Any hints as to why NO NY? Not being nosy. But if it’s politics, climate, social scene (perceived or real), economics, health care, religion etc. it would help to have a sense before we all send you somewhere with those issues and MORE.
There are tons of reasons…in no particular order:
The weather- it is gray, cold and miserable for the bulk of December through March. We didn’t see the sun for 13 straight days, like not even a glimpse, and that is not even the record!
The politics- I live in an area that is generally in the middle- there are some far left and far right, but overall my area is a mix and mostly middle ground. However, the state as a whole is way too left with everything.
The taxes are crazy expensive.
Social scene is fine, but I would prefer to be able to do more outdoor activities year round that really aren’t conducive to the weather here.
The SUNYs tend to be a lot of Long Island, Westchester Co, and Capital Region which is fine, but I want to be with people from different areas of the country.
Also, my parents, and grandparents are moving south within the next 5 years, and my sister already lives in Myrtle Beach.
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There’s three other NC Promise schools (besides WCU - so all will be the same tuition) - not to say they’d fit you - but they are
Elizabeth City State
Fayetteville State
UNC Pembroke
One, two or three may be HBCUs…WCU is not.
But if you wanted others…in the price range to look at.
You never know if you like any…til you can get there.
But congrats on the application…hopefully it does fit you well. I know a couple folks from Charlotte who sent their kids and they all enjoyed it.
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Ask your sister how much income tax she’s paying 
It’s a lot.
But I’m guessing at 17, you’re not paying much.
I get it - NY is an expensive state.
Honestly, I know it’s not what you want to hear but the smartest decision financially wise would be to stay in state. Becoming any type of psychologist requires graduate schooling which, as you probably know, racks up a ton of debt. Keeping your undergrad costs down could save you in the long run. I know that you said that you hate NY and I understand that, but I think it would be wise to consider the merits of just hanging in there for 4 more years until you get your bachelor’s degree (who knows? you could graduate sooner if you have AP or DE credits!).
I, personally, am in a similar situation in which I detest the current state I reside in (Florida) however I’ve made the decision to just get my schooling done here ASAP so that I can move as soon as I graduate without being too much in debt. At the end of the day, you need to do what will make you happy and what will satisfy you, but I just wanted to leave my two cents on the subject.
Best of luck on your schooling journey wherever it ends up taking you! You’ll make an incredible forensic psychologist someday!
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Too bad we can’t switch spots lol I don’t know if you want to be in NY but I would take Florida any day lol
I am hoping to get accepted to Western Carolina…I can attend there and be debt free!
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Hahaha yes the ol’ switcheroo would work well here, wouldn’t it? I really hope you get into WCU. I’ve heard it’s a fantastic school and plus the benefit of graduating debt-free? That’s a game-changer for sure! Best of luck on your admissions journey!
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Thank you!! Same to you! We’ll end up where we are supposed to be!
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I know that you want to go OOS, but I sure hope that you’ve made the option of living at home and commuting to SUNY Albany. Tuition is under 10K/yr.
Your goal of becoming a forensic psychologist will require a graduate degree. SUNY Albany will have the psych undergrad major that you’d need to apply and get in. They’re still taking applications.
So yes, reach for the sunnier South, but please make that extremely affordable option for yourself as a financial safety.
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I appreciate what you are saying, but SUNY Albany is a hard no for me. If I had too, I would do Siena and stay home over Albany.
Siena is a fine choice. Not nearly as many research opportunities as one of the SUNY universities, but I’m sure you’ll make it work if it comes to that.
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I just got an increase to my merit award from Baylor…an additional $16,000 making the total award $40,000.
Also, an acceptance to UNC Pembroke 
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Also, got invited to the Presidential Fellows Program at Stetson. The invite stated there is opportunities for full tuition scholarships. I’m still researching how/who/when people are notified if they’re chosen.
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ahhh - you’re hitting all the NC Promise schools - W Carolina, UNC Pembroke - there’s also two more. Interestingly, there are HBCUs - and I didn’t know this but there are similar for American Indian and UNC Pembroke is one such school.
Did you apply Southern MS after all? Louisiana Lafayette?
Congrats on Baylor - so that brings you to about $30K? Is the religious aspect ok to you? Does $30K get…within range?
I know others aren’t - but I"m personally a Stetson fan…I think it’s a fine school.
Sounds like options are popping up for you.
Big congrats.
I looked at Fayetteville and that one is a HBCU. Pembroke has a high percentage of Native American students, and does a lot with the community.
I’m hoping for an acceptance to Western Carolina, because I feel like that would be a really good fit for me.
Baylor is back in the running, and obviously if I get a full tuition scholarship from Stetson they would be in the mix as well!
I did applied to Southern Miss as well!
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As others have said, Stetson is not as academically competitive. IMO unless the finances are the driving factor, I would move that down the list.
As for grad school, keep in mind that Clinical Psych programs are very competitive, and many now want applicants to have had some experience after undergrad before they will be accepted into grad programs. Yes there is grant funding, but funding is tight and it is harder to get than it used to be, so students are not guaranteed that. On the plus side, if you go to FL Tech, you will have had an opportunity to get to know faculty and hopefully be involved in research at the undergrad level, so might have a leg up as a known entity for the grad applications and for the opportunity to work in a faculty member’s lab/hopefully access funding at the grad level. Good luck!
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Anecdotal from 2021 so take this with a grain of salt… Furman released more merit in April and even early May. Both my D and her classmate were offered an additional $10k (on top of the highest OOS merit awards). I’ve heard of other schools doing this as well for high stat students as May 1 approaches. Certainly don’t count on this happening this year, but I wanted to point it out as a possibility. I hope you will have multiple affordable options. Best wishes.
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@DramaMama2021 I just found this thread I started last year after reading a few do exactly this.
Interestingly, Baylor is on the list but OP already got more…
If housing isn’t impacted, sometimes it pays to wait til closer to the decision date. Perhaps school’s not yielding to expectation sweeten the deal…
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Did you end up not applying to UF?
And you (OP) could ask for professional judgment.
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