2011 Grad. Bored at work. Will answer questions.

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Rochester
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<p>UR is somewhat consciously apolitical. The school paper, for example, decided it would not allow debates over hot button issues like Palestine because those would create a negative climate on campus. There are, of course, politically-oriented clubs but much more energy is put into things like sustainability that can be embraced by a larger group. </p>

<p>I’ve noted many times that the Rochester Curriculum is undersold. We focus on the relative freedom it gives students: clusters instead of distribution reqs so you take classes that appeal to you. We miss the others side of the coin, that professors like it because they teach classes with kids who want to be there. This is not to say all classes are well taught; that isn’t true anywhere. But in general the people teaching want to teach and the people in the classes are choosing to be there. That is good.</p>

<p>And I like to note that UR is a place full of normal intelligent kids. They act normal. They dress normal. They have normal interests. I think that’s great. I think this is helped by the size of the school: large enough to have a wide variety of clubs and groups, small enough that people aren’t intimidated into not-joining. In fact, from what I see, UR is one of the more active schools, but in terms of interests not politics.</p>

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<p>finalchild, my son chose UR over University of Michigan and George Washington U. He considers UR a mini U of M. He is very familiar with U of M and Ann Arbor and loves the school but just couldn’t get over the size. I think he also liked the caliber of student at UR and actually embraces the fact it has a bit of a “nerd” reputaion. He does miss the Division 1 sports, but loves everything else about UR and doesn’t regret his decision at all. He did very well first semester, liked his classes, has made good friends, and has gotten involved in activities that he might not have been able to join at a larger school. A very good fit for him!</p>

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<p>Interesting. Michigan and GWU are among the others my kid has applied to and now awaiting results.</p>

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<p>I was accepted ED to UR so I’ll definitely be attending this coming September. I want to make a lot of friends at UR but I’m also a bit of an introvert at times. I’m wondering what the pros and cons of each freshman residential halls are and which one would allow me to interaction with the other people the most.</p>

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<p>If the area around U of Rochester is bad, how bad is the area near RIT since it is close by? Or are you saying 19th ward is the dangerous part of Rochester?</p>

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<p>As I remember, you get assigned to a dorm. And it really doesn’t matter which. You’ll have your roommate(s) and hall mates and so on.</p>

<p>My suggestion is to join groups/clubs that do things you like and feel free to try new things. You’ll make friends that way. Joining things at UR is easy and friendly. </p>

<p>They are currently, I understand, thinking about how better to house offices and support for the various clubs and organizations.</p>

<p>As for RIT, it’s only 2 miles at most from UR but in a wholly different area, not really in the city at all but really more a suburb. I know that sounds weird but RIT is essentially a big squarish area defined by roads with gates that go in. It’s near the river but that section is essentially trees. The main road at front - Jefferson Road - runs straight over to the malls in Henrietta. I think of RIT as being in Henrietta. The area across the river can only be reached on Jefferson - no other bridges - and it’s suburban/rural. So it’s safe.</p>

<p>And to be clear, the 19th Ward is not the dangerous part of Rochester. The bad part is northwest of the city, miles away, nowhere near where anyone has a reason to go. The area of the 19th near downtown is also fairly unsafe but that’s a ways away as well and there’s no reason to go there except to the developments right on the river (and you go there by car). The 19th is a blue collar and poor neighborhood but most of it is not particularly unsafe, just sketchy.</p>

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<p>Ah. I see now :).</p>

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<p>If you are ED you get to choose your dorm by quad or Sue B. Sue B is further from classes, but has the cafeteria in it. The quad is closer to the classes, but farther from the cafeterias. The quad has freshman dorms, but also has upperclassmen there as well. Mine is in the quad and picked after a trip up last winter where he went on a pretty much personal tour and they took them to their dorm rooms. I don’t think you can lose either way.</p>

<p>The curriculum is definitely a huge plus - it is a loose structure. No pre-req’s could have you unfocused, this requires writing, then learning more in depth about 2 different areas of your major, which you can make them interact. I believe most majors have 2 upper level writing requirements as well which can be met in many ways. </p>

<p>Orientation is a week long and they do a LOT to make sure you really connect with your floormates and your roommate and that you are really comfortable before classes start. </p>

<p>One thing for those worried about the big transition. The school gets it - they get for most kids it’s their first time on their own, and that they have some growing up to do, and that they make it easy enough to ask for help that the kids manage without having to have parents involved. I remember doing tours and thinking the college kids looked so old compared to my high schooler. They’re put in a bubble at first that they break out of when they are ready.</p>

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<p>Quick Question for anyone about UR:</p>

<p>As for winter weather gear, what should I bring along to tackle the Rochester winter?</p>

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<p>Boots/shoes that you can wear in rain and/or snow. A wind-proof lightweight jacket/coat. A warm jacket/coat. Hat. Gloves. Wool socks–if you have cold feet.</p>

<p>Note: heavyweight (300 Polarfleece) fleece is usually warm enough but fleece is not wind-proof and the cold wind off the Lake blows right thru it. So consider a fleece jacket with a wind-proof shell or spring the extra $$ for a down or synthetic filling ski-type jacket.</p>

<p>Some people like long underwear under their jeans when it gets really cold, but it’s not a universal and largely a matter of preference.</p>

<p>The bigger issue seems to be that some of the classroom buildings are overheated and if you dress too warmly, you’ll swelter in class.</p>

<p>So layer, layer, layer!</p>

<p>I would suggest not buying a heavy winter jacket until you know what you want (fleece vs. down vs. synthetic insulation). Lots of personal preferences involved and some people are more bothered by the cold than others.</p>

<p>Dick’s Sporting Goods is at the local mall and carries many brands of winter gear. There’s also an Eastern Mountain Sports in Pittsford–which specializes in oudoor gear. And, of course, there is always internet shopping. Remember UPS (and FedEx and USPS) delivers!</p>

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<p>We bought most winter stuff in URoc over Thanksgiving as we just don’t get much of a selection where we live and I’m not super big with buying online without trying things on.</p>

<p>My guy didn’t need anything special before Thanksgiving and actually didn’t use much of it until after winter break. By Thanksgiving he also had an inkling of what he wanted. By next year he’ll have a better idea if he wants to change anything.</p>

<p>He agrees that many of the buildings are rather hot. He’s been known to have his dorm window open at times (not all the time, but sometimes).</p>

<p>Make sure you have a decent fan… It’s not always cold in Rochester. In the fall, you’ll want the fan.</p>

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<p>I’d also say there’s dressing for class and then there’s dressing for the weather. Kids underdress in college generally and more so if they’re only going to the connecting tunnels. If you want to go out somewhere in the cold, then you need real clothes for that.</p>

<p>I think it’s a rule that college dorms are overheated. Even the ones that claim to have individual or area thermostats. I remember getting tours of the power plant for my school. It cranked out energy because there was always demand and that energy had to go somewhere so it ended up in your room. They don’t have much ability to size need for heat and deliver only what is needed. That is something I expect to change as schools focus more on their energy use.</p>

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<p>To the introvert: - your hall doesn’t matter, it’s about whether you put yourself out there and make an effort to make friends. Especially in the first couple of weeks of classes, leave your door open always so people feel like they can come in. Strike conversations with your classmates, text people to join you for lunch all the time. Be friendly in classes and try to talk to people around you. I understand you are an introvert, but you are going to have to talk to people. Join groups you are interested in, everyone is on the same boat as you and wants to make friends. </p>

<p>to the person that asked about the career center - ok so the career center did not really help me. They have an online board with jobs poster by employers, but they are all mostly in Rochester or jobs no one wants. They DID, however, help me draft my resume and cover letter. You walk in and say, I don’t have a resume, they’ll make one for you, and make it sound kick ass. </p>

<p>The best advice I got from the career center is that upon graduation you NEED to have tons of work experience. You NEED to get an internship every summer. This is of UTMOST importance, it is the ONLY way you will get a job after college. It will most likely have to be un-paid, but there’s always the option to work part time and then intern part time. There’s also summer research positions, and some of them have scholarships.</p>

<p>It doesn’t matter if you had a 3.8 GPA, if you graduate without any work experience before in your life, you will NOT get any kind of job upon graduation. Unless your dad is the president, or a CEO, or a spy, or something cool like that. </p>

<p>As far as clothes for the weather, two words, LAYER, and BOOTS.</p>

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<p>Thanks potatopancakes, I thought we’d lost you :slight_smile: Thanks for your input.
I have looked at the career center job board and you are correct, my sense is that there are a lot of positions that are up in Rochester. I looked at their resume and cover letter samples and you are right, they look strong so that is good to know. </p>

<p>I agree, paid or unpaid, a student needs some experience in their field. Even though UR is a big research school, some students are better suited to applying what they learn to an internship.</p>

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<p>No, not gone, it was just the weekend! haha. Like I said, bored “at work.”</p>

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<p>You are right! It was the weekend. Those of us addicted to cc read and post 7 days a week.</p>

<p>So tell us about the parking situation. I understand it is very limited and it would seem to me hard to find parking places in the designated lots. I called and asked the parking office and they said that if someone cannot find a place in their designated lot then they can call in and will be directed to different place to park for that time i guess.</p>

<p>Did you have a car at UR? Did you live in the dorms all 4 years or move off campus and if you did how did you find the place?</p>

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<p>D2 lived in the dorms all 4 years; her 4th year, she lived in Riverview Apts. Getting on campus housing really isn’t a problem. I would venture to say that most students prefer on-campus because there isn’t all much close-in off-campus housing available. (Some in the 19th Ward, but few kids want to live there. Any housing off Crittenden/Elmwood is mostly taken up by medical, dental and nursing students.)</p>

<p>D2 lived off campus during the summers. She also had several friends who did move off campus after sophomore year. D2 sublet a house in South Wedge. Nice neighborhood–terrible parking. Her off campus friends tended to live around University Ave or Park Ave or north of Highland Park areas. Most of them commuted by bus. </p>

<p>The UR Housing office does maintain lists of available off-campus rentals. The students also use Craiglist. And there are a few real estate brokers who will work with students to find rentals. (But there is a fee involved.)</p>

<p>D2 never had a car and really never needed one. Shuttle, city bus lines (free with student ID) and biking. Parking is very limited (and expensive!) unless one lives in Riverview.</p>

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<p>As far as I know, many of the really close rentals are sort of passed down. So you make friends with someone and … </p>

<p>There are two advantages to off campus. Rochester is cheap. And you don’t have to buy a meal plan. It’s not like at some schools - like Michigan, which I know well - where you just plain don’t want to live in most dorms because they’re huge and annoying. The UR dorms are really nice for college dorms.</p>

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<p>LakeMom - parking is really annoying. First off, it’s very expensive, 2nd of all, it’s determined by seniority and how far in advance you asked for a parking spot. There’s like a 6-month waiting list. So if you’re planning on bringing a car to campus, you should ask for a parking spot about 6 months before bring your car. </p>

<p>WHEN you get parking spot, they are not too far from where you actually live. Obviously the best parking is in Riverview, where you can park right outside your apartment, but for any of the dorms in the quad, and for Sue B. (basically, the freshmen dorms) there is no parking nearby. </p>

<p>Good thing is, the UR bus system will get you most places you want to go. It’s just slow. My SO got a car junior year, and at first it was really annoying because it was parked very very far away. We had to take a 15 minute bus ride to get to his car. lol. But he was on the waitlist for a spot nearer to his dorm and after a few months got one. </p>

<p>If you have a car to campus, you’re also going to def. have to still walk to class. There is NO parking near the main campus, except for one lot right behind the library, and as you can all imagine, the chance of getting a spot is very very slim. </p>

<p>Friends that lived off campus, even in the 19th ward, still walked to campus, or rode the UR buses, which make various stops around the surrounding areas to pick up people that live nearby. </p>

<p>So if you have a car, its purpose will mainly be to take you outside the city of Rochester. </p>

<p>Surrounding areas, as someone else said, are VERY cheap because real estate is Rochester is very cheap. I had a friend who rented a huge two story house with a big basement for, like, no money. Sigh…(I live in NYC now, so.)</p>

<p>These are old houses, though, from the Edwardian era or something of the sort, lol. And the dorms ARE very nice. So most people didn’t live off campus unless they really really needed the money.</p>

<p>The thing is, the nicest thing about rochester IS the University of Rochester.</p>

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<p>by the comment saying they are old houses I mean that they are not nice. The wood is old, cracked and creaky. The kitchens are faded and stained, and there might be termites everywhere. Just saying. </p>

<p>Of course there ARE very nice houses in Rochester, just that every time I visited a friend that lived off campus their house was old and ugly.</p>

<p>Not saying that if you’re a super wealthy kid you can’t buy a beautiful brand new house with a shiny kitchen to live in during college.</p>