<p>There weren't very many replies in the SUNY forum but in this I'm going to go into a little more depth:</p>
<p>First off the school I want to go to I can't (mucho denaro): Drew. Its a small LAC.
So since Geneseo gave me guaranteed spring acceptance, if I decide to transfer there I'll have to wait until spring anyway. </p>
<p>Now since I'm going to a SUNY which is better: New Paltz or Albany. Does anyone know? I'm looking to go to a good grad school. I might go into law, business, or dentistry. From what I've looked up Albany is ranked nationally (144) whereas NP is only ranked regionally (33). Personally I find rankings flawed but is that telling? Which is better academically I am not sure either. NP had a higher average SAT and GPA scores to get into, albeit not by much. Both were ranked medium in freshman retention but Albany had some solid percentage points on NP. On ratemyprofessor.com NP had slightly higher average prof ranking and slightly higher student happiness. Although both categories won by only .1 to .2. Albany has a higher percentage of staff with terminal degrees which is very beneficial to a learning environment obviously. </p>
<p>NP has a smaller student body which I like but Albany has the city which I like (as an NYCer will a small town be culture shock?) Albany's campus is terrible but that really makes no difference in the end. Both seem to have plenty of clubs to get involved in but what about research opportunities? That is important and I'm not sure which school has better ones. </p>
<p>I've been doing a lot of research on USNWR, Forbes, looking through the Fiske's guide, and talked to my guidance counselor(who said both were equal academically and kids from both schools have like both). Still I'm stuck and looking for some anecdotal evidence as well as hard facts I may have looked over (research opportunity just popped into my head now)</p>
<p>My son is a senior at New Paltz. He has been happy with the school overall…the student body is eclectic and down to earth. Seems like all groups of people mix well together so it’s not cliquey. He keeps busy there on the weekends. He knows lots of students from the business school and got to go on their free trip to a New Orleans conference this year. Everyone at NP that he knows is happy with the school. He has found his classes challenging and enjoyed most of his professors. The class size is relatively small and he gets to know his professors and the other students. Most of hiis professors have shown interest in him and are easy to meet with outside of class. Many have worked with him on projects, his resume, his portfolio, etc. There have been speakers at the school and trips to NYC to see those that have graduated and become successful. Overall, he has been happy with both the educational and social aspects of NP.</p>
<p>"My son is a senior at New Paltz. He has been happy with the school overall…the student body is eclectic and down to earth. Seems like all groups of people mix well together so it’s not cliquey. He keeps busy there on the weekends. He knows lots of students from the business school and got to go on their free trip to a New Orleans conference this year. Everyone at NP that he knows is happy with the school. He has found his classes challenging and enjoyed most of his professors. The class size is relatively small and he gets to know his professors and the other students. Most of hiis professors have shown interest in him and are easy to meet with outside of class. Many have worked with him on projects, his resume, his portfolio, etc. There have been speakers at the school and trips to NYC to see those that have graduated and become successful. Overall, he has been happy with both the educational and social aspects of NP. "</p>
<hr>
<p>Thanks. I’ve been doing some Googling for student reviews. I really appreciate the help (on the other thread too) I’ve been leaning NP. I’m not sure which school really is better academically but I like the size of NP more and the feel of when I went to see the campus (still no Albany students the day I went to Albany; they were all at the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.) This is really a tough decision and I really like the help. Thanks again.</p>