<p>hey guys,
i graduated high school in 2013 and am now on a gap year. i was originally supposed to go to an entirely different college upon my return, but now i can't because of financial reasons, so i have to choose between SUNY Purchase or SUNY New Paltz. i am not asking what my chances are, because i am pretty sure i can get into both. i am hoping to study psychology as well as take a lot of writing courses and i know new paltz is better academically, with a much nicer campus and town. however, the kids at purchase are much more "me"...visiting purchase, i really loved the feeling of the school and the kids there, but i'm afraid the liberal arts program there is somewhat of a joke, and i'm a pretty serious student. however, i'm also extremely artsy and love to party and the new paltz bar scene and strict campus police just really turn me off.
before visiting new paltz, i was told it was a really artsy, quirky school, but most of the kids there just looked like all-american college kids, which is really not at all what i'm looking for.
my question is: in your opinion, should i go to purchase despite its ugly campus and lesser academics beause of my love for the student body, or go to new paltz for the academics, and risk not liking the student body/nightlife.</p>
<p>I went to SUNY Purchase early this semester and absolutely hated it, failed all my classes and opted to withdraw than ruin my GPA. Aside from that, people seemed a bit hap-hazard at Purchase and unless you’ll have a car, you are stuck. Thankfully I was a commuter so I could escape when class was done. The only advantage Purchase has is that it’s closer to the city.</p>
<p>New Paltz I got into for the spring shortly after I withdrew from Purchase. I don’t have too much to say about academics since I know nothing of that yet (some requirements seem a bit odd but whatever), it seems to be a more sociable town and happier environment. But that’s just me, I’m no expert.</p>
<p>New Paltz seems to fit the requirements for academic rigor and sociability options that you are looking for, My son got the opposite impression during our visit at an Open House in October… he had the opportunity to talk to lots of students and found the campus community very friendly, warm, fun and he found lots of smart, quirky people around. Good Luck! </p>
<p>I’ve heard bad things about Purchase, including high usage of drugs like acid and mushrooms, a non-academic atmosphere, severe lack of focus on majors that aren’t fine arts, dance etc. I’ve only heard really good things about New Paltz. Everyone is supposedly very friendly and happy and the words “artsy, quirky, hippie” come up a lot.</p>