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The Value of Attending Open House

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Prospective students looking at materials during Open House

If you’re a high school or homeschooled student thinking about college, you are probably wondering where to begin your search. While you have to start with finding a college, the next step, naturally, is visiting it! There are many reasons to do this. I recommend visiting the college at least twice before committing: once during an open house and again when it’s a regular school day for students. There are many reasons to attend an open house, including how you can:

Experience Campus Life

The importance of seeing the campus before committing to a college cannot be overstated. There’s something called campus culture that you can only see and feel when you’re at a school and interacting with the people there. For some colleges, the culture is fun and quirky, for others, rigorous and academic, and for some others, sports are the only thing that matters. Know which is the case, so you can tell if the college will be a good fit for you!

Meet the Faculty, Staff, and Fellow Students

Similar to campus culture, it’s important to find out what kind of people work and go to the school. Most colleges, like SUNY Ulster, have a diverse culture and community. However, if the college has a particular niche (say it is almost entirely filled with athletes or mostly filled with business students), it helps to know beforehand, so you can decide if that niche is right for you. It also helps to meet some people and establish relationships before classes begin. It makes you feel less alone on the first day!

Explore Majors and Careers

Many incoming college freshmen have no idea what they’re interested in studying. That’s fine! Attending an open house offers students the opportunity to see what majors are offered and what they can do for careers with those degrees.

Get Financial Aid and Scholarship Advisement

Possibly the biggest concern about college is how to fund it. Open houses have someone on staff who can help you find out how much college will cost for you, as well as how you can obtain financial aid and scholarships. They can also determine a rough estimate of how much financial aid you’ll receive.

Get Application Assistance

If you’re ready to apply, there are admissions officers on campus during an open house that can help you complete an application! This can be a great help when there are questions on the application that you’re not quite sure how to answer.

Attend Today!

SUNY Ulster is having its own Open House on Saturday, April 27, 2019, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on the Stone Ridge campus, where you can experience all the things mentioned above and more! For more information and to reserve online go to: www.sunyulster.edu/visit.

SUNY Ulster COIL Scholarship Recipients Travel To Mexico!

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COIL students from Mexico greet SUNY Ulster students

SUNY Ulster Students Travel to Mexico!

During the week of March 16th, 2018, SUNY Ulster students Kia Ward-Fashion Design Major, Kailey Campbell-Human Services Major, John Bove-Independent Studies/Fashion Major, and Natasha-Pico Aulicino-Business and Entrepreneurship Major all traveled to Obregon, Sonora, Mexico (the second largest city in northern Mexico) as recipients of the Sheldon COIL Academic Travel Scholarship!

Group of students and staff posed holding "Welcome Sign" for SUNY Ulster students arriving at airport in Mexico.

The Students Arrival!

The recipients were welcomed by students, professors, and staff of Universidad de la Salle NoroEste! The recipients had already met some of these students when 25 of the ULSA students traveled to SUNY Ulster to meet their COIL collaboration team in October 2017.

Large group of students sit around a rectangular cafeteria table smiling at the camera.

Young male SUNY Ulster student speaking at the front of a classroom during a presentation. Group of students in classroom sitting in desk arranged in an oval in deep discussion.

SUNY Students In The Classroom.

The SUNY Ulster students spent their week in Mexico attending classes and presenting projects to the Universidad de la Salle NoroEste classes they had COIL-ed with previously. The time outside the classroom was spent sightseeing and making lifetime friends with their host families! This was a great opportunity to dive deep into the wonderful and diverse Mexican culture, as well as utilize global citizen skills as ambassadors of SUNY Ulster.

Three female students posed to resemble the large owl mural they are standing in front of.

Group of nine smiling students posed in front of wall of Mexican artifacts. Photo of eight students and one staff member posed closely together smiling. Twelve students smiling on the sidewalk in Mexico. A group photo of students and staff posed in a classroom setting.
A huge thank you to all the hardworking individuals who helped to make this trip a possibility!

5 Great Summer Session Classes to Take in 2018

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Woman reading a book while dog is nearby

Summer will be here before we know it! With summer at SUNY Ulster comes Summer Sessions, our yearly offering of on-campus and online classes. This year, there will be several Summer Sessions to choose from: those occurring from May 21-July 2, from May 21-July 31, and from July 5-August 15. We’ve already talked about the benefits of summer session classes, but you may not know what specifically is being offered! Well, there’s a comprehensive list on our site. And to give you a preview, here are just a few great options for you to pick from this year, out of over 80 classes offered between the three sessions:

ENG 216-Science Fiction Masterpieces

Offered Online May 21-July 2

Spend your summer days reading by the pool, and get college credit for it! As long as you’ve taken ENG 102 and LIB 111 you can take this fun course, in which you read and analyze some of the great science fiction authors’ works.

COM 105-Public Speaking

Offered On Site July 5-August 15

Let’s face it, none of us really want to do public speaking, but we all have to, either in the form of Public Speaking or Oral Communication (which are basically the same thing). Why not get it over and done with during the summer? It’s also usually a smaller class. This course is taught by Jennifer Patterson.

ART 130-Photography

Offered On Site May 21-July 2

What better time to learn how to take good pictures than in the summer, when you can explore nature and take lots of photos of the great outdoors? This fun class lets you explore your creative side and learn helpful photo editing skills along the way.

ESC 114-Geology of the National Parks

Offered Online July 5-August 15

Learn about our National Parks from the comfort of your own home (but maybe take the time to visit one before the fall semester starts!) This course is designed for non-science majors, so as long as you’ve finished your English requirement you can take the class.

And last but not least…

Any Math Class

MAT 098, 100, 105, and 115 (and even a few beyond!)

Offered Both Online and On Site During Most Times

Math can be a challenge for many students (even for some of you STEM majors; it’s okay to admit it). Because it can be tough, why not take a summer class where you can focus solely on fractions, graphs, and quadratic equations with the help of an instructor? Burn through the rough stuff this summer so you can head into the fall semester ready to tackle the next class up, or, if you finish, enjoy the rest of your time at Ulster math-free. See the full listing to find out what all are available.

Get Ready to Graduate!

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Graduate smiling and holding balloons at graduation

For a number of you, it’ll soon be time for celebrating your achievements at Ulster with friends and family at graduation! You’re busy with finishing your current classes and getting ready for life as an Ulster graduate, but don’t forget about graduation itself. Here’s a few important things to keep in mind.

Apply for Graduation

The deadline for your graduation application is March 2, 2018. If you don’t submit the application, you cannot attend graduation or receive your diploma on time. Make sure it’s submitted by the 2nd, and check its status afterward!

Attending the Ceremony? Get Your Gear!

The deadline to order your regalia generally comes within a month or two after your graduation application. In order to attend graduation, you will need to dress in the basic regalia, but you will also have the option to purchase added tassels and sashes if you are in a special club or are an honors student. All parts of the regalia are purchased through the bookstore.

Attend the Practice Ceremony

A few weeks before graduation, there will be an information session for you to attend that will explain what will happen on graduation day. It’s important that you attend this, as you will learn how the graduation will proceed, find out where you should be at certain times, and get your last-minute checklist for what you will need.

Don’t Forget the Diploma

On graduation day, you receive your diploma cover, but not the actual diploma. That shows up at the registrar’s office in mid-June, whether you went to graduation or not. Don’t forget to make sure you receive it. You can stop by the registrar’s office to pick it up or have it sent to you, but make sure you specify in case you’re moving or won’t be at your mailing address after graduation. The diploma cover is no fun without the diploma inside!

Tips for Saving Money While in College

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Spoon holding potato on one end and money in the other while balanced on a calculator

As you already know, being a college student is both time-consuming and costly. However, if the stereotypical ramen noodle lifestyle is not for you, there are several ways to lessen the financial burden. In some cases, you can even receive some benefits for being a college student! Read on to learn how.

Look for Student Discounts

You know that little ID card you get after registering for the first time? It’s good for more than just taking out library books and using the printers. Showing your student ID can often save you money at various restaurants, stores, entertainment venues, and more. Check for policies in person and when shopping online to save some money with your student status. Don’t be afraid to ask about student discounts if one isn’t listed, especially if you’re making a major purchase (like for tech).

Focus on Class

Paying attention in class and getting good grades can be great for many reasons, as people probably tell you constantly. But financially, performing well in college and finishing classes can be the difference between whether you complete your degree or not. Passing classes efficiently means you don’t have to retake classes and add more semesters before graduating, which saves you money now and down the road. Federal financial aid often stops coming in after you’ve failed too many classes at Ulster. Passing classes is necessary for keeping your aid, and getting good grades is an added bonus that can earn you additional scholarships and aid. Attend class, pay attention, and do your work!

Take Advantage of Campus Opportunities

Save some money and get more out of your college experience by utilizing the fitness, social, and entertainment opportunities already available for free on campus. Want to see a concert or theatrical production? Check our events calendar. Want a good fiction book or movie? Check out our library catalog, we have many and can order more through interlibrary loan. If you want to start a regular workout regimen, try our gym (yes, we have gym equipment in that building!). All these things are free to our students.

Apply for Scholarships

Whatever your GPA, you should apply for Ulster’s scholarships when they become available. Even if you don’t have a 4.0, many times scholarships are available based on criteria like your major or the school you graduated from. You should always fill out the General Application, and look for other scholarships in the community as well. Check out our post all about earning scholarships to learn more.

Use a Finance Tracker

It’s a Fitbit for your money! See how your expenses add up by using a finance tracker. A student budget calculator is available online to see how you’re doing overall, and popular finance tracker apps to use for longterm budgeting include Mint and Wally.

Writing A Great College Transfer Essay

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Hands typing on a laptop

Many upcoming graduates are trying to get into their desired four-year schools before their last semester at Ulster begins. While GPAs and letters of recommendation are important, the deciding factor in students getting accepted is the admissions essay. Considering that many students may have never written one before, here are a few tips on how to craft an essay that will earn that coveted acceptance letter.

Focus On the Main Prompt

Many admissions essays have one or more prompts for you to answer. If there isn’t a main prompt, typically you should address why the college is right for you. To help with this, be sure you stick to the required word count. If there isn’t one given, a common range is 250-1000, with the ideal being 400-700. Organize by paragraphs appropriately. No matter what the prompt is, you should be able to make it unique to you and your experiences.

Write in a Natural and Engaging Way

The people reading your admissions essay will naturally expect professionalism and proper grammar, but remember that you also need to make your essay unique and absorbing. This shouldn’t read like a term paper. Use conversational, effective language. It should sound natural and showcase you in some way. Remember, you’re essentially selling your value as a student to them. Use description and examples to engage the readers. Personal anecdotes relevant to the prompt, especially in the introduction, can be a great way to hook the readers and give them a good picture of you. Be honest about why you want to attend and why you think their school is right for you.

Revise, Edit, Proofread

You can’t be too careful with this part of the writing process, as you know already as a college student. If you’ve let your writing flow and stuck to the prompt, you will often have to trim off a number of words. Edit your essay to be impactful and to the point. It’s then important to proofread, since you will be expected to have mastered English 101 style during your time at Ulster. Asking someone else (or multiple people) to proofread the paper and give you their opinion can also be helpful.

Tips For Transferring from Community College to University

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Diorama of a college campus

Right now, many of you are getting ready to graduate and then go on to a four-year school. You might be feeling overwhelmed by the selection and application process, but even if you haven’t been planning your transfer since you started here, there’s still time and plenty of options! Read on to learn about what you can do (starting now, before your last semester begins!) to ensure the next two years are as successful as your time at Ulster has been.

Talk with Your Advisor and the Transfer Advisor

No matter when you plan on graduating, it’s wise to have a conversation with both your individual advisor and Ulster’s transfer advisor, Kate Smith. Discuss your options, make sure your credits are on track, and get tips from both advisors on what schools could be good for you and your major. This can get you started on the decision-making process and can offer good leads to schools you may not have considered. Remember, academic advisors are available during their office hours year-round; you don’t have to wait for the narrow window of registration to have a chat with them about your plans! In fact, they often prefer you don’t wait until then. To get in touch with the transfer advisor, email smithk@sunyulster.edu or stop by her office in VAN 119M.

Find Some Great Schools

If you aren’t sure yet where you want to go, do some research! For further tips on how to find your match, check out this post on discovering your perfect school. Most importantly, be sure you check each school out carefully. You should always visit if you can. Remember to apply to several schools you’re interested in attending, so you have some options when the time comes to make your decision.

Make Sure Your Credits Transfer

Ulster has articulation agreements with many schools and also offers SUNY Guaranteed Admission to schools within the SUNY and CUNY systems. That said, you should still check to make sure your credits transfer properly! Knowing ahead of time if one school on your list will take an extra semester to graduate from can make a huge difference in your decision (and save you time and money). You can often find lists on school websites of class credits from other institutions that transfer to theirs. You can also ask someone at the transfer school to look over your credits to get a more personal analysis.

Know What Financial Aid Will Be Available

While it’s easy to find the annual tuition cost at an institution, that price doesn’t figure in your financial aid, including federal aid and transfer scholarships you may receive if eligible. Make sure you know how much you will be getting beforehand, so you know what, if any, you will realistically be paying out of pocket during your time at the school. If they are not offered up front, ask someone at the transfer school about scholarships you can apply for. And don’t forget to apply for scholarships here before you go! Scholarships offered through the Ulster Community College Foundation can usually be sent to other schools if the student is in their final semester at SUNY Ulster and intends to transfer.

10 Tips for Scholarship Success

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Woman at the 2016 SUNY Ulster scholarship ceremony holding her award and smiling
It’s now time to apply for scholarships here at SUNY Ulster! The Ulster Community College Foundation General Application is open for students to fill out, and doing so enters them into a pool where they can possibly be matched with one or more scholarships. Both on campus and off, there are many types of scholarships: academic scholarships, need-based (financial) scholarships, sports scholarships, club or member-based scholarships, and more. Here’s some tips for increasing your odds of getting one!

#1: Start ASAP and Apply Early

Many scholarships have early application deadlines, so don’t miss out on these opportunities. You can even apply for college scholarships before you’ve started college! SUNY Ulster has an application period every year in the winter for returning and graduating students and every summer for incoming freshmen.

#2: Search Locally

Don’t stop at just Ulster; look in your community, too! Local banks, grocery stores, clubs, businesses, organizations, and churches are all potential sources for community scholarships. Also check state-funded scholarships. States have lots of money to disperse when it comes to providing education.

#3: Read the Requirements

If you apply to a specific scholarship, make sure you are eligible right from the start, so you’re not wasting your time. Also, never pay to apply for a scholarship, since these are usually scams.

#4: Follow Instructions Carefully

Errors can quickly get your scholarship application denied. Proofread it. Have someone else proofread it as well. Double check your answers to make sure you completely and accurately responded to all questions.

#5: Neatly Presented, Neatly Packaged

If your scholarship application must be mailed, use certified mail or better yet, FedEx, making your application look as professional as possible.

#6: Communicate

Make sure the application is complete and correct. If you are not sure about something in the scholarship application, don’t hesitate to ask someone at the Foundation or whoever is in charge of scholarships where you are applying for one.

#7: Check for School Specific Scholarships

If you’re graduating, check with the college you would like to attend. Usually, there are many school-specific scholarships available. Some scholarships offered through the Ulster Community College Foundation specify a preferred transfer school, so be sure to include your plans in the application to better your chances of getting matched up with these scholarships. Earning scholarships based on a transfer college can also help you make your school choice when the time comes for your final decision.

#8: Be Active, Stay Active

Being in a sports team, club, or doing some type of community service will always better your chances of receiving a college scholarship. Numerous scholarships offered through the Foundation stress community involvement as a requirement.

#9: Maintain your GPA

Keep your grades up. A higher GPA will increase your eligibility for most scholarships, on top of increasing your chances of receiving funds through Financial Aid.

#10: Ask a Foundation Employee for Help

Visiting a Foundation employee in the Clinton 203 suite can help you learn more about traditional scholarships that might be available to you, as well as any aid or special scholarships that fall outside of those covered by the General Application, like Lights for Learning.

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Even if you don’t think your chances of getting a scholarship are likely, at least fill out the Ulster Community College Foundation General Scholarship Application; there is one for current students and prospective students. If you have any other questions about Ulster’s scholarships, contact the Foundation by emailing dvoraksg@sunyulster.edu, by phone at 845-687-5293, or stop by the offices in the Clinton 203 suite on campus.

SUNY Ulster/SUNY Empire R.N. to B.S. Partnership

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SUNY Ulster Nursing Student Graduates

SUNY Ulster is excited to announce the partnership with SUNY Empire that now offers Hudson Valley RNs the opportunity to get a bachelor’s degree in nursing while staying right here at home!

As many nursing students already know, there was no opportunity to get a bachelor’s in nursing at a college campus anywhere within a 100-mile radius of Ulster. Since many practicing and student nurses have commitments close to home, traveling the distance to the nearest college on a daily basis to pursue a bachelor’s was nearly impossible. The SUNY Empire partnership hopes to change that by offering local nurses the opportunity to combine on-campus and online classes to achieve their bachelor’s.

Instead of having to finish their schooling after receiving their RN in two years, students taking part in this new opportunity will get an additional year of face to face classes right here at SUNY Ulster with the faculty and location they’ve come to know already. During senior year, students enrolled in the program take online courses through SUNY Empire to get their final credits.

The program not only allows local nurses the ability to work at a higher salary with additional schooling, but gives them a greater opportunity to get jobs, as local hospitals are in need of nurses with bachelor’s degrees. SUNY Ulster intends to work with many of these local hospitals, including HealthQuest’s Vassar Brothers Medical Center.

For entry into the program, students must have an A.S. degree in nursing, an active, unencumbered New York State nursing license, and complete an Empire State College admissions application with essay. Credits earned by SUNY Ulster nursing students for their associate’s will all be transferable to the SUNY Empire program.

Find out more about this exciting opportunity and check out the course listing on our R.N. to B.S. Program page!

The SUNY Ulster Community Remembers Dino Rende

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Dino Rende walking at graduation

On November 13, 2017, ’16 Ulster graduate and current student Demetrio “Dino” Rende passed away. As an art major almost finished with his second degree, the loss of the 63-year-old Marlboro resident was particularly felt among members of the art department, but students and faculty throughout the Ulster community knew and cared for him. Since his passing, many faculty members, staff, and students have shared their stories and remembered the various ways he impacted their lives. Here are just a handful.

Dino looking at a statue at the Met

From Professor Iain Machell, Fine Art Program Coordinator: “The semester the Fine Art majors took a bus trip to the Met, everyone was free to roam the museum with assignments and recommendations. I asked Dino where he was interested in going and he said, ‘I just wanna hang with the Professor.’ So he and I toured the galleries, ending up in the European galleries (interrupted only by a burger at a vintage soda fountain on Lexington Ave.) and discussed the technical skills of the sculpture, the importance of the human figure throughout history, and the primacy of drawing. All the while Dino was like that famous little kid looking in the candy store window, amazed by everything and energized at the human creative spirit and the need to express ourselves. I could not have had a better museum companion.”

 

Dino's name with a cartoon

From a student: “He was headstrong and stubborn, but that was only part of his charm, and it will be sorely missed. Dino had a way of brightening up my day when I needed it most, and would endlessly compliment and encourage me in my own work. If I was feeling down on my art, he would lift my  spirits back up. May Dino rest in peace, and I hope now more than ever that the space whale murals remain a part of Ulster for many years to come.”

 

Dino posing with a hat and his classmates

From a student: “He’s part of the reason I applied to SAIC, and I’ll never forget how he boasted about me and my work to that School of Visual Arts portfolio reviewer; that was incredible. He watched our graduation in the spring, too, specifically to cheer for us when we walked. He was more supportive than most of my family and friends.”

 

Dino painting in an art class

From Professor Dolores Quiles: “I always enjoyed his Italian flirtations. We were two of the many college community who played a role in Spoon River Anthology. He was always positive and silly. I will miss his energy.”

 

Selection of Dino's artwork in Vanderlyn

From Jane Kithcart, Director of Academic Support Services/Learning Center: “Dino will truly be missed in the Learning Center, but he will be with us forever because he created a work of art that we have on display. Rest in peace my friend.”

 

Please share your own Dino stories in the comments below as we celebrate the life of this amazing student!