<p>For me, I must pick between Sotny Brook and New Paltz. Originally, my top choices were Binghamton and Geneseo which did not work out, but now I must make my decision on my remaining schools.
(I also have been automatically waitlisted to Geneseo in Spring, which I suppose also stands as a option. however, I would have to transfer, as I can't just wait.)</p>
<p>Which school do you suggest? I'm entering undecided, but will most likely pursue a field involving something like English in the future.</p>
<p>New Paltz is very artsy, or so I've heard and Stony Brook is academically strong with a huge emphasis on medical (a field of no interest to me).</p>
<p>Can someone give me a run down on each school's' offerings?</p>
<p>Other info: I has danced in competitions for a very long time and will likely consider continuing dancing as a minor if I decide not to take a break. Alot of people from my highschool attend Stony Brook, which I find could be annoying. I would rather branch out instead of taking the projected route and have 13th grade with some o the same students. On the other hand, my knowledge on New Paltz is a bit limited. I will be dorming in college (if not during the weekend at Stony Brook).</p>
<p>My daughter has friends at both schools and my H attended SB in the Dark Ages of the '70’s. We toured NP for her and have been out to SB several times over the years.</p>
<p>My D refused to even apply to SB because it’s too close to home and it doesn’t have her major. NP does have her major and she applied but she opted against it because it also seems to be a suitcase school for LI, where I assume you are from as well. Many of her friends come home every weekend! NP is a cute little town, along the Port Jefferson/Port Washington type of mold. Little trendy, pseudo hippie stores. My D liked the town but she found the students and the people who ran the tours to be stuck up and obnoxious. I was put off by the admissions dept statement that NP does not offer individual merit aid because it prefers to use the money to “improve the entire program.”</p>
<p>Both of D’s friends who went to SB have transferred. One had a deferred admission to an Ivy, so that was a no-brainer, the other switched to a school in a more urban area. All of those who started at NP are still there.</p>
<p>If you are going to transfer to Geneseo from SB, which is what another boy I know did, talk to the Geneseo people to see what courses you should take that will fill your requirements. Also make sure that G is what you want - it’s really in the middle of nowhere.</p>
<p>And, of course, think about what you want to study - all of these schools have different programs and focuses.</p>
<p>I would chose NP over SB. They have a very strong English dept. My son is a student there and it is not really a commuter type environment. He finds that most of his friends stay on the weekends and there is a good amount of social life. He always has things to do on the weekends. From what I have heard, SB does have a large commuter population. New Paltz is considered artsy, but it’s really a liberal and accepting environment where all types of people get along. My son has friends from many different majors.</p>
<p>Stony Brook! My cousin has 3 years in the University and says that she loves the enviroment. Stony Brook is also part of the 100 top universities in the United States. Try going for Stony Brook.!</p>
<p>I’ve visited both schools. I went to a regular Stony Brook Open House back in October (maybe November). The campus isn’t as nice as NP but that is fleeting. It really depends what your looking at. SB is very good for medicine; SB Medical Center is a top ranking NY area hospital. SB is about an hour from NYC by car. The LIRR is right by there. Its definitely more urban. </p>
<p>NP is very quiet. Mountains are in view. Small upstate town with a smaller student body to match. I went on accepted student day. It was about 2.5 hours going up (from NYC); a lot longer going down because of traffic.I myself am trying to decide between NP and Albany so I’ve been looking at various NP and Albany threads for ideas and info.</p>
<p>I have actually attended stony Brook for a year, and have visited NP. </p>
<p>This is what I think:</p>
<p>Academically : Stony Brook is a better school than NP
Socially: NP is takes this category, it was fun when i visited, the students were very social, unlike Stony Brook, it is a suitcase school. </p>
<p>Its really what you are looking to get out of school. IF you want to academically challenge yourself, and not worrying too much about the social aspect, go to Stony. </p>
<p>If you really prefer the social aspect of college more than the academic, go to NP. you obviously get a good education at both schools, just STony Brook is more challenging and well known.</p>