Hi! I just received my acceptances for both SUNY New Paltz and Hofstra University (with a $17,500) scholarship. I want to major in Early Childhood Education and minor in Spanish. Right now, I’m feeling very unsure about which school would be a better fit for me in the fall. Can anyone tell me about the student body of each school and whether or not it’s easy to find friends? I feel like the Hofstra community is much more friendly than the New Paltz community…
What makes you think Hofstra is friendlier? Have you visited both campuses? What do you think of the programs offered at each school? Hofstra seems to have more childhood education options than New Paltz, but it’s also a lot more expensive. Hofstra’s tuition is ~$30k, with room and board the total COA is ~$46k. Can you afford that? New Paltz’ COA is about half that: ~$18k (total) for in-state and ~$27k (total) for OOS.
New Paltz actually has somewhat of a reputation for having really friendly students. I’ve heard it described as artsy, “chill,” friendly, easygoing. hippie…my brother is a freshman there and confirmed that fit his experience. You’ll also probably find more of a community feel at New Paltz. It’s a small campus in a somewhat isolated, beautiful area. Hofstra is smack in the middle of Long Island by major turnpikes and there are many Long Island students who commute there.
My son’s close friend who is a very nice guy went to New Paltz for elementary education and was very happy. I’d probably choose NP over Hofstra. Seems like NP will end up being cheaper and I think it would have a better on campus social life – although they’ve built more dorms recently, Hofstra still has a number of students who commute.
My best suggestion is that you visit both schools one more time (maybe for accepted students day) before deciding – see if you can shadow a student, sit in on classes etc. and decide which school is the best fit for you.
One of my sibling’s kids, who graduated from New Paltz a year or two ago, said the professors were helpful, the other students were friendly, and the town was very welcoming.
If I were you, I’d visit both campuses to see how you like them and sit in on a class like Happy1 suggested.
What’s the net cost of attendance for you?
INdicate it like this
(tuition+fees+room&board) - (scholarships &grants) = $…,000
Two of my best friends went to SUNY New Paltz, and they both loved it. They both have tons of friends from their college days (a lot of whom still live in NYC so I’ve met like dozens of them, lol). I’ve been up to visit - one returns frequently for alumni speaking engagements and also has a younger sister who attends - and I agree with the artsy, easygoing, kind of hippie-ish vibe. Students seemed super friendly and outgoing on average. I also used to live about 30 minutes from New Paltz (in New Windsor) and the Hudson Valley is simply beautiful, IMO.
I’ve visited both campuses and got a much friendlier and more welcoming feel on the Hofstra campus. We are going to attempt to get some more money from Hofstra, if possible. I received a $17,500 scholarship from Hofstra which brings my cost down $33,000. For New Paltz, the total cost comes out to about $20,000 which is significantly different.
How much can your parents pay per year? Hofstra will cost your family $33k/year and New Paltz will be $20k? Is that before or after the federal loan? (You can take a federal loan of about $5500/year). Can they make up the difference or would they have to borrow it?
Every single thing about these two schools are different. My husband works at Hofstra and my daughter graduated from New Paltz. I agree with the others that have suggested spending a day at both places. Hofstra does have a large commuter/Long Island component to it. New Paltz is very artsy. please do yourself a favor and spend a day for accepted students at both…
Chances are, if I end up at Hofstra, I will live at home my last two years and commute. If I commuted my last two years, I could afford to go to Hofstra.
So 4 years at Hofstra will cost your family $144k (if you commute for the last two) and New Paltz will cost $80k? Is an Early Education Major at Hofstra worth $60k+ more than one from New Paltz? If so, and your parents are willing to pay it, I guess there’s your answer.