What makes this category of school different from a University Center or University College? Colleges of Technology focus on applied learning. They embrace hands on experiences and get students out of the lecture hall and into the real world. This counselor tour was structured in a similar way in that we had the opportunity to participate in four mini-workshops all highlighting different program offerings at the campus. I learned about everything from hydroponic agriculture (see photo above) to DNA. I pruned a Bonsai plant and learned about how to identify trees at risk of falling down. The faculty at Cobleskill that I got to meet all had one thing in common: they love their fields of study. They speak with energy and excitement about their students and their courses.
Most academic pursuits at Cobleskill directly relate to the real world. There are things like culinary arts, equine assisted therapies, turf-grass management, and early childhood education. There are multiple entry points (meaning there are both two and four year degrees) as well as articulation agreements with other schools for students looking to transfer to programs at places like Cornell.
I think the biggest adjustment factor for a New York City student would be the small town/rural environment. This is the kind of school where you are going to be able to look up at night and see a sky full of stars. Not every city kid is ready for that, so I think it really needs to be suited to the individual. With that said, it is less than an hour to Albany, so it isn't as isolated as it might look.
Thanks SUNY Cobleskill for hosting us and giving me a much better understanding of the range of options within the SUNY system.
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