<p>I was hoping to get a discussion going about SUNY New Paltz....feel free to post any thoughts, questions, experiences here. Thanks!</p>
<p>Hi LilyMoon, </p>
<p>I would also like to hear more about N. Paltz. Does anyone know if their Honors Program is truly more challenging? Also, opinions on how a fairly conservative youngster might fare.</p>
<p>Thanks for the input!</p>
<p>My daughter attends SUNY New Paltz (sophomore). She is not conservative politically, but many there are. All points of view seem to be represented in the studentry and overall the kids seem to be a nice bunch. During her Freshman year, somehow D got placed on a dorm floor with athletes (primarily swimmers located in her immediate area). While athletics are surely not D's thing, these girls are now among her best friends. College is broadening! D loves New Paltz.</p>
<p>Happylady,</p>
<p>My D is a freshmen in the honors prog. at NP. I agree with gardenmom. there seems to be a very accepting vibe at the school... i think the student body is very diverse which allows for lots of places for all to fit in.</p>
<p>the honors program was the deciding factor in her choice to go to NP and she is very happy with her decision. She loves Jeff Miller, their academic advisor and professor. He is very intent on moving the program onto even greater things! If you get a chance to visit campus you should try to meet him. She takes one honors seminar each semester. This semester is Democracy and The Press taught by Sydney Shaunberg a pulitzer prize winning journalist. They are definitely challenging classes. They also offer a honors english comp class, which she loved. It was taught by one of the original SNL writers...can't remember his name! Also, honors kids get first registration, which is great!</p>
<p>let me know if you have further questions.</p>
<p>Thanks so much for the info, folks. DS is currently a freshman at another (private) school and N. Paltz is 15 minutes from home. He loves the vibe of the town, but would live at home. At this point, Dad and I are just thinking "contingently". He is a pretty conservative kid, and we would want him to find his niche, so to speak. I wonder if the honors program takes transferees?</p>
<p>Is New Paltz "artsy" like Purchase? Don't know much about it. Things to do on and off campus (besides partying)?
Anyone familiar with PoliSci or Computer programs?
What stats are needed for Honors Program?
Thanks.</p>
<p>I have heard that New Paltz is very artsy and that's why I would not fit in haha</p>
<p>New Paltz does have an artsy reputation but I don't think it's as artsy as Purchase. I visited the campus 2 years ago. Since then, I know they have built a brand new athletic center that looks very impressive on the website. It has an indoor running track and nice workout and gym facilities. There are all kinds of intramural sports as well. There are lots of clubs and organizations to get involed in, a campus radio and TV station and campus newspaper. I have heard of concerts, plays and other entertainment on campus. The town of New Paltz has a great many restaurants, cafes, bars and shops. Many do have entertainment such as poetry reading and music. There are also many outdoor pursuits such as hiking trails, mountain climbing, cross country skiing, snow tubing, etc. Maybe others who attend NP or whose kids do can add to this list.</p>
<p>I am not familiar with the PoliSci or computer programs, or the honors program. Hopefully, others will chime in on that.</p>
<p>My impression of Purchase is that the majority of students are fine arts majors but New Paltz is more of a liberal arts school? Would that be somewhat accurate?</p>
<p>NP is not as artsy as Purchase. We visited Purchase, and thought the campus was not very appealing. Also, D felt the academics at NP are more challenging in general. Her friends have a wide range of majors...photo, elem. ed.,undecided, journalism, chemistry. Lots to do in town...coffee shops with bands and open mic, bike and hike trails, movie theater not too far. Easy bus ride to NYC.
Honors prog. info on the NP website...I think GPA 94 and SAT 1250. Also, writing sample, letter of recommendation required.
The campus is beatiful...new gym with lots of cool classes....she is taking yoga, kick boxing, and a few others. Lots of intramurals. She loves the library, doesn't look like much outside, but great resources inside!
Any other ? send me a message!
The orientation was OUTSTANDING...and they do a great job of looking out for the freshmen!</p>
<p>Good Luck...</p>
<p>How is the campus and the town? I haven't been there to visit. Is the campus somewhat run down? Or is the general area quaint?</p>
<p>The general area is really interesting. The town is kind of a throwback to the
'60's, very hippy-dippy. There are some really great coffee-places and places to eat. Lots of historic old-stone houses - the area boasts some of the oldest homes in America. There is also an abundance of natural beauty, with wonderful hiking and biking trails. It's really a great area.</p>
<p>How large do 101 classes get at NP? Any trouble getting into classes?</p>
<p>My D has had small classes...I think the largest she has had about 20. She is in honors therefore 1st to register, but even in the summer orientation we were the last group and she was able to get everything she wanted. Her boyfriend did have some issues with this semester, he is not honors and also kind of a procrastinator...so he actually had to take some classes before noon! I'll check with her to see what other kids experiences have been.</p>
<p>Some of the dorms are old, not the greatest and the cafeteria is not really beautiful. She lives in one of 2 new dorms, which is very nice. There is a mix of older and newer buidlings on campus. I would say that even the older building are kept up, nothing I have seen I would consider "run down". We stayed over for 2 nights for orientation and were very impressed with the campus. I think NP is a great value.
Her only complaint is the food. I have been in contact with the food mangt. about the policy of no food leaving the cafeteria. She would like to have a "grab and go" option. The freshmen option for food is only Hasbrook cafeteria, so no real variety. We send lots of care packages!</p>
<p>Assuming that a student is not in honors, then how large would you say classes can get? We are from out of state. My son might have the standardized test scores, but I don't know how they will compare gpas (we don't have a number system for gpa). Also, between your daughter and her BF, how many professors have they found speaking with heavy foreign accents (to the point that understanding was a strain)? Thanks for your insight and help.</p>
<p>NE Mom: sent her an email...i'll you know what she says!</p>
<p>Oh, that was so kind! Thank you, vehevala!</p>
<p>NE Mom: Here is the lowdown...
some high demand freshmen classes do fill up fast. You have to be on the ball and register as quickly as possible, and may have to take an early am class or on Fri.
She has no more that 15 kids in her classes now, the Intro to Psych has like 30-40 and the biggest is Intro to Theater with 70-100.That is the only class that big. None of the professors have accents, no classes taught by T.A.
Hope that helps!</p>
<p>vahevala, Thank your daughter for me, and I want to thank you too. That sounds really great.</p>
<p>That sounds so great!!! I'm excited to go see it in April! (obviously, kid needs to be excited too) It is very hard to get into according to my daughter's school Naviance data, much harder than Albany, Buff or Stony Brook.</p>