<p>Hi, I just got accepted and will either be attending this school or Hofstra in the fall for Early Childhood Education. I have a few questions regarding SUNY New Paltz and its reputation. I've heard numerous rumors that this is known as a drug and party school. Are parties and drugs avoidable, or do you have to participate in these activities in order to have a social life? Also, I am not at all interested in the art and theatre programs, but I have heard that New Paltz also has a big reputation for these types of programs. Will I also have trouble fitting in if I am not actively involved with the art and drama programs? One last question, what do students usually do on and off campus? Do they have activities on weekends for students? Do students mainly hang out off campus? Thanks for your time!</p>
<p>My wife attended New Paltz many years ago and my in-laws live there so we visit several times/year. New Paltz is actually a nice small town with a variety of things to do, many of them not drug related. The Hudson Valley has a great variety of outdoor activities like mountain biking or hiking or rock climbing. Some students at New Paltz will be focused on academics and some not so much. There are a lot of neat shops and restaurants in New Paltz almost a short walk from campus but it is a small town with the population something like 10,000 or so not counting students. LIke most colleges there are a broad cross section of students with varying interests. You do not need to be into arts and theatre to make friends or have something to do. Having brunch at Mohonk Mountain House is good if you are feeling flush and want to enjoy the view. The nearest shopping is in Poughkeepsie across the Hudson</p>
<p>Thank you! I’m not quite into outdoor activities also, but it sounds like there is a lot to do in New Paltz!</p>
<p>I’m almost positive you’ll find people there not into that scene and you’ll make friends. They’re thousands of students there you will deff find people who aren’t like that. But while I say that I’m from NY state so I do know a lot of people there and the overall vibe is s big party and drug scene. Probably biggest drug scene at Sunys I would say based on my experience since I know a good amount of people at most Sunys .</p>
<p>Two of my close friends attended SUNY New Paltz, and one has a younger sister there now! So I’ve been up to campus and partied with them before, but I didn’t go there myself.</p>
<p>New Paltz is such a cute small town. I love the Hudson Valley - I used to live about 20 minutes from New Paltz growing up, and it’s a nice place with cute shops and stuff. Sometimes students drive up to Poughkeepsie to party.</p>
<p>I think most of them did do some drugs from time to time (mostly marijuana), and a couple of their friends did seem to be kinda big potheads. I did get the sense that there was a drugs-and-partying culture there, but also a nice subset of people who avoided it mostly or completely and focused on academics. The two close friends I know were the president and VP of the student body at New Paltz (that’s how they met) and were heavily involved in student leadership on campus. They both also now have master’s degrees, so they did well in school there. Nobody I know was heavily involved in art and music there, so I think you’d be fine without that.</p>