<p>Just found out about this school from another site, looks pretty cool..what are people's opinion of the school? In terms of atmosphere, academic reputation/rigors, etc...</p>
<p>Mormantie, I know of someone who attends New Paltz and loves it. The school community is supposed to be very friendly and accepting of everyone. This kids mom described it as very laid back. She said you could walk to the town from the school. The town sounded very nice as there seemed to be some one of a kind shops and restaurants along with some chains. She also said that there is either a Target or Walmart on the outer edge of town if the kids need anything.</p>
<p>My sister in law went there and enjoyed it. She is a teacher now.</p>
<p>In the past anyway the place has had a counter-cultural (or "hippie") reputation. Its selectivity has increased somewhat in very recent years, but like almost all SUNY "university colleges", its overall reputation is going be just so-so: OK but not outstanding. As for academic rigor, I have no direct knowlege but again the typical SUNY college is not viewed as particularly demanding. The school is in a great location with some beautiful natural surroundings.</p>
<p>It was listed as the "Hottest Small State School" by Newsweek so admissions this here are supposed to be a lot harder. I know a lot of people that go/went there and enjoyed it a lot. I think that it's big in Arts.</p>
<p>New Paltz was long viewed as something of a "Public Bard" in this neck of the Hudson Valley. Artsy, counter-cultural students. Lots of kids from the city and surrounding suburbs. The perception of Bard has been changing a bit in recent years as its selectivity has increased and fewer people would readily compare the two. That might change again, however, if the "Hottest Small State School" tag has legs and the admission rate drops.</p>
<p>Things are a little more laid back, I think, than 30 years ago when my sister attended New Paltz. She was originally paired up with two hard-core heroin addicts who, like my sister, were art majors. The new housing arrangments weren't much better -- copious amounts of pharmaceuticals again -- and she ended up getting her degree elsewhere. Just one person's story. There are thousands of others from the late 1970s. Doesn't mean much about the school today.</p>
<p>My S has been looking at this school too, as a transfer. I have been seeking info about it and will be interested in the responses as well.</p>
<p>From all the students I have been talking to...it is a very well liked school and selectivity is rising. I think it is an up and coming school with a laid back, artsy reputation.</p>
<p>I would love for CC to start a SUNY NP forum of its own. I have been asking but have gotten no response. I know others have been asking too. Maybe we can all ask and they will consider it. :)</p>