Stony Brook University

Date: Nov 09 2007
Major: Math (This Major's Salary over time)
I agree for the most part that college is what you make it. In terms of academics, nothing is out of reach, but you have to have the initiative to find out what you are doing (which is not a problem at all). 3 out of 6 of my professors speak with a thick accent. Personally it does not affect me too much, and there will be foreign professors at any college. Stony Brook has what I would consider an average multitude of recreational activities, clubs, etc. The student population is very diverse, which i really like about the college.

Now, for the bad part. The social life here sucks. At least half the people are commuters, and about 2/3 of the remaining people go home on the weekends. The proximity of the city isn't as advantageous as one would expect. In order to go have some fun in the city, you need people to go with; and all the commuters go straight HOME, so they are not up for this.

The social scene is just pathetic. Nobody seems to drink, they just go to sleazy dirty clubs and grind. I'm not the biggest partier, but there is absolutely no fun on campus, which really sucks, especially on the weekends.

Overall, you can find whatever you need just as in any university, but the problem is you're always having to chase it down here. Fun is always a half hour drive off campus or MORE, and taxi fees get expensive. Frats are hard to get involved with, and once again, frat houses are distant. The school-sponsored events are just corny, and nobody goes to them. The only way to socialize pretty much is to chill in a dorm or eat food with people. There is no sense of unity between students, which probably also has an affect on the crappy social life.

I understand that college is what you make it, but it's hard to make a satisfying life when there is nobody around.

Opportunities here are existent, but far out of reach.