<p>We went to visit and my S really loves it there! I have some Qs. What is it like to go to a psych 101 class with as many as 400 students (I know classes break down w TAs)? What makes a private school that has large classes like this different than a flagship state school? My kid likes the cold, but is it unbearable walking outdoors January-March to get to classes? Anybody find a lot of professors or TAs that they had a lot of difficulty understanding? Do you find attending lectures and then breaking down and reviewing helpful, or do you wish you had the class in a smaller setting rather than meeting in sections to review? Do you ever get into the city of Syracuse, or pretty much stay on campus? The shops and restaurants on campus seemed so wonderful, it is almost like SU is a self contained little city. Any regrets attending SU over a small LAC?</p>
<p>Northeastermom, read my "Overview of my visit to Syracuse "that is posted at the top of the forum. This may answer some of your questions.</p>
<p>I read it a couple of times. I would like to hear from some past or present college students. We recently visited and my S really liked the school.</p>
<p>The class you sat in on is one of the most popular offered - as far as I know, only introductory biology has a class of comparable size. My largest class is intro chem lecture, with about 150 kids; still, I don't see there being a problem no matter how many kids there are, since in a lecture you don't really interact with the professor. Almost all of them will stick around after class, though, so there is ample opportunity to get your questions answered or get more involved in things like research.</p>
<p>All people hear about is the weather. No, this isn't antarctica. Yes it gets cold and yes it snows, but the university does a great job clearing the roads and sidewalks. Things aren't unreasonable here, and if you use some common sense when packing the winter clothes, everything will be fine.</p>
<p>So far all of my TAs have been great - I am a political science major so I can't speak for the other fields, but chem has been good as well.</p>
<p>I have no preference for lectures or smaller settings [where you interact with the professor]. I think both ways are effective for learning, since you are able to find the personal attention in one form or another. (I also firmly believe that everything you need to know is in the book, so if you study that hard enough you'll learn what you need to learn. The professors won't say it, and it is true that some material is NOT in the book, but as long as you show up for the lecture and pay attention, you will have it covered.)</p>
<p>In general, people do not go downtown too much. The public transit (aka the bus) sucks because you have to wait outside for it, and it runs on some strange schedules. Plus having a car is expensive, even if it is the most utilitarian way to get around. You really can't live off campus and NOT have a car.</p>
<p>Since coming here I've hated SU. I hated it before I even got here, since it was my absolute last choice and I never, EVER imagined myself attending it. I only ended up here because I screwed around in high school and didn't do a whole lot of work. So believe me, my opinion is biased mostly because of that, and not so much because of the university itself. Still, some of the buildings are a bit dated (chem laboratory to name one), and the equipment isn't what I expected for college (we use cheap plastic equipment in chem lab, and havent used a single piece of glassware, which you would think a university of this size might invest in). The library isnt the best in the world but it will have the information you need (though it may not have the specific book). Professors are generally very passionate about their subjects, and love to chat after class, so they are a great resource here. Don't let the size of the campus fool you; I know relatively few people but I always manage to see 2 or 3 every day when walking to class (mind you they live on the other corner of the campus). Just be prepared for a lot of walking, or bring a bike (and lock!)</p>
<p>Any more questions, I would be glad to answer.</p>
<p>Anarchy, thanks. I will keep in mind that you are from Albany when you discuss the weather. I know it isn't buffalo, but still. Seriously though, I am glad to hear that they clear the sidewalks well ( I was trying to invision how one walked on the ice as I walked up and down the hills on campus). </p>
<p>I am also glad to hear that your professors are passionate and hang around for questions. Have you used their office hours, and are they willing to help? Do any of them seem a little intimidating?</p>
<p>How did you find the financial aid (merit and/or financial aid)?</p>
<p>Thanks for mentioning the library and chem lab. It gives us a little more of an idea about that. Is there a reasonable # of students in the lab/instructor, or is it overcrowded? Thanks.</p>
<p>Anybody know if their chem engr department is ranked high?</p>
<p>I've gone to office hours a few times, but only for a 300 level class I'm taking; the prof. is a little insane, but she is definately brilliant (Harvard & UC Berkley graduate). I never leave her office without learning something. For the lower level classes, I don't see much need to go to office hours because the classes are so easy [for me at least]. Pay attention in class and you'll learn what you need to know.</p>
<p>Finaid is an issue. At more than $41000 a year, Syracuse is no budget school. Couple that with the proposed 6% / year (for 5 years) increase in tuition, which would bring it to more than $55k by 2010 or 2011 (read more here: <a href="http://www.dailyorange.com/media/paper522/news/2005/11/16/News/Tuition.Could.Increase.By.As.Much.As.2500-1059014.shtml?norewrite&sourcedomain=www.dailyorange.com%5B/url%5D">http://www.dailyorange.com/media/paper522/news/2005/11/16/News/Tuition.Could.Increase.By.As.Much.As.2500-1059014.shtml?norewrite&sourcedomain=www.dailyorange.com</a> ), and you have one damn pricey school. Somehow or another I was not only accepted here (after doing absolutely nothing in high school and ending up with a 3.0 gpa (though a 1380 SAT / 30 ACT may have helped)), but am receiving a grant package (mostly through a federal program, similar to HEOP (basically I get it for being very poor) that leaves me paying $1500 out of my (yes, <em>my</em>) pocket every year, and the only loans I have are subsidized stafford loans. At first, SU only offered me about $25k in aid ($12k grants from the university, the rest federal & state). I emailed them asking for more, and they tacked on an additional $2500. Some weeks later I was informed that I was getting basically a free ride (which I don't particularly think I deserve, though I'm not complaining about it). They have some money to give away, but you really have to dig to find it; I wouldn't recommend putting too much faith in the system, but then again, I haven't really had much experience in that area, either.</p>
<p>Chem lab is about 20 students / TA, plus a lab supervisor who makes sure we don't set fire to the building or drink the chemicals. You are assigned a lab partner for the semester, and there <em>is</em> plenty of equipment to go around [chemicals and machinery (precision scales, centrifuges, etc) are shared, of course]. The instruction is good, but I find the labs for intro chem VERY boring; I certainly expect organic chem labs to be much better.</p>
<p>I hear that we have one of the best science programs in the nation, and chemistry in particular. Many of the professors are actively researching various things; one just invented a new device for measuring blood sugar levels with a laser, through the skin, without drawing any blood. Many of their projects are set up in the basement of the Physics Building, so if you are interested you could see about getting a tour of that.</p>
<p>Anarchy, Thank you for replying. The information is helpful.</p>
<p>I'll make one complaint right now, because I dont know of any other place to make it (and hey - at least the people here read it):</p>
<p>Registering for classes. Now, I may only be a freshman, but I consider 100 level classes far too easy, and I would like to finish my 1st major (political science) by the end of 1st semester sophomore year. There is a problem with that, however; I can't get into a single damn 300-level class. Freshmen register for classes about 2 weeks after upperclassmen, and a day or two after sophomores. You would think that for a place that costs $41000+ a year, they would kiss your ass and make every resource available. Nope. Instead of being challenged and learning something, I get to waste my time sitting through BS classes that I don't want to take; not a particularly large incentive to stick, I don't think (but for the fact that I can't afford any place else). So yeah - that means (a) night classes (I have 3 right now, each starting at 6pm or 7pm, and going to 9pm or 10pm) (b) sh***y 100 level courses (c) doing the bare minimum of credits because I'll be taking few, if any, courses of interest to me or my requirements.</p>
<p>Not happy today, I am.</p>
<p>Anarchy, They did say several times during our info session that you will never be denied a course that you are required to take to graduate. How are night classes? I don't quite understand why you are taking them. Are classes that you are interested in, and they were unavailable during the day? When I was in school, I enjoyed night classes. I found a more mature class (adult learners) and I found them much more interesting, and easier b/c there was no "busy work".</p>
<p>Yeah, I preferred night classes too. I got to sleep in. At least when I was a teenager or in early 20s, sleeping was a major priority for me.</p>
<p>I am sorry to hear that you don't like the intro classes. When I toured the school, the input that I got was that some intro classes were a "waste," and kids didn't like them. I guess this is what distinguishes a large school from a LAC.</p>
<p>I eat, sleep and breathe politics, so I am always passionate and involved in class. One night class I'm taking is through University College, which is for part-time students. Therefore there are several adults in a small class (less than 20), and we meet once a week for three hours. It is nice to be able to essentially have recitation with the professor, and hear the input of adults (serves as a nice reality check, and plus, they're usually already quite educated). However, almost all clubs hold meetings in the evenings, and I was essentially screwed over by having to take so many classes at night; all (about 5) but one of the clubs I would like to join have conflicts with evening classes. While they are active outside of just meetings, it is still very difficult to have much of a say, and to get involved, if you aren't there.</p>
<p>They may be correct in saying you will never be denied a required course, but I am certain that it would be a last resort, where, in the last semester of your senior year, you have to take it. I see no point in wasting my time with these introductory classes when I have already taken most of them in high school [not for credit, but still...] just to fill up a schedule. Its a waste of money.</p>
<p>As an example, I had chosen three 300-level poli-sci courses for this semester (just planning for registration). Not a single one of those courses has an open spot. For that matter, of the 36 sections of 300-level courses offered, only 21 are open. Mind you, they include such boring ones as "The Politics of Iran" and "Rationality & Politics". Just about any course dealing with American politics (which, aside from foreign policy, is about all I'm really interested in) is full. For the cost of this institution, I don't think I should have to wait a year, or two, or three, to have these courses, de facto, made available to me.</p>
<p>Syracuse isn't all its cracked up to be. People here think its this great, wonderful school with amazing academics and all that; it ain't. Average, perhaps, but nothing outstanding. It is definately best known for its (rather bad [except for basketball]) sports programs.</p>
<p>Interesting information Anarchy. I believe they said if a course was filled and it is required you go to directly to the department to get registered for it (not sure, but I believe that is what was said). It sounds like this school was probably more of a safety for you and I hear your frustration at losing out on what could be a better education for you. Perhaps there are advisors help you. The bright side, as you noted, is the generous financial package for you.</p>
<p>"I know it isn't buffalo, but still."</p>
<p>HA! HAHAHA!</p>
<p>Syracuse is snowier and colder than Buffalo. As a matter of fact, it is the snowiest city with over 100,000 people in the entire US.</p>
<p>i'm a current sophomore at syracuse and i agree. its definitely not all that great. its very greek oriented [ the admissions will tell you its only 30 percent greek or something like that definitely a lot more. ] and it sorta feels that the only social things revolve around the greek system. the school is also very racially seperated [ not because of the school, but because of the students ] and the whole issue with hilltv earlier this year didn't help that. personally the arguing made me more mad than the actual issue.</p>
<p>im very unhappy with my program for how much money my parents are paying. and its known as one of the more prestigious and difficult programs on campus [ i'm an art major. design. ] the art building is falling apart, and we're being shipped downtown to another building with architecture students next semester, and the building isn't even complete yet. the dining halls are awful. i think they serve fried fish 3 times a week .. fried fish.. in syracuse. yeah, exactly.</p>
<p>i hate it here, so i'm also sort of biased. i definitely know people who like it here.. but ive never really met anyone that was thrilled to be here. except the newhouse kids, but after freshmen year they're not as arrogant towards their school. </p>
<p>the only thing i really like is the idea of split doubles.. genius idea. except that they conviently forgot to put the heat on in my room and its -5 with windchill right now. </p>
<p>dont get me started on how they fund the art school either.</p>
<p>tinycities, do u know anything about the interior design program and if it is moving off campus too? it's weird that you say that the design program is bad because syracuse just moved up in their 2006 interior design ranking.</p>
<p>i'm a communications designer, not interior.. each design program is different.</p>
<p>my roommate is interior and its a lot of work, shes definitely always working, but she seems to like it a lot.</p>
<p>all of your posts reminds me of my year last year. ahhh the inability to sign up for certain classes. the monster size classes. </p>
<p>i didn't really like SU ... just the basketball games. I might have also been biased since i grew up in syracuse and i needed a change. </p>
<p>i transfered out after one year and it was a very smart decision. SU's academics were a joke. Yes, some claim them to be superb, but give me a break. I was dual enrolled at the local community college at the same time, took upwards of 30 (yes 30) credits a semester between the two schools, and worked on average of 20-24 hours a week (usually 8 hours friday, saturday, sunday). If SU's acdademics were all they cracked up to be, there's no way I should have been able to pull a 3.85 GPA. </p>
<p>I was not into the hard core drinking and partying scene (hence why i occupied my time with work). I'm glad i transfered out even though it's been slightly difficult going into such a rigorous environment like Cornell's. Dont get me wrong, there are those that love SU. You'll just have to make sure it's the right school for you.</p>
<p>Hey gomestar, interesting to hear from someone who's now in Cornell (i'm in love with the ILR school, but my high school grades aren't up to par and it's a HUGE reach for me). I am debating whether or not to go for dual enrollment (Arts & Sciences and Public Communications) but was afraid that it would be too much to handle while making the transition to college. Just curious, which schools were you enrolled in and which school are you now in Cornell?</p>
<p>tinycities - I guess those rumors my mom heard from her co-workers about 'cuse being a party school are true. It's also disappointing to hear that an expensive school has facilities that are in bad shape. </p>
<p>Interesting to read all of your comments on how 'cuse isn't worth the money, how it isn't challenging and the facilities are crumbling. I learn so much form this site, thanks guys!</p>
<p>-Julie</p>
<p>Cuse's facilities are far from "crumbling." Syracuse University has invested millions of dollars into new construction, and the dorms are some of the best that I have seen. </p>
<p>For communications, Syracuse is one of the best schools around. Syracuse's Maxwell School of International Relations was ranked #1 above Harvard recently. Its theatre/art program is also top notch. </p>
<p>It just depends on what you want to major in. If you are looking at Communications, IR, Art, Interior Design, etc then Syracuse is hard to beat. If you are looking at Engineering, Pre-Med and things like that then there are better schools around.</p>
<p>Also, Syracuse is becoming increasingly selective. The new chancellor wants SU admissions to rival those of Ivy or near-Ivy schools. SU isn't a school to joke around about, nor is it just a 'party school' (although it does have some GREAT parties from what I have heard). :-P</p>