Colleges in New York for undergrad?

I'm interested in going to college in New York, but I'm not sure how to narrow down my options. Does anyone have tips on which schools are good for undergraduates, especially if I'm undecided on a major?

New York is home to a wide variety of colleges and universities that cater to every kind of student and academic interest. Since your future major is still undecided, you might want to consider schools with robust programs across a range of disciplines and strong advising resources to help you explore different areas of interest.

Start by checking out colleges within the State University of New York (SUNY) and City University of New York (CUNY) systems, which include many campuses with diverse programs and more affordable tuition for in-state residents. Within SUNY, Binghamton and Stony Brook are often singled out for their academic quality across disciplines. For CUNY, Baruch College, Hunter College, and Queens College are all known for offering a broad spectrum of majors.

If you're looking at private colleges, New York University (NYU) boasts a wide array of undergraduate programs and the resources of a large research university in the heart of Manhattan. Similarly, Fordham University offers a diverse range of programs and the option to study at their Rose Hill Campus (in the Bronx) or Lincoln Center Campus (in Manhattan).

For more competitive options, Columbia University and Cornell University (in Ithaca, but with campuses in NYC) are Ivy League universities with exceptional programs in almost every field you can think of. Barnard College, a women's college affiliated with Columbia, also offers excellent liberal arts education with small class sizes and the resources of a large research university.

Remember to consider campus culture, location, class size, and financial aspects as you decide which colleges might be a good fit for you. It can be beneficial to visit campuses, if possible, or take virtual tours to get a sense of each university's atmosphere.

Make sure to look into each college’s core curriculum or general education requirements as well. Since you're undecided, this will be a key factor in your ability to explore different subject areas. Institutions like Columbia or Fordham, for instance, have a very prescriptive core curriculum, whereas others like NYU or SUNY schools give students a bit more flexibility.

Lastly, once you've narrowed your list a bit, consider reaching out to current students or alumni through the university website or social media to ask about their experiences. They can provide firsthand insights that you may not find in official university materials.