Reviews

Classes are a bit more difficult than high school, but you always learn something new in at least one class along with meeting new people.

It's a great school with great people, even people from all over the world.

It's totally worth going to a SUNY school at pratically a fifth of the price of private colleges where you learn the same material as private schools and have similar learning styles where the teachers are amazing and absolutely helpful. Since it is a SUNY you know they aren't getting the best pay so obviously the teachers want to be there for you and to help you!

If you want to learn and have fun, Albany is where to be. We're only a couple hours from NYC. The only thing you really do need to know is to bring fans for the summer and extra warm clothes and blankets for the winter because it gets incredible cold! Rain boots are a good investment as well. I thought I might be able to get away with not getting a pair but I definitely regretted it after all the rain and snow accumulation.

SUNY Albany is well known for Business, nano technology and the sciences but also offers theatre, music, anthropology, globalization (very new), many different languages, Linguistics, and practically any major you can think of. The campus is also very diverse and has people from many different countries and states and is almost 50/50 between men and women.

I'm learning so much in the books and so much more outside of it! Take advantage of your teacher's office hours, join some clubs, meet people and have fun. The honors courses are exceptional and I can't believe how much my process of thinking has changed.
It's a different experience for everyone. Mine has been amazing. You just have to go forward and make it your own.

Albany is great because you are in a city so many things are so near by. But the campus is separate enough so you don't feel like you're crowded in a city. I joined several clubs which I never pictured myself ever doing and found a number of amazing people to hang out with.
To be honest, I didn't want to come to UA at first. I hated the idea. Until one time I visited and I felt comfortable with the place. Now I coming here was one of the best choices I have ever made.

For all they do, and compared to all the other schools, YES! It has one of the best prices and you get a lot back. Private schools can nickle and dime you to death it seems. But since it is state funded, things are kept pretty nice, there are many facilities at your reach, and you are in a good location for research.

Yes, it has a party reputation. No, you don't have to do that.

There are lots of people to meet, and in general, I found you just have to reach out a little to start up a good conversation.

JOIN THE CLUBS! I never thought I would like fencing until I went to the first practice and loved it. Now I am going with the club to competitions in other schools. And I never pictured I could learn salsa dancing as well.

Just keep an open mind and never give up. You can learn a lot if you're willing to see it.

Any one going for the sciences, political sciences, liberal arts, business, and almost anything else. It's a big school so it has most majors. Their undergrad science is good and the city gives you intern/research opportunities. And for political sciences, Albany is the capital region and has many government offices, buildings, and events.

It has all sorts of personalities so I can't say what kind of people it would be good for.

Those with high academic standing from high school would do well to join the honors college. It gives them the opportunity to get some wonderful classes, good housing, and other bonuses such as tickets to the school's preforming arts shows and the ability to borrow a book from the library for a full semester.

This school in phenomenal in it's academics. There are so many options and you could choose to learn about just about anything. When I chose this school I wasn't 100% sure what I wanted to do and they just had so many learning opportunities that I couldn't pass up the opportunity. Now I have fantastic teacher's and have learned so much from them since I have been here I know what I want to do. Not to mention the advisors that we have are amazing and they are extremely helpful!

There are over 18,000 undergraduate students which makes for a very diverse living environment. I love being around this many different kinds of people and if you enjoy a good time and diversity then I suggest SUNY Albany. There is never a dull moment whether it be good or bad and it's always fun.

Compared to other school's that I looked at this one was my best option financially. Out of state tuition is only a little over 24,000 and in state tuition is a little over 17,000 which is not that much in comparison to other schools. Not to mention the fact that you are getting the same, if not a better education than a private school for a fraction of the price. The only reason private schools charge so much is because they have smaller amounts of people in classrooms. Even though there may be 500 people in a class at a time you are still getting a fantastic education if you pay attention and do what needs to get done.

I suggest that if you are going to apply that you have more than 2 recommendation letters, a great personal essay and decent SAT scores. I applied for early acceptance and I had 6 recommendation letters. 3 personal and 3 professional. I believe that the more things that are said good about you by other people the better the chances are that they will see you for something other than just your GPA.

I believe that this school is fantastic for people that may not necessarily know what they want to do yet. There are majors and minors in just about everything you can think of. You can even come here as a Pre-health or Pre-law student. There isn't much here that you can't do. And it is a lot cheaper than most other schools so if you want a great education for less monet and a lot of options SUNY Albany is the place to go. Not to mention the fact that there are over 200 clubs and organizations on campus so if you are the kind of person who likes to get involved and keep yourself busy you will always have something to do and you would be surprised at some of the clubs that we have here. Things you would never even think of. Suny Albany is for people that are willing to integrate themselves into a very diverse place and work hard to get where they want.

The classes I have taken so far have been good. Everything varies based on the professor, as it would at any college or university. Some professors are harder than others, but either way, I feel good with the information I am receiving.

At first glance, the campus looks dreary and unwelcoming. Keep in mind it is the second largest cement building in the United States. But it grew on me quickly. During the warmer times there are four fountains and nice gardens that brighten things up. I have yet to run through or swim in the fountains; but its on my list. I commute, so I can not comment on the dorms, but I have seen worse from more expensive schools. And the dorms are not far from the Podium (main rectangle of buildings).

I was looking at a couple of private schools that were very expensive. What made the difference was the price of UA and the financial aid they offered. The financial aid they gave me exceeded the tuition amount, and so I have enough money to pay for books and gas. I don't know anyone who is really struggling to pay for their education there. I have found that for the price, the education is a great deal.

Enter with an open mind. UA was honestly my last choice, and that's because I had my eye on art schools in the city. Going in I was expecting for it to be awful, but I quickly found that I liked the school, and I often bring friends to the campus to give them a tour.

For students who don't mind being a number. There are multiple lecture halls that are big enough to hold five hundred students. You can easily go in and out unnoticed. At the same time, in these classes I have seen professors address students by their name, or go out of their way to say hello to me. While there are large classes, there are small classes as well, so you have a chance to get to know your professors.

I am learning a lot both in the classroom and outside of it. In the classroom, information was thrown at me twice as fast than in high school. Outside of it, you get to learn how to manage your own money, setting up your personal schedule (this is a big one!), how to do your laundry, etc. There are also a lot of internships and academic support on and off campus. Tutors are free, and there are many offices that can review research, or other assignments for you. The University Library also offers a program to guide you step by step on your research projects.

I do enjoy being here. Whether you wanna play football, have a debate, or listen to some live music, there is always something to do after class. The student government funds over 200 groups on campus. There are other colleges in Albany area too (St. Rose, and Siena). This is a great college town. If you wanna go downtown with a group of your friends to find a good movie, eat, or party, there is always something going on.

The University costs about $20,000 right now. It's pretty cheap considering the rankings and reviews this school gets on public policy, business, social welfare, criminal justice, engineering, and education. It has a partnership with the NYS Legislature for internships as well. Although it may seem cheap now, tuition may go up in the near future. Funding is a major problem in the SUNY system now and programs have been cut (theater, French, Italian). It all depends on what you want to major/minor in.

Each quad contains 8 residence halls. Each residence hall is equipped with washing machines and dryers. They are all free of charge. Also, the tower of each quad has a free gym for whoever wants to avoid the freshmen 15!

Other expenses

Transportation here was a little weird for me. If you want to take a bus somewhere, it's free. Whether it's a shuttle or public transportation, uAlbany students get on for free. Cab rides are $7 is you're alone, $4 each for 2-3 people, and $3 for 4 or more.

Food here is cheap.... well pizza is cheap. A slice of pizza in the City of Albany can range from $1-$2, but don't worry, the quality is still there. There is a Wal-Mart conveniently located around campus if you need to buy...well they sell everything. They're open 24hrs on weekdays!

Get involved! It's a great way to get to know people on campus. College isn't all about grades, it's also about networking. A strong GPA might catch an employers attention, but a friendship or recommendation can land the deal. If you don't like any clubs on campus, you could start your own free of charge, and receive funding from the Student Association (student government).


The most important tip I could give incoming students; never go downtown alone. Although SUNY Albany is located in a safe neighborhood, the downtown area is notorious for crimes. On weekends, many frats/sororities and other students have parties downtown. Criminals are outside around these times specifically looking for people walking alone. Don't make yourself look like an easy target.

If you do go out, don't take any cups from any strangers and don't drink the jungle juice!

Oh, I almost forgot! Always stay in contact with your advisor! The earlier you register, the better your classes!

This school is great for students that are into politics, business, criminal justice, education, social welfare, and engineering. The University holds high rankings in all these fields and #1 in Nanoscale Engineering.

Also, if you're looking for a place with a lot of school spirit, this is the place. Great Dane pride is everywhere and you will always see purple and gold (school's colors) everywhere.

If you are a student that wants to major in French, Italian, Russian, or Theater, I would recommend you do your research and make sure you still want to come here. Funding issues could lead to the removal of these departments from campus

Some of the classes are interesting and you will learn a diverse amount of information from a wide range of topics like cultural diversity, global and cross-cultural studies, etc.

I'm an honors student so I live on a great dorm, I have some small classes, and I live with other honors students so we stick together in our classes and activities. It's great! If you get accepted into the honors college, or in any other special program like EOP, or Project Renaissance, you should definitely join.

There are SO many clubs to join ranging from cultural groups to fencing to laser tag and pre-medicine. They help you network with other students and you can gain lots of friends with similar attributes to you. I strongly encourage all student to join at least one or two clubs.

SUNY Albany is a top notch school when it comes to this category. Tuition is around 16-18,000 plus books and other expenses. It's way less than other private schools in New York and other states. However, it's more expensive for out-of-state students.

Stay active, do your schoolwork, and make lots of friends. Don't forget to be you, this can't be said enough.

SUNY Albany is great for all sorts of students. There's something to do for everyone!

suny albany is a great school! it has a large campus so there is always a possibility to make new friends! it also offers a variety of programs that can fit almost anyone's interests!

have an idea about what you may want to do as a career. although the advisors at suny albany are very nurturing and help you plan, these 4 years can go by so fast. it helps to have a small idea because the advisors here can help you so much better and put you on the right track towards a career you might desire!

academic rigor depends on the student. if you try hard, then you will do better. also, i definitely recommend making use of the professor's office hours if a student is having trouble with concepts.

living in a dorm is an amazing experience! you get to meet so many new people and it's a great way to learn about interaction with others. the people in your dorm often become your best friends.

the food is good. i rather have my own kitchen, but the food is good. they have theme nights, such as italian night and mardi gras, in which the food is really good!

there are so many opportunities to have fun on campus! you can join one of the many clubs and groups on campus, depending on your interests! there are groups for community service, performing arts, and even dungeons and dragons. you can also join a frat or sorority.

every spring, we have fountain day. that's the first day of the spring semester in which the fountain in the middle of our school is turned on! it's so much fun! everyone plays around in the fountain like little kids. there are beach balls and special t-shirts made just for the occasion!

all! no matter what your interests are, suny albany has a great environment for you to thrive in.

i never worry about safety on campus. although, we have an open campus here, our campus police are actually trained police officers and are ready for whatever, whenever! we even have narcotic sniffing dogs! about every 20 feet, there are telephones on poles with blue lights on them. if anything should ever happen, you can just take the phone off the hook and the police will come right to that spot! i feel very safe here!

I transferred in from a community college, and noticed the huge difference between there and UAlbany. Firstly, the teachers are more dedicated and committed to teaching you and you actually learn and retain more. Secondly, the difficulty starts with easy and gradually increases to hard so that you actually start learning things. Thirdly, if for some reason you are falling behind, the teachers are ALWAYS available by office hours and/or email; most of the teachers I've had are very personable and flexible, and will always try to help.

I grew up in a small town high school; I then transferred to a small community college. I'll admit, I was afraid to transfer to UAlbany, whose population is an outstanding 19,000+ students. But I never looked back.

The campus is beautiful all year round, even in the cold, winter months. There's a lot of things to do all year round, either on campus or off campus. UAlbany's campus is conveniently located a few minutes from the mall, gas stations, grocery stores, convenience stores, tanning salons, etc.

I also like the diversity. There are so many different nationalities and such at the school, and we all mix together and nobody minds. There are definitely a lot of interesting people on campus that you'll come across and maybe even meet.

You definitely get your money's worth at UAlbany. There are so many things to do, clubs to join, volunteer activities, getting involved in the school newspaper, being on a sports team-- UAlbany offers a TON of stuff to make sure you get your money's worth.

Nevertheless, if you need some extra help in paying tuition, try applying or financial aid. If that doesn't work, I suggest you apply for T.A.P. ONLY if you live in New York State. Almost everybody gets it; it's around $250 per semester.

Manage your time efficiently; the work piles up the most around midterms, breaks and finals.

Take advantage of the library and its librarians.

Get to know your professors and establish a relationship with them as it will definitely help you in and out of the classroom.

Make sure to keep in touch with your adviser; they are very helpful in managing your classes and credits for graduation and/or transfer. They'll help you out with anything you ask them, or at least point you in the right direction!

STUDY! You may have gotten by in high school by barely studying, or not studying... but in college, if you don't study, you'll fail.

Do Not Procrastinate.

Having trouble making friends? Join a club or get involved with some of the activities the school has to offer!

Parking is a big pain. Make sure to arrive on campus (if you commute) about 15-20 minutes before your class begins. I guarantee you'll need it to find a parking spot and get to class on time.

The campus is really great for most students who are hard working, committed, likes a good challenge, likes diversity, wants to meet new people, likes to have fun, doesn't mind the big campus and student population.

Classes are very large but thats to be expected with such a large school. the classes are harder than high school but hey its college of course theyre gonna be tough.

downtown is sketchy and i dont feel safe when i go down there. there isnt much to do on campus. the bus service is free but be prepared to wait and get pushed and shoved on friday and saturday nights to go downtown. the mall is good though

its a suny school.. enough said.

keep up on reading is my best advice even if you didnt have to study in high school be prepared to study and go to the library its easier to study when everyone around you is. also just go to class it seems simple but a lot of people just dont go and fail because of it. if extra credit is offered DO IT! get involved and be super friendly to make friends

if you love people from long island, nyc area, and just mostly down state its perfect for you. very diverse

i took a tour there in april and the school is so beautiful. they have a lot of programs and activity to offer students.

be a well rounded person.

i haven't heard anything bad about their academics.

the dorms looked awful when i saw them. the hallway needed a better and brighter light.

i love it!!!