<p>Even though Rochester is ranked higher in US news college rankings than both NYU and Boston College, how come hardly anyone recognizes its name? Is it because is not prestigious and not a house-hold name?</p>
<p>for musicians it certainly is with the eastman school of music.</p>
<p>Well, NYU and Boston College both have their respective cities going for them, and within the university name, even. UofR does have Rochester in the name, I suppose, but how many people really know where Rochester is? I do, personally, but I live in the area. It's a fine school and Rochester is a nice enough city, but it just doesn't have that brandname sort of quality that NYC and Boston lend their schools. Another thing to consider: NYU enrols 20,000 students and Boston College has 9,000. Uofr? 4,500. Size probably doesn't help the name factor for the general populace, though certainly it will help the students attending.</p>
<p>Bottom line, though: it isn't due to the academics that UofR isn't known. It's a great school; all of the students I know there love it, are doing great, and are completely happy with their choices.</p>
<p>I think part of the problem for U Rochester is its name. It's named after a nondescript, lackluster city (which is actually a very liveable city with a lively cultural scene). Years ago they considered changing the name to Eastman University. Too bad they didn't go ahead with it. Schools named after places, instead of people, tend to be less respected, perhaps guilt by association with lesser publics. People are conditioned like Pavlov's dogs to have gut reactions to certain things.</p>
<p>On the other hand, there is prestigious U Chicago, named after a city. But, I wonder if U Chicago would have higher status among the general public if it weren't named after the Windy City. </p>
<p>I also think they (U of Rochester) are a little inept in the marketing department. They have world class programs in some areas. A lot of people are surprised to find out how good it is.</p>
<p>why does everyone on here care so much about 'prestige'?</p>
<p>I like Chicago's name...to me, the name of the city itself sounds very 'prestigious.'</p>
<p>Drew00:</p>
<p>Don't know...</p>
<p>As for Rochester....it is sometimes mistaken for a state school....at least here in SW Washington.</p>
<p>IB.</p>
<p>collegehelp:</p>
<p>I like your arguement - the name of the school could most certainly be a factor. Eastman University would of sounded awesome lol. Hmm, maybe I could bring that up in the near future while i'm there.</p>
<p>People have alot of "gut reactions" when it comes to colleges. First there are the ivies that everyone knows - everyone seems to think that they're the only good colleges in the country. Swarthmore, Amherst, Vassar, and Oberlin are top Liberal arts colleges - almost if not better than the ivies, and then there are the Seven Sister league. Name isn't everything - UR is prestigious in academia (the academic world) and among people who know more than a thingortwo about colleges. That's all that matters =P</p>
<p>UChicago is the exception I guess - but then again thats because the school is so damn great , even the name cant bring it down lol.</p>
<p>Eastman University... =P</p>