My D has narrowed down her accepted colleges to the these final five. Looking for input/opinions based upon the following information on my D:
English and Art History Majors - wants to at least minor in creative writing too
Likes the idea of being near NYC to do internships
Looking for diversity and a non-traditional campus feel - more artsy, less traditional, kids. Not interested in anything preppy, rah rah or sorority based
Doesn't care about sports.
Any opinions on the best choice would be greatly appreciated!
I can speak for New Paltz best, my brother goes there. It’s very artsy, friendly, and laid back. There’s a very chill feel with a lot of quirky, less traditional kids. Some prep in that there are a lot of kids from Long Island, but nothing over the top. You won’t be able to commute to NYC to do an internship during the school year (it’s at least a 2 hour trip) but if you get an interview for a summer or winter internship, you can definitely take a day to make it down there.
Purchase is even more artsy and quirky. Definitely not fratty or sporty in any sense. The emphasis there is on performing majors and creative types. If you get a chance to visit, I’d recommend it. I did not get a good vibe when I was there.
My roommate last year went to Manhattan College. She said she can see why some people like it but there was too heavy of a Christian vibe for her. The bright side, of course, is that you’re in NYC!
My D visited New Paltz and hated it, but she appears to be the outlier.
The following went to NP and loved it: My friend’s D majored in art history and iearned a masters at Columbia Teacher’s College. Another friend’s D majored in art and is also has a masters in education. One of D’s friends majored in writing and has had a couple of plays performed in small venues since graduation. My son did tech for one that was performed locally. I attended and thought it was topnotch (it dealt with a local historical figure). Another friend’s D is there currently, majoring in English and loving it.
As for Purchase, my son was accepted but is not going. He was told by people who attended that it is very cutthroat, at least in the theater department.
Another friend’s son is at Manhattan College, The Christian vibe doesn’t bother him as he is totally Catholic school educated and his dad went there as well. He is studying engineering. I don’t know anything about Manhattanville.
If your child is interested in writing, I would say that NP is the best of the choices you have given.