Narrowing My Search... Help.

College Search & Selection
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<p>Well, I’ve posted a few posts about similar subjects (all quite lengthy) and, after some more thought, I’ve realized what needs to be done to further narrow my search for schools. I need to focus on money, which basically means New York state schools.</p>

<p>I’m looking for schools with strong psych programs AND strong creative writing–or english with CW focus–programs (also screenwriting courses are a plus). Also, I would prefer bigger schools (8-10k+), but won’t say no to small schools.</p>

<p>So, as of now, I have it down to these two non-state schools, and I think these are the only ones I’ll keep on the list.</p>

<li>Michigan AA </li>
<li>Brown
The next are in New York, but because tuition isn’t lowered for in state students, they fall under this category (although Cornell MIGHT lower tuition, but don’t think so for psych/eng majors).</li>
<li>Cornell</li>
<li>NYU</li>
</ol>

<p>*These are schools I might go to regardless of no money given (scholarships I don’t need to pay back), but if anyone wants to add schools that are out of state, but are likely to give enough money for it to be as cheap as in state tuition, that’s definetly welcome.</p>

<p>Well, the more realistic choices are state schools with cheap costs, so if anyone can help me out with schools that fit my needs (with the programs)I’d appreciate it. As of now the only school I’ve really found that is very strong in psychology is SUNY Stony Brook, however, I have found nothing about any strength in creative writing–big downside. I don’t think any of the SUNY’s are particularly strong in what I want, but what else can I do? Maybe I just haven’t looked hard enough. So, please, if someone could help me out I’d appreciate it. Thanks.</p>

<p>Oh, and last thing, I have a 3.89 GPA (hopefully will keep it up next year), so just make sure the college is a realistic match (maybe reach) for me.</p>

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<p>Re Cornell: Psych and English are both in the College of Arts and Sciences, which is endowed, not state, and therefore your in-state status does not save you money.</p>

<p>But you might want to take a look at the Human Development major in the Human Ecology school. There is much overlap with Psych. If the Human Development program is to your liking, you could save a bundle because Human Ecology is a state school, with substantially lower tuition for in-state residents. Outside your major, you could take writing courses in both the English department and the Communications department (the latter is part of the Ag School, for no readily identifiable reason).</p>

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<p>bigger schools with great psych departments AND creative writing (im verrrry familiar with psych departments), with a wide range of selectivity:</p>

<p>Arizona
Bowling Green
Brown
Cornell
Delaware
Emory
George Mason
Harvard
Indiana
Miami U (OH)
U Miami (FL)
Michigan
Northwestern
Pittsburgh
Temple
USC
UVA</p>

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<p>Thank you for the replies. </p>

<p>Well, I'll definetly look into that at Cornell. Human Development would interest me, although I'm mainly interested in Social Psychology. With the English, would those classes I'd take, say from diff departments, count towards a major of any sort of would they just be a lot of random electives? I guess even if it didn't count as a major I could still take courses I wanted and not pay as much. </p>

<p>And with regards to the other reply, that's a good list, but what about tuition costs? I think basically all of those schools will be expensive, but are any of them exceptionally generous with money? If I'm going to add any to the out-of-state/expensive list of schools I need it to have some way of bringing down the cost, otherwise, I'm probably going to stick to Michigan AA probably (my #1 choice as or now). That's a great list though, so thank you.</p>

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<p>Just bumping this back to the first page for help...</p>

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<p>Hey University of Miami is exceptionally generous with money for top students. I'm not even that smart and I got a 3/4 scholarship for like 24 grand. Good luck</p>

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<p>I've yet to look into Miami, but do you (or anyone else) know how their psych/cw programs are? If they really might be generous, it is a possibility. Plus, Florida is a nice place to live too.</p>

<p>Anyway, as of now I just want to at least find three SUNYs I should look into because they are the cheapest. What do you guys think? I am trying to search for which is the strongest in the courses I want, but haven't found anything definite. I'm pretty sure Stony Brook, Albany, and Binghamton might be some I should look into or apply to, but not sure because I don't know a lot about the SUNYs. </p>

<p>Please help...</p>

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<p>After reading posts about Binghamton, I realized something else. SUNY schools suck, well, in comparison to other top state schools (other states). Binghamton is known as the best SUNY, yet it is not in the ranks of Michigan, UVA, UC schools, etc... </p>

<p>It kind of sucks to be stuck in a state with not great schools. I kind of already knew that in the back of my mind, but just finally realized it. There really isn't a great cheap option for New Yorkers. Not one of the brighter kids in my class went to a SUNY, yet many of them went to great state schools in OTHER states.</p>

<p>Not sure what I should do. I'm pretty torn....</p>

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<p>Are any of the CUNY colleges a better option than the SUNYs?</p>

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<p>I'm not really sure because I actually don't know a lot about CUNY colleges--mainly because no one I know goes to them and don't hear a lot of talk about them either (compared to SUNYs).</p>

<p>However, considering it stands for City University of New York (and the only ones I know are in Queens and Brooklyn), it's in NYC. I really am not a huge fan of going to school in the city (NYU would be an exception because it's an exceptional school), so don't know if CUNYs would be right for me unless the academics in one of their psych and creative writing dept were great. </p>

<p>If someone does know if the CUNYs fall under my eeds, please say so, because I'd be interested (although not sure if any will).</p>

<p>If only I lived in a state with a top public university, but I'm pretty sure Binghamton is the best NY has to offer, and, from what I've heard from friends who have gone there, it sucks (they all hated it). </p>

<p>Ah well.</p>

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<p>Just bumping this back up...</p>

<p>Still looking for advice on the SUNYs I should apply to (and why them specifically), as well as any schools that might be generous with scholarships. </p>

<p>Thanks.</p>

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<p>i have no clue about creative writing, but i do know that albany and stonybrook have excellent psych departments</p>

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<p>If you are willing to entertain the idea of liberal arts colleges, you may be able to find some good financial aid. You are male, right? They need guys. There are quite a few with good creative writing programs, and good psych. You may want to look at Ohio Wesleyan, too. UMich AA is expensive for out of state. It would not be very difficult to beat the price with LAC merit aid. Also, look at CUNY-Honors- free tuition plus a stipend. The drawback- you would have to find housing since they have none.</p>

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<p>Did you take the PSAT? If it looks like you're going to make the semifinalist cut, UArizona has great merit aid for NMS.</p>

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<p>^Works for me as long as they have good programs.</p>

<p>And to the above about the SUNYs, you are right about Stony Brook. They don't really have anything at all with creative writing it seems (from website) or from searching though. Albany has good psych also and I think creative writing. So I'll probably apply to both of them for sure.</p>

<p>Back to what OneMom was saying... I am in no way at all against LACs. Many are pretty small, but I don't mind it that much. I just said a bigger school is a preference, but more important would be the program strengths and cost--WAY WAY more important than school size really.</p>

<p>Yes, I am male, and if they really need guys and would be willing, I'm all for that. What are some specific LACs that need guys, would be generous with money, and have strong psych/cw?? A lot of LACs actually have great english/writing programs actually, and probably psych programs as well, so it won't be very hard to find one that has the strengths. Just need to narrow it down to the ones that will give me money, lol.</p>

<p>Thanks for the suggestion OneMom, any further help would be really appreciated.</p>

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<p>Ento, I did take the PSAT, but a long time ago.</p>

<p>I'm already in college and very close to closing out my freshmen year. I'll be applying to schools for my junior year, so they many schools won't even look at my SATs, let alone my PSATs... </p>

<p>Or did you mean something else? Because I'm a bit confused.</p>

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<p>Sorry, I didn't catch that you're a transfer student.</p>