Review of State University of New York at New Paltz
from Wappingers Falls, NY
Do you feel you’re learning a lot?
This is my first semester at New Paltz and I do feel like I am learning a lot. It's a liberal arts college, so there is a great variety of choices of classes to suit you. My professors are all very intelligent and have great styles of teaching, so it's not just sitting in a lecture an hour every day. For my art class we actually take field trips to local museums. There is a lot of hand on work, not just listening to a lecture, which, in my opinion, makes for a better learning experience.
Do you enjoy the experience at your school?
I am enjoying New Paltz, for the most part. However, being a transfer student is a very unpleasant experience. First of all, there is no on campus housing if you transfer from another school. You have to find your own apartment or commute from home if you live close enough. Second, making my schedule at orientation was a nightmare. The majority of the classes had filled and there was no one on one advising. It was hard to know exactly what you needed to take, and even if you did know, the class probably was full. They were able to put me in some full classes, but they will not do that for certain courses, such as Psychology courses. Also, parking for commuters is much further than parking for residents and faculty/staff.
The people here are very friendly, and there is a 2:1 ratio of residents to commuters, so fitting in is not extremely hard. The professors and staff are also very helpful.
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
SUNY New Paltz was rated 36th out of 100 on Kiplinger's BEST VALUE schools. You will get everything you pay for. State schools will always be cheaper than private schools and they are definitely a good way to go, considering you still get a stellar education.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
My suggestion is that if you plan on being a transfer student, apply early and MAYBE you can get a dorm, if that is what you wish to do. Also, make sure you go into orientation knowing what you need to take for the most part.
As far as freshman go, I think you will have a very good time if you can live on or close to campus.
Which types of students will excel at your college?
New Paltz is great if you are not a transfer student. I have to drive 40 minutes every morning because they don't offer any campus housing for us. The commute also makes it much easier to miss class when things like blizzards come in to play. New Paltz seems to not care about it's transfer students.
This is my first semester at New Paltz and I do feel like I am learning a lot. It's a liberal arts college, so there is a great variety of choices of classes to suit you. My professors are all very intelligent and have great styles of teaching, so it's not just sitting in a lecture an hour every day. For my art class we actually take field trips to local museums. There is a lot of hand on work, not just listening to a lecture, which, in my opinion, makes for a better learning experience.
I am enjoying New Paltz, for the most part. However, being a transfer student is a very unpleasant experience. First of all, there is no on campus housing if you transfer from another school. You have to find your own apartment or commute from home if you live close enough. Second, making my schedule at orientation was a nightmare. The majority of the classes had filled and there was no one on one advising. It was hard to know exactly what you needed to take, and even if you did know, the class probably was full. They were able to put me in some full classes, but they will not do that for certain courses, such as Psychology courses. Also, parking for commuters is much further than parking for residents and faculty/staff. The people here are very friendly, and there is a 2:1 ratio of residents to commuters, so fitting in is not extremely hard. The professors and staff are also very helpful.
SUNY New Paltz was rated 36th out of 100 on Kiplinger's BEST VALUE schools. You will get everything you pay for. State schools will always be cheaper than private schools and they are definitely a good way to go, considering you still get a stellar education.
My suggestion is that if you plan on being a transfer student, apply early and MAYBE you can get a dorm, if that is what you wish to do. Also, make sure you go into orientation knowing what you need to take for the most part. As far as freshman go, I think you will have a very good time if you can live on or close to campus.
New Paltz is great if you are not a transfer student. I have to drive 40 minutes every morning because they don't offer any campus housing for us. The commute also makes it much easier to miss class when things like blizzards come in to play. New Paltz seems to not care about it's transfer students.