Syracuse University Top Questions

What is your overall opinion of Syracuse University?

Is Syracuse University a good school?

What is Syracuse University known for?

Chelsea

Syracuse is really cool on weekend nights and has a great night life, however during the day there really isn't a lot to do. A lot of people also participate in Greek Life which takes away from boredom. Marshall Street is really cool too.

Rachel

Syracuse is a school that feels big at times and small at times. Sometimes I will be walking around campus late in the day and feel like I'm the only one around, but other times the quad will be packed. Most of the buildings are near each other, but none of the dorms are especially close to the buildings, which can make walks long in the cold. People here are pretty school spirited, but they could be better. Syracuse prides itself on being good at so many things when it's just okay at some things. However, for the location and size of the school, they manage to get some pretty big names on campus and students come to see them. The town isn't that great, but I personally spend most of my time on campus. The student center could be improved as well.

Louise

Obviously the big picture is the weather, it gets cold. It gets windy. You'll get down about it. But everyone survives, everyone is going through the same thing, and I personally don't mind it anymore. It gets wearing so don't come here if you hate snow. Best advice.

Elizabeth

Syracuse is a great school to attend. It has a wide variety of classes, majors and activities. Almost anyone can find something they love about the University. The people are very nice, kind and helpful. There is a lot to do around campus and a lot of life long memories to be made. In my opinion Syracuse is a perfect size. It has about 12,000 students which isn't small but isn't overly populated. The Campus is somewhat big but easy to navigate and figure out within the first few days. There are a lot people to meet and a lot of things to do.

Alex

Best thing: It's a CAMPUS. Change: Involve more with community Size: Just right- I came from a very small town (86 kids in my graduating class) but adjusted pretty well to both the school and the city. Reaction: People are impressed. Time: Dorm, Euclid Avenue, Schine Student Center, Newhouse/Whitman study areas Not really a college town Administration: Haven't interacted with them much, haven't had a problem LOTS OF SCHOOL PRIDE! Orange EVERYWHERE you go! Frequent complaints: Nancy Cantor (still not too sure why), weather, football team Experience I'll Always Remember: Mayfest 2008, Relay for Life 2008, 2008 Syracuse win over ranked Georgetown

Skylar

The best thing about SU is its size. Syracuse is a very large University, so your chances of finding a group of people/major that you like is very high. Each school within the University is very different. We have an incredibly prestigious Illustration department and all of my professors are well known in the art world. For any specialized major, SU is great. If you are looking for general stuff (english major, math major, etc), you would probably be better off at a smaller liberal arts college. The weather is a serious student complaint. It is very dark, and very rainy, almost all of the time.

kirsten

i'd change the amount of snow, its depressing, and you feel trapped because the winter is 3x's as long as any other winter. its just the right size, nice and big with alot of opportunities but professors still know your name. i spend most of my time in my studio doing work or at the library. syracuse is completely a college town, in the summer its a ghost town. there's a huge amount of cuse pride and you should like sports or pride in sports to go here, sat mornings at the dome is where you want to be.

Natalie

At the beginning of my freshmen year I was an athlete for the ORANGE! I'd spend my weeks working out at the Manley Field House and my weekends screaming at the top of my lungs "ORANGE PRIDE." The cool thing was I was able to dabble in everything SU offered because it was a flexible university. My sophomore year I rushed a sorority and enjoyed the greek life. Now junior year I'll explore the abroad program. One of the best experiences I must say was joining the Student Association, the on-campus organization that hears all the complaints by students and parents and works closely with deans and other organizations to adhere to the student needs and progress was made. Just check out sa.syr.edu ! I enjoyed watching the pavement swarmed with students in the winter all bundled up and still attempting to read the "DAILY ORANGE"- the campus newspaper. Filled with gossip, how two's, and sports...you won't see anyone with out one. Everyone and anyone complain about the student center and how it needs to be reinovated from the early 1900's and the lack of awesome equiptment at the gym where 85{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of the regular non athletic kids work out. My sister attends UT-AUSTIN and she uses a car to get her from point A- to B, but i have the luxury of walking everywhere or taking the Centro Bus and you would think I'd be complaining but SU has made so much available within walking distance. A+++ on our health center. It's speedy and so close but we def have to upgrade on the drug prescriptions.

Alex

The campus of Syracuse is quite beautiful and is the definition of a college campus. However, some of the things I dislike of Syracuse University is the lacking of good updated resources. I wish that there would be a better library. I wish they would develop a better south campus for instance, maybe establishing a better gym, dorm, and dining hall. The school administration seems to be so conscious of having the school ranking up by building newer buildings that are not in much need. The school should really spend more money on the right things instead of wasteful resources that the school does not really need.

David

Wow, where to begin? We love our sports, and take much pride in our nationally acclaimed schools, like Newhouse (communications) and Whitman (management). The weather isn't as bad as people say it is. Yea, it gets really cold, but that just means we throw on a sweatshirt under our jackets. The snow wasn't bad at all this year, and by second semester, almost everyone gets used to the bitter wind. Greek life is huge at S.U. Whether you decide to rush a sorority or fraternity or not, you'll probably end up with plenty of friends who did. Campus wise, S.U. is great. It's not huge, but it's not tiny either. It's also constantly being updated, and is getting prettier every year. Recent upgrades are highlighted by the new Whitman and Newhouse buildings. Syracuse may be a big name school like Michigan or Maryland, but it only has 12,500 undergrads. It's a great "big" school, because it's really not that big, and feels even smaller.

Joey

If you're coming for Newhouse, then you're in luck ... sorta. The school is very technologically advanced and will give you a decent education - the alumni contacts are great. However, the name recognition (in my experience), just isn't that great (especially on the West coast). I've found SU to be just the right size school - I'm always running into people I know going to class, but it's not so small that I feel like everywhere I go I'm going to know everyone. If you're looking for a school with a college town - look elsewhere. SU's marshal street has enough fast food and bars to get by, but it's far off from the typical college town that you think of. The administration leaves something to be desired. It's my opinion that they're working toward the general right direction for the school, but that their tactics need to be changed. There seems to be a prevailing attitude that it is the school responsibility to support the city of Syracuse - economically. It's hard to see so much of what is a hefty tuition go towards useless spending. If you're looking for a sports school. This is a good one. Yes, football sucks right now, and our Men's BB team is on it's worse streak in 30+ years. But it'll turn around in a few years. Besides mLAX is doing awesome and you get the Carrier Dome!

Joe

Syracuse is a very large, private, expensive, and amazing university! In my first year, I have experienced so much more than I probably ever would in high school and I am very grateful for the things I have learned along the way! The city of Syracuse is actually very different from the campus we live on. It is not the wealthiest of cities, nor the most well known; it is almost like two different worlds when being on campus versus "downtown". It is very nice, however, to step off campus and into the colorful avenues of the city, including: museums, restaurants (sushi is very popular), and nightlife.

Jen

Um.. I love Syracuse I am aware I might sound like a tour guide or a pamphlet in what I'm about to say, but really... I mean every word! --I was sooooo nervous to come to Syracuse, well to go to any college is nervewracking, but I live in Long Island and Cuse is 4.5/5 hours away, and I'd never been away from home before for a long period of time. So Syracuse was a good school because the drive really isn't that bad, and there's an airport right there! When I got my housing assignment, I found out I was living in the all-freshmen dorm Skyhall (which is on South Campus--not Main), so I would have to take a bus to class every day. My older friends told me to try and change my housing immediately, so naturally, I freaked out. However, I LOVE the Skyhalls and am so sad that I'm not going to be there again next year. My best friends live there and I wouldn't change anything about freshmen year for the world. I'm even going to be a "skyhall mentor" next semester to hellp the new freshies transition into school! --everyone is so friendly... when it's nice weather, people will be hanging out on the Quad and you'll always see a friendly face --yes, it is cold, but if you bring a heavy jacket, you'll be fine... etc. etc.

Kristen

Syracuse is the PERFECT all-around college with people from all different walks of life. With so many different majors and so many prestigious programs there is a great mix of people to get to know. The professors are helpful and there is always something to do.

Robin

Syracuse is a big school and although the campus may seem overwhelming at first, it gets smaller as you go on. The city of Syracuse is not a thriving metropolis but it has some interesting places to be (ex. Armory Square). Most of the schools in Syracuse, particularly Newhouse and Maxwell, have really great reputations, and most people associate Syracuse with D1 sports teams. There's always something going on on-campus and off-campus but you have to be proactive about it. The faculty I've come in contact have been great but there are some professors who could stand to learn more about working with students and organizing a class. The most recent controversy on campus with the Hill TV scandal (I'm sure you can google it). There is major orange pride on campus and you will accumulate a lot of orange for your wardrobe...and learn to love the color in the end. I've met some great people at SU and I met my fiance here so I'm kind of in love with my campus

Dawson

The architecture program is great because it's closely knit and everyone helps each other out. There's a lot of personal attention for anyone who wishes to really recieve feedback on their work. Plus, because it is a big school, there's an enormous number of classes offered and you're sure to find something you're interested in. The Renee Crown University Honors program is a bit of joke. Think intellectual masturbation.

Lisa

Syracuse is a great size. There are enough people here, that there is a group of people like you no matter what kind of person you are. You can find your niche here. The thing is, activities won't come to you. You have go looking for groups to join and concerts to see. If you take the initiative you will have a great time. People don't get off campus too much. Yes, once you have a car you might go to bars or restaurants downtown, but most of the activity is on our around campus. The bus system is great, but not too many students take advantage of it. However, they are working to improve that with a "connective corridor" to downtown, so it should be changing in the next few years. Many students have school pride because of sports, particularly basketball. But other than that, it's not too prevalent.

Meredith

The best thing about Syracuse is that it offers almost anything you want and will allow you to find a way to pursue whatever you want academically. The school is just the right size. I see people everyday on campus just walking across the quad that I know. It was the largest school I applied to, but you never feel lost in the crowd. The academic departments I'm involved in are small and close-knit. They care about getting you a job after school and helping you learn. On campus I spend most of my time in the Illustration studio and in the library. Although sports are important on campus, you really don't feel left out if you're not interested. There are definitely rebels that refuse to attend any sporting events, especially in the art department. One thing a lot of students don't take advantage of is the surrounding parks around Syracuse. Green Lakes and Highland forest are great parks to go to.

Blake

The best thing about Syracuse is that you realize how life tends to go in circles. History repeats itself and the only way it seems to get ahead is to learn lessons from your good and bad experiences. Having such a large student body compared to the high schools many students came from offers room for experimentation, good and bad. From there, students affect each other in the decisions they make directly and indirectly. Seeing students drunk in the street or yelling or vomiting may deter others from drinking and smoking, while others might be attracted to the "wild life". The school offers you the chance to grow at your own pace, learn lessons you couldn't learn any where else and make friends and enemies that will do the same. The school has a lot to offer the student inside and outside the classroom, and being situated in a rather dead city in the cold forces students to incubate among themselves and within themselves. Naturally groups, alliances, friendships and rivalries form creating an intricate network of social and academic communities.

Allie

The best thing about Syracuse hands down is the school spirit. EVERYONE goes to the basketball games and the student section is so much fun!! If I could change one thing, it would be the winters that last from November to April. For me, the size is perfect. Usually when I tell people that I go here, they make some joke about the weather or the struggling basketball team this year. I spend most of my time either in my dorm, at class, or at parties. I have lived in Syracuse my whole life, and I can tell you it is most definitely a college town. The city would be nothing without the university. Don't even get me started on our chancellor, Nancy Cantor. No one likes her, I dont know how she is still employed. Probably the biggest controversies are the various robberies. They happen more often than you would think. There is SO MUCH school spirit here, I dont know if I can stress that enough. One of the most unusual things here are the black squirrels. I've never seen black squirrels anywhere else in my life. I will always remember storming the court after we beat Georgetown on 2/16/08. Students complain about the usual- food, weather, professors. Nothing too crazy.