State University of New York - University at Buffalo (UB)

Offering “more academic programs per dollar than any other university in the state,” the University at Buffalo (UB for short) “is about choices. You can choose many different…combinations of academics and social activities with the support in place.” Students brag that UB’s “programs are all of the highest quality, translating [into] a best-value education for students.” The School of Engineering and Applied Sciences in particular “is well respected” and “works with corporate partners in a variety of ways that range from joint-research ventures to continuing education to co-op work arrangements for our stu­dents.” Other stand-out offerings include pharmacy, physical therapy, a popu­lar business and management school “that is ranked highly,” “a solid under-grad and grad architecture program,” and “one of the top nursing programs in the state.” Of course, a school with this much to offer is bound to be large, making it “easy not to attend class and fall through the cracks, so one must be self-motivated to do well.” Administrative tasks are occasionally Kafkaesque, with “a lot of red tape to go through to get anything done. I feel like a pebble being kicked around when trying to get support or services,” notes one stu­dent. Many students point out that support services and contact with profes­sors improves during junior and senior years when students are pursuing their majors and forging stronger relationships within their departments.

Because of UB’s size, “You can find just about every kind of person there is here. Everyone has a place in this large and diverse student population.” As one student notes, “Although the typical student is of traditional college age, there really isn’t a ‘typical’ student—the student body is very diverse in terms of religion, ethnicity, nationality, age, gender, and orientation. ‘Atypical’ students fit in well because of the diversity of the student population.” Another student adds, “There are a lot of foreign and minority students, to the point that the actual ‘majority’ is the minority here at UB.” Geographically, UB draws “from urban areas, rural areas, NYC, Long Island, and most every country in the world.” Because UB is a state school, “a lot of the students are from New York State, but with differing areas of the state, there are many different types of students.”

UB is divided into three campuses. Traditionally, South Campus in Northeast Buffalo has been where “the parties are,” though students say that “it’s much less safe than North Campus,” which is located in the suburban enclave of Amherst. The school also has a downtown campus but with no residence halls. The recent closing of several bars near South Campus has made it less of a party destination than it was in years past; these days many students report going to downtown Buffalo “to go clubbing.” Students living on North Campus describe it as “its own little city. We have food services, our own bus system, a highway, even our own zip codes. If you know how to play, North Campus is just as much fun as Main Street [which runs by South Campus]; you just need to know where to go.” The North Campus, which features “a lake and a nice bike path for when you want to escape from the hectic [atmo­sphere]” of academic life, is the more populous of the two; the intercampus bus system is “convenient,” although a car is preferred. Students tell us that “between all of the clubs and organizations, the Office of Student Life, athlet­ics, and the Student Association, there is always something to do” on campus. The school’s Division I sports teams “are a big hit around here. Even if we are the worst in the division, we still cheer hard and go crazy for our guys and girls.” Those who explore Buffalo extol its “amazing art and music scene.”