U Mass? Binghamton? Albany? USC?

Jenn - You graduated that year? I had a bunch of friends graduate then too! (hence my knowledge of that quote)

We have to discuss - I bet we have mutual friends!!!!

I WAS going to say USC - but I thought that was the University of Southern California ...my almermater and the best school EVER!!

But since u meant of So. Cal - I would say UMass -- its supposed to be a great school!

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Posted by verdila

I graduated from SUNY Albany in the 90s. I had a great experience here. Lots of students from Long Island which is a good thing because after college you still have friends! It is also good when you are a freshman and need a ride home - lots of students going back to LI/NYC area.

The programs are pretty well-regarded, especially the business school (it is a separate school and you have to apply as a major after your freshman yr - you have to have a good GPA). If you dont get accepted then most people take business as a minor - anyone can. The other big programs are English, criminal justice and secondary Education. I was an English major/business minor. A lot of recruiters come here from NYC at graduation - big accounting firms and big financial services companies.

It isnt the prettiest campus but there is a nice fountain in the center of campus and a large library. It gets cold, but not as bad as Binghampton. The classes as a freshman especially, are pretty large in size. They are held in lecture centers and can number in the hundreds...so that can be a negative, but as you get into your degree, the class sizes get smaller and more personalized. My last 2 yrs, my English and business classes were 20-30 people.

There are lots of activities/organizations and lots of parties too. A LOT of off campus nightlife (which could be seen as a negative - though I had a blast at the bars!) and the greek organizations were big when I was there. Surrounding area - lots of malls, govt, restaurants. Its a college town. There are several other colleges in the area like St Rose and Sienna.

The downtown area where most students get housing off campus by the bars is kind of ghettoish. I recently went back and couldnt believe how run down it is, but I always felt safe because it was mostly college kids and welfare people. I think alot of college towns are like that.

I think college, like anything else is what you make of it. Good luck!

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I second everything above...

when did you graduate?

I was 1996...


the reason I chose Albany over Binghampton

- size - I really didn't know what I wanted to do and the fact that there were a lot of options was appealing

- location - being able to come home fairly easily, but not so easy that family bothers you

but also b/c I was first a poli sci major and being the state capital was a plus

- reputation - the specific colleges within the university are very well regarded...I ended up as school of ed (only 15 students were accepted in my program for my year- secondary social studies)...and both my NY teaching jobs - my resume was pulled b/c I went to Albany (I was told afterwards)

the nightlife was AWESOME!!! but you have to be the type of person that can handle it...I went out 4-6 nights a week and still did well...but many people I know - failed out b/c of this...

The surrounding area of Albany is not that great (I believe the city of Albany itself is not that nice but there are a lot of nice suburbs around it)

Binghamton is a small town. They have a small mall and some shops. (Its true, Binghampton is the top SUNY college.

UMASS Amherst has shops and restaurants.

another Binghamton alumna here.

i agree with what some people have said in that college anywhere is really what you make of it. while i didnt LOVE binghamton to pieces, it was, overall, a nice enough place to spend 4 years.

but really, if your brother is a city boy or just likes to do more than go to the mall, bars, and frat parties, he may want to check out the other schools! (they all have good reps so he cant really go wrong)

best advice is for him to visit each school and see the 'feeling' he gets when there.

good luck!

eta: while it IS nice to have friends from the same area (at SUNY schools) i REALLY wish there was more diversity amongst the students. something to think about ...

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Posted by yabbobay


I second everything above...

when did you graduate?

I was 1996...


the reason I chose Albany over Binghampton

- size - I really didn't know what I wanted to do and the fact that there were a lot of options was appealing

- location - being able to come home fairly easily, but not so easy that family bothers you

but also b/c I was first a poli sci major and being the state capital was a plus

- reputation - the specific colleges within the university are very well regarded...I ended up as school of ed (only 15 students were accepted in my program for my year- secondary social studies)...and both my NY teaching jobs - my resume was pulled b/c I went to Albany (I was told afterwards)

the nightlife was AWESOME!!! but you have to be the type of person that can handle it...I went out 4-6 nights a week and still did well...but many people I know - failed out b/c of this...

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Yabbo - I graduated in 1994 - I think we talked on here once about Albany. I was in AZD. Loved the bars -- I was in WT's at least 4 nights a week my senior yr and graduated with a 3.3!!

the city of Albany has some really nice parts and some bad parts too. There are some great festivals including Tulip Festival in the spring....

Anyone remember PARTY IN THE PARK? Do they still have that? That was great...it was a huge annual party in a park in Albany off campus in the springtime (mostly SUNY students), with a number of live bands and of course, alcohol and food vendors serving all day. Port o potties everywhere - they got nasty! I still have my glasses from them - they gave out those mugs, remember?