Your opinion on these NY schools please

Parents Forum
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<p>Hi I posted on the college search threads but would like to know if any parents could share knowledge about these schools: </p>

<p>In regards to location,selectivity( I have SAt stats but do you know if it is tough or not to enter even when student falls in that range of sat stats or not), campus enviroment( Son wants rural setting NY,approx2500-5000 students), student body,fin aid,overall feel if you have kids there or know of kids there. My son does not know what he wants to major in yet. His interests are criminal justice, possible forensic sciences,political science, public policy,maybe engineering, maybe business. He enjoys and is best in Math but really does not have a direction yet. He is thinking of eventually law enforcement or agency work. Maybe joining military. Gathering info on ROTC and military academies as well.</p>

<p>With that said here are some schools I am trying to learn more about:</p>

<p>Privates:</p>

<p>Hobart William and Smith
Ithaca
Syracuse Univ
Le Moyne
College of St Rose
Sienna
Skidmore
Alfred Univ
Union
RIT
RPI
Sarah Lawrence
Univ of Rochester</p>

<p>Military Academies:</p>

<p>Coast Guard
Merchant Marine
Military (west pt)
Maritime
Naval (Annapolis)</p>

<p>ROTC program</p>

<p>SUNY's:</p>

<p>Albany
Binghamton
Geneseo
Buffalo
Stonybrook
Oswego
Oneonta
Fredonia
Cortland
Brockport
ESF Enviromental Science and Forestry</p>

<p>Thanks everyone.
New Paltz</p>

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<p>All right- I'll stay on board a bit longer to help out a fellow New Yorker. Luli- we spoke on your other thread so I am not going to repeat myself- but a few things I found out
SUNY has a Maritime College too in the Throggs Neck section of NYC (Bronx or Queens??) You can check the SUNY website. Cortland and ESF also have a 2/2 program. 2 years at Cortland and last 2 years at ESF. Also remember Cortland has the 3/2 program in environmental science with Duke and an outdoor recreation program. And I checked out the SUNY program at Alfred U. It looks like the tuition is around $12,000 and if Alfred has ROTC scholarships, (??) it could be a virtual bargain. IMO New Paltz has a bit of an artsy/hippie environment. That could be a plus for some kids and a negative for others. Get the SUNY viewbook- it really does give a bit of info about each college and I do believe SUNY has a "recruiting Center" in NYC. It may be worth a trip to see if you can get info directly from them. Maybe they have films-slides-etc which can also help. IMO there's not much of a difference between the SUNY college campuses ie Oswego-Cortland-Oneonta-Brockport etc. But sometimes one may be better for a particular area of study ie Cortland for Sports Management. I would not suggest you run all over the state looking at all the schools until you get a bit more of a handle of what your son is interested in. Maybe as you said in one of the posts- you'll just pick a geographic area and then decide on 3 or 4 schools which are nearby. My d's take on college touring was that all the schools seemed the same. So don't expect that your son will show a definite preference once he starts looking at schools.
You might get lucky and your son will actually get excited from touring schools, but that approach didn't work with my kid. Good luck.</p>

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<p>I remember when i first started looking into colleges for my D last yr it all seemed overwhelming. it still is even tho this is my second one. I thought I'd get a head start by beginning research the summer before jr yr. But I guess each child has different needs and so each college search is unique.</p>

<p>SUNY system is alot to encounter at least online only looking at websites.</p>

<p>I found LACs easier to learn about. I don't know why. Also I guess since he does not know what he wants to study yet I am kind of all over the place w/ SUNY campuses since they do all seem so similar.</p>

<p>I guess it just takes time. With the LACs it seemed to me that it was easier to get a sense of the schools personality easier than w/ these SUNY's. Maybe it's just me.</p>

<p>I'll keep learning till something stands out. I have to say Geneseo and Buffalo so far seem most appealing in academics and offerings. But Buffalo is lg and far and COLD. Geneseo is smaller and more like an LAC but probally too hard to get into and wonder if town is not too remote even tho that is what he asked for.</p>

<p>Thanks for helping.</p>

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<p>If he would consider branching out of the NY area a little bit, he might want to check out Norwich University in VT. It is the oldest private military university, although now they also do have civilian students. It has a rural setting, just under 2500 students, Corps of Cadets (many on ROTC scholarships) and criminal justice is their most popular major.</p>

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<p>You ask: but do you know if it is tough or not to enter even when student falls in that range of sat stats or not?</p>

<p>And the answer for the service academies is YES! Remember that many of those lower SATs at the academies are prior enlisted or kids that were sent to prep school first. Not only will you need the SATs and the grades, but also leadership and sports. Come on over to the SA forums for lots more information. Statistically, CGA is the hardest to get into (and the hardest to stay in).</p>

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<p>The academies not only require the SATs, GPA, class rank, demonstrated leadership, but successfully passing the medical physical through DODMERB, the physical training standards (sit-ups, push-ups, short and long distance runs, pull-ups all within a designated time limit) and for USMA, USNA and USAFA a nomination (congressional, senator, vice-pres, or president of the US) with a a whole new application process. Also needed are recommendations and a mandatory interview with your assigned military liason.</p>

<p>DS went through this process this past year for those 3 academies. It made his Penn M & T, Princeton and MIT applications a walk in the park. He started in April of his junior year, (the application) and the process was finally complete after visits the NEXT April. His efforts paid off and he did recieve his 3 appointments, that in itself was more fulfilling than he would have thought initially.</p>

<p>The application process along with the committment is no small undertaking. Again, all the effort son putting into ALL of his non-military apps did not scratch the surface of his academy and ROTC apps!</p>

<p>Kat</p>

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<p>katwkittens and heartcross</p>

<p>Yes, I am realizing how much will be involved if he chooses to apply to the service academies.</p>

<p>Congrats to your son on his appts! did he decide to accept any or is he going w/ a college?( Sounds like great choices either way)</p>

<p>Let me ask you, if he, up untill now really has no significant leadership participation and he is not in sports and not in top shape physically(avg shape) is it too late?</p>

<p>he says if he chooses to apply he will start training this winter and use his jr and sr yr to be more active in his school and community. He was curious about the summer training week/s offered at some of the academies. How hard are they to be admitted to? It would give him a chance to see if he really wants to apply to the academy or not. He has no scouting background and we are not active politically. But if he is active in clubs and/or community service and joined track for the next two yrs in HS and became strong physically and earned a 90 gpa and SAT of 1200 or so does this still sound below qualifications to request a nomination and realistically apply for one of the academies?</p>

<p>I suppose I should really post this over at the Service boards but I felt a bit intimidated to ask questions since I still understand so little on the subject and he is not really comitted to applying but curious.</p>

<p>BTW thanks to MY3sons for the tip on Norwich Univ ...I will check it out.</p>

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<p>I graduated from Union back in the day and had a great experience there. If he is leaning towards political science, it would be a good choce. I don't think Union has a criminal justice major (although it may be possible to design your own).
If he is OK with rural, Saint Lawrence University is another LAC that comes to mind.</p>

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<p>Luliztee,
Son was in good shape physically as he was a football player and a varsity wrestler all 4 years. Also ran track and field 4 years, but sat out fall football of his senior year (did XC instead), requested by his academy liasons (wanted him with no serious injuries). Was captain of all 3 sports for 2 years. No scouting experience at all.</p>

<p>But not in the same shape as older sis (1 year older) who was a recruited D1 athlete. Was a gymnast for 7 years and then a swimmer and a diver. So yes he was in good shape but not to the caliber of his sis. </p>

<p>He still runs about 6 to 7 miles daily and lifts every other day.</p>

<p>Son did not do the summer sessions at the academies' but his best friend who also applied and was appointed to West Point did. His friend thoroughly enjoyed his session and enthusiastically applied. His best buddy left for the Point last week.</p>

<p>Son also applied and was awarded a NROTC scholarship to MIT and AFROTC to Princeton. He visited in April the academies and his top colleges. It was a very difficult decision. Very. He will be attending Princeton in the fall, but declined his AFROTC scholarship in favor of outside private scholarships. Again, he made his decision late, late April and he agonized.</p>

<p>The service academy forums were extremely helpful for us and everyone is very friendly. They explained all the steps along the way and are very supportive.</p>

<p>If your son is a rising junior then he has plenty of time to work on his stuff for an academy app. Just join them over on the SA and they will ALL help. Don't be intimidated.</p>

<p>They aren't just looking for stats and ECs. They are looking for integrity, character, ability to lead AND follow, honor and commitment. As far as personality and fit the academies suited son the best, as well as physical training. I thought NROTC and MIT combo would be a better fit but the MIT part (son discovered on his visit during accepted student's days) was REALLY NOT him.</p>

<p>Time and more visits led him to Princeton and maybe athletics there, we shall see. However, his desire to fly jets hasn't diminshed any just his way of getting there.</p>

<p>Son spent his summers doing research at various universities (Duke and UNC-CH) so he wasn't scouting or doing political activities. So I don't think the lack of those made any difference in his chances for appointments.</p>

<p>In my opinion, I think the most important variable was a candidate's desire to commit. As one of the other poster's mentioned some cadets have attended prep (foundation, nmmi), others are current enlisted personnel and some have gotten in on their third (3rd) attempt. Its about commitment. </p>

<p>And this is what you will hear on the Service Academies forum. See you over there!!!</p>

<p>Kat</p>

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<p>rpi is nice. I go there right now and I like it there. It's about 5000 students, in a suburban location (not rural). I have a friend whos in the ROTC program for the air force, and she doesn't mind it, she's actually made a lot of friends through it. She's also on the soccer team, so it's possible to be on the soccer team and ROTC. They also give out financial aid and merit aid. I applied ED (cause it was my number one choice and RIT eventually became number 2) and I was accepted (as you can see) but also about a month later it turned out I had recieved a merit scholarship too. So, overall they do give merit aid too. RPI unfortunately doesn't have a buisness program (but it does have a managment school). Also it doesn't have criminal justice or political science (as a major, it might be a minor though), but it does have a strong engineering and science program (including math and computer science).</p>

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<p>My daughter is a science girl and we visited SUNY ESF a few months ago. Daughter is pretty laid back and non-picky, but she loathed and detested the school. Frankly, hubby and I weren't impressed either. The academics were fine, but the campus was gross and ESF is clearly the stepchild of Syracuse -- which didn't impress us much either. Since the kid has to actually live at the school, you should check out the lifestyle as well, and it's not great at ESF.</p>

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<p>thanks zoosermom, I was starting to get that impression too the more I've been reading.</p>

<p>From surfing SUNY websites it tlooks like Buffalo has very interesting science programs( was looking mostly at enviromental/geological sciences) also Albany and Stonybrook. Hartwick sounds good for a reg college but has Pine Lake where alot of studies are conducted.</p>

<p>Just lookin still. But I think we will drop ESF off list too.</p>

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<p>Hi Guys- lately I have been hearing very nice things about Siena. It's near Albany so I do not think it has too much of rural a feel, but it seems to be strong is science, has a 3/2 engineering program and ROTC. Zoosmom and Luli- both of you may want to check it out.
I also like univ of Rochester very much. D # 1 was accepted. It is definitely the type of school to consider with SAT's in 1300 range. They have been generous with merit aid but in past needed around 1350 on SAT's to be considered for aid.</p>

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<p>Marny, Siena is on daughter's list. It's in a very nice location -- easy to get to Albany and Vermont. We're also going to look at cortland next month per your recommendation.</p>

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<p>We'll be there next month too. New students go up around 8/25. Eight kids from my d's HS class are going there. It seems to have gotten alot more popular. In the past, maybe 1 or 2 kids from her HS went there. I think even she was surprised to find out that so many of her classmates were going there too. Well at least she doesn't hate too many of them, so I guess that is a good thing!!</p>

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<p>Siena is a wonderful school! It ended up second on DD's list and we visited again for DS, but they don't offer the major he wants. He would go there in a second if they had his major. Hartwick was on DD's list and we are still looking at it for DS. We will be there at the end of the month to meet with a faculty member.</p>

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<p>i'm not a parent, but i grew up in central new york and have looked at many of these schools. Here's my take on them:</p>

<p>Privates:</p>

<p>Hobart William and Smith - beautiful small school in a beautiful location. Pretty good academics. I dont think it gets the attention it deserves.</p>

<p>Ithaca - good school, though expensive for what you get. Great location. </p>

<p>Syracuse Univ - I attended this school for two semesters before transfering out. Full of pretentious white kids from long island. Academics were OK, though dont bother attending unless you get a great scholarship or aid. </p>

<p>Le Moyne - similar to syracuse, but less of a name and less diverse.<br>
College of St Rose - not very familiar with
Sienna - ditto
Skidmore - good school with good students, but that's about all i know.
Alfred Univ -
Union - beautiful school with good reputation, but not a very diverse student body.
RIT - the choice engineering school for the "smart - but not top of the class smart" students from my school.
RPI - great school with great academics.<br>
Sarah Lawrence - not familiar with.
Univ of Rochester - best school on the list here. Academics are top notch though the student body tends to be only pre-med or only engineering. </p>

<p>SUNY's:</p>

<p>Albany - great location but the campus and student body leaves much to be desired.
Binghamton - "best" SUNY school though students usually seem rather unhappy. some theorize it's because the school is full of ivy rejects.<br>
Geneseo - the LAC of SUNY. Everybody i know at Geneseo loves it.
Buffalo - my favorite SUNY. Great location, solid academics and reputation with a diverse curriculum.
Stonybrook - many complain that this is a just a commuter school.<br>
Oswego - as my one friend at oswego put it: "think of it has 13th grade but with way better parties"
Oneonta - OK school.
Fredonia - again, just OK.
Cortland - see above two.
Brockport - seen as better than the last 2 schools, but still not great.
ESF Enviromental Science and Forestry - if science is your thing, ESF is great. Students can dorm at Syracuse University and ESF students have full access to all of SU's resources. </p>

<p>if your son/daughter is interested in criminal justice, try the John Jay school of criminal justice in NYC.</p>

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<p>A friend of mine who was going to Vt for a few days is stopping of @ Norwich for me to take the tour and bring back literature.</p>

<p>I'll let you know what they tell me if you are curious. Thanks</p>

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<p>im sorry but skidmore isnt all that great. i live 20 mins from there and they didnt accept me with a 3.6 gpa grad cum laude from community college.</p>

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<p>Skidmore is a lovely school in a cute little town. Because Saratoga Springs is also a vacation destination, there seems to be a lot to do, and there are some nice shops & restaurants around. </p>

<p>Academically, it's considered a very good school - too rural for my d, but otherwise a nice place.</p>