<p>So, it's decision time. It pretty much comes down to these two colleges - Stony Brook, and UMass Amherst.
They both cost the same, so that's not an issue. Rankings and such are very similar. Majoring in Computer Science.</p>
<p>I don't really know what to base my decision on. They seem to very similar in every way. The only difference that I can see is that I got into the Honors College at UMass, whereas SB is a little closer to family and friends.</p>
<p>If campus residential life is a criterion, UMass - Amherst appears to be closer to that expectation. Stony Brook has a reputation of being a “suitcase” school, where many resident students head home to family often. Of course, Stony Brook may be better with its closeness to your family and friends if you expect to be a “suitcase” student.</p>
<p>^ITA:
If you plan on being off campus with family often and essentially just “go to class”, SB.
If you wish to have a “college experience” on campus, UMass. In addition, UMass’ Honors College is pretty good and would likely make your life easier (nice dorm, nice food, priority registration, smaller classes…)</p>
<p>Thanks for your replies!
That makes a lot of sense, thanks.</p>
<p>Stony Brooks seems like a better campus, though. What do you think?
Also, Stony is a more diverse campus. Like @ucbalumnus said, I think both are at par academically. </p>
<p>But like you said, @MYOS1634 , the Honors College is something I really need to take into consideration…</p>
<p>Stony Brook is known as a suitcase school, pretty dead on weekends. UMass on the other hand is… the opposite of dead on weekends. But if you’re with relatives during weekends it won’t matter much that everybody else at Stony Brook went home (slight exageration here :p)
BTW, UMass Honors is very nice, great new area/dorms. </p>
@SahilC - We went to the Admitted students open house on Saturday. My D was impressed by the talk at CHC (and the talk at Isneberg). she is interested in trying to get into the Isenberg RAP at the CHC. Are you in a RAPin CHC or just living in the chc dorm? I learned at the open house that she has to apply for a RAP within CHC. is this new? If you are in an Honors RAP, did you have to apply? what was that like?
How are you finding your honors courses vs regular courses? Thanks!
Yes, I am currently in the Math & Science RAP here. I know other RAPs have had RAP classes (a class that all students in a RAP take together), but the Math and Science RAP didn’t have that.
I think the point is, you get to live with people with similar majors. I like it, because most people on my floor had the same classes as I did (and therefore the same homework and exams). It’s nice.
Another important thing about RAPs is that Honors Housing space is very limited. There is more and more demand every year. If you decide to come to UMass Honors, PLEASE. sign up for an Honors RAP. Any Honors RAP. Because choosing a RAP guarantees you a spot in CHCRC.
Honors courses are great. I took calc 1 and 2 (honors versions) and class sizes are no more than 25. Regular courses can have up to 500 kids in some cases. There’s no “better” option really, it kind of just depends on your preference. I choose to take Honors courses because I like the small class size, and it fulfills Honors requirements.
@SahilC thanks for the info. So when you apply to the honors RAPs can you put down multiple choices? First choice, second choice, etc. Or do you do the application process for each RAP separately? Thanks!!
You don’t really “apply” for a RAP, per se.
Some time toward the end of the process (they’ll let you know) you basically sign up for which RAP you want to be in. You get one choice.
But it’s EXTREMELY competitive. I remember it opened up at 12pm, and people who came on 15 minutes later didn’t get a spot.
Now that doesn’t mean they didn’t get into the honors college residential community, but their spot wasn’t guaranteed.
Thanks. Wonder if it has changed. When we were at the admitted students open house they specifically used the word apply when it came to talking about honors RAPs. Other RAPs were first come, first served.
The honors RAP info web page goes live on March 1 (applications due by May 10th) so we’ll find out this weekend.
Like you said, it’s possible that things have changed! I know the Honors College has been changing some policies and converting old buildings to Honors buildings, so anything’s possible I guess.