That’s great news @NYdad2014 My son is just about ready to commit to UAlbany honors college as well. He just wants to visit New Paltz one last time because for a while there NP was his #1 choice but we’ve come to realize they are just not as strong for his major (business /accounting ) as UAlbany. We are going to NP this weekend more for closure if that makes sense. We too are very happy with the admissions staff at Albany. They do a great job with corresponding with the students and I agree scholar day was wonderful! Good luck! 
Dim,
I agree that Albany has an excellent business school, especially in accounting. My son will be a jr in high school next year but time goes fast so we know the Albany business school reputation, however, New Paltz is an excellent school as well. Maybe not for business as much as Albany but still a good school.
I was curious, did you and your son meet with anyone from the business dept at New Paltz? I know their business program is up an coming. It is not like it was 20 years ago when New Paltz was primarily a teaching school/artsy school.
The reason why I ask is that my son may want to go to a smaller school where the class sizes are not too large so I was just wondering if you and your son really researched the New Paltz business program by meeting with the dean or speaking with current and former students.
Thanks!
@euve69 We have done a ton of research online but haven’t met with anyone from NP business dept yet. We are planning on doing that when we go this weekend. I am confident he would get a great education at NP but I’m not sure they have the networking that Albany has with the large companies (the big 4) which will help him with internships and eventually getting a job. We will know more after our visit.
Dim,
You hit the nail on the head in my opinion. People always say that this school has a great program in this or that, and I always wondered, what does that really mean? Professors, yes, that is one thing. Some professors are better than others. Resources is also important. Tutoring labs, business fraternaties etc etc. But the key I feel is networking, internship opportunities etc. Albany is right up there with any school. Baruch, Buffalo, and yes even Binghamton. I feel the Albany accounting dept is just as good as Bing. So I agree that eventhough New Paltz is a great school and you will probably learn accounting just as well as any school, I do not think the recruiting is the same.
Now, I know that they have alot of accounting firms as well as the big 4 coming up there, but not as often, and not to the same degree as Albany. In the end, it depends on where someone is comfortable. Down the road if my son just feels more comfortable with a smaller school like Geneseo, or New Paltz (assuming he even gets in) then I cannot push a larger university on him even if I know in my heart it is the better networking school.
If someone is not happy somewhere, they will not do well anyway so it is a moot point.
Good luck, and thanks for your feedback
Congrats on everyone who is receiving acceptance letters into SUNY Albany! I am a current senior and I am in the accounting program and it has opened so many doors for me. I love this University so so much.
Binghamton is certainly an outstanding university and seemingly more “prestigious” than SUNY Albany, but here’s the deal… I know students at SUNY Albany that have turned down ivy league colleges/universities and attend SUNY Albany; I know students that have done amazing things within the Albany community; I know students that have accepted amazing career opportunities/have been accepted to amazing grad programs. Long story short: SUNY Albany is an AMAZING university.
When it comes to accounting, there are quite a few firms around that students can intern at. KPMG has a branch in Albany which is obviously a top 4 firm; I don’t think Binghamton has this. I can personally speak on behalf of the business school professors at Albany and I must say that they are wonderful. Each accounting professor I’ve had is incredibly intelligent; you can feel their passion and their intelligence when they teach.
The campus beauty isn’t everyone’s cup of tea and truthfully, I feel bad for some of the visiting families that have recently been to UAlbany… The campus is a little messy right now, but very very soon, it is going to look wonderful. I believe in the Spring 2017 semester, construction of the campus center will be complete. I have no doubts that it will look beautiful. Plus, when the fountains are on… STOP! (gorgeous!) PS: the gardens are not finished (most)!
Bottom line, I love this place. UAlbany is taking amazing steps at becoming more prestigious; from campus renovations, to a new college of engineering, college of homeland security, partnering with Albany Law School, etc etc., this place is going to be a pretty happening place!
Very happy to say my son committed to UALBANY yesterday and will be part of their honors college 