Purchase is a very diverse and open minded college. Highly excepting of different ethnicities, religious beliefs, and a gender/sexuality preferences. If you were considered the weird/artsy/activist/burnout/nerdy or any other label in high school, well this is most likely a great school choice.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
The classes are fun but VERY challenging. This is a hard school to get into for incoming high school graduates so I suggest going to a two year school and then transferring in. If you transfer you have a much higher chance of getting in. Make sure you try different classes to test out what you may want to do. The school is full of people who double major and minor in so many things. That is because there are so many majors and minors to choose from as well as a HUGE variety of classes to take.
Do you find there’s enough academic rigor at your school?
The classes are great, the professors really try to teach you everything you could possibly learn in one semester. Challenging classes that take you to a whole other level. If you start out a novice in the subject of the class you are taking, you will be a pro by the time finals come. Great learning but you have to try, if you think just because it's an art school that the classes will be easy, you better think again. The professor expect the most from their students and students expect to get the most out of their class experience.
Describe the dorm life at your college.
Dorms are dorms. Most people would prefer to live in the apartments (the Olde, the New, and Alumni Village) because those are where the parties and social gatherings happen. If you get stuck in the New (also known as the Commons), you will have quite a walk to the main campus since it is the furthest out of all the forming facilities. But in return you get to have the most up to date apartments on campus. Dorm at purchase is like a roller coaster, at times it is very relaxing and others it is very hectic. Overall though it is a great experience to life on campus and I would suggest trying it out for at least the first two semesters.
Describe the food and dining at your college.
Purchase is known for being one of the most vegetarian/vegan friendly campuses in the country. There is a wide variety of healthy foods to choose from as well as good old junk food. The Starbucks on campus is great and usually very crowded, hey New Yorkers need their Starbucks. The Starbucks is also known for having the most variety of sandwiches in the country. Terra Ve is the campus's all vegetarian dining hall. There is also the Hub, which is open the latest out of all dining facilities on campus so it's great for late night cravings. The Hub is a mix of a mini mart and a food court. You can get chips and dip, candy and all that good stuff as well as grab yourself a hot meal.
What’s there to do for fun at your college?
There is ALWAYS some kind of activity being held on campus. You can always find something to do and if you don't know where to find it there are always other students who probably know of something going on. Since the school happens to be located in the middle of the woods, I feel the students and faculty on campus try to make the most of it by doing as much around the grounds. Students can get a full listing of daily events on the Purchase website which includes what time and where.
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
Great cost for a school that offers so much. Most art schools are very expensive, but Purchase is a super affordable school where students can get the most from their money spent. In state tuition plus housing and meal plans tends to be around twenty grand a year, which is a bargain if you ask me.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Culture Fest has to be one of the most known traditions on campus. It is a festival of live music, carnival rides, parties on the lawn and so much more. It happens every year in Spring and even has it's own Wikipedia. Another great yearly event is Zombie Prom. This is a dance in which students and guests dress up like the undead and get to dance the night away covered in fake blood and guts, my personal favorite event.
Which types of students will excel at your college?
Artists, musicians, and all creative types. There are so many events for art viewings and workshops. As well as concerts going on in The Stood every week. Purchase is definitely an arts school but the other big part of this school is the Biology students. I would say about one third of the students in Purchase are bio majors.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
There are a ton of clubs! And they are so many varieties as well. You can join the Cheese club, yes it is what it sounds, they provide cheese tastings and you get to stand around chatting with others and eating awesome free food. There is a highly active feminist club and well as an LGBTQ club. Then there are more random and fun clubs such as the DDR club, the Anime club, and the LARPing club. Also there are great cultural club that host great events on campus such as dances and food events. Overall great campus for clubs and activities.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
I have not heard of much of a Greek life on campus. It's a very artsy school so that doesn't seem to be a big deal on campus.
How would you describe campus safety? Do you feel safe on campus?
The campus may seem dark and gloomy at times so many worry about safety when walking around at night. There are several stations on campus in which you press a button if you feel in danger or uncomfortable walking by yourself, and a campus police officer will come to that location in no time. Plus the police are very friendly and always willing to escort you if you feel unsafe.
Purchase is a very diverse and open minded college. Highly excepting of different ethnicities, religious beliefs, and a gender/sexuality preferences. If you were considered the weird/artsy/activist/burnout/nerdy or any other label in high school, well this is most likely a great school choice.
The classes are fun but VERY challenging. This is a hard school to get into for incoming high school graduates so I suggest going to a two year school and then transferring in. If you transfer you have a much higher chance of getting in. Make sure you try different classes to test out what you may want to do. The school is full of people who double major and minor in so many things. That is because there are so many majors and minors to choose from as well as a HUGE variety of classes to take.
The classes are great, the professors really try to teach you everything you could possibly learn in one semester. Challenging classes that take you to a whole other level. If you start out a novice in the subject of the class you are taking, you will be a pro by the time finals come. Great learning but you have to try, if you think just because it's an art school that the classes will be easy, you better think again. The professor expect the most from their students and students expect to get the most out of their class experience.
Dorms are dorms. Most people would prefer to live in the apartments (the Olde, the New, and Alumni Village) because those are where the parties and social gatherings happen. If you get stuck in the New (also known as the Commons), you will have quite a walk to the main campus since it is the furthest out of all the forming facilities. But in return you get to have the most up to date apartments on campus. Dorm at purchase is like a roller coaster, at times it is very relaxing and others it is very hectic. Overall though it is a great experience to life on campus and I would suggest trying it out for at least the first two semesters.
Purchase is known for being one of the most vegetarian/vegan friendly campuses in the country. There is a wide variety of healthy foods to choose from as well as good old junk food. The Starbucks on campus is great and usually very crowded, hey New Yorkers need their Starbucks. The Starbucks is also known for having the most variety of sandwiches in the country. Terra Ve is the campus's all vegetarian dining hall. There is also the Hub, which is open the latest out of all dining facilities on campus so it's great for late night cravings. The Hub is a mix of a mini mart and a food court. You can get chips and dip, candy and all that good stuff as well as grab yourself a hot meal.
There is ALWAYS some kind of activity being held on campus. You can always find something to do and if you don't know where to find it there are always other students who probably know of something going on. Since the school happens to be located in the middle of the woods, I feel the students and faculty on campus try to make the most of it by doing as much around the grounds. Students can get a full listing of daily events on the Purchase website which includes what time and where.
Great cost for a school that offers so much. Most art schools are very expensive, but Purchase is a super affordable school where students can get the most from their money spent. In state tuition plus housing and meal plans tends to be around twenty grand a year, which is a bargain if you ask me.
Culture Fest has to be one of the most known traditions on campus. It is a festival of live music, carnival rides, parties on the lawn and so much more. It happens every year in Spring and even has it's own Wikipedia. Another great yearly event is Zombie Prom. This is a dance in which students and guests dress up like the undead and get to dance the night away covered in fake blood and guts, my personal favorite event.
Artists, musicians, and all creative types. There are so many events for art viewings and workshops. As well as concerts going on in The Stood every week. Purchase is definitely an arts school but the other big part of this school is the Biology students. I would say about one third of the students in Purchase are bio majors.
There are a ton of clubs! And they are so many varieties as well. You can join the Cheese club, yes it is what it sounds, they provide cheese tastings and you get to stand around chatting with others and eating awesome free food. There is a highly active feminist club and well as an LGBTQ club. Then there are more random and fun clubs such as the DDR club, the Anime club, and the LARPing club. Also there are great cultural club that host great events on campus such as dances and food events. Overall great campus for clubs and activities.
I have not heard of much of a Greek life on campus. It's a very artsy school so that doesn't seem to be a big deal on campus.
The campus may seem dark and gloomy at times so many worry about safety when walking around at night. There are several stations on campus in which you press a button if you feel in danger or uncomfortable walking by yourself, and a campus police officer will come to that location in no time. Plus the police are very friendly and always willing to escort you if you feel unsafe.