Syracuse University | Student Reviews | Best College

Student Profile

Joey

Class: Junior
Major: Government
Gender: M

High School: Lynbrook High School
Transfer Student: N

Big Picture

If you're coming for Newhouse, then you're in luck ... sorta. The school is very technologically advanced and will give you a decent education - the alumni contacts are great. However, the name recognition (in my experience), just isn't that great (especially on the West coast). I've found SU to be just the right size school - I'm always running into people I know going to class, but it's not so small that I feel like everywhere I go I'm going to know everyone. If you're looking for a school with a college town - look elsewhere. SU's marshal street has enough fast food and bars to get by, but it's far off from the typical college town that you think of. The administration leaves something to be desired. It's my opinion that they're working toward the general right direction for the school, but that their tactics need to be changed. There seems to be a prevailing attitude that it is the school responsibility to support the city of Syracuse - economically. It's hard to see so much of what is a hefty tuition go towards useless spending. If you're looking for a sports school. This is a good one. Yes, football sucks right now, and our Men's BB team is on it's worse streak in 30+ years. But it'll turn around in a few years. Besides mLAX is doing awesome and you get the Carrier Dome!

Academic Life

I've had classes ranging from 15 people to 200+. But in general, I've found class sizes to be very reasonable. Large lectures always have a smaller-size recitation that goes with them. I've liked the majority of my professors. Some have been bad - they don't teach the way I want to learn, or have a heavy foreign accent (here's to the math department), but in general the professors are very knowledgeable and reasonable people. I have yet to find one that is too focused on research to listen to a student talk/complain/question. Studying and being an academic is certainly expected among my peers, but it's something that's done on your own time and in addition to extra-curricular activities. If you're looking for an intense scholarly environment, this is not it. Which is not to say that Syracuse is a party school - it can be if you want it to be, but the vast majority of people place a high value on grades. The photography department at Newhouse is very good. The profs. have a wide range of experiences and we're working with the a lot of the latest and greatest gear. (As of this writing that means top of the line Nikons and Canons). Thanks to a partnership with Nikon (and recently Canon) this is likely to continue. Newhouse received several Nikon D3 and D300 bodies shortly after they became publicly available. Lens selection is very good too with a wide range of top-end glass. All of this of course is free for photo students to use. Newhouse also has phenomenal internship and career placement facilities. A lot of the professors are old industry insiders who can be of assistance as well. Maxwell, the polisci school has been educational. Classes have certainly taught be quite a bit about the field, and have been insightful for a new junkie like me.

Student Body

SU is not an ethnically diverse campus. It's almost entirely white people. There quite a few jews (25%?) but other than that look elsewhere for an ethnically diverse campus. All of which is not to say that SU isn't trying to be diverse. It's not like diversity is shunned or looked down on. It's just that it there isn't much there. The overwhelming majority of students come from New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, or Pennsylvania. Be prepared to be looked at a bit strangely if you don't come from there. (I'm from California, it's actually quite a bit of fun). A lot of Syracuse students are from wealth backgrounds. There are certainly a number that are not, but I find that a large number can depend on daddy's checkbook. Politically, SU student's are inactive. The vast majority just don't care about politics or current events - sports are more important.