Pamela
The Rochester Curriculum allows students to take the courses they are passionate about, without wasting time on mandatory general requirements. Every freshman takes a writing course, but the topics are fun: mine was on witchcraft! Then you take the courses in your major and 1-2 "clusters" outside your major. With the exception of Engineering students, UR students take courses in 3 areas: Natural Sciences & Engineering, Social Sciences, and Humanities. For example: as a biology major, I took a cluster in French and a minor in psychology, with time for a few dance courses and a research project.
Nora
The University of Rochester is a beautiful school with a unique curriculum. The open curriculum allows students to explore all areas of their interest. Coming from high-school, many college students are undecided and unsure of a field they want to persue. The University of Rochester encourages exploration, and you will often find that students have multiple majors and minors. Each program is strong and the academic support on campus is strong.
Lin
The University of Rochester has a unique curriculum, in which we have a few requirements, and students are free to take whatever classes they want for their major. The moment I stepped on the UR campus, I knew that it was the right college for me. University of Rochester is considered a "nerdy" school, but our motto here is to study hard, party harder. There are conversations I have with other students here that I don't feel like can happen at any other campus. Where else would I discuss radiation feedback loops and time traveling?
Eric
Nick Tahou's is one of Rochester, New York's most well-renowned eating establishments. It's signature dish, the "garbage plate, " is oft-imitated and worshipped by denizens. And while the garbage plate comes in several varieties, the basic model consists of two cheeseburgers placed on a bed of homefries and macaroni salad and topped with chili. In the spirit of the city, the University of Rochester periodically concocts its own version serving it as one of the lunch options available on campus.
Travis
There is much cultural and racial diversity at my school, and it is definitely an academically-based school. Getting good grades is important, which sometimes limits social free time. Athletics are somewhat put in the background, but school spirit is still very much alive on campus.
Alice
I'll be sad to leave in May but as the administration keeps cracking down on the party scene there won't be much left.
It's cold. Colder and snowier than anything you could imagine. If you haven't lived this far north you are in for a surprise. Buy boots, scarves and a good winter coat. People wear uggs for a reason here. I've known girls who went out with their cute heels on and came home with frostbite.
Erika
Rochester has a great community. If you're considering coming here, visit. Do an overnight stay. That was my deciding factor. The people are really friendly and helpful- people will hold doors for you if you have your hands full, will help you out with studying if you ask, etc. I can't really picture myself anywhere else. Everyone talks about the winters, but it really is a gorgeous campus, even in the snow. Honestly, it is hard work, but if you can get in, then you can probably handle it.
Susana
The diversity at my school and open curriculum is unique at my school. There are a variety of enthicities on campus including faculty members who work for the university. As far as open curriculum there is only one class that a student is required to take all four years of undergrad, most of the other schools had many required classes.
Leah
There was a flexible curriculum allowing you to take classes you were interested in rather than required courses. The campus was beautiful also isolated from the city with beautiful scenery and bike trails and a river for the crew team. Yet the campus was a short distance from the city's best attractions.
Timothy
Its much snowier, has better research opportunities, and the campus is an awesome balance of quirky, intellectual and fun people. Also it was a better middle size, not a tiny liberal arts college, but small enough that you don't get lost in a sea of other students.
Spencer
Flexible curriculum, helpful administration
Michael
Core curriculum requirements are very minimal.
Skylar
Graduates of Rochester public high schools who enroll at the University of Rochester stand to receive up to $100,000
Rose
It is a difficult school to adapt to if you are a social person who thrives off of open social interactions. They do a January admit for freshman, which I deeply recomend that all people avoid. It is impossible to come in during the middle of the year and quickly adjust and have a great time. It is better to start with everyone else in the fall.
Hannah
My first year at Rochester was a blast. I tried so many new activities, classes, and people, and the great thing is that the ones I haven't gotten to try yet, I can't wait to do next year. Not being a freshman anymore and therefore new to the school doesn't put any pressure on joining new groups. I love the people and the community feel of Rochester, and also the fact that everyone is really focused on learning something and going somewhere, but with the overall goal of enjoying life, not so much making a ton of money. I wish that it was a slightly bigger school, because sometimes the feeling that everyone knows everyone makes it feel less like college, but the school itself works well in the size that it is. The food I would have to say is really not so great, but you learn to manage it, and if you put the time in and get the right meal plan you will be fine. Everyone is so helpful and friendly and really bent on making sure you get a great college education and experience. There is definitely a lot of partying, however it's not out of hand. And if you're someone who doesn't really want that scene or who doesn't want to drink you will be totally fine. Everyone that parties or does the fraternity/sorority scene and everyone that doesn't are very accepting of each other. It's a challenging school but also a really fulfulling one.
Ryan
I don't condone or condemn any of this; I'm just providing information. That said, realistically, the vast majority of college students will experiment with at least alcohol, and providing information so people know what to expect can't hurt, so:
Most students drink on the frat quad. It's traditional for the frats to provide free beer to partygoers, although it's usually the cheapest of the bottom-shelf stuff. Beer pong is wildly popular, and every frat I've been in on the quad has at least a few tables set up on the weekends, but there's still often a fairly long wait for a chance to play on busy nights. If you befriend some brothers, you might be able to get better beer, as they often buy small amounts of higher quality stuff for themselves.
There are a fair number of cigarette smokers, as well as a vocal minority of aggressive and hostile non-smokers. For the most part, if you're respectful, people won't give you too hard a time for smoking. Be prepared to pay about 5 bucks a pack, though...
The majority of students I know smoke cannabis. That's never free, of course, but it can usually be found over a night on the quad if you ask around. New York is a decriminalised state, so possession of small amounts is not a misdemeanour; it's basically a traffic ticket, $100 for first offence. Campus security doesn't have the authority to demand a search, so it's pretty rare for people to get in trouble smoking on campus, aside from those who do it in the dorms and get busted by the RA. Prices are moderately high, but so is quality, for the most part. The beginning and end of each semester and the time right before or after each break can be rough in terms of availability.
As for other substances... Adderall and other stims make their way around during midterms and finals pretty consistently. There is a small subcommunity of opiate users, and actual opium pops up from time to time. From what I hear, coke is sometimes easier to find than pot. Everything else tends to be very inconsistent; hard drugs are a lot rarer on campus than in the city proper. MDMA (AKA ecstasy) has grown extremely rare in recent years, as have psychedelics. You have to know the right people and/or get pretty lucky to find such things.
Laurel
That's it! Go to Rochester, you won't regret it!
Ryan
College is about finding yourself. UR definitely helps that process, although not the biggest or craziest of places. UR is a very great place, but its not for everyone and that is ok. If you find out its not for you, move on. But one thing or suggestion to anyone considering UR or any college,, is if possible, stick out at least a year, you wont believe what a different a year makes. HAVE FUN, I'M HAVING THE TIME OF MY LIFE., YOU SHOULD TOO
Diana
University of Rochester students are usually not attractive. If they are, they are either a jerk, taken, or psycho.
Kendall
Do not choose a roommate, get assigned one randomly.