Stony Brook or Binghamton

<p>I'm currently a high school senior who applied to both schools but hasn't gotten a response from either of them. My major is undecided. I'm looking for a big school where I can get in the mix of things. I won't be commuting and I don't plan on going home much, so I'm looking for somewhere with lots going on, even on the weekends. I'm pretty hardcore about that one. However, I'm not a big drinker, I'm more of a shy nerd. I have some family I could visit near SBU, some of which attended the school and only had good things to say about it (which is strange - everyone here on the forums is ripping Stony Brook a new one from what I can see). The fact that BU is isolated is both a pro and con for me . I love how everyone sticks around for the weekends, but from what I've read it seems like bars are the primary hangout spot. Plus, I talked to a family friend who attended BU and hated the students and school so much she transferred (that kind of raised a red flag for me).</p>

<p>Any feedback about which school might be a better fit for me, or a better school generally, would be greatly appreciated!</p>

<p>I’m by no means an expert, but I’ve always heard Stony Brook is primarily a Long Island crowd that goes home on the weekends. Many Long Islanders I work with describe it as a commuter school.</p>

<p>Binghamton, although I do know friends kids and my children’s friends who are at Sb and like it. Some even love it!</p>

<p>My feeling is if you are looking for a real college experience, go to Binghamton.</p>

<p>The truth of the matter is, everybody is different. Just because somebody transferred out of binghamton doesn’t make it a bad school. It means it wasn’t the right fit for them. I think this is a BIG BIG BIG factor in somebody’s decision, more so than rank, or numbers, etc… so do your research for both, visit both, and in the end, choose the one that feels right.</p>

<p>stony brook is half commuters, but i think the school does really try to keep people around. there are cute things going on during the week and over the weekends. there are shows and moonbounces sometimes lol i’ve heard only horrible things about dorming though, so if you know anyone who goes there, ask them about their living situation.</p>

<p>as for bing, it’s more of a traditional college experience, i’d say. most people stay and there are actually frat parties and things to do.</p>

<p>Go to [College</a> Results Online](<a href=“http://www.■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■%5DCollege”>http://www.■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■) and compare Binghamton and any other college; choose the drop down menu to select 4-year results and see how many students graduate in 4 years and how many have to stay 5 or 6. </p>

<p>Bottom line is choose the college where you feel the magic and where you can see yourself being happy each day you wake up and go to class. You can’t force yourself to love a college.</p>