SUNY at Purchase College Top Questions

Don't always look at tuition cost for picking schools, becuase in many cases they'll give you enough financial aid.

I would recommend that the student look for an environment that can really work as a catalyst to what they are studying. For instance, in the case of Purchase, if you are studying art attend a school that has an artistic environment. Usually, schools tend to focus on specific subject areas that the majority of the student body are involved in. Therefore, if so-and-so school is known for their athletics it's most likely that the school environment would be athlete geared/business will have a business feel, etc. By looking at the "main major" at the campus or biggest draw it will say a lot about what type of students attend it . Good Luck!

Don't question your passion. Do what other people tell you your good at and enjoy.

When entering my college experience, I had no idea what to expect, and that turned out to be the most advantagious standpoint I could have gone in with. My advice to upcoming students and parents is to visit many schools and try to find the place you feel most comfortable. However, don't expect more than what you put in to come out of the years you spend at your perspective school, because the college experience is truely what you put into it. No matter where you end up, get out and participate, be it in extra-curricular activities (plays, sports, or clubs) or student government, or what ever you're into; just make sure you are active. College is more than classes and grades, it is the networking, the people you meet, the things you learn outside of the classroom that really help you grow into the college graduate you will be.

Don't be afraid to change your mind. College is a learning experience, and it's okay to switch majors, or even schools. Enjoy yourself.

After having visited over a dozen schools around the Northeast and applying (and getting accepted) to over a half-dozen around the country, I learned the hard way that if you don't know what you want to do for a career, you should at least be in an environment that can shape you positively as an ADULT. In a bizarre way, Purchase offered that to me. There are few if any 'elite' students here - everyone is trying to get by, but doesn't necessarily want a desk job. The place is burning with creativity but not everyone has a plan. It's a great place to learn a lot outside the classroom and make your own life beyond college. If you want a college that will guarantee a job at the end of your four years, look for one - but if you want to grow as a person and take a more individualistic path, find a school that has good resources and community over academic competition and rigid cirriculae.

Make sure you pick your college based on the right reasons. Do not allow your parents, teachers or peers to influence your decision. This will ensure the best fit for you. Make sure you visit potential college campuses while school is in session so you get a feel for the atmosphere and student life. Otherwise, you'll have no idea what to expect when starting school there!

It is a long, confusing, and complicated process that needs a lot of time and consideration to make the right decision. It's a lot of pressure to ask that most students know who they are and what they want to be at the onset of our young adulthood and the best thing society and acadamia can do for its youth is to provide rich, plentiful and diverse learning environments forthose who may otherwise be sheltered (due to economic restrictions and/or geographic misfortune) and depraved of such experiences. It is important both student and parent understand the ins and outs of the heavy financial burdens they are imposing upon themselves and they should be able to feel confident that the amount they are investing into their post secondary education (time, money, relations sacrifices, etc) will pay itself off in the form of prosperous relationships and networks they form with their piers and faculty at their chosen school.

The best advice I could give would to be to look around and explore all your options. Visit a campus and wander around, talk to students on line in the cafeterias. They will be more than willing to talk about their school weather they love it or hate it. And do not feel limited to one school; if you are not comfortable in one place feel free to change. Go where your heart takes you.

I feel it is very important to visit the college of your interest. Make sure you ask every question you have to both the current students and faculty. Students, with the help of their parents should decided on the following factors before making any decisions: how big you want the school, how far you want the school, the programs and majors offered for your interest, and anything else that you strongly believe, whether it is your religious views or eco-friendly environments, find out if the school of your interest offers them. Also, make sure when you are visiting the school, you go during the day, preferably on a warm, nice day.