University at Buffalo vs. Stony Brook for engineering?

College Majors Engineering Majors
1

I plan on majoring chemical engineering specifically and I’m split on where to go. Is there any difference between the two schools. They seem to be fairly similar ranking wise. How are the professors or classes?
Also I got into both the Honors college at Buffalo and the WISE program at SB. Any benefits to one over the other?
Thanks!

2

Buffalo is really strong for engineering and Honors has nice perks.
Others may want to chime in as the deadline’s right around the corner!

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3

I would consider Stonybrook stronger for Computer Science and perhaps Computer Engineering but overall I would give my vote for Buffalo.

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4

Thanks for the input! However I’m concerned about Buffalo being so far away (almost 7 hours!) and the honors program has really high gpa requirements. Is it possible to keep up a 3.3 gpa freshman year as an engineering student? I might just be overreacting though.

5

I think the 3.3 is up to you. It is a challenge, but the only way to find out if is possible is for your to give it your best.

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How is Stony Brook as an engineering school however? It’s ranking is fairly similar to that of Buffalo’s. Plus it has many research opportunities for undergrads.

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I am a Stony Brook alum and while the rankings are similar, I would distinguish SBU from UB as follows: SBU has very strong Math and Physics departments and in engineering the computer related fields seem the strongest. UB while not as strong in the hard sciences, seems to have a more comprehensive engineering program.

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So does buffalo have better job opportunities because of its more comprehensive program?

9

Thanks smokinact! How did you like stonybrook?

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It sounds like you are closer to SB and don’t want to be 7 hours from home? And are leaning toward SB because the honors college 3.3 GPA may be too rigorous at UB? Reading between your posts, I think you know UB might be a better fit academically and possibly professionally, but the location and challenge of being away is making you question if it is right for you. I trust that you visited both schools and have done your research? Just from this post, it seems you are leaning toward SB. Good luck.

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@aaleahberry33 I thought stonybrook left something to be desired. I think you were treated like a number and a lot of students went home on the weekend.

That being said I do think people can excel there.

Regarding job prospects I would contact the schools or look on their websites for student outcomes.

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Thanks for your suggestion!
Yeah I keep seeming to go back an forth on the schools. I think what is bothering me is not the gpa in the honors college per se, because if I do go to Stonybrook I will be in the WISE program which is also an honors college (albeit with only a 3.0 gpa requirement), but how the engineering departments compare. I know that Stony Brook has a smaller class of chemical engineers compared to Buffalo where their engineering program is more established. But I can’t quite determine whether this would be an advantage to me or not.

Also distance-wise, I’m not from long Island so I’m still not that close to Stonybrook but I like that it’s near NYC, though long Island is pretty dead.