SUNY Student Life

[hurricaneuro]

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I visited SUNY this weekend cause I was going to the city with my friends for the day, and we were closeby so I figured why not (I live in PA). I'm interested in going there but for anyone who is a student now...

How does the lack of a campus affect you, or do you not really mind?

Is it impossible to find an apartment in NY, and is SUNY still trying to establish housing for its students?

The school seems great academically but it is very tempting to stay in FL for the surroundings.

 

[achirum]

I too live in PA and am 99% sure that I will attend SUNY.

 

[hurricaneuro]

Ooh where in Pennsylvania? I'm from Easton (Lehigh Valley) but I go to school at the University of Miami.

 

[Jenboo23]

I visited SUNY this weekend cause I was going to the city with my friends for the day, and we were closeby so I figured why not (I live in PA). I'm interested in going there but for anyone who is a student now...

How does the lack of a campus affect you, or do you not really mind?

Is it impossible to find an apartment in NY, and is SUNY still trying to establish housing for its students?

The school seems great academically but it is very tempting to stay in FL for the surroundings.

I am a first year student at SUNY. I came from a very large university with a big campus and originally one of my preferences was to go to an optometry school that was part of a large campus. After being in NYC and going to SUNY for 5 months, I have found that the lack of campus doesn't really matter to me personally, although I do really miss having a campus. At SUNY it is nice to have the classrooms, labs, and a large clinic all in one building so I never have to walk outside in the winter time to go from class to class or to get to the clinic. SUNY is in a great location in New York, 5 minute walk to Times Square and it is across the street from Bryant Park. Also the NYC subway system gets you everywhere you need to go so you don't need a car.

On the otherhand, I miss having athletic facilities, student health centers, intramurals, student housing and other student services available in large university campuses. Additionally, if you're on a campus there is the opportunity to meet people outside of your program, where as for myself at SUNY, the only people I know in New York so far, are my classmates. Because optometry school and NYC keeps me so busy, I guess I don't really mind having no campus.

Finding housing is not impossible but in my experience was not easy and having good luck helps a bit too. Most landlords/realtors require a credit check and/or US co-signers, neither of which I had because I am an international student. However I found a great apartment after 4 days of looking, without having a credit check or co-signer so it shouldn't be a problem for everyone else.

Other things to consider are cost, at SUNY you will be able to get in-state tuition after first year. Living in Manhattan is expensive but if you live in the other boroughs (Queens, Brooklyn etc) at the expensive of a longer commute time, the rent is significantly cheaper.

Lastly, I don't believe SUNY is in the process of establishing student housing. They were considering it a few years back but in the end it was not financially feasible or something so there probably won't be housing for students any time soon.

 

[hurricaneuro]

Thank you! 🙂 That pretty much answered everything. I do really want student facilities, etc...but you are right in that you probably will be busy studying anyway, so it might not be that big of a deal.

 

[cherryplum]

hey, I'm also a first year at suny. just wanted to add that the school plans to add a small fitness center and renovate the student recreation area starting sometime this year (however, how long that takes is another story!) I came from ucsd and don't mind having everything in one building, it's pretty convenient especially in the cold winter weather and probably during the hot, humid summers as well. you'll always be able to find housing, just depends on how much you're willing to pay vs. commute time. it does depend on luck, but either way you'll find something if you decide to come to suny. the location of the school is great -- it's close to everything and anything you'd want from nyc. hope that helps!

ps. hi to jenboo! 😀

 

[hurricaneuro]

Yes it does 🙂 I'm applying this summer, I'm just stuck between NOVA and SUNY. The catch is I feel like NOVA has a good location, not the best school...but SUNY has the best school, and...well, I'm starting to get excited about the location cause I need a change. So you guys are starting to sway me!

This may seem like a dumb question but what is the atmosphere of the school/building like? In FL its easy to be in a good mood because everything is sunny and good weather, I feel like I might get a little depressed being stuck inside all day.

 

[Jenboo23]

Yes it does 🙂 I'm applying this summer, I'm just stuck between NOVA and SUNY. The catch is I feel like NOVA has a good location, not the best school...but SUNY has the best school, and...well, I'm starting to get excited about the location cause I need a change. So you guys are starting to sway me!

This may seem like a dumb question but what is the atmosphere of the school/building like? In FL its easy to be in a good mood because everything is sunny and good weather, I feel like I might get a little depressed being stuck inside all day.

Yes weather is something to consider. I hate the winter more than anything but I am used to lethally cold winters because I am from the North pole (Canada). Perhaps Cherryplum can tell you how she feels about the winter because she is from a more warmer climate.

In my experience it is sometimes depressing being couped up in classrooms all day without windows and often never seeing the light of day in the winter months. But NYC is really beautiful at night with all the lights and everything. When we're not busy with school work everyone likes to party and explore the city. When its time for midterms or assessments things get pretty serious and quiet on the campus. Generally the people are fun at SUNY.

With regards to the school. I don't know anything about NOVA so I will just talk about SUNY. Although we have 35 hours of class and I quite often have no life, I believe SUNY prepares its students very well to become optometrists and I'm really glad I came here even though we have a hard schedule and instructors or whatever. Some people suggest that it would be easier at other optometry schools, but who really knows. In the end we are all ODs...For me it is more important to be challenged than to coast through optometry school. SUNY definitely challenges its students, getting A's is hard. NOVA may be the same, I don't know.

I need to study for my optometry quiz but I'm happy to answer any other questions!

ps. hi cherryplum!! see you tomorrow 🙂

 

[achirum]

Ooh where in Pennsylvania? I'm from Easton (Lehigh Valley) but I go to school at the University of Miami.

Pittsburgh! I don't know how close that is in relation to Lehigh Valley although that sounds very familiar.

 

[hurricaneuro]

Thanks so much Jen!

And we're on opposite ends, achirum. I'm right next to NJ (literally five minutes)

 

[cherryplum]

yes... those afternoons with 4+ hours of class in the same classroom do get depressing, but in the non-winter months you have the benefit of bryant park right across the street which really is a rarity in nyc. I personally do not miss having a real campus too much, you get used to riding the elevators up and down all day and get to know each other really well since we pack in there to get to class people are definitely friendly and chatty here once you get to know them, so I think it's a good atmosphere. I'm from california so I'm used to much milder weather, the cold is pretty brutal for me now but it's manageable! I'm happy with the choice I made, so just go with your gut, but just keep in mind how much nyc has to offer... you'll never have a dull moment!

ps good luck on the quiz Jenboo!

 

[achirum]

Thanks so much Jen!

And we're on opposite ends, achirum. I'm right next to NJ (literally five minutes)

ok so nowhere near each other.

 

[hurricaneuro]

Random but is the SUNY site not working for anyone? It keeps saying the server can't be found for the past like five days. Weird.

 

[blysssful]

Random but is the SUNY site not working for anyone? It keeps saying the server can't be found for the past like five days. Weird.

It's been working fine for me. Are you talking about the main page?

 

[hurricaneuro]

Yeah, my internet connection is weird sometimes...probably a firewall or something. Thanks =P

 

[Gainesvillian]

I'm from Florida, and I plan to go to SUNY this fall! I didn't even apply to NOVA after reading all the crap on this site.

 

[EyeWitness]

I'm from Florida, and I plan to go to SUNY this fall! I didn't even apply to NOVA after reading all the crap on this site.

NOVA has a terrible reputation on this site, and when I asked my OD about any schools that I should watch out for, she said the only school she ever really heard anything illegitimate about is NOVA. hmmmmm...

 

[gochi]

nova should just close down or lower tuition.

 

[Qukc]

Hi, I'm new user to SDN. I got interviews at SUNY, NOVA, and PCO so far. SUNY is likely to be my first choice because of its reputation and high NCBO pass rate. I'm from Canada as well, so my foremost concern is about how I manage the loans, as I believe they have increased the out-of-state tuition up to $31000. Did SUNY offer any substantial financial help for Canadian students? Or did you apply loans in Canada?

I appreciate your advice 🙂

Yes weather is something to consider. I hate the winter more than anything but I am used to lethally cold winters because I am from the North pole (Canada). Perhaps Cherryplum can tell you how she feels about the winter because she is from a more warmer climate.

In my experience it is sometimes depressing being couped up in classrooms all day without windows and often never seeing the light of day in the winter months. But NYC is really beautiful at night with all the lights and everything. When we're not busy with school work everyone likes to party and explore the city. When its time for midterms or assessments things get pretty serious and quiet on the campus. Generally the people are fun at SUNY.

With regards to the school. I don't know anything about NOVA so I will just talk about SUNY. Although we have 35 hours of class and I quite often have no life, I believe SUNY prepares its students very well to become optometrists and I'm really glad I came here even though we have a hard schedule and instructors or whatever. Some people suggest that it would be easier at other optometry schools, but who really knows. In the end we are all ODs...For me it is more important to be challenged than to coast through optometry school. SUNY definitely challenges its students, getting A's is hard. NOVA may be the same, I don't know.

I need to study for my optometry quiz but I'm happy to answer any other questions!

ps. hi cherryplum!! see you tomorrow 🙂

 

[blysssful]

Hi, I'm new user to SDN. I got interviews at SUNY, NOVA, and PCO so far. SUNY is likely to be my first choice because of its reputation and high NCBO pass rate. I'm from Canada as well, so my foremost concern is about how I manage the loans, as I believe they have increased the out-of-state tuition up to $31000. Did SUNY offer any substantial financial help for Canadian students? Or did you apply loans in Canada?

I appreciate your advice 🙂

I think the best way for you to get the most accurate and complete information is to call the school directly with your financial questions.

 

[Jenboo23]

Hi, I'm new user to SDN. I got interviews at SUNY, NOVA, and PCO so far. SUNY is likely to be my first choice because of its reputation and high NCBO pass rate. I'm from Canada as well, so my foremost concern is about how I manage the loans, as I believe they have increased the out-of-state tuition up to $31000. Did SUNY offer any substantial financial help for Canadian students? Or did you apply loans in Canada?

I appreciate your advice 🙂

I am a first year at SUNY and a Canadian as well.
Canadians get ZERO financial aid from SUNY and are not eligible for any other student loans from the USA because we are foreigners. We are eligible for entrance scholarships and there is a little pot of money that they divide up amongst the Canadians/foreigners every year. This year it was 1000 bucks per foreigner. Also there are a handful of work study positions available to Canadian's but they are hard to get (because we all want a work study job) so you can make some pocket change that way.

So you have to get all your money from Canada. First place to get money is apply for provincial/federal student loans. So if you're from Ontario, you apply for OSAP and you'll get 210/week. So that amounted to 8400 for first year (~40 weeks of class). In 2nd year and so on we're enrolled closer to 52 weeks/year so we get a bit more closer to 10000. I think other provinces give their students more money than Ontario, like Alberta and BC.

Then you'll have to get a bank loan. And you'll likely need a co-signer. There are professional student lines of credit. For optometry students the best one I found is with Royal Bank and the maximum they give you is 125,000. So counting bank loans, provincial loans, summer jobs, parents paying the interest on your line of credit, and an exchange rate around par, that would be enough money for 4 years. However now that the exchange rate is terrible, and SUNY tuition went up 20% in one year, you will probably need to find more money in 4th year (parents co-sign you for another loan, or marry rich, etc). A lot of Canadian's manage it. Having your parents support you really helps a lot.

 

[blysssful]

For SUNY students:
1) About how much of the work outside of class is reading from textbooks/papers/etc, and how much is straight studying notes from class?

2) In general, about how much material that is not specifically discussed in class would you be tested on? (I understand that it might vary from course to course, but I'm asking because I was talking to my cousin who is a first year dental student, and she was telling me that she NEVER reads from textbooks, because the course notes are more than sufficient. Obviously, it's a different field at a different school, but I'm guessing the first couple years are pretty comparable for a lot of the classes.)

3) I've heard things in general about the transition to optometry schools having a lot to do with memorizing a ton of content and details rather than learning/applying new or difficult concepts. To what extent is this true at SUNY? Is it mostly "memorize and regurgitate"?

4) Do the exams closely relate to the style that would be on the Boards? Mostly multiple choice, or some other format?

5) Are previous exams available for students to study off of? (If so, is this permitted, or is it "hush-hush"?)

6) What is the policy if you fail a course? Two courses? Is remediation of that course an option, and what does that entail? (i.e. having to retake the entire course, or being able to retest with a comprehensive exam of that course)

7) On average, how many hours/week do most students study outside of class and clinic?




I asked some of these questions during my interview... but didn't really feel like I got straight answers.

 

[Jenboo23]

For SUNY students:
1) About how much of the work outside of class is reading from textbooks/papers/etc, and how much is straight studying notes from class?

2) In general, about how much material that is not specifically discussed in class would you be tested on? (I understand that it might vary from course to course, but I'm asking because I was talking to my cousin who is a first year dental student, and she was telling me that she NEVER reads from textbooks, because the course notes are more than sufficient. Obviously, it's a different field at a different school, but I'm guessing the first couple years are pretty comparable for a lot of the classes.)

3) I've heard things in general about the transition to optometry schools having a lot to do with memorizing a ton of content and details rather than learning/applying new or difficult concepts. To what extent is this true at SUNY? Is it mostly "memorize and regurgitate"?

4) Do the exams closely relate to the style that would be on the Boards? Mostly multiple choice, or some other format?

5) Are previous exams available for students to study off of? (If so, is this permitted, or is it "hush-hush"?)

6) What is the policy if you fail a course? Two courses? Is remediation of that course an option, and what does that entail? (i.e. having to retake the entire course, or being able to retest with a comprehensive exam of that course)

7) On average, how many hours/week do most students study outside of class and clinic?




I asked some of these questions during my interview... but didn't really feel like I got straight answers.

1) Almost all of the classes do not require a text book. Only 2 classes had a required text. The other courses have recommended text books but they certainly are NOT required and definitely people do well without them. So all of the studying is spent reading lecture handouts and transcripts of lectures. There is an optional transcript service available to students where they type up about one lecture recording per month and then they are made available to everyone who signed up. So some people rely heavily on these and won't need a book, some people can get away with no transcripts or books. I purchased 3 books for first year and I study from all of them in addition to lecture notes.

2) Everything discussed in class is testable. If it is not discussed in classed but we're told we're responsible for it and to read it, then it is also testable. There are no required readings, except for 1 class, and those readings are testable. Lecture handouts and going to lectures is sufficient.

3) For exams and tests you have memorize small details and then put that information together to come up with an answer. They like to test our understanding a lot but often it also requires that you have details memorized. There is also straight up memorize and regurgitate questions too.

4) Most exams are multiple choice. The profs try to make it like the boards (which is multiple choice I think). For math courses like optics there will also be short answer problems that require you to show your work.

5) Yes previous exams are made available for most classes, not all of them though.

6) If you fail a course you have to re-write a final exam or midterm depending on the prof and the situation, if you fail 2 i think you just re-write a final exam for both courses then ... In the SUNY student handbook on the website (under current students i think) it outlines the process of making up for a failed course, academic probation etc

7) Depends on the time and the person. Maybe like 0-15 hours/week when things are slow, possibly up to +40 hours/week when its crazy with exams

 

[blysssful]

Awesome. Thanks for your response!

 

[Qukc]

Jenboo23 -- Thank you for your info!!

I guess we as international students are often the miserable group who don't get funded by the schools. Honestly, $1000 wouldn't help much compared to the enormous tuition which has increased up to $31000 USD this year!! That's almost comparable to NECO, which is still the most expensive optometry school so far...

When should I apply for OSAP? Does your loan mainly come from bank line of credit? What other banks with lower interest rates would you suggest beside RBC?

Also, I've heard that Canadian students can get loans from U.S. banks, but we need co-signers. What're the pros and cons of borrowing $ from U.S. banks? Do co-signers have to be NY citizens, or can they be from other states to be qualified as co-signers?

I'm going to have the interview at SUNY next week. Hope it won't scare me off! =P

I am a first year at SUNY and a Canadian as well.
Canadians get ZERO financial aid from SUNY and are not eligible for any other student loans from the USA because we are foreigners. We are eligible for entrance scholarships and there is a little pot of money that they divide up amongst the Canadians/foreigners every year. This year it was 1000 bucks per foreigner. Also there are a handful of work study positions available to Canadian's but they are hard to get (because we all want a work study job) so you can make some pocket change that way.

So you have to get all your money from Canada. First place to get money is apply for provincial/federal student loans. So if you're from Ontario, you apply for OSAP and you'll get 210/week. So that amounted to 8400 for first year (~40 weeks of class). In 2nd year and so on we're enrolled closer to 52 weeks/year so we get a bit more closer to 10000. I think other provinces give their students more money than Ontario, like Alberta and BC.

Then you'll have to get a bank loan. And you'll likely need a co-signer. There are professional student lines of credit. For optometry students the best one I found is with Royal Bank and the maximum they give you is 125,000. So counting bank loans, provincial loans, summer jobs, parents paying the interest on your line of credit, and an exchange rate around par, that would be enough money for 4 years. However now that the exchange rate is terrible, and SUNY tuition went up 20% in one year, you will probably need to find more money in 4th year (parents co-sign you for another loan, or marry rich, etc). A lot of Canadian's manage it. Having your parents support you really helps a lot.

 

[Jenboo23]

Jenboo23 -- Thank you for your info!!

I guess we as international students are often the miserable group who don't get funded by the schools. Honestly, $1000 wouldn't help much compared to the enormous tuition which has increased up to $31000 USD this year!! That's almost comparable to NECO, which is still the most expensive optometry school so far...

When should I apply for OSAP? Does your loan mainly come from bank line of credit? What other banks with lower interest rates would you suggest beside RBC?

Also, I've heard that Canadian students can get loans from U.S. banks, but we need co-signers. What're the pros and cons of borrowing $ from U.S. banks? Do co-signers have to be NY citizens, or can they be from other states to be qualified as co-signers?

I'm going to have the interview at SUNY next week. Hope it won't scare me off! =P

Apply for OSAP when it become available which is usually May or June before the school year. The money is made available to you anytime after the first day of class, as soon as all the paper work is in. My loan and other Canadian's loans come from the bank because like I said, OSAP doesn't pay much...210/week in school which was like 8400 in first year and about 10000 2-4th years...

RBC is prime + 1% for the optometry student line of credit. RBC has the highest limit for line of credit for optometry students at 125,000... I think BMO's interest rate is prime + 0.5% but optometry students max out at 80,000. Check out the other banks though, TD etc...

I don't know of any Canadian's who can get a loan from the US. Infact I can't even get a credit card from my US bank because we have no social security numbers and no credit history in the US... So if you get a loan from the US you will most certainly need an AMERICAN co-signer (probably from any state will do)...don't really know anything else about US bank loans.

Good luck at your interview!