<p>I'm surprised you didn't even mention Stony Brook. Now, I know that you mention "attitude of students" and while Stony doesn't have the best reputation as far as student body "happiness" is concerned, somebody interested in biology should apply, even as a safety, in my mind.</p>
<p>And I'm not sure which Buffalo you're talking about here, I'm assuming UB not Buffalo State... Correct me if I'm wrong.</p>
<p>However, I would imagine that Potsdam and Plattsburgh are super safeties for you. </p>
<p>I'd also look into New Paltz, and maybe Oswego as safeties, I have heard nothing but great things about each of them. Just a suggestion. </p>
<p>Though I don't know where you're from, the scenery of Geneseo is absolutely gorgeous. However, if you're from a very urban area, the surrounding rural-ness of the town may get to you. In which case, Binghamton offers a slightly more "suburban" feel, with almost as much rural beauty, in my (totally biased) opinion being that I will be attending this fall. </p>
<p>I hope I've helped, and if you have any more questions about the SUNY system or Binghamton, I'd be happy to help.</p>
<p>I agree that Geneseo and Binghamton are what you should aim for. As for other options, I would go with UBuffalo and New Paltz. I know Stonybrook is really strong in the sciences, but I don't know many people who are happy there. It's worth going for a visit though and deciding for yourself.</p>
<p>I live in a suburban area on Long Island, but I despise the city. I enjoy being in a quiet neighborhood, and I rarely go out to large establishments. </p>
<p>I don't like Stony Brook due to its proximity to home, and I spent one summer there in a Biotechnology camp. School enjoyment is...lacking...</p>
<p>The students I met felt screwed over. The treatment I received at Stony didn't make me feel any better.</p>
<p>Yeah, I did mean U Buffalo. I will check out New Paltz. </p>
<p>Thanks a lot guys. You think Potsdam and Platt are too low??</p>
<p>Yes, Plattsburgh and Potsdam are super safeties for you but don't count them out. I'm from LI too so I can relate to the environment that you're coming from. Stony Brook is way too impersonal in my opinion. You could easily have 500+ kids in the lecture hall for a class. I have a niece who went there for two years and hated it. She said that the academic advisors were useless. Then again, that was her experience. Plattsburgh is very nice(except for the freezing temps of Feb. and March). You don't feel like you're in the booneys there. There are plenty of things to do (big mall, movies, restaurants, great college ice hockey games, trips to Burlington or Montreal). I'm not crazy about Potsdam. In my opinion, it's a depressing kind of place. The campus is OK but my most vivid memory of it is lots of mud and kind of worn out looking. You should read up on Oswego--nice place (cold and very windy). Oswego is a pretty campus and has many new buildings. Geneseo is great academically but located in the middle of nowhere. One of my friends who earned his masters from Plattsburgh went on to get his doctorate and works for the CDC.</p>
<p>I'll keep all this in mind! You guys are all very helpful. Still, I'm swarmed with all these colleges and am having trouble choosing! hahaha, the only two I decided on so far are Geneseo and Binghamton...I'm guessing another 3-4 would be good enough...</p>
<p>Be careful with Geneseo as a top choice. I know many students with excellent stats (similar to yours) who did not get in, 1 who was not even wait listed. She is planning on Oswego, and then re-applying to Geneseo as a transfer. Geneseo, although in a small town is only about 45 min from Rochester. I did that commute for my Master's.</p>
<p>I agree, binghamton and geneseo are getting even tougher these days. Though, don't think it's impossible. I did manage to get into both, as did many others.</p>
<p>Make sure you visit Geneseo before putting it in your top 2. Academically--strong, but the location was so out of the way of everything. You'll either love it or hate it so I highly recommend that you visit the school and the area ASAP.</p>
<p>TEN schools is a LOT to visit, unless a few of them can be done in the same trip. Don't overwhelm yourself with college visits. I visited four schools, and ended up at the one I applied to early action, and basically <em>knew</em> I wanted to go to from the beginning.</p>