State University of New York at New Paltz
New Paltz, NY, USA

Reviews

State University of New York at New Paltz

Brianna from Wappingers Falls, NY

a current student here
5 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
This is my first semester at New Paltz and I do feel like I am learning a lot. It's a liberal arts college, so there is a great variety of choices of classes to suit you. My professors are all very intelligent and have great styles of teaching, so it's not just sitting in a lecture an hour every day. For my art class we actually take field trips to local museums. There is a lot of hand on work, not just listening to a lecture, which, in my opinion, makes for a better learning experience.
Am enjoying being here
I am enjoying New Paltz, for the most part. However, being a transfer student is a very unpleasant experience. First of all, there is no on campus housing if you transfer from another school. You have to find your own apartment or commute from home if you live close enough. Second, making my schedule at orientation was a nightmare. The majority of the classes had filled and there was no one on one advising. It was hard to know exactly what you needed to take, and even if you did know, the class probably was full. They were able to put me in some full classes, but they will not do that for certain courses, such as Psychology courses. Also, parking for commuters is much further than parking for residents and faculty/staff.

The people here are very friendly, and there is a 2:1 ratio of residents to commuters, so fitting in is not extremely hard. The professors and staff are also very helpful.
Bang for the buck
SUNY New Paltz was rated 36th out of 100 on Kiplinger's BEST VALUE schools. You will get everything you pay for. State schools will always be cheaper than private schools and they are definitely a good way to go, considering you still get a stellar education.
Tips for prospective students
My suggestion is that if you plan on being a transfer student, apply early and MAYBE you can get a dorm, if that is what you wish to do. Also, make sure you go into orientation knowing what you need to take for the most part.

As far as freshman go, I think you will have a very good time if you can live on or close to campus.
Great for these types of students
New Paltz is great if you are not a transfer student. I have to drive 40 minutes every morning because they don't offer any campus housing for us. The commute also makes it much easier to miss class when things like blizzards come in to play. New Paltz seems to not care about it's transfer students.

Lilly - Alexander, NY

a current student here
2 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Campus Safety
Since New Paltz is a small town, I’ve always felt pretty safe. The university police are always around and there is a blue light in sight pretty much anywhere you stand on campus. New Paltz attracts the kind of people who are passionate about their future so I’ve never felt uncomfortable with anyone there.
Great for these types of students
New Paltz is the most accepting community I have ever been a part of. People of all ethnicities/backgrounds/orientations are here in abundance. Students are comfortable enough to express their true selves without fear or judgement from other students and professors.

Emmitt from Bronx, NY

a current student here
2 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
SUNY New Paltz is the perfect environment for those who love the idea of being away from home, but close enough to give your family a visit. It is such a beautiful campus with astonishing views every time the season changes. Almost everyone you meet here is very generous and would go out of their way to help you out with whatever you need.
Tips for prospective students
Come to SUNY New Paltz with an open mind, just like I did. It is amazing how many great people you meet in such a short amount of time. If you think that you will come here and not make any friends or whatever, then you are wrong. Within the first weeks of classes, you already have a friend or two that you click with. Remember to have fun, but work harder. You will see how great of a campus New Paltz really is. You'll also fall in love with the town of New Paltz; so many great Dine-Ins and spots for delicious food. Everything goes hand in hand up here in New Paltz; it would be impossible not to find something that peaks your interest within a week of being here.
Academic Rigor
Classes here at SUNY New Paltz make you think outside the box. They have a wide variety of possible majors, so you can really do whatever you desire here. The first year or two should be a bit challenging, but not too challenging because General Education (GE) courses, take up most of the workload. It depends on student to student ot be honest. Some come in being a business major already and some come in with no clue what they want to do with their future career. That is th beauty of the academic life here at New Paltz. I guarantee that some kind of life changing event will happen to students here that will determine what they want to do with their life. Professors have a huge role in this; there are a lot of down to earth professors who are incredibly smart and are very inspirational. You will be guided through your decisions and hopefully become the best individual that you could possibly be.
Dorm Life
Dorm life at SUNY New Paltz is great! This is where you and your friends really bond. After all work is done and what not, it really is a peaceful environment to relax and have fun. People come by and visit you and relax with you. You can play a video game system with your roommate or a group of friends. Dorm life here is specifically great because that is where you create special bonds with the people you will consider friends for the future to come. I live in a 8 person suite now; my suite mates and I pass our time laughing and playing video games in the common area. If you are not use to living by yourself, you will soon feel extremely comfortable in your dorm and it is going to feel like you never left home.
Food and Dining
The food here at New Paltz is actually pretty great compared to other campuses. Besides the Hasbrouck Dining Hall, which is the main dining hall where students eat, there are other places on campus that serve delicious food. The Student Union Building (SUB) serves a lot of great food; it varies from fresh pizza, to sub sandwiches, sushi, indian food, starbucks, and so on. It is a great place eat and relax with friends. SUNY New Paltz also has a fantastic sandwich place called Ridgeview. You go and order your deli sandwich and it taste so good, you'll go back more than once trust me. The food is just not limited to on campus dining. The town is literally less than five minutes walking. In town there are a numerous amount of restaurants that serve extremely delicious food. You could choose from wings, chinese food, thai food, japanese food, indian food and the list goes on. If you are into fast food there is Burger King and McDonalds close by. There's also a 24 hour diner which serves the best food I've ever tasted. The food here at SUNY New Paltz and the town of New Paltz is very diverse and delicious.
What to do for fun
Here at SUNY New Paltz, fun is what you make it. You can join one of the hundreds of clubs here on campus. You can also go to the gym and work out or play basketball, ping pong, racquetball, e.t.c. There are intramural teams that you can join. There are always events happening on campus as well. The possibilities are endless. Just for fun, you can also go outside during the night and view the thousands of stars that illuminate the night time here at New Paltz. It is such an amazing sight. For students who are 21 and older, there are pubs in town and the night life here at New Paltz is amazing. You will definitely have a lot of stories to reminisce and laugh about.
Bang for the buck
You most definitely get your bang for the buck. Tuition here is no where near as high as other SUNY's or private schools. Class sizes are relatively small. You get to know your classmates and the professors really well, which will help you in the long run.
Greek Life
Greek life is prominent here on campus. They do a lot of community service and do other great things here on campus.
Campus Safety
Campus safety is great! You will feel so protected here at New Paltz. To be completely honest, nothing wrong ever goes wrong here on campus. The police, if anything goes wrong, responds within the first minutes of a call. People are also the nicest here on campus. Your safety is 100% guaranteed here on campus. Being completely safe also helps maximizes your fun on campus too. You don't have to worry about any potential danger.

Marae from Bronx, NY

a current student here
2 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
I have learned a lot from this school. In high school I did not study much and got good grades. In college I have had to change my routine. Now I have to study.
Am enjoying being here
I do enjoy being in New Paltz. The people are very kind. The town is quiet and peaceful. Its much different from what I am use to, being from the city.
Bang for the buck
SUNY New Paltz is a state university. So it is more afforable than private universities. New Paltz has many organizations and programs that help students, especially first year students, manage with college life.
Tips for prospective students
Study hard, have fun once in a while, and be open to new opportunities and people.
Great for these types of students
Artsy, social, liberal, and hardworking

kayla from bronx, ny

accepted here and planning to attend soon
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
wonderful school! there curriculum for first time students gives students a jump start to what awaits them for the next four years. the campus is very serene and beautiful as well. the dorms are neat, proper, and the overall life at new paltz is awesome.
Tips for prospective students
have fun your first year. yes there are core classes that you must take but space them out, try new classes, and enjoy the various activities that they offer!
Academic Rigor
new paltz begins with classes that provide students with essential tools they need in order to go an have a successful career. from writing skills to professional development , new paltz offers a variety of classes in core categories such as humanities and natural science courses.
Dorm Life
dorms come in doubles or triples. although some dorms do not provide ac for students, that would not be the least of your worries. dorms are very spacious and roommates could be chosen or selected randomly.
Food and Dining
the food overall is not bad. they offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner around around campus. there are various dinning halls you could choose from on campus.
What to do for fun
there are a ton of activities to do on campus. if you are into sports, there are a ton of sports to try at new paltz at the athletic center.if you are just looking for any activity to do around campus, there are always events happening at the student activities center.

Luis from Newburgh, NY

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
SUNY New Paltz has a very friendly learning community environment. Learning is centered around students and their needs. The academic programs reflect the realities of the workplace while encouraging critical thinking and professional mastery.
Tips for prospective students
Be ready for a stress reduced environment where all opinions count.
Enjoy the scenery and the warmth of small town life day and night.
Do not limit your diet to the student cafeteria, explore beyond!
Academic Rigor
Courses are rigorous while flexible, focusing on accomplishment of goals rather than timely compliance.
Dorm Life
There is enough to do in the institution to keep you busy. Dorms are clean and safe and there are friendly peers and staff available to help all the time.
Food and Dining
Institutional cafeterias have a wide variety of offerings all the time. Outside in the town there are enough specialty food establishments to keep anyone happy.
What to do for fun
The town has many activities day and night within walking distance from the campus. Night life is full of offers for different preferences. Mostly a liberal crowd but even conservatives have their spaces.
Bang for the buck
Chosen by rating institutions as top college for value. New Paltz is a wise decision. Town life is relatively inexpensive compared to other places in NY.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
The Center Pond is a fantastic place to relax. The Main Building is wonderful, playing pool with other students before doing homework is always fun.
Great for these types of students
Energetic, peaceful, liberal, open minded, inquisitive, small town oriented.
Clubs and Activities
Plenty of activities and clubs to join, especially for those interested in alternatives to academics. Sport teams bring in crowds all the time.
Greek Life
Traditional setup, just like most colleges.
Campus Safety
Very safe place. Friendly University Police.

Kellie from Cutchogue, NY

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
A relaxed and comfortable atmosphere but the parties are there if you want them. There are challenging courses with great professors, but also easy-get-by ones, SCHEDULE ACCORDINGLY!! A green, pretty campus that is not too big but not too small.
Tips for prospective students
Check to hear feedback on professors before you register, if you can. Take advantage of all the welcoming clubs and enjoy the weather when you can.
Academic Rigor
You will find people in your classes who can't keep up with the work and you will find classes that are a breeze.
Food and Dining
Fresh vegetables and fruits from local farms!
What to do for fun
Go up to the mountains and preserves, various clubs and activities, plenty of live music in town and shows on campus
Greek Life
It's there if you want it, but not a big part
Campus Safety
You always feel safe and comfortable walking at night on campus

Shannon from Baldwin, NY

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
I love the professors I have gotten, I believe that I have learned a lot in my first semester here.
Am enjoying being here
The town is great (during the day, at night if you aren't 21 the bars aren't where you're going to go). The people here are nice, its a liberal art school.
Bang for the buck
I took a lot of college courses while in high school and new paltz took all of them, so that is saving me a lot. It is a SUNY so its priced about the same as the rest of them I do believe. College is still expensive no matter where you go so if you're going to go SUNY check out New Paltz!
Tips for prospective students
Come visit us! There are great tours, and if you apply and get accepted there is an accepted students tour in April (which I attended last year and where I fell in love with the school).
Great for these types of students
Anybody, I have met all types of people here. Anyone you can or cannot categorize is here.