<p>Hello,</p>
<p>I am from NY and will be taking my sophomore son to start seeing some of the SUNY schools over the summer. I have no idea where to even begin if I look at options outside the state. He is not sure what he wants to be like many high-school (and college) students. What he's saying lately is that he wants to take an animation course to see if he can become an animator. I don't know how to even help him pursue this. He is also interested in teaching. My gut tells me he would be great in environmental studies - something science related, because he thinks outside the box and I can see him coming up with good ideas or even an invention. He's also a member of the green club and is pretty environmentally conscious.</p>
<p>He goes to a highly-ranked high school and is about a 90-92 average student. His PSAT score was not very amazing - I think it was around 143. But I will be getting a tutor to help for SAT prep this year. I can't see paying $50K a year for college and leaving him with huge loans, especially in the fields he is interested in as it would take a lifetime to pay it all back. So I am beginning to look at SUNY schools.</p>
<p>I would like him to stay semi-close (Northeast would be great) - driving distance hopefully.
I love Massachusetts, and notice that there are all these UMass locations that seem reasonably priced for out-of-state students. Do any of you know anything about these schools or have other options that you can enlighten me on.</p>
<p>Thanks so much. I think this site is so informative and wonderful. Such smart kids here!</p>
<p>Dear Tamdave123,</p>
<p>Nice to hear from you and that you are looking early on for colleges and majors for your son. Unfortunately, I am not really aware or knowledgeable on animation studies, but you said you could see your son being interested in environmental sciences or something science related. Once I know that IT will be much easier to suggest colleges to research.</p>
<p>If you do not mind me asking, how much are you willing to pay for an out of state university for your son? Price is certainty one of if not the most important driving factors in college selection.</p>
<p>You were mentions looking into SUNY schools for your son. I would definitely recommend looking at Stony Brook University in that case, usually viewed as the academic superior of the SUNY especially when it comes down to science majors.</p>
<p>I realize that he is only a sophomore and PSAT scores now will not mean much but improvement will be needed. Not to worry he has tons of time to study and the private SAT classes or tutoring should help.</p>
<p>I noticed you wanted to stay in the Northeast region, what area are you from? This will help because you wanted to find schools withing driving range.</p>
<p>The most well known and main campus at UMass is UMass-Ahmerst. The OOS cost of attendance is more expensive than the other UMASS branch campuses. The other UMass branch campuses are UMass- Dartmouth and UMass Boston, but I do not know much or anything about them.</p>
<p>There is also UMass Lowell. and a bunch of others such as Salem State, Fitchburg State, etc. - which are mostly serving local students.</p>
<p>I would start with UMass Amherst. Amherst is a great college town and UMass Amherst has a large variety of possible majors, including environmental science. [UMass</a> Amherst: Department of Environmental Conservation » Environmental Science](<a href=“http://eco.umass.edu/degree-programs/undergraduate-programs/environmental-science/]UMass”>Environmental Science - Department of Environmental Conservation - UMass Amherst)
It’s in western Mass., so is closer to New York. It’s part of the 5 College Consortium, which allows students to take classes at Amherst, Mt. Holyoke, Smith and Hampshire Colleges. The other UMass campuses are in eastern Mass., closer to Boston.</p>
<p>Bradley University is in IL but maybe a very good all around fit.
[Game</a> Design | Slane College of Communications and Fine Arts](<a href=“http://slane.bradley.edu/minor/game-design]Game”>http://slane.bradley.edu/minor/game-design)</p>
<p>Thank you everyone for your replies. I am in no position to pay double the cost of a SUNY school here in NY to send him out of state. I will look into those Mass options you mention. I appreciate your explaining the UMass schools. Thanks again.</p>
<p>UMass Amherst estimated tuition/fees/+room/board for OOS next year is $37,879. That seems pretty expensive. [UMass</a> Amherst: Financial Aid Services - University Costs](<a href=“Financial Aid : UMass Amherst”>Financial Aid : UMass Amherst)</p>
<p>I’d recommend checking out SUNY ESF if your son is interested in environmental science. It’s right next door to Syracuse which has an engineering department, plenty of science majors should your son change his mind, good business, and excellent communications. I believe ESF students get to take the Syracuse classes at SUNY prices.</p>
<p>Buffalo, Geneseo, and Bingamton appear to be the strongest all around SUNYs in terms of strength of majors and on campus life.</p>
<p>It is hard to beat the SUNY schools for in-state value. Maybe look at Binghamton and Buffalo in addition to Stony Brook. UMass Amherst does offer merit and need-based aid for OOS students which can bring the cost down, but probably not to the level of in-state SUNY’s.</p>