<p>A bit of background... I'm a non-traditional student, being 24 years old. I have an A.A.S. in Criminal Justice and now intend to study Computer Science. I have a full scholarship for any SUNY that I'm accepted to. I'm not one for parties, but do enjoy playing competitive sports and attend a gym 4 days a week.</p>
<p>So far I've been accepted to the Univ of Buffalo, Brockport, Potsdam, and SUNYIT. I'm still waiting to hear from Stony Brook, Binghamton, Oneonta, Fredonia, and Oswego. New Paltz said no. Which of these would be most recommended for Computer Science? Buffalo is the largest and has the best reputation for it's science programs, but since I'm switching majors, I'll be taking many low-level courses. This means I'll be in extremely large lecture halls, compared to the other schools listed. </p>
<p>I've heard many great things about the Brockport campus, but I have zero knowledge of how good their CS program is. I've heard SUNYIT isn't a very exciting place, and my sister left Potsdam because she was miserable there.</p>
<p>Sk8rgirl takes intro level courses at UB and the lectures are large but the recitations and labs are small. She didn’t think she’d like the large lectures either but says they’re not bad at all and has found they get much smaller as the semester progresses - doesn’t know whether the students are viewing lectures and notes online or just dropped the class. If it’s important to you to have people your age around to hang out with, UB would be a good choice due to the large grad population and availability of apartments. They also have nice athletic facilities and a very wide range of activities/programs on campus.</p>
<p>I got my BSCS at SUNYIT (I was an older student and it was close to where I lived at the time). I took some grad classes at Stony Brook recently. Stony Brook seems to be a better school for CS.</p>
<p>As an older student I wasn’t very interested in the social life at either school, so I can’t really help you there.</p>
<p>Since you are already accepted to UB, I’d stick with that and then just consider Bing and SB if you are accepted. (Bing does not have a good reputation in engineering though i don’t know about CS. My son was accepted at UB and BIng along with 13 other schools for engineering and CS and ultimately picked UB over SUNYs, OOS publics and private schools. He is very happy and even got merit $$ scholarship there.)</p>
<p>Son is at UB as a freshman. Great reputation in engineering and I would hope CS then also. He is very impressed with the school. Lots of work engineering but time for friends. Mostly hanging out together in the dorm. Mall trips, movie across the street from his dorm, etc. I think the going out at night was short lived. Gym is in his dorm which is very convenient (as is his cafeteria).</p>
<p>As there are many professional schools at UB (dental, medical, nursing and assortment of grad programs) I think you would do well. The SUNY colleges will be more limiting as far as things to do and people to meet.</p>
<p>Over the weekend I visited Brockport and Fredonia. Brockport seemed okay, however I was very impressed with Fredonia. It’s a beautiful campus, and the computer science professors I spoke to were very helpful.</p>
<p>Earlier today, I visited SUNYIT in Utica. The school struck me as very industrial like in terms of the buildings, it was quiet, and the lighting is dark in the buildings. I was not impressed.</p>
<p>I still have to visit Oswego. I’ve decided against Buffalo. I’ll either be attending Fredonia or Oswego. Does anyone have any opinion on either school?</p>
<p>I have no clue as to the computer science program.
I can tell you that my friends daughter (and some others from our HS) are at Fredonia and love it. Oswego is likely as small and remote but kids love it there too. The lake is beautiful and you can skate outdoors on the lagoon. Scholastics are fine.
Visit both and get a feel for the schools. I don’t think you can make a bad decision.</p>