Parents--Need Your Input on S's Choice

<p>My S is trying to decide between these two schools. Has anyone compared the two. I'm interested in any FACTS you might have. He visited and loved both. Obviously, the weather is at the two extremes and Syracuse is more frat-oriented, but does anyone have any other SPECIFIC information comparing the COMMUNICATIONS programs at both. My S is interested in Sports Broadcasting. We live in the Northeast. The financials are exactly the same so that's not a factor.</p>

<p>If you’d name the schools, it’d help…</p>

<p>What is the other school (beside Syracuse)?</p>

<p>Sorry about that–I meant to put the two schools in the title. They are the Syracuse Newhouse School and UMiami’s School of Communications</p>

<p>Oh definitely Syracuse, but I am prejudiced, I am an Orangewoman! Seriously, Newhouse is so tough to get into & has such a great reputation, that being an alum of Newhouse will open doors for your son! So many times while watching sports, they let Newhouse kids do a bit of broadcasting right there on campus on national TV, Sean McDonough comes to mind and of course, Bob Costas. Winters can be fun as well!</p>

<p>Definitely Syracuse is best. Saying this as a former media recruiter and journalism professor.
I also know Syracuse’s communication dean. She’s a dynamo.</p>

<p>Didn’t I read a post yesterday of Playboy’s top ten party school? I believe UMaimi was voted #1. How would that factor into your decision? :D</p>

<p>[Party</a> Pics of Playboy’s Top 10 Party Schools – 2009 : COED Magazine](<a href=“http://coedmagazine.com/2009/04/21/party-pics-of-playboys-top-10-party-schools-2009/]Party”>http://coedmagazine.com/2009/04/21/party-pics-of-playboys-top-10-party-schools-2009/)</p>

<p>My close friend loved UMiami when she and her son visited it last year. It was a strong contender for first choice for them.</p>

<p>Sports broadcasting is one of Newhouse’s strengths but it is also a competitive program because the field isn’t as large as those trained to go into it - plus there are ex-jocks. I don’t know enough about Miami’s program to compare.</p>

<p>Is this student a senior NOW? I’m so confused by so many posters with kids “still deciding” when I thought the date for commitment to a school was May 1.</p>

<p>I can’t say anything from personal experience about the schools, but my boyfriend just graduated from Newhouse, and although he doesn’t like Syracuse University itself, he found the Newhouse school to be excellent, with excellent professors. I’m not sure what kind of facts you are looking for. If you have any specific questions, I’d be happy to ask him, or answer general questions about the school myself. </p>

<p>I don’t go to SU itself, but a small school right across from it, and we share lots of things (classes included).</p>

<p>Winters are terrible. I’ve liked all of the SU classes I’ve taken, though many of the students didn’t take part in the discussion sections. There are a lot of parties, but also a lot of diversity and plenty of people who don’t party. The bus system is pretty good. The surrounding areas are poor and not the safest, but SU itself is, there are always safety officers around. I like the dorms, and found them to be nicely sized in comparison with many other schools. I also thought the dining hall was better than other schools I visited (I’m a vegan).</p>

<p>I’m not really sure what you’re looking for specifically. But again, I’d be happy to forward on any questions you have. :P</p>

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<p>Some kids are still hoping to get in after being waitlisted. Their deposits are in somewhere, but they’re probably thinking what to do if they get in at their waitlisted schools.</p>

<p>Or, they just got off a waitlist, and now need to re-decide.</p>

<p>Syracuse’s Newhouse program is VERY prestigious. Yes, the winters are cold, but so what? Builds character. Florida is for when you’re too old to shovel.</p>

<p>^^^re: character building in cold winters–I don’t disagree. However, when a student is deciding where to live for 4 years, weather is as valid a tipping point as small town/large city or any lifestyle preference. That’s not to say I’d encourage a kid to take a clearly horrible college over a great one, just due to weather, but both choices here are good ones.</p>

<p>I like winter and when I chose a school it was in Vermont because of the winter. I would have hated Miami - too hot and humid. Do we know if OP’s son hates winter? If not, then it may not be a factor at all.</p>

<p>My S can deal with the winter, just prefers warm weather. It’s more a matter of comparing the communications programs and the atmosphere of the schools in general. One plus for Miami is that it’s right outside a major city where my S could intern during the school year. A plus for Syracuse is that the Newhouse school has a great brand with lots of name recognition (at least in the northeast). UMiami as a whole has student stats higher than Syracuse; more kids in top 10%, etc. However, the Newhouse communications school within Syracuse has students with higher stats and is slightly more selective than the communications school within UMiami. UMiami has top of the line TV equipment that is available to undergrads. Does anyone have any further info? My S will decide by Wednesday.</p>