to do. Thanks for the help everyone.</p>

11

<p>There is a Centennial Scholarship listed for URI freshman for which you would qualify but it doesn’t say how much it’s worth or anything about it. You do need to apply EA by 1 DEC.</p>

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<p>*
My stats are decent- 3.8 W GPA, 1860 SAT</p>

<p>I was told by my guidance counselor that I would receive good merit money at URI, which is the only reason why I would apply.</p>

<p>My EFC is $10,000. However, my parents and I can pay more than that as I have personally saved on my own close to $10,000 (probably will be more after graduation)*</p>

<p>Ahh…</p>

<p>A $10k EFC doesn’t mean much to an OOS public. It’s too high for Pell. </p>

<p>Thankfully, you and your parents can contribute a bit more than your EFC, but keep in mind that your savings would be needed for all 4 years…not just for one year. </p>

<p>So, you probably can’t count of contributing much more than $2500 out of your own savings for the first year. Right?</p>

<p>BTW…did you list your savings when you figured your EFC? </p>

<p>URI Test Scores
Middle 50% of First-Year Students </p>

<p>SAT Critical Reading: 480 - 580<br>
SAT Math: 490 - 600<br>
SAT Writing: 490 - 590 </p>

<p>*There is a Centennial Scholarship listed for URI freshman for which you would qualify but it doesn’t say how much it’s worth or anything about it. </p>

<p>You do need to apply EA by 1 DEC. *</p>

<p>Collegeboard says this…</p>

<p>Average non-need based aid: $3,992 If that’s the avg amount that URI gives in merit, that suggests that the student still would have to pay the majority of the $40k per year COA.</p>

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<p>Ithaca, BU, and Syracuse match what you’re looking for. But beware because the atmosphere on campus doesn’t always mirror the atmosphere in the rest of the city/town where the campus is. Also, just because there is diversity, it doesn’t always mean different people mingle. </p>

<p>Something to consider with all the schools you’ve mentioned.</p>

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<p>Good to know about URI. The only reason I was going to apply is because my counselor said the scholarships can get the tuition down to the price of a SUNY, which is clearly not true. I’m thinking of just not applying to any OOS publics, to save the money and the time on the apps. </p>

<p>I plan on working through college. I’m doing it now with tons of AP & college level classes, so I know I could handle it. Assuming I could make at least $10,000 a year, I myself can contribute that. </p>

<p>Ithaca, BU, & Syracuse are definitely my top choices. Any schools similar to those?</p>