<p>I've heard good things about SUNY New Paltz, and am considering applying there. However, one thing is holding me back. I've heard horror stories about the food there- it's overly expensive and one's forced to buy a meal plan, it's barely edible, etc. To any New Paltz students or recent alumni out there, how credible are these reports?</p>
<p>I’m also interested in knowing whether New Paltz is considered a suitcase school- whether kids go home on the weekends, what percentage commute or live off-campus, etc.</p>
<p>My son transferred to New Paltz this past semester. As a transfer he didn’t get on campus housing so I can’t give you any reports about the food plan but I know that he got food between classes at the SUB and said it was pretty good. There are many very good and reasonably priced restaurants in town which is walking distance to the school. He mostly ordered in, had take out or ate out.</p>
<p>As for a commuter school - no, it definitely is not. Most of the kids stay on the weekends and enjoy the parties, concerts, bars in town, movie theaters and other options around the school. There is also hiking, mountain climbing, camping, horseback riding, skiing, snowboarding and lots of other outdoor activities available through the school or in the local area. </p>
<p>Even though my son lived off campus, most of the off campus housing preferred by students is in the village of New Paltz and so walking distance to town and campus. It has a real community feeling and most everything is easy to get to. There is a bus loop that takes students around town and also to Poughkeepsie where the big mall is.</p>
<p>If you have any other questions, feel free to ask. I think NP is a great school.</p>
<p>I recently went to orientation at New Paltz. After three days of eating campus food, I can say it’s pretty hit and miss. Nothing was absolutely terrible, and some things were actually pretty good! There’s enough variety to weed out the less appetizing foods. There are also themed nights for the grill section (Taco Tuesday, Italian Fiesta).Otherwise it seems like the food stays pretty consistent. </p>
<p>It seemed like normal cafeteria food, honestly!</p>
<p>D is junior at NP. She did have some adjustments to the food, but they have really improved in the past year. You do need to purchase the all you can eat meal plan for Freshman year which means all meals in Hasbrook, but she was able to find stuff and never went hungry! Just not much variety. Soph. year she switched to allow more options, and was able to eat at the SUB with lots of variety. But it depends, guys she knows stayed with the all you can eat, cause they eat alot more than she does 
NP is NOT a suitcase school, although there are lots of LI and NYC kids who go home on the long weekends, I would say most everyone lives and stays on campus.
She has had a great experience, awesome teachers, lots of fun, and loves her school. </p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>My older daughter is a NP alum. She had a good experience at NP overall. When she attended over 5 years ago the food she said was pretty lousy. But, I am up to my third child now attending college and in a private school and she does not boast about the food their either. I know of kids in many colleges and the food in general overtime becomes boring and tasteless.</p>
<p>If you love the school, I would put up with the food situation. Not a reason to discard the school.</p>
<p>this is all good to hear then.
im hoping to be accepted to study at SUNY New Paltz in 2010. my university in Australia has accepted me, now just waiting on SUNY New Paltz to do the same, does anyone no if they get alot of exchange students from Australia there?</p>
<p>also what is the night life like ? and do people go to new york city alot from New Paltz as day trips?</p>
<p>thanks</p>
<p>My son wants to study in Australia in 2010 - do you know anything about the university there? I’ll have to ask him which one it is exactly though. I think it’s in Melbourne but I’ll have to check. I don’t know how many exchange students come from Australia, but you will feel welcome at New Paltz. The students are very friendly and accepting. Many have studied abroad.</p>
<p>The nightlife consists of a few bars in town that are very popular with the students as well as concerts in the area, house parties here and there, movie theaters, school events, lots of local restaurants. It’s a small college town but its a bit funky and artsy. Musicians play in the streets all the time.</p>
<p>You can take the bus to NYC right from campus. It’s a 1 1/2 hour ride. It’s common for kids to go for a day or weekend. My son has gone a couple of times for concerts or to meet up with friends.</p>
<p>cool thanks for the reply :)</p>
<p>and melbourne is great. let me know of the university your son was looking at</p>
<p>It was Victoria University. He is at New Paltz and wants to study abroad for a semester there.</p>
<p>oh yeah i thought it would be VU. Im at VU now =) </p>
<p>Victoria University has a few campuses around.
Which campus is he looking at going to ?</p>
<p>also im hoping to be at New Paltz between the 1st semester of next year. how much of that is it full of snow ? lol</p>
<p>He is not sure what campus it is.</p>
<p>If you’re looking at the fall semester of 2010, you shouldn’t have much snow. The fall is the nicest time of year to be at New Paltz…it’s really beautiful to see the leaves change in upstate NY.</p>
<p>lol well if fall is january to may/june then thats when im hoping of going, hopefully that is the time where there wont be too much snow and but with decent weather</p>
<p>im getting a bit anxious now as my university has accepted me almost a month ago and i haven’t heard anything regarding application to New Paltz since</p>
<p>You’ll be coming for the spring semester then. I’m only a first year student at New Paltz, but I’d assume the first few months of the spring semester will have some snow.</p>
<p>Jan-June is Spring semester as nybmc said. You will have some cold weather/snow to deal with for a couple of months but it will get nicer as the semester continues. That is the same semester my son wants to go to Australia but it is not a definite thing…he may postpone it till the following school year. If you don’t go at the same time then maybe you can meet up and show each other around each university.</p>
<p>yeah that be good, jus let me know where he goes…</p>
<p>ahh k well im only going for one semester lol so hopefully its not full with snow haha</p>