<p>As a NJ resident, and a avid lover for anything that has to do with the outdoors, one school that has really caught my eye is SUNY New Paltz. I live fairly close (2hours), and frequently rock climb the "gunks" near the NP campus. I know the area well, but have never actually seen the campus. </p>
<p>One major deciding factor I have is academic reputation, and school resources (help with internships, professor accesibility) As of now, I am hoping to major in philosophy and/or political science, maybe a minor in environmental studies?
Does anyone know where NP's art and science department stands in terms of rep and overall recognition?</p>
<p>Also, I plan on doing some traveling after graduation this year (cross-country road trip), and am wondering how accomodating NP is with deferring enrollment.</p>
<p>Advice or Suggestions!?</p>
<p>Suny NP is a rising star. It was named one of Newsweek's 25 hottest schools last year. Saw the campus this summer. Parts are nice. There is a brand new athletic facility and a lot of renovation was going on, which is needed. It is getting harder to get into.</p>
<p>NP's art department is highly regarded and I am hearing more and more about their biology/pre-med dept. I agree with LongeyeMom that NP is up and coming...it's proximity to NYC, diverse and open-minded student body, beautiful surroundings and artsy, fun and funky town are all making this a very popular SUNY school. It is only going to get more selective with time.</p>
<p>I know SUNY New Paltz has just a great overall atmosphere, which is why I'm so attracted to it. Like I said I'm looking to major in Philosophy, but what would be the better choice, choosing a school according to atmosphere and student life (New Paltz), or choosing a school with a program more oriented towards your major (Rutgers, lets say)?</p>
<p>MY D is in the honors program at NP and the coordinator of the program, I believe, is a Philosophy prof. She has taken 2 courses with him and he is fantastic. Don't know too much about internships or deferred enrollment. I know they have Political Science internship for semester in Albany which is about an hour away. D is a studio art major, I believe that after seeing some 10-12 different colleges, the art facilities at NP are very strong, and the program is excellent. Don't know anything about science...she stays away from that!</p>
<p>I believe that this year NP was second only to Geneseo in selectivity among SUNY Colleges.</p>
<p>Okay Thanks!</p>
<p>I will most likely visit the campus in the next few weeks, so I'll look into the subject more and get some opinions from their admissions center and others.</p>