Second Guessing My Decision, Care to Weigh in?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Buffalo - SUNY
1

<p>Hey CC,</p>

<p>So I committed to Stony Brook University this week and recently I've been questioning whether or not it was the right decision. I'll be majoring in either Mechanical or Computer Engineering and my choices were basically Stony, UBuffalo, and UMinnesota. What I wanted was a place where I could get a great education with plenty of research and internship opportunities, good job prospects, plenty to do on/off campus, just an overall great college experience while still getting the education.</p>

<p>I ruled out Minnesota because I would have to take out about 30k in loans over the four years compared to graduating debt free at a SUNY school. It was also wayyy to cold for me, I'd like to have moderately warm springs/falls. </p>

<p>However whats been bothering me about stony brook is its location (too close to home, I live on Long Island) and I feel like its not enough of a change in scenery than what I've known all my life. Another thing is the lack of a college town or much to do off campus. I feel like although Buffalo may offer a slightly worse reputation, it may have been a better choice due to the location (has a sizeable city, in a new locale) even though it'd be pretty cold there in the winters. Also, one thing I've noticed about those from my highschool attending Buffalo are typically not the brightest compared to those attending Stony Brook. One thing I like about Stony Brook is that people understand that you go there if you cant afford anything better and that the student body is less focused on drinking and partying though its still available. </p>

<p>So what do you think? Should I have chosen the school with a slightly worse program, harsher winters, but with a change in location, better social life, far away from my overbearing mother or the school with nicer weather, a better reputation/program with many research and internship opportunities, but a poorer social life and not much of a college town or much to do off campus, with a generally more intelligent student body?</p>

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<p>Some thoughts…</p>

<p>Only you can decide if the change of scenery is a must, but, yes, Buffalo is quite different from LI. Buffalo is a sizable city, with more going on than central LI, though obviously nothing in comparison to NYC, if you’re inclined to go into the city. SBU has a reputation as a “suitcase” school, which could leave you without things to do on weekends if you stay, but, as always, it’s what you make of it. UB has a sizeable commuter population, though residents are more likely to stay put on weekends. UB certainly has plenty going on in terms of speakers, concerts, etc. Undoubtedly, one can expect better weather over the course of the year at SBU, though.</p>

<p>UB’s overall incoming student stats are lower than SBU’s, though that’s probably not true for engineering. If you place value in rankings, the two engineering programs are comparable (UB usually ranks a bit higher, but that’s splitting hairs). Considering that engineers apply way more credits (and time) to their major than many other majors, you’ll actually be spending a lot of time with pretty smart people. UB’s engineering research, facilities, and placement opportunities are excellent, and it does offer more engineering programs. All of which is not to knock SBU in any way, but to say that for engineering, UB is just as good or better.</p>

<p>So, I’d say figure out what your priorities are. If you’re like most, you’ll only get one shot at these four years, so if getting away is really a priority, weigh that into it. If you plan to return to LI after school, SBU’s name carries more weight, but if you’re thinking of going elsewhere (or want to go on elsewhere to grad school), UB may be better known. If you want an overall “generally more intelligent student body”, basing it on SAT scores, it may be SBU – but if you want the better engineering program, it may be UB. It’s all about what you are looking for.</p>

<p>Hope that helps.</p>