Which SUNYs are right for me?

<p>I'm in-state (Long Island), and definitely looking at all SUNY schools. I want to pursue Marketing/Journalism. I don't want a school too "out-of-the-way" from everything, like I've heard Potsdam and Geneseo are. Bing just seems too big for me! But I really haven't visited any.
I also don;t know what kind of aid to expect from any of the SUNYs!</p>

<p>Here's how i "stack up":
93.29 GPA unweighted (Is that around a 3.6? I'm not sure..)
1230/1600 SAT (660M/570CR)</p>

<p>Some of my classes over the past 3 years:
Honors Earth Science - 88 overall /90 Regents
Honors Bio - 91 overall /87 Regents
Honors Chem - 86 overall / 78 Regents
Honors Physics - 86 overall / 67 Regents (ugh)
Honors English , grades 9 + 10 - averages in the 90s
Honors Global Hist - 96 overall / 100 regents
AP US History - 84 overall / 100 regents / 3 on AP
AP Psychology - 88 overall / 3 on AP
AP US Govt - 86 overall / 4 on AP
AP English Lang - 91 overall / 95 Regents / 3 on AP
Spanish - 100 overall all years / 100 Regents
Math A - 94 overall / 94 regents
Math B - 91 overall / 92 regents
**** all scores unweighted
I've taken various art/photography classes</p>

<p>Senior Schedule:
Philosophy
AP Marcoeconomics
AP English Lit
Precalculus
+ a few art/english electives</p>

<p>ECs:
National Honor Society
National Art HS
Key Club International
Art Club
Photography Club</p>

<p>I've recieved my Girl Scout Silver Award, volunteer at my Grandma's nursing home, and have had a steady job 20-25 hours a week since Spring 2007.</p>

<p>Now, here are the colleges I'm considering applying to, in order of which I'd like to attend:
UAlbany
Oswego
Buff State
Brockport
Fredonia</p>

<p>I haven't heard much about Brockport/Fredonia/Buff State, in terms of location and campus life and such. Albany and Oswego seem good for me, they're relative close to large cities and things.</p>

<p>Any input is appreciated!</p>

<p>I think you'll get into all of them...based on my study of the statistics for my daughter, who has similar stats. You seem like a strong applicant; although Bing and Geneseo are very hard to get into for anyone (but try anyway!), try SUNY Buffalo (not Buff State) and New Paltz; they are a little more competitive. Some of the SUNYs will tell you their standards for merit aid if you click on "scholarships" on the website; or you can call...I remember when we were on some of the tours it seemed like it might be straightforward anyone with xxxx SAT and x.xx GPA gets $2,000.00/yr merit aid...Good luck!</p>

<p>Thanks a lot!
I'd try Bing, but it's way too big of a school for my liking haha
I was thinking about SUNY Buffalo, might as well try it, can't hurt!</p>

<p>I've been reading up on some of the merit scholarships, like Albany, for example said the basis of their Presidential scholarship is 1250 SAT/93 GPA, and Oswego is 1235 avg SAT/93 GPA
so I could be considered for both, possibly.</p>

<p>I'm doing a college search as well, and SUNY Buffalo is HUGE...I heard around 18,000 students. It's bigger than Binghamton. I do think you should try both though because they are good schools! Good Luck! Also, visit all of the schools...you might like a big environment!</p>

<p>To be honest, while Binghamton is numerically big, it doesn't give me the same impersonal feel that Stony Brook always gives. So don't shy away from a GREAT school just because of that. If you have the chance, I would recommend visiting. Granted, I'm incredibly biased seeing as I will be attending in the fall.</p>

<p>As far as UAlbany goes, I've heard it has a very BIG party scene. If this is something you're into, then fine. But if not, beware, pay attention to the type of student body you want to be around.</p>

<p>New Paltz is a good choice, it's selective, and supposed to be a very good liberal arts college, getting more popular nowadays.</p>

<p>As far as Oswego goes, I've heard nothing but great things about the school. Although, I don't know if weather plays a role in your decision. Then Oswego may not be your thing...</p>

<p>But you're definitely going to get scholarship money from UAlbany, I believe. I think my stats were about the same as yours, and I got $3,500 a year, plus I got into the honors program. </p>

<p>Good luck, and if you have any other questions, don't hesitate to ask.</p>

<p>As a Long Islander, you might have some sort of bias against staying down here, but Stony Brook offers the only full School of Journalism in the SUNY system, and if you're interested in marketing, you have the option of combining it with our MBA program for a five-year BA/MBA degree.</p>

<p>Just a thought.</p>

<p>Also... if Binghamton seems too big for you, then Albany's going to be too big also, and UBuffalo is far and away the largest of the SUNY schools. The other four on your list are about the same size. I agree with what others have said -- visit.</p>

<p>Chris</p>

<p>Thanks, everyone!
I know UBuff is huuuge, thats why I'm leaning toward Buff State. I know Albany is quite big, but I do have tons of friends who attend and I like the scene there - a bunch of music venues also, because I am very into live music.
I'm really leaning toward Oswego for the most part, however.
Unfortunately, I will not be able to visit any of them due to some financial situations and my work schedule etc. So I'm just going off pictures, "virtual" tours, and things people say here and on facebook. </p>

<p>Oh wow, I never knew about the Journalism/Marketing at Stony Brook, I'll definitely check that out!
I was thinking of MAjoring in Marketing, Minor in Journalism, or perhaps double-major.</p>

<p>Also, yeah, I'd be into Albany's party scene for hte most part.
But all colleges have their hare of parties, some more than others because of location etc.</p>

<p>Be careful of Buff State. It is much different than UB even though it is in the same city. Oswego is not that close to much. People seem to like it there. My oldest D looked, but did not like it. She thought it was too small and old looking. Geneseo is only 45 min from Rochester.</p>

<p>You have similar stats (gpa and SAT) to my son who received a Presidential Scholarship at Oswego. 2 years ago it was for $4,400/yr. He is having a wonderful experience there! There have been lots of renovations, improvements the last couple of years.</p>

<p>I would strongly suggest SUNY New Paltz. It has gotten much more competetive the last few years and they had a record making incoming freshman class this year....it is a very hot school and Newsweek rated it best small state school in the country. It is a good size, about 6,000 students, is in a great offbeat, artsy and funky little town yet is near Poughkeepsie with lots of big chain restaurants and malls, so you kinda get the best of both worlds. It has the reputation of a friendly and accepting atmosphere....and it is not that far from Long Island and Manhattan, I think 1 1/2 hours by train to NYC.</p>

<p>Anyway, they have a good business school and journalism dept. It's definitely worth a look for you. Good luck!</p>

<p>After more and more NP research, I'm thinking New Paltz is becoming one of my top choices!</p>

<p>You definitely need to visit SUNY New Paltz first. When we were looking (we're also from LI), son was impressed with New Paltz via their website and up and coming reviews. When we went to see it, we signed into the Admission's office early, walked around on our own, and left before the official tour. We didn't feel that the website was a very good representation of the school. Definitely didn't like it. Some people love it but it wasn't for our son. Before setting one school as your top choice, you definitely need to visit. If you don't visit, you may come to find out months later that you spent too much time focussing on a school that "in person" isn't what you thought it was.</p>

<p>Same goes for Geneseo. If you're from Long Island, you may find Geneseo too "small town". It's a long ride to get there and once you get there, you kind of feel like you're in the middle of nowhere. Yes, Rochester is about 45 min. to an hour away but that's not really close enough to make it a simple excursion.</p>

<p>Have you looked into SUNY Plattsburgh? It offers both Marketing and Journalism. There's quite a bit to do there--uptown is the newer section with malls and downtown is the older section with the bars and some restaurants. The school is located right in the middle of both. Burlington is a ferry ride away (if you ski) and Montreal is about a 45 min. drive (sometimes the school offers bus trips to Montreal). Also, in an emergency, if you had to come home for some reason, you could call a cab to arrange a ride to the Burlington Int. Airport and fly into NYC. </p>

<p>Oswego is another school where I've only heard positive things from kids (except for the wind and snow). </p>

<p>Fredonia is so far away and the only kids that I know of that go there from here are there for the Music Program.</p>

<p>nysmile - Can you share what your son didn't like about NP? I loved it when I took the tour with my kid but maybe I didn't want to notice anything bad when the sticker price is so appealing!</p>

<p>Muffy333, We visited one year ago at the end of August. We didn't like the campus. It looked run down, beat up, and nothing like what we expected. We didn't like the area either and it didn't have the feel of an active campus. Nothing at all about the place made us want to stick around for the tour. </p>

<p>If you were impressed by New Paltz, you should definitely check out some other SUNY campuses. After visiting some of the other campuses, you may find New Paltz falling down a bit on your list.</p>

<p>This was our personal overall impression. Others however, seem to love the campus.</p>

<p>It's funny how each school can make so many different impressions depending on each individual's perspectives. My son just started his freshman year at NP. This time last year he had been to visit Bing, Albany, Oneonta & Stony Brook. He was set on Oneonta from Aug to March. Bing( niece goes here and loves it) & Stonybrook were too big & impersonal for him. Albany also seemed big, cold & stark with dark dorms ( although I am sure he would overlook that for party rep which didn't thrill me). He plans on majoring in business. We didn't get to see NP before applying but it had a good ranking, rep, and word of mouth from so many friends, families & his GC who are alumni ect. so he applied. It also had the advantage of a school of business with a master program which Oneonta lacks. So after getting accepted we went up in March to see it. It was a snowy/rainy day so the campus did look blah & deserted (a family left our tour midway unimpressed) but the newly refurbished school of business building hooked us. We then went to a sunny accepted student's day in April and had the chance to meet faculty at the academic fair which left us with a very good impression. He liked the dorms, new athletic center and overall feel of the place so we put down the deposit. I must say I liked the fact that it is only a 2 hr drive from LI and an easy trip to NYC yet the surrounding area is beautiful, with a quirky town you can walk to easily from campus with most stores you could need from stop & shop, rite aid, fast food ect. The student teacher ratio is good and can not increase much as they do not have many large ( 200ish) lecture halls to speak of. I went to the 2 day parent/ student orientation in August( parents stayed in one of the 2 newer air conditioned dorms, very nice!) and must say my initial good impressions were greatly reinforced by the student orientation leaders, staff and administrative presenters . His dorm ( 3 room suite) is very nice with new windows & lounge & hall carpeting ect. There is ongoing campus improvements. He left orientation with his schedule after having been advised by faculty from the business dept with everything he needed/ wanted including 2 business courses. Even with a larger than expected freshman class they made adjustments by adding more sections & staff and seem to have managed to maintain a personal feel. He is in his second week of classes now (no complaints about teachers yet) and is having a great time meeting new friends. Playing raquetball at the athletic center, hiking nearby, went shopping in Poughkeepsie for dorm stuff with his roommates & yes, I am sorry to say has attended a frat party or two. Anyway, moral of the story is you do have to go see & feel how a school fits you & your needs. You may wind up somewhere that wasn't on your initial radar.</p>