ESF is a wonderful school. My husband has a BS and MS from there. He loved the interaction with students from Syracuse University as well and life on the SU campus (which is basically where ESF is). It can’t be beat, especially if you enjoy sports and lots of campus activity. ESF also has its Ranger school in the Adirondacks which is just one place they use as a biology field station. “Outside of the classroom” opportunities are numerous. If they don’t have what you need at ESF, you can usually get it at SU–with state tuition.