Most Intellectual SUNYs

Colleges and Universities A-Z SUNY - General
1

<p>If someone here could list the most intellectual SUNYs I would appreciate it. When I say intellectual, I mean people who find intrinsic value in learning, not intrinsic value in studying for tests. I've never had a good friend before in my life, and I would really think that if I went to a very intellectual SUNY, my chance of actually making a friend increases substantially. I mean, I am not really into sports, music, movies, T.V, drinking, partying, drugs, or anything like that at all. My favorite thing to do in the world is to read; I spend virtually all of my leisure time reading non-fiction, particularly works concerning the social sciences and humanities. I am also very political. So, if anyone more familiar with the SUNY system of colleges could help me out here I would greatly appreciate it. </p>

<p>Thank you! </p>

<p>My Stats:</p>

<p>SAT: 2110/2400</p>

<ul>
<li>Verbal: 800</li>
<li>Math: 640</li>
<li>Writing: 670</li>
</ul>

<p>GPA: 3.61</p>

<p>Rigor of High School Curriculum: Mostly Honors and AP </p>

<ul>
<li>AP Statistics: 4</li>
<li>AP European History: 3</li>
<li>AP English Literature: Not taken exam yet</li>
<li>AP U.S. Government: Not taken exam yet</li>
<li>AP Biology: Not taken exam yet</li>
</ul>

<p>ECs:</p>

<ul>
<li>Model U.N.</li>
<li>Gay-Straight Alliance</li>
<li>School Newspaper (Editing Team and Head of Online Operations)</li>
<li>Literary Magazine (Editing Team)</li>
<li>Oxfam</li>
<li>Philosophy Club (Co-Founder)</li>
</ul>

<p>Out-of-School-ECs:</p>

<pre><code> - Union Organizer
- Held screening of feminist film and facilitated discussion of film
- Extensive volunteer work with various liberal organizations (Planned Parenthood, NOW, health care reform organizations, local gay pride parade, various area Democrats, etc)
</code></pre>

<p>I like to joke that I'm a professional leftist, as you can see. lol</p>

<p>Major: Philosophy or Economics (in preparation for becoming either a philosophy or economics professor; an economist would also be fun)</p>

2

<p>I think you would probably do well at any of the university centers_Bing, Albany, Buffalo and also New Paltz.
Good luck.</p>

3

<p>Thanks for your input! That’s basically what I was thinking. Is there any particular reason you left Stony Brook off your list or was it included in the “any of the university centers” part? lol</p>

<p>Thank you!</p>

4

<p>I only left it off because I am not really familiar with it!</p>

5

<p>Look at the student organizations at each school - maybe one has a really active club of some kind that you know would be perfect for you and contact the student(s) in charge. Most of the SUNYs are so large that you will find someone with similar interests.</p>

6

<p>I would add Geneseo.</p>

7

<p>I go to Binghamton and although there are some that aren’t as “intellectual” as you’d like, there are a whole bunch of different organizations that you would want to be a part of. To list some:

  • College Democrats/Republicans and the Libertarian club (join what you would be most comfortable with)
  • NYPIRG
  • Binghamton Philosophy Club
  • Philosophy of Science Club
  • Journal of Philosophy, Politics and Law
  • Prospect (liberal mag) or Binghamton Review (conservative mag) or EMO/SAC (very liberal mag)</p>

<p>I would also check out the PPL (Philosophy, Politics, and Law) major. I am very happy with the Philosophy dept. here at Bing (PPL is a part of the philo dept.) and have also heard good things about the economics dept.</p>

8

<p>Albany ranks as #49 in the country for total research dollars. It does this without a med school, which is amazing. Well over $300+ million in 2009. The nano college is ranked as #1 in the world. I guess it depends what you mean by intellectual? If you mean R&D then it’s Albany. If you mean a liberal arts type intellectual then maybe a Binghamton or Genesseo. The question is a bit vague.</p>

9

<p>Geneseo would be the most intellectual of the SUNY’s.</p>

10

<p>Get yourself into one of the honors programs. You’ll likely meet students who are scholarly. But in general it’s difficult to generalize about who you will meet, and what THEY will be like. Stats can’t tell you about their likes and dislikes or their personalities, or if your compatable. You can look at student clubs that might interest you, school traditions, research opportunities, specific courses that you’d be interested in. And after all that, you might meet your best friend standing in line to get your student ID…or waiting in line at a store…go figure.</p>

11

<p>There are intellectual students to be found at every SUNY. They’re not just at Geneseo or Binghamton. </p>

<p>Rise to the top in your classes and get to know some of your professors beyond the classroom. Intellectual opportunities are available at all SUNY’s. Seek them out and you will find them. </p>

<p>Generally speaking, the more intellectual students tend to be drawn to similar classmates.</p>

12

<p>This sounds like me!
I’m a sophomore at geneseo, I never had close friends until I got there and found people like me. I was founder and president of my UN club at home and Geneseo has a very strong MUN team which I was very pleased about. It’s one of the most well funded activities on campus. We attended four conferences and did mini-mods many times throughout the year, and although I’m not involved in it there’s a large pride alliance; its well respected on campus. We have a writers house for those interested in continuing writing even if its not their major. And in a different dorm called Dante house all of the honors students live together with the international students, which leads to a whole different level of enlightenment.
I would definitely suggest visiting all the colleges you might be interested in. And as someone who goes to Geneseo, I would agree that not everyone who goes here is the most intelligent or that other colleges don’t have intelligent students. You have to find them wherever you go. But even if they’re not the most intelligent they’re the friendliest most open group of people I’ve ever met.</p>

13

<p>I totally agree with nysmile.</p>

<p>However in general, not so sure I agree about Albany and would consider Oneonta.</p>

14

<p>I’m attending Geneseo in fall and have only met ambitious, intellectual, well-informed individuals and I’ve been to campus several times. Plus, I had similar scores (800 on verbal & writing, but lower than you on math) and a rigorous courseload with a comparably “tanked” (92, on the lower end of the spectrum for admissions to bing & geneseo!) GPA. However, Binghampton is a party school where intellectuals exist, but certainly do not thrive or remain lurking in its dark quarters. It’s funny because its totally equal admissions wise with Geneseo but the mindset there is completely different and since its a bigger school, theres diversity among the student body, but I know a lot of dumb girls with As in regents classes who are attending. Plus, my whole town is shipped to there year after year so it wasn’t for me, but clearly I’m biased. </p>

<p>However, I would second the advice to consider honors programs at other SUNY schools, particularly Stonybrook, if you can get in. Even without honors, SB is rife with introverted, insightful intellectuals, so you will be in good company! Their honors program, to which I was admitted, just had a lot of very tempting perks. I was surprised I was accepted to it because my scores were on the higher range for admissions but far from the perfection they expected from honors students. maybe it was my essay? in any case, stonybrook, if you are suited to the environment, is a very viable option, especially the honors program and their many other academic opportunities. (wise, engineering something or other, etc)</p>