The State University of New York (SUNY) has campuses all over the state; Albany is pretty typical in offering a basic, no-frills college experience. Don't let the word "basic" scare you, though, because SUNY Albany is not such a bad place to go to school.
But first, here's what I, a former student of this university, found sorely lacking:
1. An attractive campus: Students rant and rave about a large fountain in the middle of campus! That should give you an idea of what we convince ourselves to appreciate.
2. Small classes: There is a chance that you will run into a couple of small classes if you stay for four years, but most classes are either in giant "lecture centers" holding over 200 students, or in filled-to-capacity classrooms of 30-plus.
3. Bonding with professors: I found that there are more than a few teachers who really don't care about forming any type of relationship with their students, beyond reading their papers and entering their grades. (Of course, this also depends on the student and the professor.)
Now for the positive side: The number one thing I loved about attending SUNY Albany was its diversity. Not only does the mood encourage individuality, but the school is unusually tolerant of difference--sometimes even seeming to yearn for it. Every cause, every issue, has a group representing it. This could make for a segregation problem, but at Albany, there is a remarkable feeling of unity.
If you're looking for a school that's near New York City but not urban, then you might give Albany a try. It's relatively easy to do well there academically, and the social scene is always pumping. And don't forget--it is in the capital of New York, which is an educational experience of its own.
author: Stacey Black major: English campus activities: Writing from: New York, USA native language: English
