<p>^No…UB is obviously a major research university, with many opportunities for undergrads and a very large annual research budget. With so many schools and programs, there are many serious students at UB, including thousands of grad students and internationals and I’m sure the same is true at Stony Brook. It is not a commuter school in the way that SBU is, though there are certainly local students that don’t sleep on campus and a large number who live in off-campus housing, and the campus isn’t a “ghost town” on weekends as SB is often reported to be. At UB, there are many choices/events right on campus that are very well-attended by both residential students and locals. </p>
<p>As far as partying goes, my impression is that it mostly happens off campus, near South, and there apparently are many students that do not drink at all…though every school has opportunities to party if that’s what a student is looking for! I’ve been on campus many weekends and see students studying all over the place…libraries and study centers are very popular, as are the student centers, cafes, lawns, and even in the laundry room, which isn’t something you see at every school! But many of their programs are quite rigorous, so I’d say that there’s definitely a serious and success-oriented culture going on there. I agree with crazed, UB’s students do seem very happy overall and the same is true for the alums I’ve met.</p>
<p>I think you’ve got two excellent choices, so it’s up to you to decide which is a better fit for you and your family! I would recommend trying to attend one of the accepted student days at UB, if at all possible, and definitely get your deposits and housing selection done early…IIRC, they’re refundable until May but the housing on North campus fills up long before then. Also, check out the new sophomore dorm in Ellicott!</p>