Academics
Offering 鈥渕ore academic programs per dollar than any other university in the state,鈥 the University at Buffalo (UB for short) 鈥渋s about choices. You can choose many different鈥ombinations of academics and social activities with the support in place.鈥 Students brag that UB鈥檚 鈥減rograms are all of the highest quality, translating [into] a best-value education for students.鈥 The School of Engineering and Applied Sciences in particular 鈥渋s well respected鈥 and 鈥渨orks with corporate partners in a variety of ways that range from joint-research ventures to continuing education to co-op work arrangements for our stu颅dents.鈥 Other stand-out offerings include pharmacy, physical therapy, a popu颅lar business and management school 鈥渢hat is ranked highly,鈥 鈥渁 solid under-grad and grad architecture program,鈥 and 鈥渙ne of the top nursing programs in the state.鈥 Of course, a school with this much to offer is bound to be large, making it 鈥渆asy not to attend class and fall through the cracks, so one must be self-motivated to do well.鈥 Administrative tasks are occasionally Kafkaesque, with 鈥渁 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,鈥 notes one stu颅dent. Many students point out that support services and contact with profes颅sors improves during junior and senior years when students are pursuing their majors and forging stronger relationships within their departments.
Student Body
Because of UB鈥檚 size, 鈥淵ou can find just about every kind of person there is here. Everyone has a place in this large and diverse student population.鈥 As one student notes, 鈥淎lthough the typical student is of traditional college age, there really isn鈥檛 a 鈥榯ypical鈥 student鈥攖he student body is very diverse in terms of religion, ethnicity, nationality, age, gender, and orientation. 鈥楢typical鈥 students fit in well because of the diversity of the student population.鈥 Another student adds, 鈥淭here are a lot of foreign and minority students, to the point that the actual 鈥榤ajority鈥 is the minority here at UB.鈥 Geographically, UB draws 鈥渇rom urban areas, rural areas, NYC, Long Island, and most every country in the world.鈥 Because UB is a state school, 鈥渁 lot of the students are from New York State, but with differing areas of the state, there are many different types of students.鈥
Campus Life
UB is divided into three campuses. Traditionally, South Campus in Northeast Buffalo has been where 鈥渢he parties are,鈥 though students say that 鈥渋t鈥檚 much less safe than North Campus,鈥 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 鈥渢o go clubbing.鈥 Students living on North Campus describe it as 鈥渋ts 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.鈥 The North Campus, which features 鈥渁 lake and a nice bike path for when you want to escape from the hectic [atmo颅sphere]鈥 of academic life, is the more populous of the two; the intercampus bus system is 鈥渃onvenient,鈥 although a car is preferred. Students tell us that 鈥渂etween all of the clubs and organizations, the Office of Student Life, athlet颅ics, and the Student Association, there is always something to do鈥 on campus. The school鈥檚 Division I sports teams 鈥渁re 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.鈥 Those who explore Buffalo extol its 鈥渁mazing art and music scene.鈥
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