Syracuse University Top Questions

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!

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.