<p>I got accepted in to Binghamton and stony brook. I am majoring in Mechanical Engineering. I was leaning toward Binghamton but I heard Stony Brook has a stronger science department. I don't know where to go... which of those 2 have a better social life?</p>
<p>bing has better social life because i hear at stony kids leave for NYC on the weekends</p>
<p>"I hear..." I heard that fifteen years ago when I was looking at colleges too... but the facts are surprisingly different. We studied our students last year, and found that on any given weekend, between 70-75% of our residents stayed on campus. I was surprised by the numbers, because I'd bought into the old misconception as well. But we have a pretty active campus... we just went up over 300 different organizations this year.</p>
<p>Ultimately, your social life is what you make of it. If you're bookish, and spend your time in the library, then you'll find that at either place. If you like to get involved in clubs and organizations, well, you'll find that at either place. If you like going to sporting events and shows and concerts, we both have all those things. I'd visit the campuses and talk to students before making a final decision.</p>
<p>And if you'd like to go into NYC, you certainly have that option: we're only about 90 minutes away by train, and there's a station right on campus. I don't know about every weekend, although I'm sure there are some who do that... I'd think that'd get expensive pretty quickly!</p>
<p>I can't speak directly to the Binghamton campus life, however.</p>
<p>-Chris</p>
<p>Hey Chris do you know anything about the 3+4 Dentistry Program at Geneseo/UB?</p>
<p>to southpasdena ,</p>
<p>i major in electrical engineering</p>
<p>and i received the ad letter last week,</p>
<p>the letter was mailed by admission office and they said that they already recommend me to my department,but the final decision based on the judge of department, im really confused by this letter~~what dose that mean?</p>
<p>Pyar, I didn't even know that program existed. Sorry. I know that UB has a DDS program -- so do we -- but I don't know the specifics.</p>
<p>How long is the drive from Binghamton to Westchester mid-Westerchester County? I think the drive to Albany is 2 hours tops, I'd assume it's the same to Bing (since seems a similar distance looking on a map).</p>
<p>Anyone know?</p>
<p>Yep, about 2 hours. Route 17 is a little slower than the thruway, so maybe a bit longer, but roughly the same distance.</p>
<p>To Binghamton from Westchester: 3 - 3.5 hours. To Albany. 2.5hours.</p>
<p>Which is the best for Electrical Engineering among SUNYs?
Stony Brook? or Buffalo?
Binghamton doesn't look like an engineering school,lol.</p>
<p>I want to study International Relations. How are the IR programs at SUNY New Paltz and SUNY Geneseo? How do they compare to programs at other private universities like let's say, American University or Boston University?</p>
<p>Chris: </p>
<p>Do you have an opinion as to the reliability of the admissions statistics published on the SUNY website? My interest is in the colleges -- not the university centers. It seems that most SUNY colleges admit few students with a GPA under 85, yet most college admittees' SAT scores top out at no more than about 1150. This seems unbalanced to me because in my district (one of the very very top on LI), an average over 85 usually indicates SAT scores starting at about 1150.</p>
<p>What concerns me is that if the statistics can be believed, it would seem that Oneonta, for example, just runs the numbers through a computer and takes the highest GPA's regardless of SAT scores, and then brags about how high their average GPA rating is. I think the same may be true for New Paltz, except for a small reserved carve-out for EOD students only.</p>
<p>Do my observations have any merit, because if do, all things being equal, I would avoid a school with great statistics but a cynical institutional mentality, in favor of a school with lesser statistics and a more nurturing institutional mentality.</p>
<p>Any thoughts?</p>
<p>Good question. Ultimately, because of the way the SUNY system is structured, all of the SUNY campuses are generally required to stay within certain minimum academic guidelines. Most of the LACs are in the same ballpark academically -- maybe with the exception of Geneseo -- although they all have a lot of leeway to make their own decisions, based on their own institutional priorities and programs.</p>
<p>Some of the campuses have attracted a stronger academic demographic, like Geneseo started to do in the early 90's; as a result, their average scores started to go up, which built on itself year after year, and allowed them to become more selective.</p>
<p>I'd be wary of the "cynical institutional mentality"; any time you're dealing with a state system, there's probably going to be a little bit of that. That said, I used to work at Old Westbury, and I loved that campus. It was tiny, it was personal, and students who embraced that campus did great things there. It doesn't have a high incoming student academic demographic, and it's not without its problems, but what campus doesn't have problems? If you want a nurturing mentality, you'd get it at Old Westbury. The problem is, with such a small campus, their academic offerings are limited, and campus life -- at least at the time -- was virtually nonexistent. So it's not for everyone.</p>
<p>In short, beware of averages; they're just that -- averages. There's a lot more that goes into the application process than just a straight GPA/SAT calculation. That's a huge chunk of it within the SUNY system, but it's not the entire picture. We're much too diverse as a system, even just within the LACs, for that.</p>
<p>Your observations are good, but you draw too much of a conclusion from one list of numbers.</p>
<p>-Chris</p>
<p>Dear Sawdust: a couple of things that may set your mind at ease. 1) Despite the fact that I am just a SUNY parent, and so don't really know for sure, I have heard from people within my own school district (including my son's guidance counsellor) that SUNY admissions offices are in fact familiar with the different school districts within the state, and if you are from a strong district they will take that into account when you apply. 2) Also, I wouldn't take the requirement of an 85 average too seriously at the Colleges if your SAT scores are higher than average; the admissions people will factor that in to their decision, along with the strength of your program of study; 3) Even if both your grades AND scores are relatively low, I believe the SUNY colleges will in many cases work with you to see if they can still admit you; the process may involve an interview, or admission under some special program ("Bridges" is one at Potsdam, I think there are others).</p>
<p>This program is very competitive. You must have a 90+ GPA top 10% of class and 1200 SAT CR+M with at least a 600 in Math. Then you have to go to UB and interview with Dental School, this is all before you start college. </p>
<p>I coordinate Fredonia's 3+4 with UB. It's tough. At Fredonia you can declare the major in your first year and then they only look at GPA and courses that you are taking. It is a way around the SAT's. Not sure if this is the same at all schools, you would have to ask. </p>
<p>Dave</p>
<p>I am a junior in high school working up my list of colleges. I live in Dutchess County, NY and I play bassoon. I am studying with a very well known bassoonist from Juilliard. I am looking at several schools in New York as well as elsewhere in the country but I am most confused about the two SUNY schools on my list. I keep getting conflicting information as to which school - Purchase or Fredonia - would be the best school for music performance. My private instructor feels that Purchase would be better (he is on faculty there) but my high school music directors are telling me Fredonia (they tend to send many students there). Does anyone out there have any input? I would really appreciate any feedback. Thanks!</p>
<p>Joelle -- welcome to CC! You might want to post your question on the Music Majors Forum as well. Common wisdom among music folks suggests you look to your teacher as a primary resource, and that your teacher should be the most important factor in selecting (assuming auditions work out!) your college. So if you are lucky enough to have a highly regarded, Juilliard teacher, who also teaches at Purchase and recommends Purchase to you, I think that's a pretty strong indication. Remember also, Purchase is designed as a conservatory, the only one (I believe) in the SUNY system. Good luck!</p>
<p>It's tough to say which is better, each school would say their program is. I would recommend that you spend sometime on the school's website and see what they are going to offer you and then reach out to ask more detailed questions. You and only you will know which school is better suited for your interests. Best of luck and don't hesitate to ask for help. Dave</p>
<p>There is a new SUNY General forum on the colleges lost that may be of interets to those looking at SUNY's. </p>
<p>Personally, I really like New Paltz. I think it is a very up and coming school that combines close proximity to NYC, a funky artsy feeling, more diversity and a fun hippyish town. It gets more competitive every year and has some very strong programs in theater, art, communications, business, Education, anthropology, etc. It's small size lends itself to a tight knit community feeling that you wouldn't find at Albany, Buffalo or Binghamton. Stonybrook has a lot of commuter students so the social life is lacking.</p>
<p>Thanks to all who replied. I agree with orchestramom that the teacher IS the thing. I guess I will just have to wait and see which, if either, is the best fit. I have taken lessons at Purchase so I am familiar with the campus (or lack thereof!) there. I hope to visit Fredonia over the summer for a camp. I just thought it was strange that there was such disagreement between my private instructor and my high school directors.</p>