<p>Now that May is coming nearer, I need to make a decision on where I want to go to college.</p>
<p>Neither Syracuse nor Villanova were my top choice, but I'm fairly content with the selection I have to make. So I was wondering if I could get some input/advice.</p>
<p>I got into Newhouse (for public relations) in Syracuse and the School of Business (for marketing) in Villanova. I know the majors are different, but I'm still not sure what I want to major in or pursue in the future.</p>
<p>PROS FOR SYRACUSE
- I will have to pay about $2,000 a year and $4,500 in loans.
- Very strong communications program, which I have been interested in since high school.</p>
<p>CONS FOR SYRACUSE
- Cold weather, which will take a while to get adjusted to.
- I loved the campus when I visited, but it didn't seem like there was much to do outside of the campus. (Maybe I'm wrong?) I would prefer a city.
- It seemed very scary/unsafe at night. But then again, I may be wrong about this too.
- About five hours away from home. (Or is this a pro? LOL.)</p>
<p>PROS FOR VILLANOVA
- I will have to pay about $1,000 a year and $4,500 in loans.
- School of Business is very well known.
- Only two hours away from home.</p>
<p>CONS FOR VILLANOVA
- I haven't visited yet, so I can't really comment.</p>
<p>I would be tempted to go with Villanova because it has (from what I've heard) a MUCH better location than Syracuse. The city of Syracuse isn't too great - it's the typical upstate NY city. It has a really good mall but that's about it... Unless you definately want to major in communications because Syracuse is amazing for that. But if you're leaning more towards Biz i would say Villanova.</p>
<p>I also like Villanova's location much better;however, I hate a school that is VERY affiliated with a religion and has relgious symbols on many of their buildings..</p>
<p>Is Villanova any better than Syracuse in terms of job recruitments or internships?</p>
<p>Personally, I don't mind being more five hours away from home, but I do want to spend the next four years in a good neighborhood/location, and it seems as if Villanova is the better school for that.</p>
<p>To be honest, I am leaning more towards communications than business. But the way people are comparing Syracuse and Villanova makes me want to go to Villanova instead...</p>
<p>Afan, as long as they understand Villanova's culture, I have no problem with that. Frankly, I think both are very good schools academically,but I would certainly prefer the location of Villanova.</p>
<p>I agree with every post except post #4 & #7. Use of the word "hate" is offensive in this context. Villanova is located on the main line of Philadelphia and it is beautiful. The religious symbols are a sign of humbling respect & are revered by many. Visit Villanova and you will meet a very fine class of people who value more than just money. The average freshman retention rate is slightly higher at Villanova as are the admissions statistics. House of London: That poster is not that deep. He is well known for his unfounded judgmental harshness made with a tone of superiority. I respect your comments as they are well intentioned & well thought out, but, unfortunately some think that they are superior and fail to respect others.</p>
<p>I see no reason he shouldn't use the word "hate". Maybe he had bad circumstances growing up with religion. Religion is actually understandable for a person to rebuke and oppose it heavily.</p>
<p>I'd definitely visit Nova's campus to get a true feel for it...but I would pick Villanova over Syracuse any day! Personally, the people I know LOVE Villanova and I know a few at Syracuse who say it is just okay...but it is all subjective.</p>
<p>Go with which one feels the best for YOU. And don't worry about the "Catholic" thing... It's my understanding that people of all beliefs are welcomed... It's not like you are going to be surrounded by a university of future nuns and priests :)</p>
<p>(But I'm biased towards Nova, as I will be attending there)</p>
<p>I just visited Villanova, and to be honest, I found the religious symbols around their campus somewhat overwhelming. They were every where I turned and inside every building that it was kind of burdensome. (And I don't mean to be disrespectful to anyone by saying that.)</p>
<p>If I do attend there, I don't think it will be a problem because I will get used to it; but considering it was my first time there, it was definitely a little weird for me.</p>
<p>My tour guide was telling me how 80% of Villanovans are Roman Catholic. After staying there for a day, I realized how strongly religious the school was (or at the speakers anyway). Will it be a big problem if I'm not Catholic?</p>
<p>And I thought I'd get an "OMG, I love Villanova and I'm sure I want to spend the next four years here" feeling, but I didn't. I didn't hate the campus, I just didn't fall in love with it like I thought I would.
I loved the interior of the all the buildings I went into though. They were all so nice and clean, and that was definitely really great to know.
The freshman dorms weren't as small as I thought it would be. The only thing I'm worried about is ending up with a room mate I can't get along with or ending up sharing that space with two other people (normally, it will just be one).
All the students there were extremely nice. The tour guide was great. The weather was beautiful. And I had a great time. I really don't understand why I didn't fall in love with the campus when I saw so many great things today...</p>
<p>Hopefully, I absolutely fall in love with Syracuse when I visit; but having already been there for a few days last year, I don't think I will. This will just make the decision harder, won't it...?</p>
<p>Well if you didn't feel right at Villanova, Syracuse is still a great school, especially since you're saying that you're leaning towards communications which it's FANTASTIC for. Like I said before Syracuse isn't in the best location but I'm sure there is a ton of stuff to do on campus and it's not like you're stranded in the middle of nowhere.</p>
<p>How highly is Syracuse's Newhouse school ranked?</p>
<p>I know VSB is about the 13th best business school in the nation (or so the people at Villanova tell me), but I can't find the same kind of stats for Newhouse.</p>
<p>Off the top of my head, I don't know the ranking for Newhouse, but from everything I've heard it's very well respected. </p>
<p>As far as Syracuse vs. Villanova is concerned, I thought that it was quite telling in your original post that you mentioned, under your "Pros" for Syracuse you mention, "Very strong communications program, which I have been interested in since high school." Whereas in your "Pros" for Villanova you mention that their business school is "well known", but you DON'T mention any particular strong interest in, or passion for, business. Maybe I'm missing something, but it sounds like you're really leaning toward Syracuse and are looking for a little reassurance about the campus and surrounding area. Hopefully your visit there will clarify your feelings about it one way or another. In any case, best of luck to you.</p>