SUNY, c/o 2014 ?

[NatashaColorado]

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Has anyone else on this forum got into SUNY? I am an out-of-state student, and got accepted to SUNY for August 2010 admission, and now the practical questions come into my mind:
* Housing. How in the world do you qualify for an apartment in Manhattan without a job?! I would like to get a roommate (SUNY another out-of-state student would be ideal!), but as far as I know Financial Aid will not "kick in" until August, 2010, so what exactly will be the proof of income? I guess I can talk to SUNY about this living situation issue as I am not the first out-of-state student trying to live in NYC.... On craigslist there are tons of apartments (thank God it's not late 90's, when Manhattan was unaffortable!)
* Immunizations. Should I get a Hepatitis B, series of three shots, immunization? Surprisingly, it is optional (although strongly recommended), and I wonder if I should bother since there is no much blood work in Optometry.
* this is a crazy one 😀 - I do not wear my -8.00 D glasses in public, EVER! Contacts never gave me any problems and I am diligent about cleaning/replacing them. HOWEVER, there is a lab, which starts the first week of school, where I cannot wear contacts because we (students) will be examining each other eyes. Soooooo, I am thinking 'surgery!'. LASIK, but most likely PRK. SUNY has LASIK center on-site, and I wonder if students can get a free or highly discounted surgery there? I feel odd asking about this one, so does anyone know? I have heard that Optometry students sometimes have a chance of getting a free LASIK, but I don't know how SUNY does it.
If not, I can get it before I come to NY, in Colorado. Or I will just wear my glasses, and get over it ("blind" eye doctor, as someone laughed before).
Anyway, even with all practical issues of moving to NYC and getting settled, I am excited to be accepted and knowing that my future as an O.D. student is about to start.
Although, 2014 seems so far right now!

 

[JMU07]

Unless you really really want surgery, it is not worth it to get surgery just b/c you don't want to wear your glasses in public. Get some high-index lenses and they won't be thick!

 

[blysssful]

DON'T TRUST CRAIGSLIST!


Seriously. Don't.

 

[achirum]

Has anyone else on this forum got into SUNY? I am an out-of-state student, and got accepted to SUNY for August 2010 admission, and now the practical questions come into my mind:
* Housing. How in the world do you qualify for an apartment in Manhattan without a job?! I would like to get a roommate (SUNY another out-of-state student would be ideal!), but as far as I know Financial Aid will not "kick in" until August, 2010, so what exactly will be the proof of income? I guess I can talk to SUNY about this living situation issue as I am not the first out-of-state student trying to live in NYC.... On craigslist there are tons of apartments (thank God it's not late 90's, when Manhattan was unaffortable!)

Most places just need proof of your financial aid awards (loans) which you will get an official letter come the time to look for housing. You will also need guarantor information (parent's W2's etc) in some cases. You will also need to put down a hefty deposit. This applies mostly to Manhattan. You can get an apartment in some areas of Queens for example without so much as showing anything, just putting a security deposit down.

* Immunizations. Should I get a Hepatitis B, series of three shots, immunization? Surprisingly, it is optional (although strongly recommended), and I wonder if I should bother since there is no much blood work in Optometry.

Just get it if you have access to the immunizations.

* this is a crazy one 😀 - I do not wear my -8.00 D glasses in public, EVER! Contacts never gave me any problems and I am diligent about cleaning/replacing them. HOWEVER, there is a lab, which starts the first week of school, where I cannot wear contacts because we (students) will be examining each other eyes. Soooooo, I am thinking 'surgery!'. LASIK, but most likely PRK. SUNY has LASIK center on-site, and I wonder if students can get a free or highly discounted surgery there? I feel odd asking about this one, so does anyone know? I have heard that Optometry students sometimes have a chance of getting a free LASIK, but I don't know how SUNY does it.
If not, I can get it before I come to NY, in Colorado. Or I will just wear my glasses, and get over it ("blind" eye doctor, as someone laughed before).
Anyway, even with all practical issues of moving to NYC and getting settled, I am excited to be accepted and knowing that my future as an O.D. student is about to start.
Although, 2014 seems so far right now!

I don't want to sound like a jerk, but that is a pretty ridiculous thing to worry about, and a pretty ridiculous solution, unless Lasik is something you have always wanted. Honestly, -8.00D isn't bad at all. Not that it's nothing, but I myself am way past -8.00D. You can wear contacts to school and when it's time for lab, just take them out. It's really not a big issue, not to mention that it's dark in the lab most of the time anyways and you won't even be wearing glasses.

See above.

 

[achirum]

Look to Newspaper's for housing.

 

[Commando303]

Start looking for housing, now — talk to people on Craig's List, if you wish to. Ask SUNY Optometry which immunization you must receive. Consider wearing your eyeglasses.


*Can I ask what your stats. (G.P.A., O.A.T. score) were like?

 

[blysssful]

Start looking for housing, now — talk to people on Craig's List, if you wish to. Ask SUNY Optometry which immunization you must receive. Consider wearing your eyeglasses.


*Can I ask what your stats. (G.P.A., O.A.T. score) were like?

No, looking for housing now would be a COMPLETE waste of time for NYC (unless you're just looking to get an idea of what is available for your price range). The turnover for apartments in this city is very quick and most leases start immediately. I tried looking in June for an August 1st move in date and was laughed at.

The problem with Craigslist is that MANY times the photos are not of the actual apartment being leased, but of "comparable" apartments. Don't even think about renting a place here without seeing it first (or having someone you trust see it first).

Other things you won't see from ads:
1) How noisy is it?
2) How clean is the building?
3) How safe is the area?
4) Water pressure
5) Are the floors straight? (Seriously.)
... and probably way more that I just can't think of now... achirum, anything I missed?

FYI for anyone else who eventually gets into SUNY & must go through apartment hunting... plan to stay SEVERAL weekdays. Pretty much everything that needs to be done for apartment hunting needs to be done during the week. Apartments are often not available to be seen on weekends; leases often need to be signed in person when the leasing office is open (usually during the week). Also, save up a few thousand (esp for Manhattan apartments)... loan money will not be in by the time you need to get your apartment.

 

[Commando303]

No, looking for housing now would be a COMPLETE waste of time for NYC (unless you're just looking to get an idea of what is available for your price range). The turnover for apartments in this city is very quick and most leases start immediately. I tried looking in June for an August 1st move in date and was laughed at.

The problem with Craigslist is that MANY times the photos are not of the actual apartment being leased, but of "comparable" apartments. Don't even think about renting a place here without seeing it first (or having someone you trust see it first).

Other things you won't see from ads:
1) How noisy is it?
2) How clean is the building?
3) How safe is the area?
4) Water pressure
5) Are the floors straight? (Seriously.)
... and probably way more that I just can't think of now... achirum, anything I missed?

FYI for anyone else who eventually gets into SUNY & must go through apartment hunting... plan to stay SEVERAL weekdays. Pretty much everything that needs to be done for apartment hunting needs to be done during the week. Apartments are often not available to be seen on weekends; leases often need to be signed in person when the leasing office is open (usually during the week). Also, save up a few thousand (esp for Manhattan apartments)... loan money will not be in by the time you need to get your apartment.

By looking this early, you can find out who's looking for roommates, check out apartments, understand prices in neighborhoods, etc. My suggestion is, develop an idea of where you'll live, now, rather than wait to throw yourself into the situation a month before you have to move.

 

[achirum]

everything blysssful said is true. Don't waste your time looking now. While the landlord was showing me the apartment, he received no kidding, 9 phone calls in 30 minutes about the place. You see it one hour and within another hour it could be gone. Just wait, you have plenty of time to worry about housing. Def try to start your search on a Monday. I could go on and give you plenty of tips but honestly, it is way too early to be worrying about it. Enjoy the free time you have now because come next year, you won't have time to tie your shoes. Hence, buy shoes with velcroe.

 

[blysssful]

Enjoy the free time you have now because come next year, you won't have time to tie your shoes. Hence, buy shoes with velcroe.

Oh stop scaring them. You have time to tie your shoes (usually).

 

[hurricaneuro]

Has anyone (besides Natasha) heard from SUNY yet? I'm waiting...

 

[cookiefairy]

I'm waiting too.

Natasha, did you apply for Early Decision?

 

[keepitonthedl]

I received a letter in the mail from SUNY today. I was quite surprised because 2 of my LoRs aren't completed yet, and I barely took my OATs last Friday. SUNY invited me for an interview.

Anybody else in this situation?

 

[browneyed]

did you guys first submit the supplement first before hearing back from them?

 

[keepitonthedl]

Yes, you have to submit the supplemental application ASAP

 

[browneyed]

it's really strange though that i couldn't find the link for the supplemental app on the SUNY website. it was only through the optomcas link...

 

[hurricaneuro]

keepitonthedl, I contacted the admissions office and the woman said "I see we sent you a letter" but nothing else. It has not gotten to me yet =P I hate that it is coming through snail mail cause I get worried that it is going to get lost or something...ahhhhh!

 

[hurricaneuro]

It should just be through email.

 

[keepitonthedl]

yeah, I cant believe they would send anything through snail mail. Its ridiculous. When I tried to call them to schedule an interview, nobody was there to pick up.

 

[blysssful]

yeah, I cant believe they would send anything through snail mail. Its ridiculous. When I tried to call them to schedule an interview, nobody was there to pick up.

Don't call after 5pm east coast time. I believe you can leave a voicemail.

 

[hurricaneuro]

I got it today! 🙂 And yeah I'm trying to call now too but no one is there haha. Maybe they are on lunch break!

 

[lkg2837]

yay! When is everyone else interviewing at SUNY?? It'd be so neat to meet some people from SDN!

 

[Malakornge]

That's pretty awesome on the good news for everyone that got into SUNY! 🙂

I received an e-mail this morning and sadly they asked me to retake my OATs to be considered for 2010 admission. I'm not sure if that's a good or a bad thing but I feel like my chances of getting in would go down even more since by the time my OAT score would get to them (Sometime in November since I took my OAT back in July) the competition would be even higher.

Does anyone know how this works? Sorry for kind of switching the view on this thread.

 

[blysssful]

That's pretty awesome on the good news for everyone that got into SUNY! 🙂

I received an e-mail this morning and sadly they asked me to retake my OATs to be considered for 2010 admission. I'm not sure if that's a good or a bad thing but I feel like my chances of getting in would go down even more since by the time my OAT score would get to them (Sometime in November since I took my OAT back in July) the competition would be even higher.

Does anyone know how this works? Sorry for kind of switching the view on this thread.

The class fills up quickly. Retake the OAT as soon as possible and make sure you're really prepared. Apply to other schools, or be prepared to reapply next year if you are set on SUNY.

Good luck.

 

[NatashaColorado]

I got it today! 🙂 And yeah I'm trying to call now too but no one is there haha. Maybe they are on lunch break!

Hurricaneuro, you will be my classmate, I know it! With your OAT scores, and GPA (and whatever else you can impress them with) and early admission interview - I'll see you next August!
So, on this positive note - let me know, for sure. Then we'll be figuring out how/when to tie our shoes in NYC 😀

 

[yippee]

Uh oh. I might be on the same boat! I already indicated that I plan on retaking mine in November, though, so I wonder if they would email me, too. Would you mind if I ask what you got on your OAT?

 

[NatashaColorado]

I'm waiting too.

Natasha, did you apply for Early Decision?

My whole admission process was surprisingly quick - with some luck and solid academic credentials I manage to get on "express train". I applied June, 20th for Early Decision admission, and on July,16th had my interview. They told me honestly that the only thing that stands between me and SUNY is my OAT score, and if I manage to get 340 or higher, I will be admitted (just like that). Dr. Johnston even asked me to fax him my scores on the day of the test, so they can make a conclusion on my "status" before receiving scores electronically. So, I took OAT August, 15th and got TS 390 and AA 370 and faxed SUNY the "unofficial report" the testing center gave me. Dr. Johnston told me they liked the scores and on August, 31th I received my admision letter.
So, now it's a year of waiting...

 

[NatashaColorado]

Has anyone (besides Natasha) heard from SUNY yet? I'm waiting...

that's what I am trying to find out also 🙂 who else is in SUNY c/o 2014?

 

[Malakornge]

The class fills up quickly. Retake the OAT as soon as possible and make sure you're really prepared. Apply to other schools, or be prepared to reapply next year if you are set on SUNY. Good luck.

The thing about that is that the soonest I can take it is late October since I took my OAT late July. Based on my schedule now for school and other exams, the best I can do is the first week of November. I guess things aren't looking too great since the class fills up quickly. I figured my chances were going to be slim with the retake but I guess I was wishing for some hope, lol.

Uh oh. I might be on the same boat! I already indicated that I plan on retaking mine in November, though, so I wonder if they would email me, too. Would you mind if I ask what you got on your OAT?

I told all the schools that I applied to that I was planning on retaking the OAT as soon as I could because I know I could do a lot better. I only scored a 310AA and 290TS. I know for a fact that I could do better than that. I nailed the RC with a 390 and I guess that's the only thing that "helped" my bad score. My current GPA is a 3.4 but I think it should go up after a summer class and once I finish my current semester courses. If you don't mind me asking what did you score yippee?

 

[hurricaneuro]

Don't be discouraged Mal. Why not try...? The admissions process ends in March and blysssful is right, I'm sure it fills up quickly...but why not? (I'm an "opto"mist...hahaha)

I really hope to get in here. My family, hopes, and dreams are waiting back up North. 😍 I'm excited to meet some people too! I am interviewing on October 19th so I will have a decision sometime after that.

Good luck to everybody! Soon we can change that "?" in the thread to an exclamation point!

 

[NatashaColorado]

To achirum

See above.

Ok, you're caring and compassionate future optometrist, thanks for understanding my comfort level with glasess - now I am all set for the lab.

LASIK IS something I always wanted but I am in a "high risk" category with large pupils and barely enough cornea thickness for full correction, so I have been waiting and "dreaming" about the surgery for many years. My internship at the local LASIK clinic (owned by optometrist, by the way, who employed ophthalmologist) introduced me to all possible outcomes, and I have seen complications first hand. But I also have seen some "miracles" as well, where a person with -11.00D (and thick cornea, of course) was corrected to 20/20! It was not possible to correct his vision to this acuity before the surgery ("the letters are too far away" he'd say) neither with glasses or contacts. Everyone was pleasantly surprised how well his eyes healed.
But there is a small percentage of LASIK patients that have adverse side effects, from mild to severe. And, of course, the more you know, the more you understand what can go wrong, especially if you are a "high risk". So, if I ever have a surgery, it will be one eye at a time (one of the clinics in NYC is owned by M.D. who had one of his highly myopic eyes corrected, 10 years ago. He said it went well, no regrets. But he never had another eye corrected and left it at -7.00D which is way more than you need for monovision...hmmmm....).
So, although it is good to know that I will see waaaay more people wearing glasses with my Rx than I ever did before, it is still going to be a new experience for me, (as I am not kidding about EVER), so give me a break.

 

[Commando303]

An option might be undergoing L.A.S.I.K. for only "partway" correction; that is, not expecting to walk away with perfect/near-perfect eyesight — just with an appreciable improvement that let's you wear much weaker-prescription corrective lenses.

 

[yippee]

Malakornge, I scored 310AA and 320TS. My GPA is not competitive, so =/ I think you're in pretty good shape with your GPA, so I still think your chances are high once you retake it =)

 

[achirum]

To achirum

Ok, you're caring and compassionate future optometrist, thanks for understanding my comfort level with glasess - now I am all set for the lab.

I'm happy to hear that. Lab will be just fine, don't worry.

 

[sugarhype10]

was oct. 19th the earliest date available for you to interview? i just received my letter and i don't want to wait a month until the interview!

Don't be discouraged Mal. Why not try...? The admissions process ends in March and blysssful is right, I'm sure it fills up quickly...but why not? (I'm an "opto"mist...hahaha)

I really hope to get in here. My family, hopes, and dreams are waiting back up North. 😍 I'm excited to meet some people too! I am interviewing on October 19th so I will have a decision sometime after that.

Good luck to everybody! Soon we can change that "?" in the thread to an exclamation point!

 

[hurricaneuro]

No, I am sure you can earlier. I actually have an interview at OSU that previous Friday (which is my fall break and I don't have school) so to save money I just put the two interviews into one trip (since I am from PA so I can just fly home and then go to those two.) Best of luck sugarhype...is SUNY your first choice?

 

[lkg2837]

hurricaneuro: so you have an OSU interview Friday the 16th?? Me too!! PM me and maybe we can chat, swap names or something. =D

 

[sugarhype10]

No, SUNY isn't my first choice. Still, it has an excellent reputation, so i can only hope for an acceptance.

best of luck to you too! i'm sure you'll do great. 🙂

No, I am sure you can earlier. I actually have an interview at OSU that previous Friday (which is my fall break and I don't have school) so to save money I just put the two interviews into one trip (since I am from PA so I can just fly home and then go to those two.) Best of luck sugarhype...is SUNY your first choice?

 

[keepitonthedl]

For those who have interviewed at SUNY already... how soon do you find out the results? I am interviewing there on nov. 9th... I read somewhere it's the SAME day! What is the real deal??

 

[hurricaneuro]

It depends on the day you go. Some days the VP of Student Affairs is there to discuss with you, and some days he isn't. In the latter case- its about 2-3 weeks by mail (says the admissions office). 🙂

 

[Ellada25]

I went in expecting to find out the status of my application after the interview, but since VP Dr. Johnston wasnt in that day, I only had 2 people interview me (instead of the group of 3) and received an acceptance letter in the mail about 15 days later...good luck!

 

[hurricaneuro]

Now that I have been accepted 🙂D), I want to meet everyone! I made a facebook group so we can start to chat and get to know eachother.

http://www.facebook.com/groups/create.php?customize&gid=182059610752#/group.php?gid=182059610752

Woohoo! SUNY 2014!

 

[likwidfruit]

hurricaneuro, i think i met you on our interview at SUNY on the 19th! [i'm the one from CA] can i ask when you emailed them and when you heard from them? i'm getting pretty worried because i still haven't heard anything.. i emailed them on saturday =(

 

[hurricaneuro]

Sharon? 🙂 Yeah, I'm Kevin. I emailed Dr. J last week and he said he would check the college on Monday because that's when he was returning. I have not yet heard back from him, but I did get a letter in the mail yesterday with my acceptance. It was postmarked on Oct 22nd, so they sent it Thursday.

Hope this helps 🙂 FL is closer to NY than Cal..so...keep your eyes on your mailbox.

 

[ElaineC]

Reviving this thread to ask current and new SUNY students about their experiece. I am a potential student for Fall 2011 and am hoping you guys and gals can help me decide if SUNY is really for me:
1. Regarding housing, how much are you paying and where are you living? Additionally, I will be traveling up until the Fall semester begins, what do I need to do to secure housing. When should I look, and do I need to be physically present in NYC to do it?
2. Regarding your expereince in NY: do you think given your schedule that it's worth paying high prices in NYC to go to school?
3. I'm trying to get a feel for clinic demands: I've heard that in some schools students feel "Slave driven" in the third year, where they are even penalzied for being sick (have to work 2 days for missing one, and have to work 4-5 days for not calling in advance if missing a day), how do you feel about SUNY's clinic policies? Do you feel like a workhorse?
4. how do you feel about student life? I heard that SUNy's is sort of lacking and is very commuter in nature.

 

[Shnurek]

I believe everything balances out. If you want to go to a private institution with high tuition in a suburban neighborhood then you have to get a car to get anywhere.

For SUNY you pay more for rent but it is balanced out by the fact that the tuition is cheap and you do not have to get a car. I am one of the few people in Manhattan that does actually have a car and let me tell you. Unless you grew up here or have lots of money to pay for parking garages you will be screwed trying to read all those parking signs (check sign below), knowing the traffic laws, and how to get around and when (traffic flow volumes).

Speaking of which, I wonder if SUNY has some discounted parking garage if I drive to school on some days.

As for finding an apartment. It took my friend from California about a month and a half to find a $1000 a month apartment with a roomate on 42nd street and 8th avenue (about 10 minutes walk from SUNY) but it is in a bad neighborhood and he lives above a strip club lol.