<p>Hi! I am currently a student at SU and I know it is the time of the year when decisions come out! I am happy to answer any questions about the school! Shoot them at me!</p>
<p>MODERATOR'S NOTE: Anyone is free to ask or answer questions in this thread.</p>
<p>Can you compare and contrast each dorm/hall? Thanks :)</p>
<p>Do you know anybody who got accepted with low SAT scores in Reading only? </p>
<p>@ericamarie For first year students, you do not get to choose which dorm you will reside in. You are randomly placed into a dorm. I am currently living in Lawrinson Hall, which is one of the newest halls on campus. I personally really like it, because it has individual bathrooms with showers, unlike other dorms where bathrooms are communal. Here are the dorms where you will most likely get placed in: Lawrinson, Ernie Davis, Brewster, Boland and Brockway (BBB), Sadler, Shaw, Flint, Day and Dellplain. </p>
<p>BBB and shaw are the only all-freshman dorms on campus. The others listed are a mix of freshmen and upperclassman, and then there are other dorms that are just for upperclassman. </p>
<p>You get to pick your place of residence starting sophomore year.</p>
<p>Here’s a link with all the residence halls and the features each has: <a href=“Home - Student Living – Syracuse University”>Home - Student Living – Syracuse University;
Most of the dorms I listed above don’t have kitchens, but have microwaves.</p>
<p>Lawrinson Hall:</p>
<p>Pros:
a. It is recently renovated
b. Has individual bathrooms with showers, a laundry room, trashroom, and study room on each floor.
c. Each floor has about 25 residents.
d. IT HAS A PENTHOUSE WITH AN AMAZING VIEW!
e. It is the tallest building on campus, and you can see it as you drive into the city
f: Has rooms that are called “split-doubles”, which means that there is a wall that separates the room, which adds a little privacy. I personally really like it for the privacy reason. </p>
<p>Cons: Has no dining hall, but it is right next to Sadler hall, which has a dining hall. It about a 2-minute walk.
It is located on the far side of the campus, so you usually have to walk about 10 minutes to the academic buildings. </p>
<p>BBB: These are three different halls that are connected together. From what I saw when I visited my friend’s room, it is a big hall, but rooms are standard-sized dorm rooms. The rooms also have wooden shelves on the wall.
It is near lawrinson and has a dining hall.</p>
<p>Shaw: I’ve never been there, but it’s on the other side of campus, opposite of Lawrinson and BB. It has a dining hall nd it is a 10 minute walk to Ernie Davis. </p>
<p>Ernie Davis: It is one of the newer dorms, like Lawrinson. It has a big dining hall downstairs and the interior design and structure resemble that of a hotel haha. I really like it. I heard the dorms have AC, but who needs AC in Syracuse! haha. It is relatively close to most academic buildings and frat houses. </p>
<p>Flint/Day: They are both on the mount. Theres a long and tedious staircase that leads to both dorms. It seems like a different world up there lol. It’s really quiet and peace, and can see the majority of the campus up there. Compared to other dorms, it is smaller and has fewer floors. One of the dorms has a dining hall I believe. They are close to most of the academic buildings. My only complaint is the stairs. I don’t know how the people living there deal with it. </p>
<p>Sadler: Right next to Lawrinson, often called the “sister building” of lawrinson. Has about 5 floors and has its own dining hall. Has a big lounge on the first floor. Never been to a room, so I can’t tell you what it’s like. </p>
<p>Sorry that this is looooong. But the website I listed is very helpful. I looked over it 5000 times last year and made a spreadsheet and everything, and then I found out I don’t get to choose…oh well.</p>
<p>If you have anymore questions, please ask! And I’ll try to keep my responses short and concise. Best of luck in your decision process!</p>
<p>-ShiningOrange</p>
<p>For SU, what is their most popular major? Their strongest?</p>
<p>Also, how are the student organizations? This is a big part of my decision to applying to schools, since I am a very big believer in giving back to the community.</p>
@ShiningOrange Got into College of Engineering and Computer Science as ED 2 for Fall 2015 (will try to enroll in SummerStart however). Can freshmen get split-doubles? And is it limited to “first come first serve”?
Hi @Neuromancer,
sorry for the late reply. SU is best known for its communications school, Newhouse; it is also one of the toughest to get accepted into. The most popular majors are Business Management, Marketing, Communication, Broadcast Journalism, Social Sciences, Biology, Visual and Performing Arts, and Engineering. In terms of its strongest major, I believe it is just a matter of perception. Some say that Journalism is the strongest, others say Business. I am a Marketing and IT dual major, and I think this combination is one of the strongest; they complement each other well. Do you have a specific major in mind, or an interest area? I think I can answer your question better if you tell me what you plan to major in. SU also has a really good acting program; it is listed within the best ten in the country.
There are sooo many organizations on campus that you’ll never run out of things to do. From recreational sports clubs to major-related organizations, to community service groups, you will find at least one club that matches with your interests and passions. I love volunteering and helping others and I am involved in several service clubs. The people in those clubs have the same passion as me and I love it! Every semester, SU holds an involvement fair. More than 300 student organizations show up and table to talk with students. I tabled for one of the service clubs I am in, and I had fun! SU also provide off-campus volunteering opportunities, sometimes providing free housing and meals and transportation. How awesome is that!
Syracuse also has an awesome Recreation Services Center where it provides free activities, for both on campus and off campus.
Feel free to ask if you have anymore questions. Best of luck!
~ShiningOrange~
@barcakid39
First of all, Congrats! And for some reason, I can’t see your reply on my thread, so I don’t know what’s going on. To answer your question, yes, freshmen do get split-doubles. I live in one, in fact! First-year students do not get to choose where they live until their second year. Therefore, it is not limited to “first come first serve.” See my response #2 above for a more detailed explanation of the housing selection process.
SummerStart is a great program for first-year students. You get to connect with a small group of people before school officially starts. It also helps with the high-school-college transition 
Also, since you arrive on campus earlier and get to explore it a bit, you won’t be as lost as everyone else in your class. Best of Luck!
~ShiningOrange~
@ShiningOrange thanks for the response.
http://housingmealplans.syr.edu/pdfs/formsanddownloads/2014-15mealrates.pdf
Hey! I was wondering if you knew anything about the Magazine program in Newhouse?
@fazeeeeeeel Hi! I am sorry, but I am afraid I don’t know anything about the Magazine Program in Newhouse. But I have found a few links that you can look at! I hope they help! http://newhouse.syr.edu/academics/degrees/bachelors/magazine/curriculum
http://newhouse.syr.edu/academics/degrees/bachelors/magazine
@barcakid39 The following document contains the room rates for the 2014-15 school year. You are most likely going to be placed in a large open double, corner double, split double, large split double or open double, unless you request for special accommodations. Most of those rooms are $3995 if not more. The $3050 room you mentioned is for an open triple. So, you cannot go lower than $3050. That is the cheapest option.
http://housingmealplans.syr.edu/pdfs/formsanddownloads/2014-15roomrates.pdf
@ShiningOrange Hello ! When it comes to a decision from Syracuse University, how important is a midyear report ? does it affect a lot or little ? I applied for HEOP
Hi @Dia2015! The midyear report is pretty important. One, it shows show rigor your senior course load is, and how you are doing in your classes. As long as your grades are consistent with your previous grades, then you shouldn’t worry. I wouldn’t say that it is extremely important, but it is a significant part of your entire profile.
@ShiningOrange Thank You ! I think my mid year report is pretty good.
This is a good interesting thread about SU for prospective and incoming students. Thanks for responses too. Shining Orange.
@barcakid39 you are very welcome! I am just happy to be of help 
@ShiningOrange How heavy does Syracuse weigh an applicant’s demonstrated interest? I haven’t had an interview because they were full at my location and campus is too far away from where I live to visit. Also, if I have an ACT score that is a lower composite but has higher scores in 3 out of the 4 sections, would you recommend that I send it? Thank you ahead of time!
Hi @engineering2015,
From what I heard, Syracuse does want you to demonstrate a high level of interest. You can show that by doing an interview, emailing them to request information about their programs, going to college fairs, visiting the campus, going to receptions in your city, if available, and by showing your interests in your supplements.
You mentioned that you werent able to do an interview or visit the campus. To be honest, I didn’t do any of those things. In fact, at the time, I didn’t even know that it was such an important factor. I am sure that they understand not everyone can visit and do interviews. So just try to show your excitement and your knowledge about their programs in your supplements. I talked about how my then freshman friend here at SU always talked to me about the events and fun things that she was doing, so it got me excited. If you know someone that goes to SU, talk to them. If possible, add little details regarding the things that you are excited to do on campus (the events, clubs, extracurricular activities) if you get accepted to SU. These little things matter. Actually you can talk to me, LOL.
Regarding your score, remember that it is only one of many parts of your portfolio. Your individual sections’ scores might help you, depending on your major. For example, if you plan to major in business and you have a high score on the math section, then that might help you. Did you take it multiple times? Were there any significant changes (3+ points) on any section? If you do, then send both exams.
Edit: from your responses to other threads, I see that your composite score is well above the average score. You shouldn’t have to worry about it. I don’t know which website you used to find SU’s average ACT scores, but the composite average is 23/28.
I hope this help. If you have anymore questions, feel free to ask! Best of luck!
~ShiningOrange~
@engineering2015 Yes, Shining Orange is right about what he/she said. I also had a horrible component in my SU’s Fall 2-15 application: a terrible score on SAT Reading section. However, I scored high on the Writing and especially Math. I try hard to ornate the rest of my application despite my low score on Reading by showing how I’m interested in SU, what I plan to do there if I get accepted, and explaining my grade improvements, and even sending them a resume, though it’s not required. All my effort in this application (which I would get accepted on Jan 14) prompt them how badly I wanted to go to SU. Lol
Give your best shot. But at the same time be yourself; you don’t want to be pretentious.