The City University of New York Queens College

Date: Dec 31 1969
Major: History/Histories (art history/etc.) (This Major's Salary over time)
Speaking as a graduate student I can say with all honesty that Queens College, as far as the history department is concerned, is outstanding. The professors here for the most part are truely experts within their fields, many of whom are published and well respected in their fields of scholarship. Research facilities are excellent, the library is well stocked with periodicals and books and inter-library loan is available and the library staff are very helpful.

From speaking to students in other departments both grad and under grad, I can say that other departments especially Urban Studies, Sociology, English, Accounting, and Psychology and Education are very strong.

The campus is safe and enclosed and fairly nice. There is a great deal of renovating and construction going on throughout the campus. A new wing is being added to one of the science buildings which will provide more labs and classroom space, the Student Union and dining halls got a face lift, the main classroom building has been completely modernized from the inside out and now a dorm is being planned.

On the down side there are a lot of students. This is not nesicarrily a bad thing but unfortunately it means very large undergradute class sizes averageing 40 to 50 students per class. That can be a drawback for those who learn better in small classes but some classes are smaller, especially honors and higher level courses. However, the professors are good and many will try to meet with students one on one. Graduate courses however, don't exceed 25.

Another negative can be parking. Don't even think of parking off campus, buy a a parking decal it will save you money in the long term and make parking more convenient. You'll save some cash if you pay for the whole year but its worth it. If you're an evening student (going to class after 2pm) there is always plenty of parking. Still while you pay some for parking, this is a state/city funded school so you save a great deal of money in terms of tuition which, is more than reasonable.

The students I have met here for the most part are intelligent, hard working, courteous and take their academic work seriously. Parties and alchohol are not present, but their are plenty of clubs and organizations to join. Its not that students are not sociable, its simply that give their education and academic pursuits priority. If your looking for frat parties and drinks go elsewhere.