Syracuse University Top Questions

What should every freshman at Syracuse University know before they start?

Diamond

Make sure they visit the school and know exactly what they want to study before they get there, and to actually plan out there four years that first summer.

Mark

Really take the time to visit schools you are serious about. And talk to the older classmen. Freshman are always in a daze. They think everything is perfect. Ask the older students and find out the problems/issues at each school. It's better to know them sooner than later.

Jia

Just give them time to settle in. Just lke how i was home sick, once they make the right friends and get use to the enviornment, they will have a different view. Don't worry about picking the right major as many students tend to change majors once they have a feel of what they love. With a school as big as Syracuse offering so many majors, you don't need to worry about them not having something that will interest you or suit you. During the first week of freshman orientation it really does help you settle down. Best time to ask question as there are people to answer them everywhere. Picking the right college is knowing the background of the school, how big the student body is and knowing how the environment is like. You don't want to go somewhere where the environment is something you don't like or not use to. Such factors are climate and distance to other surroundings such as distance to the city. You should decide if you prefer to dorm or travel as those can really impact your schedule.

Claire

try and make the difference between what you like, and what you want to study..but keep the two close together

Natasha

College is tough. You?re going to find it hard to adapt yourself to the school and all the experiences it brings! Here?s my advice: Get involved! Attend school games, get a feel of your school?s spirit...It?s the easiest way to meet people too! Explore the neighborhood, get to know your surroundings?Go to the frat parties and get a sense of the party scene! Accept all the chances you get for different activities?Don?t be afraid to accept challenges, take it all in! You?re going to find out the competition is much more than what you thought but, don?t let the pressure get you?you don?t have to prove anything to anyone but yourself so, do your best! Completely submerge yourself into the college life experience but, remember one thing: Now that you enter a whole different world you?re going to find out you can be anyone and anything you want to be?remember your values, were you come from, and who you truly are?never lose your soul because, it is the ONLY thing that will keep you going when the going gets tough. Remember who you are.

Corey

First and foremost, pick the school that makes you (as the perspective student) happy. Pick a school where you think you can achieve both your academic goals and be happy socially. Make sure the academics will challenge you, but not be too challenging. You don't want to be over-stressed, but you want to be able to take a variety of classes to keep yourself interested. Do you want to be involved in greek life? Not all schools have fraternities and sororities, but many do. At some schools, social life revolves around greek life, while at others greek life is merely a part of the social scene. Decide how far from home you want to be, and keep in mind how easy or difficult it will be to return home during holidays. Find a balance to keep yourself happy at school and at home.

Florence

Although being able to afford a college's tuition is very important, it is not the most important factor when choosing the right college. Every student should visit the colleges they were accepted to in order to make their final decision on a college. I received a full ride to a very prestigious college but when I visited the campus, I knew it was not right for me. A school's academic reputation is very important to me but I did not feel that that school was diverse enough and there was not enough student activity on campus. When I arrived at Syracuse, I knew I belonged there. The campus was buzzing with life. Everyone looked welcoming and friendly. Somehow, I just felt like I belonged. Even though it cost a lot more to attend Syracuse, I chose it over the academically prestigious college. So my best advice for choosing the right college is: every student should visit the campuses of college they want to attend on an ordinary day and see if they can imagine themselves spending four years of their lives in that school. If the answer is yes, they know what the right college is.

Sarah

So many people have advice about how to pick a school and how to make the most out of college. My college search taught me that there's no magic formula for finding a school, and there's no perfect school. But there are plenty of schools that could be good fits. When you begin your search, visit a few different types of schools, large, small, urban, rural, to decide what you like. Once you figure out what environment's comfortable for you, research schools with programs in your area of interest. It pays to start early so you can search thoroughly. Apply to some schools you're sure you'll be accepted to, and others that will be a stretch. Don't let a school's cost limit you. Just apply, then look at how financial aid works out. Once acceptance letters come in, make a pro and con chart weighing items that are important to you, such as cost, housing or campus activities. Accept advice, but ultimately, choose for yourself. And stay true to yourself throughout your college experience. Don't let your new surroundings define you or mold you into someone you don't want to be.

Melanie

Know what you want and then search for colleges. Decide on a major, the ranking of the college, the distance from your home and then the population size. It'll help narrow your decision down to a list. Visit the colleges because pictures always show the best sides of the campus and not the worst. Get involved in clubs. It'll help you to make friends and looks great on your resume. You'll feel like you're making a difference. Be yourself and don't give in to peer pressure.

Oriana

The college experience is the combination of learning, social life and feeling comfortable in an environment different from home. When applying to college, look for the kind of lifestyle you'd want to experience and at the same time, be able to handle. Extracurricular activities are the best way to make the best of college experience. Clubs can come in all shapes and sizes, and if you don't find one that fits your interests - you can found your own! Going for a college life a little out of your comfort zone keeps you motivated and enthusiastic to meet people, participate and learn. Today, many schools offer large varieties of cultural, experiencial and academic activities - its not hard to find something you like, it just takes a bit to know what it is you want.

Erika

The advice that I would give for a student about finding the right college for them is to go and visit the campus at a time students are around. When you go visit a college you get a feel of how it would be if you attended. You are also able to know from the visit if you like the college or not. Regardless of what you may find out through research about all the amazing qualities about a college if you go and visit you may find that you simply could not see yourself belonging there. That is what happend to me when I went to go visit a particular college. And my advice to parents is to not push your child to attend a college they do not want to go to. You have to realize that they are the ones that are going to be attending the college and not you. You must learn to trust their judgement that they have chosen the right college for them and support their decision.

Chris

When searching for the right school, make sure you research online and in-person each school you apply to. Do not assume the high tuition cost to be a negative and not apply because that school may in the end give you the most financial aid. When you are accepted into schools, visit again to get a feel for it. Try to see all sides of the school from the academic point of view to the social point of view. When you finally choose a university to attend be excited for it is a great experience. You learn the foundation knowledge you will need for the real world, you make life-long friends and you live four years of your young life to the fullest and most care-free extent.

Brittany

Go for your reach school

Kateryna

Parents: Mom's and Dad's do not pressure your children into attending the school of YOUR choice. Let them make their own choices, pick out their own schools, and then come to you for any final approval or suggestions. Over the summer, why not take a family trip to visit a college? Finally, just make sure your student submits the application before the deadline. Students: Listen to your parents. Sometimes the family's finances may not allow you to attend your first choice. After all finacing your education is the priority when it comes to the college topic. Once you start college, stay away from trouble! You know what I mean... drugs, alcohol, late-night partying etc.. Be open minded; a positive outlook will certainly help you make friends. Lastly, don't overload yourself. Joining too many clubs, fraternities/sororities, and getting a job on top of that can affect your GPA. Remember, you are in college to earn a degree, everything elese comes in a second place. Good luck!

Irene

The advice that i give students about finding the right college for them is to first make the decision of wether they are willing to live by themselves in a place where they will have to meet new people and basically start over or if they would prefer to stay at home where they know people and surrounded by there parents. After they have an answer to this dilema, then they should look for a school that has a variety of fields which they would be interested in studying, since the majority of the time as an incoming freshman one has no set idea of what to study. After the student comes up with a list of the ones that feel fit what they want to study, then they should try to visit the campus or find someone that is or attended the schools they are highly considering. Lastly, if the student is planning on going on to law school, medical school, or just to do a master then they should look into the financial aid offered for their undergrade. Hope this helps. =]

Gerald

Find a college that is the overall total package. It has your desired program, it has a mlultitude of extra things going on both on campus and off campus, what are the typical outcomes for people that obtain your desired degree compared with other schools and the FOOD, try before you go!

Arnes

You want to go to a school where you know you will feel most comfortable and capable of learning. Do not go to a school that you think you will have the best parties at or the most fun. It is 4 years that will prepare you for the rest of your life. Make them count. When you do all your work on time you will have plenty of time to enjoy yourself, go out and meet people.

Danielle

One piece of advice that was repeated in every College Guide I picked up since sophomore year was to choose the school with the best 'fit' for you. I should have taken this advice far more seriously. After a dozen college visits I hadn't fallen in love with any particular school so I based my decision on practical factors like financial aid and my intended major. Overwhelmed with the excitement of meeting so many new people, I ended up loving my first semester. However, I soon realized that my college experience was not what I hoped it would be. I found that, unlike me, a majority of students were more interested in frat parties than reading Freakonomics. I'd like to use my experiences to offer the following advice: First, if you haven't found that "perfect fit," keep looking. Second, don't worry about finding a school with your exact major. Most students, including me, change their major multiple times. Finally, realize that student loans are a worthwhile price to fully achieve what adults claim should be the "best four years of your life." You only go to college once. Do it right.

Shelby

There are a great deal of decisions to be made when when choosing a college. To me there are three important factors. The first is make sure the school offers courses and a major that is conducive to your interests and goals. If you are unsure what you would like to major in, make sure the college you choose has a strong Liberal Arts program. Secondly, research student activities and lifestyle on each campus. A school with a variety of activities will help you both in your studies and in your social life. Finally, many colleges are known for their reputations. Don't base your decision on this. People always asked me if I went to a "party school". My reply was always simple. If you're into partying it's a party school, if you're not, it's not. No matter where you go you will find your niche and the people who share your interests and values. If you are into partying you will find that scene on any campus whether it's a notorious party school or a religious college. If your lifestyle is a quieter one you will find that as well.

dominick

always have a college fund saved for each child for the financial burden may very quickly become over whelming