5 BENEFITS OF STUDYING IN NEW YORK STATE

Studying in New York State Benefits

• Culture
• Quality of Schools
• Internships
• Networking
• Financial Aid

New York state is large and diverse, which makes it an exciting place to live and study. Every year, thousands of students move to the state to enjoy the quality of life, and also to reap the benefits of a first-rate education. Read on for a list of the top five benefits of studying in New York State.

Resource: Resource: 50 Best Value Colleges and Universities in New York

The Culture

Art students will enjoy the museums, and even those who don't study art will find something to admire. The state has dozens of museums where students can learn about everything from state history to historical gardens. Aside from museums, the state is home to many cultural festivals and activities. Musicians from around the world play in its concert halls. The state also has a very active theater life. Though the theater district is perhaps the world's best-known place to catch a play, there are also many great lesser-known theater companies, such as Shea's Buffalo Theatre and Fredonia Opera House, both of which are located upstate.

Quality of Schools

The Empire State is home to some of the best colleges and universities in the country. Classes are taught by successful and brilliant teachers at the top of their respective fields. Just a few of the highest-rated schools are as follows:

• New York University
• Fordham
• Syracuse
• Columbia University
• Cornell
• Barnard College
• SUNY (multiple campuses)

Internships

Every year, thousands of college students decide to take internships. These internships allow students to learn about a career field from the inside. Internship experiences look good on resumes and allow students the opportunity to network with employers and companies. Because NYC is home to so many Fortune 500 companies, interning there gives students the opportunity to work in a variety of different fields, including advertising, journalism, medicine and law.

Networking

Along with internships, networking is one of the most important things a college student can do outside of a classroom. Because the state is so big and diverse, students have the opportunity to network with professionals in every sector. Regardless of what you're studying in college, keep an eye out for job fairs and visit the job center on campus. A great way to network is to keep in close touch with professors and other students. Joining clubs and organizations on campus will help you make the right business contacts. A few of the most popular industries in which you will find many networking opportunities are:

• Finance
• Advertising
• Health care
• Retail
• Manufacturing
• Publishing

Financial Aid

The state has many scholarship opportunities for its residents. TAP (tuition assistance program) provides scholarship money to students based on taxable income and other factors. To apply for TAP, the student must submit a FAFSA form. The state also offers special education opportunities for veterans and also for students who excel in math and science. In addition to these grants and scholarships, students are also eligible to apply for federal aid, such as the Pell grant and student loans.

If you're contemplating studying in the Empire State, think of all the networking, the internships and the culture you will experience as a student there. Contact the admissions office of the respective schools you're considering. They can tell you more about the wonderful education opportunities each school provides.