<p>Here are some NY schools we might visit this summer - my child is looking at a major in one of the sciences (physics/chem/environmental/etc), and possibly either a minor/double major in music or will join music ensembles. Also enjoys club sports.</p>
<p>Buffalo (SUNY)
Stony Brook (SUNY)
New Paltz (SUNY)
Rensselaer Polytechnic
NYU Poly (no music minor but seems to have a club)
Syracuse
Fordham
University of Rochester
Rochester Institute of Technology</p>
<p>Would prefer a residential university with campus life. Money is not a big concern. There are a range of admission difficulty and types of schools. Not looking for chances so I haven't posted stats here, just narrowing down the search and looking for overall sense of the best schools for a science major interested in a well-rounded college education/experience.</p>
<p>How would you rate the above schools in terms of quality of life/science program/school reputation?</p>
<p>My son is a student at SUNY New Paltz. The science dept. has a good reputation and I hear they are building a new science building. The student body tends to be very down to earth and creative. One of his roommates his first semester was a transfer from Fordham, a physics major. He was much happier at New Paltz. New Paltz is not for everyone…it’s not for those really interested in the big sports arena type schools like Syracuse. But it has a very close knit community feeling and most things are walking distance to campus. It’s 20 mintes to Poughkeepsie’s malls and a 1 1/2 hour bus ride to NYC. My son transferred from the Univeristy of Miami and he is really happy at New Paltz. If I can answer any questions for you, feel free to ask.</p>
<p>My S will be a Freshman at Fordham Lincoln Center in the Fall so while I can’t say how he likes the school at this point, he did choose it for a variety of reasons after visiting 5 or 6 times and sitting in on classes. </p>
<p>Your child would likely be more interested in the Rose Hill campus in the Bronx which is a traditional college experience with Div I sports, club sports, music and theatre opportunities, pretty much everything except social Greek life. What separates it from the other schools on your list most importantly, is the Jesuit education which does include a large core curriculum and the ideals of care for the whole person and service to others. I think that Fordham is underrated by many people who don’t bother to look further but the people that are there keep using the word “transformational” to describe the Fordham experience…and that is not just from the admissions office. Another great thing about Fordham is that you can take classes or participate in activities at both campuses by taking the Ram Van giving you the best of both worlds. Plus, all the resources of NYC are right there hence their motto, “New York is my campus. Fordham is my school.” </p>
<p>Obviously Fordham is not for everyone. Some find the core too restrictive. Some aren’t comfortable with the idea of a Catholic school. Some think of it as a commuter school although I believe there is a larger commuter presence at the Lincoln Center campus. The poster above knows a science major who transferred to New Paltz. I know of someone who transferred to a different state school but their reasons had to do with finances and going from being a commuter at an expensive school to a resident at a cheaper one. </p>
<p>I know you said that finances are not an issue and you haven’t posted any stats but you should know that Fordham does award some nice merit scholarships.</p>
<p>Hopefully someone else can weigh in on the science program which I know absolutely nothing about. If you are truly interested then perhaps post further questions in the Fordham forum. Good luck and have fun at your visits! :)</p>
<p>URochester–top notch science school, and the River campus has its own music dept.
Bonus is that if you play in an ensemble on the River campus , you get free private lessons at the Eastman school from a graduate student. River campus students can also take some courses at the Eastman school.</p>
fordham - strong overall school and good academics. in NYC, which can be a plus depending on what type of environment you’re looking for
syracuse - definitely residential and campus-y. very big on greek life and near the ghetto, but i think students are okay lol (my best friend goes there and i’ve visited multiple times)
new paltz - one of the more LAC-y schools on your list. not sure if their sciences are very strong, but really great environment and full of creative students
stony brook - HATE this place, but i do have to admit that the sciences are strong. i really wouldn’t bother though. PM me if you want my reasons haha
buffalo
the rest</p>
<p>nyu poly seems like a huge waste of money. i don’t know anything about RIT to say anything about it</p>
<p>I have looked at the school websites, but it has also been so helpful to get some additional info from people who know the schools or have a sense of how the schools are in relation to each other. Much appreciated.</p>
<p>We look forward to visiting some of these schools shortly. While we are also looking in other states, NY does seem to have quite a variety of interesting options to consider!</p>
<p>My D is a sophomore health science major at UB. I’d give UB high marks for campus life and for the sciences. Loads of interesting research going on, very good professors, always something to do on-campus, easy to access public transport for off-campus activities and airport travel, and a very diverse student body. They don’t have a beautiful campus, unless you like clean, modern lines, but their facilities are excellent and very well maintained with interconnected buildings on the academic spine (this is Buffalo!) and a tunnel under the main dorm complex for students who want to take the shuttle around campus. Although some people are put off by the sheer size of UB during their initial visit, it actually feels pretty homey - like a small town - once you’re settled in and familiar with the layout! The size then becomes an advantage for opportunities, services, housing/dining options and course offerings…there are so many majors, minors, clubs, etc. to choose from, which is helpful for those who are undecided or have varied interests!</p>
<p>The drawback to UB, which is common to many schools, is that the freshman/lower-div lecture sections tend to be quite large (150-200). Their labs and recitation sections are much smaller, of course, and their honors seminars, if your S is likely to be invited to join the honors college, can help with that problem. </p>
<p>Good luck on your journey! I would only add that it’s impossible to see all of UB or really even hear about all they have to offer in a day. If they make your son’s list, a second visit is recommended - the accepted student days, held in the spring, draw large numbers but are managed very efficiently and offer much more info/opportunites to see the campus and interact with faculty/staff than the general visits.</p>
<p>sk8rmom and Lilymoon, thanks for the details on two very different state schools (Buffalo and New Paltz) that both sound worth looking into to see what my son thinks. </p>
<p>URochester sounds excellent as well, although more of a reach. And we signed up for the RIT summer “colleges and careers” overnight program while we’re in the Rochester area. (It seems like an interesting program to attend whether or not he likes that school.)</p>
<p>And susgeek, you’re right that we are not limited to NY, so your out of state suggestion is welcome. Thanks. </p>
<p>Fordham is probably not the right match for my son, although it sounds like an excellent program for some, so thanks for that info sandkmom. And he’s leaning away from NYU-Poly now, too, so at least he’s starting to narrow his list of schools to visit down a bit.</p>
<p>Ironicallyunsure - appreciate seeing the comparisons. </p>
<p>I’d second Geneseo grad’s recommendation for SUNY Geneseo, excellent physics department and other sciences. One of son’s friends who was a good cellist in our local youth orchestra decided on Geneseo over UofR because of the combination of great science and music opportunities. She has a great internship this summer and my older son who is a physics grad had an internship last year with several Geneseo undergrads. Geneseo promotes itself as a “public ivy”.</p>
<p>UR over Geneseo?? UR–fantastic opportunities for research across the street at the medical center, one of the world centers for optics. UR–as I posted in 2010, ensembles at the river campus, members get FREE lessons at the Eastman schools, one of the nation’s top 2 or 3 music schools.</p>
<p>I’ve heard nice things about Geneseo, calling oneself a public ivy means nothing, frankly. On the other hand a few years ago, Newsweek called UR one of 25 ‘new ivies’. </p>
<p>One thing Geneseo has over UR is cost, to be sure. But the billion dollar endowment allows UR to give out lots of aid.</p>
<p>Yes, the difference between a cost of attendance of $21,000 in state vs $61,000 was a major factor in her decision. She was offered aid and merit but not enough. Academically, Geneseo is a top college in the SUNY system and does have an outstanding science department. If someone is in the area and wants a smaller school, Geneseo is worth a visit.</p>