[hoppybunn]

Uconn is pretty big, I actually transferred because it was too big and it's easy to get lost in the crowd and the teachers don't really care too much about their students (in big classroom settings which are mostly what the courses are until they're more specialized). If you don't care about that though it is located in a very small town the closest REAL shopping mall is about 20 minutes away by car (there's a shopping center which is kind of sketchy about 10 minutes away). Of course there are a lot of restaurants and a couple of stores (and a new student union building that caters to more places to eat/get together) right on campus or really close within walking distance. But yeah Uconn has a lot of cows and agricultural programs (just to give you a feeling of how it is). Uconn does have a sense of community though as far as student activities go since there really isn't that much around in terms of entertainment. I wouldn't recommend Eastern State University in Willimantic (about 15/20 minutes from Storrs where Uconn is located), even though it's a pretty smallish town it can be really sketchy (lots of drug dealers and poverty and such) I wouldn't walk around there at night to be honest. As far as other schools I don't know too much about them.

As far as student populations go you basically have everything mixed together at Uconn but it is a HUGE party school most people (at least people that I knew) would go to Celeron and Carriage apartment complexes (a few minutes off campus that is rented out to college students) where huge parties would take place every weekend (thurs-sun). But other than that you can't really say that Uconn has one type of person it really is mixed just like most other public state schools are. As far as Eastern is concerned I would say (based on people that I knew who went there) that it is more of a party/drug type of school but you do get some decent people as well.

[Mitali]

Hi sky trekker,

I am admitted to UConn for masters course for fall 2008. but as u rightly said, being an out of atate student (m frm india), the tution fees comes 2 around $40,000. Nw i have 2 choose btwn UConn n SUNY Buffalo. So can u gimme any good reasons to go for UConn? Not asking u to compare 1 over d other.. just hopin u could tell me a few positive points of UConn so that i can take a well informed decision..

Eargerly awating ur reply..

Mitali

[JayCT]

Mitai - There are a number of good reasons to select UConn. It is highly regarded and is now a very attractive school having spent $1 billion in upgrades in the last 10 years. The school has great sports including nationally renowned basketball and football. Finally, there is the climate. As I am sure Skytrekker will verify when he responds, the weather in Storrs is a lot milder than Buffalo. Jay

[skytrekker]

Winters in Buffalo are affected by Lake effect Snows- which at times can become overwhelming. Strangely enough nearby St. Catherine's in Ontario has a moderate climate that is far less affected then Buffalo from this weather anomaly.

Buffalo also has more days below freezing, as well as sub zero weather.

[cool_mommy]

I would think that Central Connecticut State University would be a great choice for you. The campus is really great. It is a smaller campus, as you have stated you would prefer. The academic choices are many and the instructors are incredible. You mentioned being in a small town. New Britain is a city but it is centrally located which can be very beneficial.

UCONN would be my first choice but the campus is most certainly NOT small. It is a beautiful campus though. UCONN has become one of the Northeast's top schools and is not an easy schol to get into. I don't know what your major is but UCONN's NEAG School of Education is one of the best in the country.

Another poster mentioned Quinnipiac. While Quinipiac is a great school, it is a rather expensive private school and they offer very little financial aid. Someone mentioned Wesleyan. This too is a great private school. They have a beautiful campus in Middletown with many options for off campus living. Middletown is a smaller city that is centrally located in the state. Wesleyan is very expensive and its majors are primarily in the arts.

I'm not sure of your gender but Saint Joseph's in West Hartford is a fantastic school. It is an all women student body. It is a rather expensive private school but they are known for being quite fair with financial aid.

Good luck!

[ctcoldplay11]

I agree with cool_mommy, CCSU (Central Connecticut State U) would be your best bet! I suggest a tour of the campus in New Britain, it's beautiful!