Need Help in Deciding Between Suffolk, Marist, and Lesley

College Search & Selection
1

I’ve limited my top school choices down to Lesley University, Suffolk University, and Marist College

About me:
I’m interested in being a social worker or rehabilitation counselor. I’m a gay, white, male, socially awkward, Jewish atheist from the Northeast, yet somehow I’m not very liberal. This makes me kind of question if I should go to a non-political school with all straight, social people like Marist College, or an artsy, incredibly liberal school, like Lesley. Also, I have a 91.1123 unweighted GPA, a 1400 on my SAT (640 English, 760 Math), and am ranked 73/731 in my class.

Let’s go down the list.

Suffolk University:
-Love the location of downtown Boston
-Nice buildings and dorms
-Offers sociology with health and society concentration degree in three years. However, I’d have to study during summers and winter breaks too, I think.
-Sociology major is ranked in top 10% most focused by college factual. I think the school’s strengths are in business though.
-Has an honors program
-Has a lot of gay people
-The school can’t seem to settle on a president, though. They’ve had like 7 in the past 7 years or something like that.
-Ranked 181 by U.S. News
-Would come to around $35K a year
-No political atmosphere
-My parents really don’t want me to go there. They prefer the campus and community feel, and think I should too.
-59% 6-year graduation rate
-Don’t think it’s too well respected
-Highest acceptance rate (84%) and lowest caliber of students of the three schools
-Think it’d be too impersonal

Lesley University:
-Think it’s good for a counseling degree
-Would come to like $32K a year
-I think it’s well respected.
-Ranked 181 by U.S News
-I liked Cambridge, not as much as I liked Downtown Boston, though.
-The campus was nice, but some of the facilities definitely needed some work.
-The school is very artsy and liberal. It’s also 77% female, so I’m scared there are a lot of man-hating feminists. On another hand though, I’m gay and an atheist, and I think a lot of people there are too. I’m just confused on whether I’d fit in.
-55% 6-year graduation rate
-Has an honors program
-64% acceptance and caliber of students a slightly higher than Suffolk

Marist College:
-The campus was beautiful with very nice facilities. However, I don’t really care for the campus feel of the school. I prefer Suffolk and Lesley’s urban campuses.
-Where my Dad is pushing me to go
-Very preppy, and kind of a party school. I don’t party and I’m not preppy. However, it’s politically moderate/apathetic, and the students, like me, are fairly wealthy. I’m confused on whether I’d fit in.
-Liked the goals and mission of the school
-By far the best school in terms of overall academics
-Ranked 9 in Regional Universities North category by U.S. News
-83% 6-year graduation rate
-Has a social work major, but not a huge focus on it
-Has a huge business and communications focus
-Hated Poughkeepsie, the town the school is in
-65% of students have cars, yet freshmen can’t have cars on campus. I wouldn’t have a car. So in addition to feeling trapped on campus, I’d also feel left out.
-Cost would come out to probably like $45,000 a year, give or take a few thousand.

Sorry this post is long. I really hope someone could help me.

2

I can see your dilemma…go with your gut. I’d pick Lesley or Marist, probably Lesley.

3

bump

4

Well I can tell you that being a gay white male myself I feel that Marist for me has been a welcoming and accepting community overall. I came out to my friends my sophomore year and was super nervous to do so. However, all of my close friends were very accepting of my sexual orientation and I could not have asked for a warmer reception. The campus is inclusive in all aspects and I have never felt that because I live my life a certain way that I have been made fun of or ridiculed for it. I would come for a campus visit or set up a shadow day that we have here in the admission office to get a closer look at what life at Marist is like. Maybe it will sway you but even if it does not at least you can say you came and got a glimpse of the campus as opposed to not coming for a visit at all. Hope this helps and best of luck with your decision making process.

5

I would say to avoid Suffolk.

6

I’d choose Marist.
The academics are the best match for what you want and the closest to your major.
In addition, it’s not “isolated” - just take the train into the city, which many students do for the weekend. As for the week, you’ll be too busy to go off campus (there are lots of things to do on campus that you should take advantage of).

7

Who is paying? Will you have debt?

Sounds like you don’t like Marist campus or Suburban Vibe. So go with either Suffolk or Leslie.

8

bumpity bump bump

9

The big issue is that Suffolk is unlikely to be a good match - sure you’ll in in Boston but college is about classes, peers, resources, …all of which don’t sound like a good fit for you. You could attend UMass Boston or a cc in Boston too, you know.
Between Marist and Lesley I’d still pick Marist due to qualify if academics, peers, and residential campus life.

10

I don’t know anything about Marist, but my daughter’s childhood friend went to Lesley and loved it. You’re right that it is mostly women (probably because it’s known as a teacher training college), but I wouldn’t worry that they are man-hating. As a gay man, you would be fine there. It’s very accepting.

My concern would be the housing cost. Cambridge is outrageously expensive. If you do end up there, look for an apartment in Somerville–it’s a bit cheaper.

11

bump