University at Buffalo (UB, UB, State University of New York at Buffalo, SUNY Buffalo) History and Academics

History

Founded in 1846, the University at Buffalo (UB) was purchased by the State of New York in 1962. Prior to that it was a private institution. The university became a flagship school in the State University of New York system. The school is a research-intensive institution and prides itself on the innovative thinking, resilient optimism and pragmatic dreaming of their students. The school offers over one hundred undergraduate degrees, over two hundred master’s programs, nearly ninety doctorates and about ten professional certificates.

The University at Buffalo offers a wide variety of student activities including student clubs and organizations, Greek life, an NCAA athletics club, and both club and intramural sports. The school also has an expansive study-abroad program that has exchange agreements with nearly eighty institutions around the world.

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Information Summary

Ranks 32nd in New York and 341st overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	89.4
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	$27,758
Admission Success rate	N/A
ACT / SAT 75%ile scores	29 / 1330
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	22 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	87% / 56%
Enrollment Total (all students)	31,503

Academics

UB has an impressive array of 13 colleges and schools in which students may earn a degree including Architecture & Planning, Arts & Sciences, Dental Medicine, Education, Engineering & Applied Sciences, Public Health & Health Professions, Law, Management, Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Nursing, Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Social Work and the Roswell Park Cancer Institute Graduate Division. The administration advocates a robust technology plan, and was recognized on the Yahoo! list of “Most Wired Universities.”

The University at Buffalo offers more than one hundred undergraduate degrees in many standard subject areas, such as anthropology, biology, art, physics, psychology and literature; but it also offers degrees in many not-so-standard subjects as environmental geosciences, nuclear medicine technology, global gender studies and bioinformatics and computational biology.

Students who are motivated have the opportunity to earn a combined bachelor’s/master’s degree in as little as five years in numerous areas including aerospace engineering/business administration, civil engineering, economics/business administration, geography and exercise science/nutrition. Most of these programs shorten the time that it would traditionally take to earn both degrees by nine to fifteen credit hours.

Students seeking a graduate degree have an extensive array of choices at the University at Buffalo. The university offers such professional schools as a law school, a med school, a pharmacology school, a dental school and literally hundreds of individual programs. Students may pursue master’s degrees or doctorates as well as professional certificates.

Most Popular Fields of Study

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Unique Programs

The Research Institute on Addictions has been studying the etiology, prevention and treatment of numerous addictions for over forty years. It studies the psychological, social and neurophysiological aspects of addiction as well as the medical and health aspects in an attempt to understand, treat and prevent numerous forms of addiction.

The School of Engineering and Applied Sciences provides degrees and majors in chemical and biological engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, and several other options. It is consistently ranked as one of the country’s best engineering schools.

The University at Buffalo believes that study abroad provides students with a wonderful opportunity to earn a degree in global environment, and the school works in conjunction with nearly eighty institutions all over the world to provide students with this chance. Compared to other institutions, an inordinate number of UB students take advantage of the chance to learn abroad for either a term, a semester or a full year.

Admissions

Because admissions are highly competitive at the University at Buffalo, its students are exceptionally talented. Admitted students should have completed a rigorous college preparatory curriculum. This coursework is not required but is highly suggested as adequate preparation. The curriculum includes four years each of English and social studies and three years each of science, a second language, and college-preparatory mathematics (for example, Algebra I, Algebra II, calculus and trigonometry).

Students who are admitted to UB but have not completed the above curriculum may be required to complete coursework in addition to the general undergraduate requirements. UB admissions personnel consider high school grade point average, class rank, and standardized test scores equally when determining a student’s eligibility for admissions. The highest standardized test scores from different dates are used as considerations. Letters of recommendation are not required, nor are students’ personal essays, but both are considered helpful when determining an applicant’s eligibility.

Because graduate programs have varying requirements, students should contact the program in which they are interested in order to determine admission requirements.

Financial Aid

UB advocates students filling out their FAFSA prior to any other financial aid inquiries. It is this document that will determine a student’s eligibility for Pell Grants, SEOG, Work-Study, Perkins Loans, and Federal Direct Student Loans. The Honors Program provides top freshman students with renewable awards up to the full cost of attendance, as well as various benefits such as priority registration, faculty mentorship, research opportunities, and special seminars.

The University at Buffalo Scholars Program recognizes talented freshman students with renewable scholarships support, as well as special advising opportunities. Other scholarship opportunities exist for students in specific fields and who demonstrate particular abilities and accomplishments. The first step to applying for financial aid is completing the FAFSA which is available online starting in January.

Student Financial Aid Details

Ranks 2597th for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best scholarships and financial aid in New York.

Students

UB welcomes high-profile entertainment and provides culturally valuable diversions for its student body. Entertainers and speakers to visit the UB campus include Andy Rooney, Sidney Poitier, Maya Angelou, Toni Morrison, Tori Amos, Billy Joel, and Jane Goodall. The Center for the Arts is a $50 million facility that can accommodate thousands of guests for theatrical and musical performances. The University provides “Shared Interest Housing” that incorporates small groups of like-minded and similarly interested students creating an opportunity for discussion, debate, and community learning.

Student Enrollment Demographics

Student Graduation Demographics

Athletics

The University at Buffalo Bulls compete in the NCAA Division I-A and in the Mid-American Conference (MAC). Sports include football, baseball, softball, volleyball, wrestling, women’s rowing, and men’s and women’s basketball, soccer, swimming, tennis, cross country, and indoor and outdoor track. The Bulls’ football team play home games in UB Stadium, as do the men’s and women’s soccer teams. The $23 million facility seats just over 29,000 visitors and has hosted some of the most prestigious track, field, and intercollegiate athletic competitions in the world. It includes a 400-meter, eight-lane track and houses administrative offices as well as locker space for 800 athletes. Alumni Arena is home to the men’s and women’s basketball teams, wrestling team, and the volleyball team. It boasts the country’s largest “free-floating” hardwood floor and $1.5 million in outdoor playing fields as well. It can seat over 6,000 spectators and includes facilities for weight and endurance training, and Olympic-size swimming pool, diving well, a triple gymnasium, and a dance studio. Playing fields include soccer fields, field hockey facilities, softball fields, and multipurpose fields.

Local Community

Among its many recognitions, Buffalo has been called the “City with a Heart,” an “All-America City,” and the “20 Minute City,” signifying its location near a plethora of entertaining and enjoyable venues. Cultural attractions include the Albright Knox Gallery, Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Hallwall’s Contemporary Arts Center. Buffalo is also home to the NFL’s Buffalo Bills, a Triple-A baseball team, a professional soccer team, and a Major Indoor Lacrosse League team. It has also been recognized as having the highest percentage of summer sunshine in the State of New York.

Bibliography

University at Buffalo. University at Buffalo. 2011. Web. 24 June 2011.

State University of New York at Buffalo. University at Buffalo Athletics. 2011. Web. 24 June 2011.

University at Buffalo