College 101: A review of SUNY schools and beyond
For the benefit of high school seniors who are embarked on their college search, NeXt offers a review of SUNY schools and more. Reviews generally are of schools attended by former NeXt correspondents.
BUFFALO STATE COLLEGE
Student: Melissa Kania High
School: City Honors
Major: Journalism
Undergrads: Around 9,000
Students who would fit in well: Students who want a choice. Buff State offers 136 undergraduate programs; it also has a strong education program. Anyone who wants a smaller campus (but not TOO small) would love Buffalo State.
Students who might not like this school: If you’re looking for a huge campus or big classes, this may not be the place for you.
Class size:My smallest class has 25 students; the largest (BIO 100) has around 70.
Why I chose this school: It’s close to home (I commute), plus it has a strong education program, which is what my original major was. The campus is not too big, but not too small, and everyone seems super-friendly.
Pros: There aren’t any really big classes, so professors are able to be a bit more personal with each student. The campus is fairly easy to navigate, but it’s not too small, so it won’t remind you of high school. It has a rigorous honors program. Each student gets a free bus pass.
Cons: You definitely need a map at the beginning. Parking passes are $70 per academic year; freshmen who dorm aren’t allowed to have a car.
Food: Food on-campus is good. There’s Taco Bell, sub shop, pizza place, burger joint plus a new Resident Dining Hall along with TONS of restaurants near campus.
Social life: Lots of fraternities and sororities; Buff State has a newspaper and radio station, which you can work on. There’s tons of clubs, and most meet during “Bengal Pause” at lunchtime Tuesdays and Thursdays when there’s few classes going on. Lots of parties, concerts, plays, etc.
Class selection: Variety of classes, from jewelry-making to financial accounting and more. Freshmen get last pick; honors students and athletes get first choice.
Classes I’m taking: Principles of Biology; Media Literacy; Introduction to Oral Communication; honors classes Foundations of Inquiry and Power, Class and Money.
BROCKPORT STATE COLLEGE:
Student: Nicole Fields
High School: Kenmore East
Major: Recreation Management
Undergrads: 6,926
Student who would fit in well: People who want to go away to school to get the “full college experience,” but be close enough to come home for a weekend.
Class size: My classes have about 20 students; Statistics has about 50.
Why I chose this school: Brockport has many unique programs, including an honors school called Delta College, which I’m a member of. The area is beautiful; it’s the perfect distance from home.
Pros: There’s so much to do here. People are very friendly. A great study abroad program.
Cons: If you’re a freshman, you’ll probably have to park pretty far from your dorm. The only other complaint I’ve heard is about the weather.
Food: Brockport’s food is rated No. 1 in the SUNY system. There are two dining halls, four cafes, a take-out eatery open until 1 a. m., and a food court featuring KFC, Roots and more.
Social life: There are almost 60 clubs, ranging from Physics Club to the Brockport Inspirational Singers. Many free or inexpensive events on campus (concerts, movie nights and dances).
Nearby town: Main Street is just a few blocks away from campus with old-fashioned buildings housing shops and restaurants along the Erie Canal. Rochester is about a half-hour away.
Class selection: Wide variety. Freshmen have the least choice; students in honors program and Delta College sign up for classes the first day of registration.
Classes I’m taking: Educational Mentor Tutorial, Society and Culture I, Human Heritage I, Intermediate Weight Training, and Statistics for Psychology.
CANISIUS COLLEGE:
Student: Hannah Hampton
High School: Niagara Falls
Major: Digital Media Arts
Undergrads: 3,500
Students who would fit in well: Those looking for a fairly small, close-knit community and personal attention from teachers.
Students who might not like this school: If you are looking for a big school where you can meet a large, diverse group of people, you should know that a lot of Canisius students tend to be from Western New York.
Class sizes: My classes are about 22-30 students; upperclassmen say more advanced classes have eight to 10.
Why I chose this school: It was the only school in the area with a strong digital media program. The small size and Jesuit religious affiliation also appealed to me.
Pros: Most buildings are attached through underground tunnels so we don’t have to go outside in winter. The campus is small and nothing is too far away.
Cons: The tuition is fairly steep. If college football is your thing, you’re out of luck – Canisius doesn’t have a football team.
Food: There are four different places to get food with rotating menus, so there’s a decent variety. The consensus is that the quality is above average; I would stay away
from the Italian. Social Life: Plenty of clubs to choose from! Lots of students root for teams at sports games. Every weekend, the college sponsors a campus-wide activity called “Griffins After Dark” (stand-up comedians, game tournaments, etc.).
Nearby town: Canisius is in the heart of Buffalo. Every student is issued a Metro pass so we can cruise the buses and subway for free!
Class selection: It’s a good school for potential science majors. Many interesting electives in all subjects.
My Classes: Intro to Digital Media Arts, Honors English, Honors Philosophy, Introductory French, Intro to Game Design
Activities: I jumped right into the Fusion Gaming Society; a friend and I co-host a radio show and I’ve done a few things with the on-campus TV station. I blog for the college Web site.
HILBERT COLLEGE
(Hamburg)
Student: Rachel Dobiesz
Major: Digital Media and Communication
Undergrads: Around 1,100
Students who would fit in well: Students who like to learn in a smaller, more intimate setting. Hilbert’s size offers the chance to get to know professors and other students well.
Students who might not like this school: Students who like to go for a week without ever seeing the same people while walking across campus.
Class Size: Between 20 and 30 students.
Pros: The professors make themselves very available to students who need help; the campus is very picturesque.
Cons: Anonymity is nonexistent.
Food: The campus center offers good food for relatively low prices including an “all you can eat” meal for under $7.
Nearby town: Hilbert is close to the village of Hamburg and McKinley Mall. Hamburg is small, but has a movie theater and several restaurants. Students with cars or who are willing to take the bus can go to the City of Buffalo.
Social Life: There are many chances at Hilbert to socialize with other students. There is a sizable cross-section of clubs, plus a good amount of campus events. Both commuting and resident students have ample opportunity to get involved.
Class Selection: For a small college, Hilbert has a wide variety of classes, ranging from English to Criminal Justice to Psychology.
GENESEO STATE COLLEGE
Name: Allison Sirica
High School: Orchard Park
Major: Undecided
Undergraduate population: 5,395
Students who would fit in well: Students who like a community atmosphere and are willing to put in extra effort in classes.
Student who might not like this school: Students used to a fast-paced city life.
Why I chose this school: Geneseo was away from home without being too far and was reasonably priced compared to private schools I applied to. It has a great reputation for being a top SUNY school and the best value for your dollar.
Pros: Great school, affordable price, small classes, community atmosphere. The campus is beautiful; there are a variety of clubs and sports to get involved in.
Cons: The town of Geneseo has little to do and it is sometimes hard to get to places off campus if you don’t have a car.
Food: Geneseo offers an all-you-can-eat buffet, a cafe, and multiple food options (salad bar, sub bar, tex-mex, pasta, vegetarian and vegan). For the most part, the food is decent. The meal plan works as a debit card, allowing flexibility.
Social Life: Geneseo LateKnight provides comedians, shows, games, crafts etc. at the Student Union. There are buses to midnight movies and bowling as well as sororities and fraternities.
Ease of getting involved: It is fairly easy to get involved at Geneseo, whether it be through the e-mailed newsletter notifying students of club meetings and off-campus trips or informational fairs.
Nearby town: Geneseo is a small town with some restaurants, a Wal-Mart and Wegmans. Weekend buses run to Rochester, a 40-minute drive away.
Class size: Core requirement classes tend to be larger with a couple hundred students; other classes could 20 students or less.
Class selection: There are an array of classes to choose from and many different departments. Freshmen typically have last pick of classes, so you may have to wait a few semesters to get into specific classes.
FREDONIA STATE
Student: Dawn Giddings
High School: Wellsville
Major: Music Composition
Undergrads: 5,200
Students who would fit in well: Anyone who likes a small-town atmosphere and want space to grow on their own, with the benefit of receiving help when you need it.
Students who might not like this school: Anybody who hates winter; the school gets a lot of lake-effect snow.
Class size: Depends on what classes you are taking, and, in some cases, what you are majoring in. (There may be about 20 or so students in my music theory class, while my Composition Seminar class has perhaps half that number). Some freshman classes are very large.
Why I chose this school: Fredonia was the perfect distance from Wellsville (around two hours), so I wouldn’t be tempted to go home every weekend but close enough that I can go home for vacations or family emergencies. I was offered a lot of financial aid and music programs are great! If you think you are a music nerd who never felt like you fit in at high school, you will feel at home here.
Pros: If you don’t understand something, chances are your teachers will be more than willing to help you out. There are so many concerts, sports events and other activities. The Reed Library has an amazing music section.
Cons: Again, winter weather will be quite nasty.
Food: Definitely many options: Cranston Marche Dining Hall, Erie Hall, The Campus Grind, and more. Sushi, omelets made to order, from pizza to perogies.
Social Life: There is always something going on around campus – and off-campus as well. Just by getting
involved in clubs you can meet people with similar interests. An Activities Night features most clubs so you can sign up right away.
Nearby towns: Fredonia and Dunkirk. There is a movie theater, restaurants like Denny’s and Applebee’s, a Walmart and Rite Aid.
Class selection: There are core curriculum classes every student must take, but a large number of classes to choose from to fulfill those credits. Academic advising is available for students to register for needed courses for their specific major every semester.
My classes: Elementary piano, Music Theory 1, Aural Skills, Y Mathmatics, Beginner’s Composition, Our World of Music (Freshman Seminar), Composition Forum, instrument-related classes for the violin (Sinfonia Orchestra, Recital Seminar, scale class)
Activities: ETHOS New Music Society, Disney Club, Anime Club
UNIVERSITY AT BUFFALO
Student: West Richter Jr.
High School: City Honors
Major: Vocal Performance and Business Administration (concentration in marketing)
Undergrads: 19,022
Students who would fit in well: It’s a good school for those looking for many different choices. There are many different majors and hundreds of clubs and activities.
Students who might not like this school: If you looking for a small, personalized school, UB is probably not the place for you. Students receive all the attention they need and the education is excellent but there is less personalized time with instructors.
Class sizes: I have a few classes with 100 to 130 students and one with 500 students. I also have classes with 20 to 30 students and even one with 15.
Why I chose this school: I chose UB because of its vast array of options, extracurricular and academic, the great reputation of the business school and the financial aid package I was given.
Pros: Buffalo is really cold, but most of UB’s North Campus buildings are attached along the academic spine. There is also never a shortage of social events. UB is situated in an area with lots of shopping, eating, and cultural centers.
Cons: Class sizes are generally pretty large. Some of the facilities are old and outdated, but will be renovated with the UB 2020 renovation plan. Dorms are not great; I’ve seen better.
Food: There are tons of places to eat on campus; most serve pretty good food. (Sub shops are great in particular.) Residence halls dining facilities are usually the stay away places but there are still lots of other choices (including Burger King, Subway, Sbarro and a Starbucks in the center of North Campus).
Social Life: he Student Association does a great job sponsoring activities that many different people will enjoy. Events like Late Night UB provides a fun, safe environment to enjoy the company of friends and all sorts of activities.
Nearby town: UB South Campus is on the Metro Rail and bus line so students have easy access to the city. UB North around the corner from Niagara Falls Boulevard with its options for shopping, food, and the Boulevard Mall.
Class selection: Tons of courses to chose from; many classes have multiple times so you can build your schedule however you want it. The automated registration and schedule wizard is a nice feature.
My Classes: Intro to Macroeconomics, Elementary Harmony and Counterpoint, Math Analysis for Management, World Civilization 2, Voice Studio
Activities: As a vocal performance major I am required to join university choir and chorus; I’m also involved in Marching Band.
HAMILTON COLLEGE (Clinton, N. Y.)
Student: Allison Eck
High School: Clarence High School
Major: English and physics/astronomy Undergrads: 1,842
Students who would fit in well: Anyone who likes intimate class discussions and intense academic work.
Students who would not like this school: Anyone hoping to blend in with a large crowd or live in a big city.
Class Size: Ranges from as few as five, in my Spanish class, to 40, in Intro to Psych.
Why I chose this school: I wanted a small, liberal arts college that emphasized writing and speaking. Because Hamilton has no distribution requirements, I can take classes not because I have to, but because I want to. Every department is very strong and has engaging professors.
Pros: Beautiful campus, excellent academics, no core curriculum, clubs and activities, fun traditions. Hamilton has a pretty good music department if you are like I was, trying to find a challenging school with a music program that can sustain your talent while you major in something else.
Cons: Small town, Division III (so if you’re really into sports this might not be the best place), slightly isolated, liberal arts education (which for some people might not be the right path).
Food: Food is supplied by a company, Bon Appetit. It’s not gourmet but better than the food at some other colleges. We have two dining halls, Commons and McEwen. McEwen has more vegetarian and vegan options. We also have a cute ’50s-style diner, and two cafes which have amazing coffee and chocolate chip cookies.
Social Life: Because there isn’t a major city nearby, entertainment comes to us with concerts and activities every weekend. Student groups host movie nights, ballroom dancing, comedians, and plays.
Ease of getting involved: It’s very easy to get involved. I have written many articles for the college newspaper and joined several other clubs.
Nearby town: Though it’s tiny, Clinton is an adorable town with several cafes, shops, and attractions. It’s a fun place to walk around in the fall; the cider mill has unbelievable doughnuts!
Classes I’m taking: Literature and Ethics, Mechanical Universe (Physics), Conversations on Hispanic Cultures (Fourth-term Spanish), and Intro to Psychology. I get credit for clarinet lessons, chamber ensemble, and orchestra.
Class Selection: Extensive. So many intriguing classes, so little time!
NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY
(Boston, Mass.)
Student: Alyssa Castiglia
High School: Nardin Academy Undergrads: 15,339
My major: Music Industry, minor in Marketing
Class Size: Ranges from 4 students in American Sign Language to about 50 in Macroeconomics. These numbers are typical for my small major, not for others.
Why I chose this school: I chose Northeastern for its Music Industry program and its co-op education program (the student gets help in finding three six-month internships but takes five years to graduate. The program boasts an 85 percent job placement rate right out of college).
Class selection: A Music Industry major has to complete courses from the Northeastern core and courses required by the major itself.
Pros: The high job placement rate is reassuring. The campus is beautiful; a plethora of activities and clubs (more than 200). The faculty is comprised of authorities in their fields. My music industry teacher is a songwriter who won an Emmy.
Cons: Tuition is pretty high. The campus is spread out, which makes for a long trek come winter (many freshman dorms are on the opposite side of campus from class buildings).
Food: The food is pretty good with everything from Thai food to Italian food to vegetarian to all-day waffle-makers in two dining halls. The Student Center has fast food such as Starbucks, Wendy’s, Taco Bell and Pizza Hut. The best dining service is OutTakes, in which you use a meal plan to get food based on a point system. This way, you can use extra meals for food to bring back to the dorm, as late as 1 a. m.
Social Life: If you’re into the party scene, Boston is the city for that, being the college town that it is. There are nightly on-campus activities; fraternities/ sororities just hosted their annual Piketoberfest with bands Boys Like Girls and Buffalo’s own Cute Is What We Aim For. Famous speakers stop by; recently, we’ve had Jon Stewart and Jerry of Ben and Jerry’s fame (with free ice cream). Northeastern has a venue, after- HOURS with nightly ranging from karaoke to comedians to bands, including Ace Enders, Danger:Radio, and Girl Talk so far this semester.
Nearby town: Northeastern is in the heart of Boston. We have two subway stops and a train station on campus, allowing you to get anywhere quickly. My favorite part of Boston is the concert scene. Popular venues include the Middle East, The Roxy, TT the Bear’s Place (where Rise Against just played a secret CD release show), Harper’s Ferry, the ICC, and Great Scott.
Activities: Music & Entertainment Industry Student Association, Tastemakers music magazine, NU Deaf Club. I work at Northeastern’s WRBB Radio and plan to host my own radio show soon.
Courses I am Taking: Intro to Music at Northeastern, Music Industry 1, Music Theory for Music Industry 1, American Sign Language, and Macroeconomics
YALE UNIVERSITY
(New Haven, Conn.)
Student: Heeseung Kim High School: City Honors Major: Undecided Undergrads: 5,300
Students who would fit in well: Basically, if you’re interested in learning, you would fit in well at Yale.
Class size: 75 percent of courses enroll fewer than 20 students. My smaller classes have five, seven, and 18 students. My lecture class has more than 300.
Why I chose this school: Yale has amazing resources and I knew I would be able to get a great education here.
Pros: The professors are incredibly knowledgeable and there are amazing opportunities to do interesting things and see interesting people. Everyone is friendly.
Cons: There’s always so much to do, academically and socially, it’s easy to lose track of time and get behind on work.
Food: You can eat at Commons, any of the 12 residential colleges’ dining halls, or in any other Yale building that sells food. The residential colleges typically offer similar food, although some colleges are known to be better than others.
Social life: There are always events going on.
Nearby town: Yale is in the city of New Haven, Conn. New York City is just a two-hour (or less) train ride away.
Class selection: There are so many classes offered, it might be overwhelming at first. Luckily, there are lots of blue-booking parties (students get together and look through the offered classes), as well as a two-week shopping period, where students test out different classes until they settle on their final schedules.
Classes I’m taking: Psychology, Politics, and Biology of Food; Intermediate Korean for Advanced Learners; Tonal Harmony and Form; American Consumer Culture in the 20th Century
PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY
(State College, Pa.)
Student: Kelsey Bradbury High School:
Williamsville East Major: Advertising, Psychology
Minor: English(Creative Writing)
Undergrads: 43,272
Students who would fit in well: Because Penn State is such a large school, there is a niche for everyone. If you’re willing to get involved, you’ll be able to take advantage of great opportunities to grow inside and outside the classroom. There are hundreds of clubs and activities to choose from including service organizations, club sports, Greek organizations, political groups, and special interest organizations.
Class size: Lecture classes are fairly common, but smaller classes are easy to find, too. I’m taking four classes with fewer than 30 people and two lecture classes with more than 100.
Why I chose this school: I wanted to be at a big school with a wide variety of academic programs and activities. I’m not completely sure of my plans for the future, and at Penn State I have the ability to explore my interests. I also liked the distance — it’s a little more than four hours from Buffalo, so I can go home for a weekend if I want, but I’m far enough away from home to have new experiences.
Pros: I love the Penn State pride all around campus. The campus is large but is well laid-out and easy to navigate.
Cons: Because Penn State is such a large school, it takes initiative to get to know your professors and to get involved in activities. For the most part, no one is going to tell you what to do.
Food: There are dining commons in each dorm area, and varied food options (including an all-healthy option at Simmons Dining Hall, an Italian- theme option at RigaTony’s, a “fourth meal” late-night buffet at Redifer Commons and chain fast food options at the HUB).
Social life: Fall Saturdays focus on football. The school spirit is incredible! (Sports Illustrated said watching a game at Penn State is the No. 1 thing ANY college student should do before graduating.) Every freshman takes a one-credit First- Year Seminar. It’s a small class, so everyone gets to know each other well. It’s a great way to make friends right away. It’s easy to meet people in your dorm or by joining clubs.
Nearby town: The campus is 31 hour 1/3 from Philadelphia and three hours from Pittsburgh. College Avenue, right across from the campus, is the main street of “downtown state college” and features restaurants and shops.
Class selection: Each major has several required courses and the student is able to choose additional courses to fulfill remaining requirements. There is a general distribution requirement for all students.
Classes: First-Year Seminar Communications, Honors Freshman Composition, Effective Speech, Introduction to Poetry Writing, Introduction to Industrial-Organizational Psychology, Energy and
the Environment Activities: ComRadio Tuesday Newscast, Ad Club, Club Swimming, Springfield THON.
