The State University of New York Purchase College

I am currently a biology major here at Purchase, and am planning on transferring out next semester. I came to Purchase because I was under the assumption that here I would be able to pursue both science and art. I was wrong- since begging my freshman year this fall, I have been unable to register for any of the classes I wanted aside from those that fall within my major- and even then, I've been unable to get class times that would suit me.

The problem? I didn't take any AP classes in high school, so I came here with no college credits. I also did not join a sport last semester- which gives you priority registration. So far I have only been able to get into classes that I absolutely need for my degree, and random electives that no one else wanted to take and were the only things open when I registered.

What's worse is my advisor is only knowledgable in the science department and doesn't know how to help me secure a seat in any of the art classes I would like to take (and let's not forget that the majority of arts and science classes are held at the same time on the same days, so I'm unable to take most of them) and the other advisors who could help me are A. either always busy or B. late to scheduled appointments. So when it comes to art, I'm screwed. Which I could deal with, if it weren't for the fact that the biology program here is not wonderful. The classes are taught at such a high, fast paced level that I can't follow, because you basically have to read 20 pages of dense textbook paragraphs a night in order to keep up. The worst part is that I'm afraid I'm going to bust my ass for a degree that will be looked at as a joke because of the college I attained it from.

The campus itself is a bit misleading. The area around the Stood (student center) and admissions building is beautiful- a lot of large grassy areas, old trees, sculptures everywhere, and a cemetery which I loved- unfortunately you will almost never be in these areas because they are so far away from the residence halls and class buildings. The most beautiful parts are the ones the students never see. The freshman residences are filthy, and you will most likely end up without a personal bathroom as there are very few freshman suites with these. The hall bathrooms have two showers and two toilets for over 20 people, and ours has black mold and mushrooms growing out of the walls. There's a maid who cleans once a weekday but she does a horrible job. It's always too hot in the rooms, and there's bugs everywhere when it's warm. Something is always broken (my suite- which does NOT have a bathroom- has had a light break at least 5 times this year, and have stopped bothered trying to get it fixed). And there is ALWAYS construction going on.

However, if you're an upperclassman (which is why Purchase is mostly transfer students) you can live in better conditions- Fort Awesome or Outback, which are both air conditioned, and with some suites that have kitchens. And then there are the apartments. But you need to be either 21 or have 36 credits.

The food is awful. I avoid eating it, but when you don't have a kitchen it's very restricting. The vegetarian options are few and far between, and usually gross. Getting off campus is not difficult but White Plains is a confusing area and if you have no one to go with you can be a bit scary. You do have the ability to go into the city, that is true. About a 20 minute bus ride to the Metro North station, a 15$ round trip ticket, and if its the right time of day you can catch a 15 minute express train into Manhattan- otherwise it's 45 minutes- and you're left at Grand Central station. But the city is expensive so if you're broke, too bad.

I do have to disagree with many of the other reviews though- the people here, I think, are actually very friendly. I have social anxiety and I don't get along with my roommates, which is why I've found it hard to make friends, but I feel like you could approach just about anyone who doesn't look busy and start a conversation with them. The upperclassmen are friendly and helpful and so are the faculty- give or take a few bad seeds.

The problem is, unless you are going into the arts SPECIFICALLY, and not just looking to take a lot of high level art electives while majoring in something else, do not come to Purchase. There isn't a lot to do, there aren't a lot of resources for non-art majors. The food is inedible. The weather is bitter, the area is bleak. It's just not what I was expecting.