UDe vs. UMd vs. Syracuse

<p>My son is trying to decide between UD Honors Program, UMd and Syracuse (dual program of Newhouse Communications and Arts and Science). He also is considering UConn, but the first three are his top choices. He is not sure of a major, although he toys with something in the area of communication. At times, he has said he wants to go south, but the dual program at Syracuse is very enticing. I believe he leans towards Delaware and Syracuse because of size, but he has not ruled out Maryland. He does want to be in a school with good academics, wants school spirit, and is not a big partier.</p>

<p>If anyone could help with pros, cons or any other considerations/advice, it would be appreciated. This is my second son going through the process and I remember how hard decision time was the first go-around.</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

<p>I was also accepted dual Newhouse and Art&Sci at Syracuse, as well as directly admitted to the journalism program at UMD. </p>

<p>Was your S accepted to the major of his choice at MD? At MD it is very easy to double major (just keep your grades up! Ex. a double major in anything+Econ requires a 3.3…a double major in history+anything has no GPA requirements…etc.). Especially in MD’s equivalent of Arts and Sciences (Letters and Sciences here!), there are no GPA requiremens (Econ is part of Behavior and Social sciences). So, “dual enrollment” in two colleges is not really a plus in my opinion…you can do that anywhere, basically…at MD it is as easy as filling out a couple forms.</p>

<p>I also got the sense that students at MD were more involved and “smarter” overall…this is just from the kids on the tour at both schools, so perhaps I just got a bad tour group! At the same time, SU does have a much laxer academic policy (will accept worse grades on AP tests for credit, for example). And MD is a flagship state uni, usually the cheapest option for the smartest kids in the state, whereas SU is a private with a somewhat mediocre reputation. I did notice a lot smarter questions coming from the group of students interested in Newhouse, so it seems like those admitted to Newhouse are a cut above the rest.</p>

<p>The way I saw it, MD was a higher ranked school, the weather was better, and Washington, DC >>>>>>>> Syracuse. I also believe the Diamondback > The Daily Orange. Plus MD’s cheaper.</p>

<p>But if your S is out of state cost may not be a significant factor. Additionally, what area in Newhouse is he specifically interested in? I believe SU has more broadcast opportunities if that’s where he’s leaning. I was absolutely WOWed by the broadcast facilities at SU and MD’s are definitely not the focus of the program as they are at SU. But since I don’t give a crap about broadcast that didn’t factor into my decision haha.</p>

<p>Also what area of Arts and Sci is he interested in pursuing? At MD there are certain majors that are particularly strong/weak, in my opinion. Perhaps SU is a better choice for a specific major, I don’t know. Ex. anthropology at MD, blech. Maybe it’s better at SU.</p>

<p>Size is definitely a huge concern as well. My one regret at choosing MD is that I did not apply to and go for a small LAC experience. I think English classes, etc. are hurt at MD because they are often overcrowded, making discussion somewhat intimidating. However, SU is a fairly large university as well, so I don’t know if you’re going to get a 12-15 person English class regularly there anyway haha. It’s not exactly a LAC, you know. Might be interesting to ask each uni’s administration about class sizes in the majors he’s interested in. In other ways MD does not feel “too big” at all, oh no. I see the same faces regularly around campus, in my major (it’s not uncommon for me to bump into a group of kids I know from the English department in the student union), and if you get involved in a certain type of activities (environmental activism, etc.) again you see the same faces.</p>

<p>Don’t know much about UDel…was never on my list as I am in-state at MD and didn’t see the point of paying OOS tuition just to go to Deleware haha.</p>