I’m a senior that just finished applying to colleges, and after a lot of trying to persuade my parents, they finally allowed me to apply to Syracuse. There is a very low chance they will actually let me go if I get in. Now I haven’t visited the campus yet, and I can’t make a decision on the school until I do, but I am wondering here if anyone can shed some light on how prevalent partying really is at Syracuse, and things that sway my parents into being supportive of Syracuse.
For a NY school, syracuse has a lot of school spirit. It has a lot of serious students too. I would not describe it as a party school although I know it has made the top of the list on that dimension. It has a Greek side and a fiercely loyal sports side. And it also has some academic programs that are second to none. It has great resources for students. It is also a very student oriented school which sounds strange because you’d think all would be. But they aren’t all.
The area around the school caters to the students. It has a quaint area with little cafes, restaurants and stores filled with student appealing merchandise. It is a circumscribed area-not Ann Arbor by any means, but ideal for college students. Everything is within walking distance. A lot is squeezed into a relatively small area-it’s compact and pretty.
There are not a lot-not any, actually-big box stores right there. But students looking for big box store shopping can go to Carousel Mall which is one of the largest malls in the country.
My impression is that the school has its share of B students whose delight would be to spend as much time as possible at the mall instead of feeding their minds. And their big concern outside classes is where the weekend parties are and who is dating who. But that isn’t the lions share of the students. It is a small element. The students in the best programs were tops in their high school and headed for important roles in society. And most of the students are relatively strong and focused.
All students will benefit from a fiercely loyal and immense alumni network that spreads from coast to coast and abroad too. And for any SU basketball game, you will find alum gathering in sports bars and clubs throughout the country to root for their team. But more importantly, they will also be there to usher in each new class of graduates to help them connect to jobs and communities. I would not describe SU as a party school at all. Look up its graduates. Pretty impressive group!