I recently got off the waitlist at umass amherst for public health and am deciding between that out of state and ualbany (dual major public health and public policy) in state. I’ve lived in the ualbany area my whole life and kinda wanna get out, but both schools have factors worth considering
My main thing is that the social life/campus/student body seems to be better at umass, but although it lacks the fun stuff ualbany has better academics for my major and connections- Plus I already have an internship here with the state senate. I’m not sure which aspect is more important to consider in this decision.
Is UMass as affordable as UAlbany? We are somewhat local to UAlbany, and D20 went for a tour because we made her check out a big state school. She wanted out, too.
If both schools are affordable, pick whichever feels right. There are great internships here and since you are interested in public policy, that would be a good fit. That being said, the Amherst area is terrific. Can you still do the NY internships if you go there?
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Why would you trade an in state tuition with a government internship at the state Capitol for an out of state tuition at a school 100 miles away from its state Capitol when you want to major in public policy. As for the public health part of it, the UMass Med School isn’t even in Amherst.
Even though you’ve grown up in the Albany area, college at SUNY Albany will feel like a whole different world. Your life will be focused on campus for the next 4 years regardless of how far from home you go, not very much on things off campus anywhere.
You can always take a summer, a semester, or a year somewhere else if you want to get away. With the money you’ll save for the next 4 years, you’ll be able to pay for a master’s in your field at a college out of the area.
Staying at U Albany seems to make the most sense.
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Albany wanted you. You say it’s superior. UMASS didn’t want you and came back only because others didn’t want them.
You save money in a field that doesn’t pay. You yourself said SUNY is better and you have a job lined up.
You will find friends at any school.
So what am i missing? This doesn’t seem to be a dilemma.
btw - Bill Marsh LOVES the Amherst area and it’s many colleges. I read all of his writings. If he’s telling you SUNY, then it’s a no brainer!!!
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Did they give you money at UMass that brings it close to what you’d pay at Albany? If they didn’t, then it’s not worth it for you to go to UMass.
If money is no object, UMass Amherst is a really nice campus. It’s pretty, it’s big, it’s lively, the 5-college consortium lets you take classes at the other schools (and Amherst College is really close by, along with Amherst village’s cute little town center), the dining service’s food is fantastic, the dorms are mostly very nice.
However, how can any of this compare with being in NY State’s state capitol, where public health policy is made, and you’ve already got an internship? I think that the better opportunity for your future in public health is Albany. Sorry. And I LOVE UMass. My kid just was graduated from there. And yet, for you, it seems Albany is the right choice.
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