<p>I am really interested in rochester, but I want more info.
The programs I am most interested in include history, english, and music (for lessons, ensembles and minor-maybe thru eastman?) I also would like to continue with german, take many electives in the humanities, and study abroad. How are these programs and could someone explain a bit more about the whole core system that i know really isn't a core? also, what is a typical student like and are there a lot of chances to get into town or participate in lots of events and cultural things?
What do most people do over the weekend and is there much to do if you're not a big partier?</p>
<p>estargrl88:
Although I am just a mother, my kids have taken their music lessons etc. at Eastman as community members while in middle and high school. (They have a special program for that.) My understanding is that you would not be permitted to play in Eastman ensembles unless you are in the conservatory. U of R has their own very good ensembles. There are lots of good musicians at U of R because of the presence of the conservatory and the chance for kids to get lessons there. Indeed they have their own music department outside the conservatory. (But if you take lessons at Eastman, it would not be with conservatory professors.) </p>
<p>I think Rochester as a "college town" really depends on a student's willingness to get out and do things. Nothing too exciting is close to the U of R campus - but when you get down to Eastman there is a large music/arts/film/nightclub scene that attracts many young adults. Because of Eastman there are lots of cheap and free music events to attend and fun coffee houses and an alternative movie theater (shows foreign/artsy/cutting edge films) close by. Lots of good jazz music in Rochester, and of course, classical and pops offerings by Rochester Philharmonic. But, like I said, you'd have to go downtown. A lot of college kids have apartments in a part of town called "Park Avenue" that is sort of a "happenin' scene." (I guess, ha!) Well, that's about all I know! Good luck.</p>
<p>Thanks for your response. I was under the impression that by taking lessons at Eastman it would be with the conservatory profs. I guess I was wrong about that. Are there also lessons provided by the University? Also, is it easy to get to the downtown area from campus ? (can you walk? if not is there easy transportation?)</p>
<p>you -can- walk, but the university provides bus lines to the various graduate housing/campus areas and downtown rochester as well as the other suburbs. </p>
<p>Regarding being a partier or not being a partier - thats one of the beauties of Rochester. The student body seems to be divided between those who are partiers ... and those who really arent. And this fits well, there are soooo many differnet things on campus from alcohol-related social gatherings to regular clubs and random events. The administration has sooo many different oncampus field day activities where you really get involved and meet everyone. Rochester's student life is described as "indoor social life" so it's like cool to hang out with ur friends in ur dorm room on some cold wintery night haha or hang out in the student center. </p>
<p>Study abroad...you'd have to look into the site i'll try and post a link later regarding this - but they offer a LOT of various countries and locales in the world for internship and study. coop programs are huge, i have a friend who is doing one.</p>
<p>rest assured tho, weekends are very fun if you are looking to have fun. Then again, a lot of times people on campus know their priorities and know how to work through weekends too :) Rochester is a tough school hehe</p>
<p>regarding electives in the humanities - yeah you'd have to do that via cluster system in the rochester curriculum. like if you are doing a science as a major, you need to take a serieis of courses in the humanities as well as the social sciences. this is really what the core curriculum - the fact that there really isnt a core curriculum and you have to pick 2 clusters to fulfill..2 clusters in ANYTHING which leaves it up to you to explore yourself intellectually. There is only one required course in the whole curriculum and that is CAS 105 - which is a writing seminar , in which you can pick from like 20 different topics ..there is a CAS 105 anywhere from Punk rock culture to Geniuses of the world - looking into einstein, da vinci, etc. i mean you can pick a cool cas 105 and really have fun with it - even tho its required.</p>