I’m in the process of finishing up all of my applications and I am torn between applying to NC State or Syracuse. I only want to apply to one more school because these application fees are adding up quick (I’ve already applied to seven other schools). I am planning on going into school with my major undecided but I am interested in biology/environmental science. Both schools are OOS for me I have family in both of these cities. Does anyone have any input to help me make a decision? Thank you in advance!
@Postmodern would you consider Syracuse as a big city with lots to do? I am not too familiar with the city, it just know it has very cold winters! Being in a medium/large city is very important to me.
Yes, there is a lot to do at Syracuse, @meganewarren . Tons of concerts and sporting events and clubs and things of that nature. A good local theater group (Syracuse Stage) and beautiful proscenium theater (The Landmark). The Dome, despite it’s ugliness, has many premier events. Few things are more fun than a packed SU basketball game!
Like many big colleges, the University Union is well funded and always has something going on. I was very involved with it and saw everything free! lol Films, Concerts, Speakers, etc.
Because of the weather SU is big on what I will refer to as “indoor sports”. Marshall street is where the bars/restaurants are, but it is essentially on campus. You’ll run into everyone there. The Varsity is the most famous local beer/pizza/wings joint but there are many. http://varsitysyracuse.com/. And of course Dinosaur BBQ.
I had an excellent time there and was very involved in stuff, although it was long ago. Campus is great, weather is awful… all the things you hear are true. But the city of Syracuse, which I have an affinity for, is not what I would call a “great college town”.
Is your current list especially heavy on northeast or southern schools? If so, maybe choose the university in the underrepresented region.
NC State would give you access to Research Triangle firms for internships. I went there many years ago but was in the engineering school so I have no idea how the programs at the two schools compare for bio/env sci. The faculty at NC State were terrific though.
@Otterma I live in the south so naturally my parents prefer me to stay in that region but if its the right school they agree that anywhere on the east coast would be fine (with an exception to one mid-west school). I have four schools in the south, two in the northeast, and one in the mid-west. My dad is VERY biased towards NC State, and my mom is indifferent. I have visited NC State (it was on a rainy day, which might have been why it fell off of my radar truthfully) and recently got to explore the city of Raleigh more which I really liked. I have yet to tour Syracuse and probably wouldn’t be able to. Both schools have the majors(s) I am looking for, I want to avoid transferring unless I absolutely hate the school. This will be tricky! Would you change anything about your experience at State?
If you visited NC State and think it is fine, your dad prefers it and you haven’t seen Syracuse then NC State seems like the better/safer application for you.
@happy1 Yeah it definitely seems to be the safer place to apply. My only worry is whether or not I’ll get some financial aid coming from OOS. Syracuse might end up being more affordable just because its private.
I’m also a Syracuse grad and @Postmodern made me laugh. I would say Syracuse has a lot to do, sure. I would also say that if you’re a southerner you need to be prepared that lake effect snow is not kidding around. It will snow a lot. A LOT. It will be very cold and windy, like from October until April. If you’re not prepared for that sort of weather, I’d mark it off your list. (I grew up nearby so it wasn’t a huge change for me, but coming from the south I imagine it would be a huge shock.) I also didn’t find Syracuse all that public-transportation-friendly, but things may well have changed since I was there.
My most vivid memory of my time there was walking up to campus to take the GRE on a Saturday when the wind chill was something like 30 below zero. I lived three blocks from the building where I took the test and when I got there I was afraid I had frostbite. (I was fine.) It’s a great school, don’t get me wrong. But the weather is nuts.
Do not underestimate the winters in Syracuse. My daughter went to school nearby and found it intolerable at times- and we are from the northeast. There is a lot to do in the area but in my opinion it is very different than NC State, both in terms of location and students. Fill out the NPC and see what kind of aid you may get.
I wish I had taken better advantage of the opportunities I was offered at NC State. I also wish I had done a better job of seeking out friends. Both of those were my shortcomings though, not the school’s (funny what a few decades of perspective can do).
I did participate in the co-op program and it was one of the best things I’ve ever done.
@yankeeinGA@twogirls I appreciate the quick responses. I visited family in New York many times in the winter but I guess that is a lot different than living there. Right now my body is used to 40 degree winters and 100 degree summers. Giving me a lot to think about!
@Otterma Thanks for the info! After hearing everyone on this thread I think I am leaning a bit towards State, but I won’t finalize any applications for at least another week.
“Despite all I have seen and experienced, I still get the same simple thrill out of glimpsing a tiny patch of snow in a high mountain gully and feel the same urge to climb toward it.”
Good idea. I have not done that yet. All I know is that Syracuse offers good financial aid and I might be able to get merit aid from them as well since my scores are towards the top of their range. Not so sure with NC State, but I’ll run some numbers after school.
The private Syracuse will offer greater geographical diversity in their student body. This might be another aspect you could consider as you make your decision.
Marshall street is where the bars/restaurants are, but it is essentially on campus. You’ll run into everyone there. The Varsity is the most famous local beer/pizza/wings joint but there are many. 