Here are some tips for selecting schools, based on an analysis comparing each school to all others across dozens of factors:
Schools Concentrating On Secondary School Teachers
- Focus: For schools with a focus on this career area, look at Nassau Community College, Suffolk County Community College, School of Visual Arts, and Monroe Community College.
Fastest Response From Schools
- Request Info: For the fastest information for prospective students, look at the Spotlight schools on this page.
Student Body
- Part-Time: For schools emphasizing part-time studies, consider Long Island University-Riverhead, Mercy College, College of Staten Island, and Elmira College.
- Female: For schools particularly welcoming to female students, consider The College of New Rochelle, Long Island University Brentwood, Bank Street, and Daemen.
- Diverse: For a diverse student body, consider The College of New Rochelle, Wagner College, York College, and Long Island University Rockland.
- Adult Learners: For lots of adult learners, consider Long Island University-Riverhead, Long Island University Rockland, Long Island University Westchester, and Long Island University Brentwood.
School Setting
- Out of State: For geographic diversity, take note of Columbia, NYU, Colgate, and Pratt Institute-Main.
- Dorms: For a residential campus environment, take note of Colgate, Houghton College, Hartwick, and Saint Bonaventure University.
Excellence
- SAT: For students with high SAT scores, look at Columbia, Cornell, Colgate, and University of Rochester.
- % Accepted: For selective institutions, look at Columbia, Cornell, Hunter College, and Colgate.
- Class Size: For small class sizes, look at Yeshiva University, Colgate, Cornell, and Rochester Institute of Technology.
Student/Alumnus Reviews of Schools for This Career and State
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Binghamton University • Binghamton, NY
Studying Math (completion in 1997)
• 10/28/2011
"The school, professors and financial aid were all great. Help finding a job would have been nice."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | It is a good school with a strong reputation. It prepares for more than a bigger pay check. |
| Program Reputation | 7 | They have a very strong program in Topology. They also have a very good program in Abstract Algebra and Stats. |
| Program Quality | 7 | A very strong Math program. But like most Master's program in Math, nothing at all applies to teaching High School. |
| Instruction | 3 | I received a degree that increased my pay. But I gained no valuable knowledge to help teach at a high school. |
| How Difficult | 6 | It is a very high rated school. The profs are top notch. They supply TA positions. They expect good math students in return. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | There is a standard procedure for graduate-level Math. I don't believe there could be an exception. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | I never had a choice of two times for any course. Many courses may not be offered very year and no courses were offered in consecutive semesters. |
| Academic Facilities | 9 | There are no tutoring services for grad students but facilities were excellent. |
| Social Life | 5 | My social life there was poor. But I was not there for the social life. I made no attempt to even see what was available. |
| Placement Services | 2 | I received no help before I left. When I ran into a problem, I called them. I got just general ideas that anyone would already be doing. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | I receive a magazine from them regularly but that is all. |
BMCC • New York, NY
Studying Teacher & Literature (completion in 2005)
• 10/30/2011
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | no | |
| Program Reputation | 4 | |
| Program Quality | 3 | |
| Instruction | 3 | |
| How Difficult | 4 | |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | ||
| Schedule Flexibility | 4 | |
| Academic Facilities | 4 | |
| Social Life | 5 | |
| Placement Services | 4 | |
| Alumni Network | 4 |
Buffalo State College • Buffalo, NY
Studying Art Education (completion in 2001)
• 10/30/2011
"Overall, I think the school helped prepare me for the realities of teaching. The observation and hands on time made sure I knew what I was getting into prior to my student teaching experience."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I have already recommended Buffalo State. A few of our graduates have decided to go to college for education, and I have recommended the Buffalo State program. |
| Program Reputation | 10 | Buffalo State has one of the better art education programs in the country. They have a large and well-developed program. |
| Program Quality | 7 | I found certain classes to be more useful than others. Some courses offered information that I could apply right away to my own teaching, while others felt more like requirements for the degree that had no actual relevance. |
| Instruction | 7 | Instructor quality varied by class. Some professors were excellent, and modeled good teaching, while others did not practice what they preached. |
| How Difficult | 8 | Most of my classes where writing intensive, and required serious time and effort. A couple seemed inappropriately easy for a Master's level class. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | we were required to do observation hours in classrooms each semester. We also went to an elementary school for our methods class the semester before we student taught and presented a unit with the classes there. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 9 | I was able to take evening classes and summer classes in order to finish my degree. Some courses were only offered at specific times. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | The art education department had a computer lab for the program's majors only. The library had a ton of teaching resources. |
| Social Life | 2 | I didn't really participate in any school related activities. They had social events, I just didn't choose to be involved with them. |
| Placement Services | 7 | The career development center helped by providing reference letters and assisting with my resume. They didn't do a whole lot in terms of job postings and helping me actually find a job. |
| Alumni Network | 3 | There is a career development center that was able to help me when I first graduated with my Bachelor's degree However they offered nothing additional after completion of my Master's. |
Marist College • Poughkeepsie, NY
Studying Social Studies And Secondary Education Major (completion in 2009)
• 11/7/2011
"I had a great time, made a bunch of friends, and learned a lot, which allowed me to become the great teacher I am today. I loved the school and it was some of the best years of education that I have experienced."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | Yes, the school was very cost-effective and I learned a lot. It was a great time and the experiences I had there will stay with me for the rest of my life. |
| Program Reputation | 7 | Marist College is pretty small, so its reputation is not very big to begin with, but in terms of the program itself, it is one of the best education programs in New York. |
| Program Quality | 9 | I was very satisfied with the education program over at Marist. Me and my adviser discussed going abroad to Ireland to enhance my history and education learning. It was a great choice, because I learned a lot and experienced a unique culture. |
| Instruction | 10 | All of the education teachers provided me with a good amount of advice for when I would have my own classroom. They set me up with my first student-teaching experience and it helped me a great deal. I learned a lot and Marist gave me a good educational foundation. |
| How Difficult | 5 | The workload was not difficult. I was very studious and therefore found all my education classes very easy. For my history classes though, there was a ton of reading. I was able to get through it, though. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | The school incorporates both hands on and book learning into its curriculum. I was sent to a bunch of different schools to student teach and observe. Also, our classes provided us with a lot of book learning and typical in-class curriculum. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 9 | I took a winter course, a summer course and a study abroad session over spring break. The class flexibility is great and the college also offers a good amount of night classes if that fits better into the student's schedule. |
| Academic Facilities | 7 | My school had a huge library and a bunch of computer labs. It was very helpful when completing all of my courses. My adviser (history and education) were both very helpful and worked together to ensure I completed my classes on time. |
| Social Life | 8 | The Marist Red Foxes were not the greatest sports teams, but it was still fun going to the games. I had a great time and made a lot of friends. The parties were great and I have a lot of respect for the school. |
| Placement Services | 9 | I am proof that the school has a great job placement service. I was able to get a career at my school just a year after graduating. Most students that were also in my program got jobs as well. The career services was a big help in directing me where to begin my student teaching. |
| Alumni Network | 10 | This school had a great alumni system. The academic service office has a list of Marist alumni that you can call to talk to about your major. These alumni will help you with searching for jobs, as well as advice for what to do when you do find a job. |
Marist College • Poughkeepsie, NY
Studying History And Secondary Education (completion in 2009)
• 10/27/2011
"I believe it was a great experience which shaped my future. I learned a lot, made a ton of friends and grew as a person academically and socially."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I would recommend since it's a great place to pursue your educational career. It is cost effective, it is beautiful and you will learn a lot. |
| Program Reputation | 8 | Marist's education program is one of the best things the school has going for it. The program continues to get better and get more recognition. |
| Program Quality | 9 | The school was great for my major mainly because there are so many nice schools in the surrounding area for me to student teach at. I was able to gain a lot of necessary experience. |
| Instruction | 7 | The education teachers were not very strict and therefore did not teach very much, however the history teachers were very knowledgeable and took the time to make sure we future educators had the information. |
| How Difficult | 5 | The courses I took were not very difficult at all. I enjoyed all of my classes but this could be because I was very passionate about the area of study I had undertaken. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Book learning was a major part of the curriculum at Marist. Every class utilized book learning of some sort in the classroom. There was however a slight hands on experience. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | Extremely flexible - we were able to choose our classes, teachers and times every semester and it was great. There were a lot of options for us to choose from too. |
| Academic Facilities | 9 | The library was a great resource for all of my history classes and all of my teachers and advisers were always willing to meet up and discuss. It felt like a tight knit community. |
| Social Life | 10 | Although the athletics were not as good as most, all the students were nice and friendly. The atmosphere of the school was one of fun and friendship. |
| Placement Services | 9 | The job placement is great. Most teachers are able to get some job after college and this is mainly because of the great career services that the school offers. |
| Alumni Network | 10 | We have created an alumni network of past graduates who love to stay in touch with the school and its students. All Marist students have the opportunity to get job help or just advice from alumni. |
University Of Rochester • Rochester, NY
Studying Biology (completion in 2010)
• 11/28/2011
"I believe that I received a great education and was given opportunities that other people did not have. Not many students would have an opportunity to receive a degree in Linguistics and Biology, be involved with Greek life, play rugby and have a job."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | maybe | Teaching is not based on school or a major. Teaching is a job that someone has to really want to do. |
| Program Reputation | 8 | I believe that the reputation is fairly good. Most people seem to know Rochester as a science school and recognize it as a 'good' school. |
| Program Quality | 9 | I am very happy with my choice in schools, because they offered interesting classes and small study workshops, and in general, it was a rigorous education. I believe they did an excellent job teaching me how to think. |
| Instruction | 8 | I believe my school was very up to date on the newest knowledge and it was very relevant to the biotechnology industry. My school, however, did not prepare us very well to look for and get jobs. |
| How Difficult | 9 | My specialization in Molecular Genetics had more requirements than most other degrees. I also chose to pursue a second degree in Linguistics, and that added to the difficulty. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | We had some labs, but most classes were very book and text-based learning. Hands-on experiences mostly came from internships and jobs. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 4 | The scheduling was inflexible, because upper-level classes only had one option, and the classes were offered only once a year or every other year. This was due to the small number of students at Rochester. However, larger classes were offered once a semester and had more than one section. |
| Academic Facilities | 9 | There were plenty of classrooms of varying sizes. Professors regularly held office hours, as did TA's of the class. Labs were newish. Our libraries were excellently stocked with books, journals and other resources. |
| Social Life | 8 | I was involved in rugby and Greek life, which increased my social experiences. If I was not involved in these activities, I would not have had as many opportunities. |
| Placement Services | 5 | During college, there were job fairs and potential internships, but they were very limited and focused on the Rochester region. I feel that they have increased this, as they have recently offered webinars on how to search for a job. |
| Alumni Network | 9 | My school provides regular emails about news at the school and continues to offer support of the Career Center. They have also offered webinars on pursuing careers. |
SUNY Potsdam • Potsdam, NY
Studying English (completion in 1999)
• 11/27/2011
"I'm pretty satisfied with my school. I say this because earning this degree enabled me to get a job teaching high school English, and also allowed me to earn a little more on the pay scale."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | no | If someone were pursuing my career, I'd recommend that they skip the M.A. in English and pursue a teaching degree. That would make it easier for them, I think. |
| Program Reputation | 4 | I don't believe my school has much of a reputation for this program. They're mostly a four-year-degree school, and they offer few master's programs. |
| Program Quality | 6 | I received my M.A. in English, but took no teaching classes. I had to go through a separate, alternate route to a teaching program to learn the theory behind educational instruction. That's why I'm not entirely satisfied with my M.A. degree. |
| Instruction | 6 | I believe the quality of instruction was average. Some professors were wonderful, and others were not. |
| How Difficult | 4 | I found the program to be pretty easy. I didn't encounter much difficulty while studying for my M.A. in English. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | The program I was in was extremely book learning oriented. At it was an English degree, there was no real hands-on learning. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 6 | I recall a normal amount of flexibility in regard to class schedules. It seemed to match where I went for my undergrad degree. |
| Academic Facilities | 7 | I recall my school's academic facilities being pretty good. The library was recently renovated (when I went there), and the other facilities and resources were also pretty good. |
| Social Life | 5 | My social experience at the college was okay. I won't say it was because of the availability of school spirit, athletics, etc. It was mostly because I was there earning my master's degree, and I didn't spend a lot of time doing what undergrads did to socialize. |
| Placement Services | I didn't use my school's job placement and/or career services programs. I'm sure they have them, but I'm not really aware of what they are. | |
| Alumni Network | 8 | My school's alumni network and support seem pretty good. I am not involved at all, but I do receive their alumni magazine and emails. |
SUNY Fredonia • Fredonia, NY
Studying Childhood Education (completion in 2007)
• 11/27/2011
"I learned about being a learner to become a better teacher. I am highly satisfied with my experience in college and how it prepared me for my career. Staying there for my graduate work was an easy decision."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I often talk about my college experience with the college students whom I mentor each semester. Also, I have worked with our high school offering assistance and tips to graduating high school seniors. |
| Program Reputation | 10 | I chose Fredonia State because of its highly acclaimed reputation for preparing qualified teachers. I mentor college students at SUNY Fredonia who agree. It is a known teaching school. |
| Program Quality | 10 | I had adequate time working in my field. The courses prepared me for the theoretical aspects of teaching children. |
| Instruction | 10 | While relevance changes in my field, I was prepared to enter the career force at that time. The tools I got from the instruction I received helped me to succeed. |
| How Difficult | 9 | There was so much to learn and so much to practice which added to the difficulty factor of my profession. It was a synthesis of putting what was taught in the classroom into practice. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | While nothing beats the total immersion into the field of teaching, our college definitely offered experience in real classrooms each year. There was always an opportunity to share and try what we learned in college. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | There are a variety of evening classes to accommodate students. I even took several Saturday classes to help my schedules. The summer and January term offerings are extremely helpful. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | I don't have a negative word about the academic facilities at Fredonia State. There is an array of media available, as well as conference rooms and preparation centers. |
| Social Life | 10 | Fredonia State has a variety of athletic programs and social mixers worked right into the calendar. It is simple to network and meet other professionals. |
| Placement Services | 8 | The Career Development Office is helpful in organizing yourself for job interviews. The deadlines necessary for graduation also help to make sure everything is in order at the CDO. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | I receive alumni paperwork in the mail, though it is mostly for donations. There is a publication that is circulated that tells of alumni success, which is interesting. |
Bard College • Annandale, NY
Studying MFA In Painting (completion in 1985)
• 12/14/2011
"The program worked out well. Independent study with excellent evaluation was perfect for a MFA."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | This is a great way to get a degree while holding down a job. The instructors are excellent. |
| Program Reputation | 9 | This is a well-known program. It is highly recommended. |
| Program Quality | 9 | The instructors in the program were excellent. The low residency aspect was also convenient. Some of the other students were not as focused as they could have been. |
| Instruction | 9 | The instructors were very accomplished artists. They were excellent teachers and I learned a lot. |
| How Difficult | 5 | It was really up to the student to put in the effort. You got out of it what you put in. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | This was a hands-on program. Everyone painted. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | Students worked on their own during the year. They are residents in the summer and mostly work independently. |
| Academic Facilities | 7 | I have not been back so I don't know what the facilities are like now. At the time they were adequate. Students had their own studio space. |
| Social Life | 6 | We had weekly meetings of all MFA students who were helpful for cross-disciplinary understanding. There were many other activities too. |
| Placement Services | 5 | There was not much help career-wise when I was there. Again, living nearby would be helpful for contacts. |
| Alumni Network | I don't have a lot to do with alumni events. If you live in the nearby area it could be helpful. |
Brooklyn College • Brooklyn, Nyc, NY
Studying Spanish Literature (completion in 2001)
• 12/26/2011
"I learned a lot about the things I wanted to learn. My professors were really good."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I would recommend it, because the professors are really good and it all worked out for me. I worked full time, went to school and graduated without having to take school loans. |
| Program Reputation | 9 | I think that if a person lives in Brooklyn, that's the best college they can attend if you want to study Spanish. If they go there, they will have great professors. |
| Program Quality | My professors were great. The schedule was great. I was able to have a full time job during the day and study at night. | |
| Instruction | 10 | My professors were native speakers of the given language and had also studied it. My professors were very demanding. |
| How Difficult | 8 | It was a little bit difficult because I had to read a lot, but I like reading. It was also a little bit difficult because all my exams were essays, but I like to write. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | I had to read many books because I was in the Spanish Literature program. This is why it was very book-oriented. We also had class discussions. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 7 | Most of the classes I took were offered at night, which was great. They didn't offer Spanish classes during the weekends, which was disappointing. |
| Academic Facilities | 9 | The professors were great. The library was big and it was open on Saturdays. |
| Social Life | 1 | I didn't attend social events and didn't see much school spirit. |
| Placement Services | 8 | I knew they had a job placement program. I received many brochures from them, but I didn't use their services because I had a job already. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | I remember using the computers at the library. |
SUNY Oswego • Oswego, NY
Studying Vocational Technical Education (completion in 1993)
• 1/4/2012
"I appreciated that it was an accelerated program. I felt somewhat locked in, as it was the only option to secure my credentials."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I guess I would have to, as this is the only option for this program. It has been many years since I went to school and maybe things have improved. |
| Program Reputation | 7 | In NY, this is the only school that provides the program for certification. I believe the reputation is good. |
| Program Quality | 8 | For the most part, I found that the program was good. There were some classes, mostly taught by adjuncts, that did not seem relevant to teaching; they seemed to be merely an additional hoop to jump through for credentials. |
| Instruction | 8 | Most of the instructors were very well prepared and seemed to want to impart their knowledge. For the most part, the information was relevant. |
| How Difficult | 7 | In general, learning comes easy for me. There were some students in the class who seemed to have much difficulty, especially with the practical exercises. I was already teaching, so I found those particular classes fun. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | The facilities were below par and the access to anything other than a classroom was nonexistent. Many of the instructors did try and make the best of what they had to work with. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 6 | I went to evening classes. It was an accelerated program, so I didn't have to drive in December and January. I'm not sure about the other options. |
| Academic Facilities | 4 | I had to drive 50 miles one way to attend class at a satellite site. It was in a county office building. The facilities were below par and not very comfortable after teaching all day. |
| Social Life | I was a nontraditional student attending evenings at a satellite site. I was not involved in the average activities of a younger person who lived on campus. | |
| Placement Services | I was employed in a full-time teaching position while in the program. I did not use these particular services. | |
| Alumni Network | I never used the network. I was already employed when I started the program. I had no interest in any of the support services. |
Cornell University • Ithaca, NY
Studying Human Development (completion in 2006)
• 1/13/2012
"I had a tremendous experience studying at Cornell and I wouldn't change it for anything. I think that there are so many opportunities there and I was fortunate enough to take on many of them."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | Cornell suits people from all over the world, in any study. This is the motto of the school and it truly delivers. |
| Program Reputation | 8 | I believe Cornell to be a frontrunner for nearly all sciences, including human sciences. I think that other schools look to Cornell for advice in how to make improvements, simply because it is such a successful program. |
| Program Quality | 9 | The school provided me with an excellent basis for understanding people and how important relationships are in their personal and academic development. Cornell allowed me to grow as a person through these courses. The expert professors were incredible and I was lucky enough to do research with one of my professors, which taught me a great deal. The major was small within the College of Human Ecology, which helped in the program's success. |
| Instruction | 9 | The teachers are extremely professional and knowledgeable, and they are experts in the field. Many of the professors I worked with were not only known in journals worldwide, but were excellent teachers, based on their methods of teaching. |
| How Difficult | 7 | Many people at Cornell believe this program to be easy compared to others, but I found it very challenging. It allowed you to choose your courses, and I chose a lot of courses within the school of Agriculture and Life Sciences, which had all of the Education courses. This allowed me to grow as a person dedicated to education, as well as stick within my major of Human Development. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | I was able to conduct research with professors, which allowed me to get hands-on experience working with children in schools. My education courses also allowed me to intern at schools as a way to get into hands-on learning, instead of only the book learning that most of our classes entail. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 6 | I was able to take a good amount of Education courses, but it was not necessarily easy to do this. I will say that Cornell was extremely open to me taking these courses, but the program is so rigorous that I had to overwork for a few semesters to fit these into my schedule. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | There are over twenty libraries at Cornell that are housed with endless opportunities and resources. I never found resources at Cornell to be lacking, and I think that there was always a healthy support system of professors, tutors, and teaching assistants. |
| Social Life | 8 | Cornell is very fun, because the Greek scene is very big, as well as Cornell hockey and basketball. It was a fun place to be spending my undergraduate education. |
| Placement Services | 8 | Despite the recession, I did not have trouble getting a job; first, as a researcher in children's media, and then, as a high school teacher. I think that Cornell does a great job of having career fairs and other such opportunities. |
| Alumni Network | 7 | There is a great support group of alumni, although I have not used it as much as I should have. I recently attended my five-year reunion and heard from many people about the networking they have done since graduating from Cornell. Although I did not network much, I believe the alumni network to have a great support system for such opportunities. |
Teachers College, Columbia University • New York, NY
Studying Organizational Leadership (completion in 2010)
• 1/6/2012
"I feel confident and prepared to teach and lead a school. The professors were simply amazing."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I have recommended the school to a number of acquaintances. I believe it is a tremendous opportunity and investment in education. |
| Program Reputation | 10 | The school is ranked in the top 5 nationally for this program. I consider this extremely good. |
| Program Quality | 10 | The program was extremely well developed to provide real-world experience in educational leadership. I feel confident to move ahead in my career in education. |
| Instruction | 10 | The professors were the best in their field and literally wrote the books on the topics we discussed. While it was heavy on high-level school theory, it provided the opportunity to study certain topics in more depth. |
| How Difficult | 8 | It required careful planning and time management. The capstone project at the end to design a new school was time-consuming, but very rewarding. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Very hands-on activities and capstone project. I would say that there was a tremendous amount of reading required, but that was done for homework. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 1 | Prescribed curriculum and inflexible. This was not a problem as we worked with a cohort, but it was not flexible. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | The school libraries are among the top libraries in the world for education. I was able to reserve study rooms frequently for group projects, etc. |
| Social Life | 2 | As a summer school student, I did not get to experience the traditional graduate school activities. Also, as someone who lived out of state, I had difficulty making friends. |
| Placement Services | 7 | I live in a different state, and most of their job opportunities are closer to the school. However, if I were to move closer to the school, it would be wonderful. |
| Alumni Network | 9 | There are frequent alumni events and job opportunity emails. Because I reside in a different city, I have been surprised at the number of opportunities. |
SUNY College At Oneonta • Oneonta, NY
Studying Adolescence Education/Spanish (completion in 2010)
• 1/16/2012
"I would recommend this school to anyone. The town is great, but more importantly, the school provides so many opportunities for growth. The professors are professional and always willing to help. They were also some of the most intelligent people I have ever met. Any future educator would be so fortunate to have attended a school like Oneonta. I wouldn't change where I went to school for anything in the world."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | This school is ideal for teaching. Training educators has been what they do for over a hundred years. I don't believe another program even comes close in the way Oneonta prepares you for the classroom. Of course, they cannot guarantee each student a job, but they will give each one the skills needed to stand out in a competitive job market and show future administrators exactly what kind of teachers they need to hire. |
| Program Reputation | 10 | My school was the first state "normal school" or teaching training school, so it is renowned locally and nationally as an accredited institution for future educators. There is a lot demanded of an education major at Oneonta, but the preparation one receives before entering the classroom independently is very thorough. They have, in my opinion, one of the best education programs available in this country. |
| Program Quality | 10 | Oneonta was a fantastic school with knowledgeable professors in the field of education. In our language department too, we had mostly native speakers of Spanish teaching, which helped develop my language skills far beyond anything I was able to accomplish in high school. |
| Instruction | 10 | The curriculum for my program was stringent and specific; however, I felt very prepared, once I was in the classroom myself. Our professors were all educators themselves, so they brought real-world experiences with them to our classes, so that we could learn and grow from their successes and pitfalls. |
| How Difficult | 9 | The education program was rather difficult at times, especially for foreign language. Our professors demanded a lot from us as students, and before graduating, we had to produce rather large work samples to show to prospective school districts; however, my experiences in my undergraduate program helped shape me and prepare me for the difficult task that the first year of teaching is. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Our learning was definitely mostly hands on. We were required to be in the classroom every semester observing and often taking part in activities. For methods, we completed a required number of classroom hours, as well as many work samples used to mark our progress as an educator and evaluate ourselves and our observations. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 5 | For my program specifically, it was rather difficult to be flexible, as many classes were taken in sequence and some were only offered in the fall. However, there were some winter/summer classes and many evening classes. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | Our library was essential to my workflow as an undergrad. The quiet areas were where I was able to conduct the most research and accomplish the most. They also had resources available specifically for Education majors, such as a section of textbooks currently used in public schools. |
| Social Life | 10 | I was able to meet some great people through my program. The education department hosted several events throughout the year to introduce us to each other and to prospective students. In addition, the foreign language department was small and close-knit. Every professor knew every student's name and introduced us to each other. In addition, there were many clubs and events offered by the school that provided opportunities to meet new people. |
| Placement Services | 7 | Our department guided us through every step for getting certified, fingerprinted, and looking for jobs. They also introduced us to OLAS, the website used for finding teaching jobs locally. |
| Alumni Network | 8 | I receive newsletters and emails constantly updating me about alumni functions. Also, there is a separate website where alumni can be recognized for their accomplishments and share about their experiences at Oneonta. |
Buffalo State College • Buffalo, NY
Studying Social Studies Education (completion in 2008)
• 2/20/2012
"I feel the school has a good program and prepared me to meet most of the challenges I encounter each day. I believe that there is more room for improvement such as providing more computers for students to use during peek hours and more hands-on learning."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | Buffalo State College provides a great program for Social Studies Education majors. The experienced staff made learning enjoyable. The school is well known for education programs and, based on my experience, I would recommend it to others. |
| Program Reputation | 9 | Buffalo State College is well known for having great education programs. It probably has the largest Social Studies Education program in the area. |
| Program Quality | 7 | The staff is very knowledgeable and experienced in teaching. Some of the older teachers seemed somewhat out of touch with problems facing contemporary teachers. |
| Instruction | 6 | I feel Buffalo State College prepared me to meet most of the challenges of teaching. I feel a few of the classes I took were too focused on theory and not relevant to actually teaching in the classroom. |
| How Difficult | 8 | My instructors had high expectations for students' academic performance. I feel the amount of work required was fair yet challenging. Some classes required substantially more work than others. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Many classes, especially history classes, were very standard lecture and book reading classes. Some education classes required sample teaching and other hands-on approaches. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 4 | Buffalo State College provides Social Studies Education classes on weekend, evenings, summer and online. While this seems flexible at first, some of required classes are only offered at one set time or day. Some required classes are only offered every other semester. |
| Academic Facilities | 7 | Professors typically had set office hours and could also be contained by email or phone. The classrooms and buildings are neat and up to date. The college offers new computers and technology however, the availability of computers could be limited at times. |
| Social Life | 6 | There were typical sporting events and parties. The school is not really known as a party school but there were clubs and other activities. |
| Placement Services | 7 | The Buffalo State Career Development Center provides assistance with resume and cover letter review for current students and alumni. Aside from links on their website, they provide limited assistance with conducting a job search. |
| Alumni Network | 3 | I am not aware of many alumni and support programs that are available. I know that the Career Development Center provides services to alumni to aid them in searching for jobs. |
New York University • New York, NY
Studying Social Studies Education (completion in 2009)
• 2/19/2012
"Did not compare to the quality of my undergraduate education. However I felt prepared to begin a teaching career."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | The Fast Track program is great for career changers. Excellent social life makes the school enjoyable. |
| Program Reputation | 8 | NYU is ranked in the top 20 education programs in the country. They have a high placement rate for graduates. |
| Program Quality | 5 | NYU offers access to a variety of professors with expertise in the fields of education and history. The instruction however, did not blow me away. |
| Instruction | 5 | Most coursework was too theoretical. There needs to be more practical preparation, which admittedly can be hard to simulate. |
| How Difficult | 1 | Work load is extremely manageable. There is no competition for grades. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Most learning is theoretical, based on discussion of articles and readings. Some classes require students to present demo-lessons and receive feedback from their classmates. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | I was able to adjust coursework to fit my schedule. Summer, weekend and evening courses are available. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | Great library. Multiple computer labs. |
| Social Life | 10 | NYU is in the heart of the West Village. There are numerous bars that run happy hour specials for cash strapped students. |
| Placement Services | I did not take advantage of the career services through my school. I applied and found employment independently. | |
| Alumni Network | 5 | I often receive job lead e-mails through the alumni network. I have never taken advantage of the network. |
Touro College • Bay Shore, NY
Studying Literacy (completion in 2010)
• 3/7/2012
"I was satisfied with how I did. I learned a lot and did well in my classes."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | The program was a little cheaper than other grad programs. It was also very flexible, which is great for working teachers. |
| Program Reputation | 5 | People seem to feel the same way; they like the online program but don't always get the help they need from advisors. |
| Program Quality | 5 | I learned what I needed to learn about the topic. However, the staff wasn't always helpful in telling me what was required of me. |
| Instruction | 7 | The material I learned was very relevant to my major. I learned the best strategies to use to teach reading. |
| How Difficult | 5 | I took most courses online. I was able to complete my work during the times I had in between teaching. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | We had to do a lot of reading to learn the basic information. However, we had a lot of time to observe and then do tutoring hours, which were hands on. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | Loved the flexibility! They had classes offered at night, online and at other buildings. |
| Academic Facilities | I didn't have a chance to use the school's services. I did most of my classes online and wasn't on campus much. | |
| Social Life | The graduate school wasn't very much involved in social activities. We came for the classes and that was really it. | |
| Placement Services | 2 | I had no job placement help. I was told to go out and just apply. They didn't lead me in any direction at all and this has been hard. |
| Alumni Network | I have not received anything from the alumni network and have not reached out for information. |
University Of Albany • Albany, NY
Studying History (completion in 2005)
• 3/5/2012
"Provided a good education. Extremely affordable for in-state students."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | It is worthwhile and rewarding. And you make great friends amongst other teachers. |
| Program Reputation | 8 | The history major is one of the best at UAlbany. Students come to the school for the program. |
| Program Quality | 6 | I hadn't expected much more from a public institution. There were always courses offered that I was interested in. |
| Instruction | 8 | I was able to learn a lot from a number of good professors, but I felt lost in the shuffle with such a large department (and with the great number of students). |
| How Difficult | 7 | Much easier than a private college, yet harder than most of the other SUNY schools. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Mostly lecture-based. Classes large. Few seminars. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 8 | It is a large school, so there were lots of different classes available whenever I wanted. |
| Academic Facilities | 7 | A large school with lots of study spaces. However, the classes were often taught by TAs, so professors were not completely accessible. |
| Social Life | 10 | One of the best party schools in the nation. Deserved its ranking. |
| Placement Services | 5 | It is average, which is expected of a state school. But they do try to help us get jobs. |
| Alumni Network | 4 | Since the school has a lot of graduates, that makes support harder to come by. But there is a large alumni network. |
Fordham University • New York, NY
Studying Religious Education (completion in 2012)
• 3/3/2012
"The education program was decent, but the religion program, specifically the Catholic religion education, was substandard."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | no | I recommend the school for other programs. I do not recommend the school for religious education. |
| Program Reputation | 5 | The school is renowned. For this particular program, though, it does not have much of a reputation outside the local community. |
| Program Quality | 2 | The lay faculty in my program was below par. I do not recommend the program to anyone. You will leave the program with a lot of useless information. |
| Instruction | 4 | Learned some information relevant to education. I did not learn much information relevant to religious education. |
| How Difficult | 4 | The program was not difficult. Many students in the program have full-time jobs and the professors understand this. The workload was not overwhelming. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | It was very much a mix. This is appropriate for education; a balance between theory and practical skills. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | Most classes were offered afternoons, evenings, or weekends. Also, most classes have an online course option. |
| Academic Facilities | 8 | Professors are available and small class sizes make it easy to get to know them. Beautiful campus with excellent facilities. |
| Social Life | I was a commuter student. I attended classes and was not involved in campus life. | |
| Placement Services | I did not use these services. I already had a full-time teaching job. | |
| Alumni Network | I am a recent graduate. I have yet to experience the alumni network. |
Binghamton University • Vestal, NY
Studying English Literature/Education (completion in 2008)
• 3/4/2012
"I was very satisfied with my overall experience. The nature of the departments and the disparities between the schools within the university need to be taken care of, however; that was the only major negative aspect of my experience."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | Despite some departmental failings, the programs I partook in were overall very educational, interesting and helpful with my current career. I also feel that my time there was well spent, academically and socially. |
| Program Reputation | 7 | I'm not quite sure about my particular major, but I do know that Binghamton University's classes are generally seen as being harder to pass than other colleges, especially other SUNY schools. I also know that Binghamton GPA credit is worth more across the SUNY board as well. |
| Program Quality | 7 | I generally feel that there is too much focus on standardized testing. I believe there should be more focus on creativity and critical thinking than memorizing the certain types of answers the state is looking for in such tests. |
| Instruction | 9 | I think I had a sufficient amount of hands-on training during my undergraduate and graduate studies, dealing with students and learning how to best cooperate and help them learn in a creative and effective way. Experience has been the biggest educational tool for me in this field. |
| How Difficult | 7 | The workload could have definitely been more challenging, but the pace was generally relaxed and promoted deliberation on the pieces and theories we studied, which did help when writing papers and theses. As much as I think it could have been harder, it was still challenging and an overall pleasant experience. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Each of my majors was different in approach, but each had a mix of everything needed to properly learn about each program. In terms of Education, there were plenty of discussions, lectures and take-home readings, but I was also placed in internships and shadowing positions through classes with the university, which provided hands-on experience. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 9 | There were plenty of winter and summer session courses available, and there were even two separate sessions for each season. There are also several online options. I took two courses online during winter sessions. |
| Academic Facilities | 5 | Libraries and media were great tools and the library loan system was great. But the department in general was lacking; the university is now shifting their focus to Pre-Med and Business, and soon Pre-Law and Law, and much of the funding and attention being put into those programs saw many of the liberal arts departments severely lacking in funding and support. I think this should absolutely be fixed. |
| Social Life | 8 | While there were many on-campus social events and more than enough groups and extracurricular activities, the university also had a thriving off-campus student life. Both on-campus and off-campus social settings were worth exploring; they provided good but different kinds of tastes and definitely helped in experience with different kinds of people. |
| Placement Services | 6 | They were relatively helpful, especially in terms of providing the alumni network and other tools to undergrads in order to make connections and meet people. I do believe they could have helped more in providing career path ideas and more intensive resume-building counseling. I also think they should have had more available workshops; as a student, I often would miss them, because they conflicted with my class schedule. |
| Alumni Network | 9 | From what I've seen, the alumni at Binghamton University are very supportive. Several times a year, alumni are invited to alumni-sponsored events. Many alumni always return for such events to support and further help the school develop and maintain a community. |
SUNY Geneseo • Geneseo, NY
Studying Biology, BS; Mathematics, BA (completion in 2014)
• 3/12/2012
"Would recommend to anyone. I am very proud to be an alum."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | SUNY Geneseo is well known for the programs offered. I felt well prepared. |
| Program Reputation | 10 | The program at SUNY Geneseo is well known. All teachers-to-be apply there. |
| Program Quality | 10 | Education is the specialty at SUNY Geneseo. Students are well prepared. |
| Instruction | 10 | Instructors were the best in their fields. I felt very prepared. |
| How Difficult | 10 | Bio and Math were hard to keep up with. Professors had high standards. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Good mix - labs and projects vs. lectures and books. Never bored. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 8 | Not a lot of evening classes. Other than that, pretty good. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | Brand-new science building in 2006. There are resource centers for many intro classes. |
| Social Life | 10 | Made a lot of friends. School always has activities going on. |
| Placement Services | 6 | Didn't use much. Heard good things, though! |
| Alumni Network | 5 | I have been contacted. They mainly look for money. |
Hofstra University • Uniondale, NY
Studying TESOL MSED (completion in 2005)
• 3/10/2012
"I remember my time at Hofstra fondly. It provided me with the necessary tools to be a successful ESL teacher."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | Hofstra provided us with the background theory and hands-on practice that helped us become successful teachers. I would not hesitate to recommend this program to others. |
| Program Reputation | 10 | People in my field tend to think highly of Hofstra's TESOL program. I had no problem getting interviews and getting hired. |
| Program Quality | 9 | The MSED program at Hofstra University was instrumental in providing me with the theory I needed. My student teaching experience, managed by Hofstra, gave me the opportunity to practice my craft. |
| Instruction | 8 | Most of my professors were very knowledgeable. Some were not nearly as effective. |
| How Difficult | 3 | The class work was not terribly challenging. Some professors didn't even give regular assignments. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | We observed many types of classes in many different districts. We got to student teach in both elementary and secondary settings. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | I took classes in the summer. I also was able to take classes in the evenings after work. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | Hofstra had many computer labs for us to use. We also had access to a children's library filled with children's books and teacher resources. |
| Social Life | 5 | The master's program did not really foster a rich social experience. We went to class in the evenings and then went home. |
| Placement Services | I never used their services. I found my job in the NY Times. | |
| Alumni Network | I never used any alumni support. I know that it's available, but I have no experience with their programs. |
Bank Street College • New York, NY
Studying Education (completion in 2008)
• 3/18/2012
"I truly enjoyed my learning experiences at my school. I feel that they provided me with valuable learning experiences."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I would recommend Bank Street to anyone pursuing a career in education. The school has an excellent teacher preparation program. |
| Program Reputation | 10 | Bank Street College has a very good reputation and is well known in education. The school's approach to teaching is well known and respected. |
| Program Quality | 10 | My school prepared me very well. I have been very successful in my career because of my educational training. |
| Instruction | 10 | The instruction at my school prepared me very well for curriculum development and planning. The approach to planning taught was based on leading curriculum development initiatives that are used throughout the city where I teach. |
| How Difficult | 9 | The academic challenge and workload were demanding, requiring a strong commitment to my studies, as well as a lot of teamwork and collaboration. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | The experience included both hands-on and book learning. They provided a variety of workshops that were hands on as well. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | Courses are available on both weekdays and weekends. Courses are also available during the summer. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | The school has an excellent library with excellent hours. They provide training on the use of resources, research materials, etc. The classroom spaces are large and comfortable. |
| Social Life | 10 | The school provided lots of opportunities for students to meet with faculty and engage in leadership development training, etc. Students were encouraged to network and share ideas. |
| Placement Services | 10 | The school helps with teacher certification and placement. They provide career counseling. |
| Alumni Network | 10 | The school's alumni network is very strong. The school communicates with alumni through newsletters, emails and written notices. |
SUNY Geneseo • Geneseo, NY
Studying Adolescent Education: Social Studies (completion in 2012)
• 3/17/2012
"I love Geneseo so much. Of course, the School of Education is a different story."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | Geneseo is the premier public school in New York. This means that you get a private school education for a public school price. |
| Program Reputation | 9 | In some ways, this is well deserved, in terms of expectations. In terms of professors, however, it's lacking. |
| Program Quality | 6 | For the most part, this program was extremely helpful to me. However, the professors could be quite difficult to deal with. |
| Instruction | 7 | I learned a great deal from these classes. I was also expected to be highly professional. |
| How Difficult | 9 | I was held to very high expectations. These were both professional and academic. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | My academic subjects were largely book. For my education classes, however, I was expected to do both. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | Various flexibility options were available. This made substituting much easier. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | The resources are adequate. I've never had any issues with them. |
| Social Life | 7 | Most students at this school tend to be, like me, very "geeky." This meant that we all got along really well. The small size of the school didn't hurt either. |
| Placement Services | 10 | The career services department was outstanding. They gave lectures and workshops on job search and interviewing strategies all the time, and they provided a site to link employers with students. |
| Alumni Network | 3 | The trouble with the School of Education is that they tend to be run by people who failed at teaching. That's why they became professors. |
SUNY College At Oneonta • Oneonta, NY
Studying Adolescence Education And Mathematics (completion in 2010)
• 4/1/2012
"I loved Oneonta. I wouldn't change anything in my decision to go there, and I miss it every day."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | Oneonta is a very good school if you want to become a teacher. It fully prepares you for everything you need to know. |
| Program Reputation | 10 | Oneonta is known as a teaching college. A lot of the students go there for the Education program. |
| Program Quality | 10 | SUNY Oneonta has a very good teaching program. I felt as though it fully prepared me for this career. |
| Instruction | 10 | The professors at this school are amazing. Most of them are retired high school teachers themselves, so they have a lot of experience working in the field. |
| How Difficult | 7 | This program was fairly difficult because there were many tedious projects to do. It took a lot of my time, and at some times lead me to become very stressed. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | There were so many projects that I had to complete. Also, a lot of papers were based on field experience in the classroom. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 5 | The class schedule was pretty average. You had a choice of classes on Monday through Friday, as well as night classes. |
| Academic Facilities | 7 | The classroom space and facilities were great. The only thing I didn't like too much were the Academic Advisors. They didn't seem knowledgeable, and they lead me in the wrong direction sometimes. |
| Social Life | 8 | I never went to sports games at my school, but I heard they were a good time. There was always something to do at my school. They had more events going on than there were days in the year. |
| Placement Services | 5 | I would say the job placement and career services were pretty average. They would help you to find a job as much as they could, but sometimes it was out of their hands. |
| Alumni Network | I have never used or have been to anything dealing with the alumni support. I know nothing about it. |
Syracuse University • Syracuse, NY
Studying Political Science (completion in 2010)
• 3/28/2012
"I miss Syracuse. I learned a lot from the professors, and I enjoyed the social experience very much. I put a lot into Syracuse, and it gave a lot to me."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | If one is interested in teaching high school, especially social studies or government, a political science education at Syracuse is an excellent option. Be sure to use career services as they can help you network to find job opportunities. |
| Program Reputation | 9 | Syracuse has an excellent reputation in Political Science. The Maxwell school is one of the top rated in the country. |
| Program Quality | 8 | Political Science at Syracuse University is top notch. The Maxwell School has incredible talent within its walls, and the classes offered are interesting and well done. There are constantly visiting notable people in the Political Science field, and getting access to them is not difficult. |
| Instruction | 7 | While there were a few duds, many instructors were passionate and challenging. If one put in the effort, one could get a lot out of the courses. |
| How Difficult | 6 | The work load was not incredibly difficult - the school had to balance between smart students and football players looking for an easy major. Still, the opportunity was there to devote oneself to the work. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Syracuse offers a ton of hands on opportunities for learning. One just has to get involved in the community. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 8 | If one developed a relationship with the professors, one could get flexibility. The timing for classes also allowed one to make time for a job or other responsibilities without sacrificing a class one really wanted to take. |
| Academic Facilities | 8 | Professors were accessible and loved to talk to students. Bird library was top notch, and had tons of source materials for ones study. |
| Social Life | 5 | Syracuse is very sports oriented, and sports bar oriented. It could use more intelligent social experiences, but if one sought it out, one could find it. |
| Placement Services | 8 | Assistance in this regard was top notch. It is not always easy to find a job in this field, but I found it to be easy with help of career services. |
| Alumni Network | 8 | The Syracuse alumni network is world class. I've met alum where ever I've gone, and they have always been helpful. |
SUNY New Paltz • New Paltz, NY
Studying JRTEP A.A. 7-12 Social Studies (completion in 2008)
• 3/29/2012
"I loved New Paltz and my experience there. The school is far from perfect but it is all I could have asked for. I learned a great deal there and I had enough fun for a life time in the years I spent there."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | maybe | If you can find a school that is known for their history program, I would choose that over New Paltz. Otherwise, New Paltz is an extremely fun school with a solid academic program. I would recommend it provided it fits your situation. |
| Program Reputation | 7 | I never heard much that would suggest that New Paltz is "known" for their history program. However, we did have a really great program called JRTEP that intertwined with the teaching program. I transferred right from my community college to New Paltz and all I needed was a GPA above 2.5. |
| Program Quality | 8 | I would rate New Paltz as above average in history. My instructors were some of the best history teachers I ever had. I am still friends with a professor I met there, and he changed my outlook on teaching and history. |
| Instruction | 9 | In particular the teachers really stood out. I cannot think of a teacher that I thought was doing a bad job at New Paltz. Some I didn't care for personally, but they all did a great job in instruction. I learned a heck of a lot at New Paltz that I needed to become a teacher. |
| How Difficult | 7 | For me, the workload was tough but nothing I couldn't handle. I probably did homework/studied for about two hours a day on average. I got relatively good grades and two hours a day isn't a lot of studying. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | A majority of professors didn't use the textbook very much if at all. A couple religiously used the textbook. It's really a mixed bag, which is unfair to the student I feel. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 8 | Compared to my community college experience, it was much easier at New Paltz to get a schedule that made sense and worked for me. This probably has much to do with the fact that I was living on campus and had loads more free time than when I went to community college and worked a job at the same time, but the fact remains. |
| Academic Facilities | 9 | New Paltz really had all I could ask for in terms of facilities. The campus is marvelous, the library had really modern computers and functioning printers that made printing papers easy. I had a tutor for foreign language that turned that area around from me and saved me lots of stress and helped my GPA. |
| Social Life | 10 | New Paltz is known as a party school. I had a little bit too much fun when I first got there, settled down in the middle, and my last year was insane. I had the best time of my life there. |
| Placement Services | I got my job through personal connections. I didn't go through the school and have little to say about their Career Service assistance that would be based on fact. | |
| Alumni Network | 8 | I had very few problems at New Paltz. My counselors were a lot better than community college. I always felt like they actually cared, as opposed to at community college where I felt like they wanted to get rid of me. I always felt like New Paltz did care about me as a student. |
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