I have been accepted to three schools (really two, one was withdrawn) and I am torn between University at Buffalo and Scranton.
However, I’m leaning more towards UB because of the ABET accreditation, WiSE (Women in Science & Engineering) LLC, the idea of being in the Northeast (even though this is the same for Scranton), etc.
I’m waiting on two CUNY schools…still…Hunter & Baruch, applied to CS for both, not sure when they’re coming out!
Net price per year at each college, after applying scholarships and financial aid grants.
- UB: $34,767/year
- Scranton: $40,771/year
SAI: $126,597 (as calculated by my FAFSA)
Major/division admitted to at each college, if applicable to the college. Also, any special programs like honors programs or combined degree programs (e.g. BA/BS->MD).
- UB: SEAS (School of Engineering & Applies Sciences) Direct Admit
- Scranton: Neuroscience
If you applied to regular fall term start, specify if you were admitted to start at a different campus, in study abroad, in an online/distance or extension program, or other than in the fall term.
- UB & Scranton: normal on-campus fall start
Desired major and post graduation goals (including if pre-med, pre-law, etc.).
Engineering, may want to get a master’s degree afterward.
International or domestic student (and state of residency if domestic).
Domestic, New York.
Student preferences beyond the above (including weather, class sizes, campus culture, college demographics, fraternities/sororities, distance from home, etc.).
- weather is fine, just not overwhelmingly hot in summer.
- class sizes: small. I have a learning disability and I just genuinely think small class sizes have helped me as a student in HS, would like to continue that in college.
- demographics: relatively diverse or if a PWI, hopes to join clubs around my identity (eg: LGBTQ+, black/African student union, etc.)
- fraternities/sororities: I don’t intend on “rushing” – too much drama/drinking/partying.
- distance from home: northeast; UB is 90 mins away by plane, 7 by driving/Scranton is not worth the flight since it’s 2h30m by driving.
- disability services/mental health: should be solid and actually effective, as I plan to use both constantly.
- study abroad: PLEASE yes I want this so bad.
Preliminary assessment of each college based on the above.
Well, UB has a great ABET accredited program and I would pivot my major to be either Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering eventually. They have a good LLC, close to home/in my home state, and they’re using experiential learning. Plus, i’m visiting soon because it’s a viable option.
Not really considering Scranton, I signed up for Niche DA in the beginning of the college process in case I needed more options but ended up not really considering it. Too religious (not that I’m against religion, but that’s the vibe I get.), Scranton isn’t ABET accredited in either of the Engineering paths I want to follow, which kind of just makes it a no for me.
I mean, for either school, I’d have to dorm/live on campus…which I wasn’t really expecting…
Other things I like: robotics (they better have a robotics club!), potentially may join a club T&F/XC team as I did it for some time in HS, volunteering, piano, different languages (<3), etc.
Why did you apply to each college you are considering?
- UB: free SUNY application week, has a good engineering program, state flagship (also the reason why I didn’t think I was going to get in, so I’m shocked :D), they have a UB CSTEP (which is what I applied to at NYU and got rejected from
), and lastly they have a currently inactive VEX U team but if I attended I would want to make it active again =) - Scranton: didn’t really apply, but it was a match from Niche Direct Admissions.
Please help!
(Even though I seem to have a preference that leans towards UB and not Scranton!)
~ Liv
