<p>Just got back from a visit to IU - Bloomington. We loved the school but it was a hassle to get to from NY. My daughter's top choices are Syracuse or IU. She is undeclared in terms of majors. I have heard mostly positive things about both. We do not qualitfy for FA from either school. She has ADHD and I know Syracuse has a good academic support program. I have to check out IU. Thoughts welcome...</p>
<p>Any chance she may want to switch into limited-enrollment majors, such as business or engineering or journalism? She may want to look into how easy that would be to do at each of those. Also, alumni networks are likely to be regional and smaller, regional companies are likely to recruit local, so she may have to do more legwork if she wants to leave the region after graduation.
When do she have to do declare a major at each of the colleges? She may want more time. What kind of advising does there exist for undeclared students? </p>
<p>Majors have to be declared by sophomore year at both schools. Each have several majors which may interest her. Both schools SUPPOSEDLY have advisors to guide her but who knows until you get there. </p>
<p>Where does your daughter want to land after she graduates? These are both excellent schools, but their alumni networks are each concentrated in different geographical regions.
Also, the point about getting in to various majors cannot be taken lightly. For example, there are a lot of threads about students at IU not being able to get into Kelley Business if they are not direct admits–I don’t think Syracuse has these barriers to choosing a major.
And you are wise to consider transportation hassles.</p>
<p>She will not be a business major so the Kelley issue is not a consideration. She will likely want to return to NY.</p>
<p>Does she plan to join a sorority? IU’s system is uniquely tough to get into, so if this is a priority, it’s a point in Syracuse’s favor.</p>
<p>Thanks…yes she wants a sorority!</p>
<p>What are her potential majors? 2x IU alum here (BS and MS) and I can give you a general idea of how good (or bad) advising is</p>
<p>IU is a big state school (over 40,000 students, the clear majority from Indiana) and Syracuse is a mid-sized private (less than 20,000 students, about a third from NYS). Writing as a faculty member at a big state, I would favor the mid-sized private as it is big enough to offer everything without being overwhelming. Furthermore, Syracuse would offer great outdoor activities as well as urban ones. Especially since she wants to return to NY, I don’t see the appeal of IU </p>
<p>If she doesn’t want to major in business, I’d say Syracuse. Maybe she would be interested in their great communications school, especially if she wants to live in NYC one day</p>
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<p>If this is really important to her, I would stay away from IU. They are the only system in the country that has a bed rush and it is barbaric and brutal. This coming from a pro-greek parent. If you go to Greek Chat you will find the thread on IU’s latest rush. </p>