The State University of New York - New Paltz

Date: May 09 2003
Major: Psychology (This Major's Salary over time)
I wasn't sure where to go to school, so I fell in New Paltz. I'm happy with my social life here, but it's the same scenes over and over again. Academics depend on the type of student you are, a lot of people go for a "five year plan" unintentionally (including me), but some people work very hard and do well and end up with a lot of opportunities after undergrad. If you have a low work ethic, but want to buckle down, this might not be the place for you. I love the diversity on campus. There are so many different people with interesting things to say, and I get along well with most of them because they're so friendly and approachable. I'm not in a sorority or on a sports team, but I have friends on them, so they aren't exclusive for the most part. The crisis hotline (Oasis)staff is incredible so if you'd like to be a peer counselor, sign up for Crisis Intervention. There IS always construction on campus, and just when they finish one thing, they start something even bigger and uglier. Records and Registration screws up a lot. If you don't ask for help when you're having problems, no one is going to seek you out and set you straight. Food is horrible and they rob you blind if you live on campus, but there is some good food in town. Rent off campus is pretty high and it's hard to find housing (people wait outdoors for two nights for a Southside apartment now). It's still a party school, lots of weed and drinking. Town is definitely on the hippie side of things. Campus isn't pretty until spring (snow…snow…snow…ridiculously hot day…snow…snow…snow…flowers everywhere, suddenly), but the moutains are so close and they are gorgeous. Extracurriculars/Greek life/Sports aren't necessary to find your place here. If you know you can get your work done and still like to go out and have fun, you'll do fine.