What is the best/worst thing about stony brook?

<p>Hey guys, I currently go to an oos state school and am thinking about going to stony brook next year. The school I go to now is decent, but the oos tution in just too high and not much aid was given when I applied. So, what are your complaints about the school and your favorite aspects? personally, I hate the college-party atmosphere at the university I go to and would like a more academicly focused student body.</p>

<p>Favorite things:
Amazing diversity (racially, economically, politically), research opportunities (I've had to reject more chances to do amazing, interesting research because of time constraints than all of my friends who go to "Ivies" have come across combined, believe it or not. I've been extraordinarily lucky, but with the amount of stuff going on here you'll find something if you look), great profs who really care about their students, my friends, beautiful campus (the middle of my quad looks like paradise when the cherry trees are blooming or the leaves are turning... anyone who thinks we have an ugly campus needs to take a step back and realize that the buildings aren't the whole campus, and enjoy the ridiculously pretty landscapes we've got), the huge course selection.</p>

<p>Least favorite things:
Architecture (though at least it's fun to make fun of), the sheer size of the campus bureaucracy, the exam I have in 40 minutes (procrastination!).</p>

<p>There are a lot of really academically focused people here. Some of them may be so academically focused you'll never meet them unless you strike up a conversation walking out of lecture, but there are a decent number of people who tread the middle ground of being passionate about their work and knowing how to have fun at the same time.</p>