Syracuse University Top Questions

Describe the students at your school.

Anshu

Helpful, but only when you ask for help.

Crystal

They are outgoing, intelligent people who are focused on what they want to do in their life and are eagerly preparing for the outside world after we all graduate.

Jenni

ambitious

Emily

Classmates at Syracuse were very friendly and welcoming. They were always willing to help with work, notes, etc., however sometimes when placed together for group work some students slacked off.

jess

my classmates are sheltered, but questioning, and because of that they can be borderline ignorant/sexist/racist (or all of the above) in terms of race-sex-class differences.

Colby

My classmates are ambitious, helpful, and cooperative.

Stefani

friendly and motivated.

Soon-Young

I do not really become friends with people I meet in class. Usually we only talk when there is a group project or meeting. If you are open and approach others, they will most likely be friendly to you.

Gretchen

From all walks of life. Extremely Diverse. Very Motivated and Smart

Katie

The girls in my Communication Sciences and Disorders Major are very helpful and respectable towards each other as well as highly motivated to do well, considering we must maintain at least a B- average in our major to complete it.

Nicole

A good mix of people I can't stand, people I can tolerate, and people I will be friends with for the rest of my life.

Kaled

Some are engaging, some are not but yet there are enough to contribute to the classroom environment.

Dianne

My classmates are all hard-working, fun-loving, driven students whom are all very racially and ethnically diverse.

Gloria

Intelligent, kind, outspoken, charismatic, amazing, open-minded, helpful, giving, bright, strong-minded, studious,\

Laura

My classmates are competitive and most of them are nice.

Elizabeth

Most students at Syracuse are white middle to upper middle class. Most people walk around in jeans, UGGs and North Face. A little more over half of the student body is out of state and the other half in state, however Syracuse is not a suitcase school, very few commute and almost everyone (probably 98{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c}) stays on campus during the year. Syracuse offers a great community and support system to all their students which they too have upheld. Also, Syracuse students are probably one of the nicest group of people you'll meet. No one is rude, there is very little drama if any at all and everyone is up for meeting and making new friends.

Alex

I don't think anyone would feel out of place at Syracuse unless their heart really wasn't into being a student here. There honestly is a place for everyone; I felt out of place when I got here and it took a semester to adjust, but I found my place and that made life so much easier. Students wear EVERYTHING to class. There are kids who are dressed in sweats/pjs, kids in their Greek gear, kids put together in casual but presentable outfits, and I've even had class with a kid who wore a shirt and tie every day. You see everything and no one really cares. No, different students do not really interact. Everyone comments on how diverse the campus is, but at the same time, how segregated it seems. Four tables of students in the dining hall would mostly be made up of four different floors. My experiences living in the dorm were that people hung out a lot with the people on their floor and often ate their meals with the same people they lived with. Most Syracuse students are from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut. The most prevalent financial background is upper middle class. Students are pretty politically active and seem to be predominantly left winged.

Skylar

There are so many girls who act dumb and slutty that sometimes it can be sickening. Most students are from New York or the New England area. The campus as a whole is not any one thing-its too big to be unified- there are motivated groups of students and not motivated groups. I'm not christian and no one bothers me about it, I'm not jewish and no body bothers me about it. There are take back the night marches and frat parties, everything is there, but the groups do not overlap much.

kirsten

there is a wide variety of groups on campus and a good amount of people in each, everyone can find someone there. most students wear sweats or they look really nice. most people are from the northeast, with alot from the nyc area and out near rochester/buffalo.

Natalie

You will see some fashionistas in tights and uggs -- haha the normal "jap" attire but for the most part you see very casual clothes.

Alex

The student body for Syracuse is excellent.

Joey

SU is not an ethnically diverse campus. It's almost entirely white people. There quite a few jews (25{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c}?) 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.

Joe

I am gay and so I experience hate wherever I go. At Cuse, although there is a prominent gay population as well as organizations to help those in the LGBT community, there is still hate and discrimination. It is always guys, usually in fraternities that hold such hostility yet in order to grow, whatever environment you are in, you must hold your head up and look past their ignorance. As for any place you go, there is a wall between races. The black students at Cuse seem to congregate more on the South Campus- where apartments and sports facilities are located. They have many parties and if someone was to say we are going to a south party, you would immediately understand that it would probably be predominantly black and hispanic students attending. Who ever you are, if you come to Cuse, there will be a group of people that you click with and will have a good time with! There is such a large student body that there will be friends that you will go out with and party and get drunk with! Which, by the way, the parties at Cuse are AMAZINGGG!!!! Politically, Cuse is very diverse. I know that I am for the most part liberal, as are the majority of my friends- hey, i did say it is predominantly jewish! (okay that was a stereotype, but a true one at that!) There are those that are very religious and conservative but you just dont know who is who when you are having fun dancing and having a good time with eachother on the weekends-which, btw starts on thursdays ( and sometimes wednesdays: "wasted wednesdays").

Jen

I'm Jewish, and there's a good Jewish population--so for Passover when I went to Hillel for lunch, there was always someone I knew there. All the races in my dorm got along really well. Yes, it is true that sometimes people of certian races tend to stick together, but everyone mingles and it's really nice.

Kristen

There are stereotypes that everyone is from Long Island and Jersey, which is true, but for the most part the people are very cool. Wealthy, but cool.

Robin

There is diversity on campus but there could stand to be more. It is very accepting as we are one of the only universities in the country to have an LGBT studies minor. Students are also fighting to start a Transnational Asian Studies Program. The administration pushes for diversity and connecting the university to the city of Syracuse which makes SU a pretty interesting place to be. Most SU students come from NYS (mostly Long Island, New York City, Albany, Central New York), but we also have a lot of students from New Jersey and different states and countries around the world.

Dawson

It's very self driven. There are all kinds of students and while many of the majors naturally back into their own small corners, there's a lot of extracurricular activities that will get you and others interested.

Lisa

Overall Syracuse students look rich and stuck up. Luckily you can find plenty of people who don't fit that mold, who don't where the "sorority" fashions and can't use daddy's credit card to buy anything. But of course, the stereotype is based off some truth. The student body is not very politically active.

Meredith

Students at Syracuse are generally very aware of political events and are predominantly left. Overall I would say the campus is not religious, but there are many opportunities for students like me that want to make religion a part of their life. Generally I would say that students from the same academic department hang out together most. In the case of Illustration, we have movie nights together and all go out to lunch after class. Students definitely never talk about how much money they will be earning one day - atleast in the school of Visual and Performing Arts.

Blake

The school is very "cliquey". Having a large number of students from many different places forces most students to associate themselves with people who are most like them, whether that be racially, sexually, academically and so on. The problem is that once those alliances are made, students remain in those niches and fail to go beyond the familiar which is why for many students who were the "majority" back home, they have a rude awakening to the tensions that exists between majorities and minorities.

Allie

I really am not involved in any of those kinds of groups, but the people that I know who are are really into them. I know the Campus Crusade for Christ has a lot of people who genuinely love it. I think probably an African American student would feel the most out of place here. I mean, there are black people here, but not too many. You will see many girls in their black Northfaces and Ugg boots here. But there is always the kid who just rolled out of bed in his sweatpants too. Some people interact with other groups, but not too many. A lot of asians hang out together, as well as the African AMerican kids. The first table at the dining hall are sorority sisters gossiping about who hooked with what guy and which frat he is a member of. They are all wearing Uggs. At the next table are a bunch of obnoxious sports guys wearing Syracuse apparel and arguing over the NCAA tournament. They are probably Broadcast Journalism or Sports management majors. The next table consists of a bunch of guys and girls who live on the same floor and because of that, are really good friends. These people all have different styles and come from different backgrounds- these people are who are sitting at the majority of the tables. A lot of people here come from NYC, Long Island, and Jersey. There are definitely a lot of wealthy people here, but then there are a lot of middle class as well. I would say Syracuse is mainly liberal, but ive met some conservatives. Most of my friends dont talk about money too much.

Kendra

Honestly the majority of the people on this campus are loaded and are proud to announce it. I feel out of place A LOT because I do not come from money. I really really struggled to find people like myself that are more down to earth and are not obsessed with dropping $200 every weekend and then claiming "I'm so good with my money and barely spent anything!" Most the girls here are the spandex wearin, Ugg boot trekkin, big sweatshirt and sunglass sportin, girls. And the boys are the Louis Vuitton belt wearin guys. Some people will NOT talk to you if you do not have expensive enough clothing on, no joke. I've heard a girl proudly announce, "my daddy pays an extra $5000 so i can go here". A lot of people here are OBSESSED with themselves and are RUDE. However, there ARE normal people here who don't come in hand with daddy's credit card. They can be a little hard to find, but they're here. I've found friends that I love and feel I fit in now. Another thing to consider is that Syracuse is HUGE on Greek life. It almost feels like committing social suicide when not going greek and it sucks. But once again, there are other ways to meet people and the non-greeks are there. And of course, Frat's always make for a good party.

Christine

There is a wide diversity of students on Syracuse campus. There are various religious centers on campus including Hendrick's Chapel, a Jewish center and a Muslim center. There is a LGBT center on campus and they do a fantastic job on campus. A student who needs an intimate environment in terms of student body size might feel overwhelmed by the size of the school. The majority of girls around campus wear leggings (hard tail/so low pants), ugg boots, and long sleeping-bag jackets. In the dining hall, you'd see a table of a few girls all wearing their sorority t-shirts or letters, a group of ESF students talking about trees or smoking pot, a loud group of rowdy, athletic men who are the crew team and a group of students (girls and boys) who live on the same floor as one another laughing about an inside joke that no one else on any other floor understands. There are a lot of students from random places in New York state (Westchester), Long Island, New Jersey, just outside of Pittsburgh, Connecticut or Ohio. There are random people who come from Texas or California because they wanted a change. Most students are wealthy and able to afford to buy $4 drinks at the bar or go shopping at Shopbop.com quite often, but there are also students who are on financial aid and or here on scholarship. Most students are pretty affluent because it is a private school. Many students are politically active. Students vote on absentee ballots. More students are liberal than conservative. That may be because there is a huge journalism school here at Syracuse, but most students who are well educated on politics at Syracuse are democratic. All Newhouse students hope to be making more than the average communication school graduate- many will climb to the tops of the ranks or become famous faces on TV. Most students expect to do well and make a lot of money.

Zac

Most of my friends seem to be from either the Boston area, Philly area, or NYC area. I am a student in SOM. Most kids dress in Abercrombie or Greek letters. There are very few blacks in my classes. Most seem to be either Jewish or from a wealthy background, or both. The administration constantly tries to promote forced diversity integration. What they don't realize is that it's better for people to do it on their own then force it. Most Indians stay with Indians, most Asians stay with Asians, and most Blacks stick with Blacks. You will never see a white girl in UGG's hanging out with a black person. Most guys are cool with anyone though. I have friends from all different backgrounds at 'Cuse. Most students seem to be pretty liberal. Most students seem to come from wealthy families

nicole

theres a lot of girls from long island and it can be very "jappy" at times. especially int he sorrorities. but theres plenty of cool people and its soo easy to make friends.

Amelia

Once again, at Syracuse you will find almost anyone. I have found that most people I have met here are from the North East but I also have friends from California, Hawaii, France, Puerto Rico, and El Salvador. As for Political Views, I have found that its slanted slightly left, but there are a good amount of conservative people here as well. Many teachers seems to be Liberal.

Annie

Syracuse students really do come from so many places. There are so many different ethnicities, especially compared to back home in Maine. For the first time ever, I have friends who are gay, black, Asian, and Hispanic. It's amazing. I'm so glad I didn't go to a state school. Most Syracuse students are from Long Island, NY, or New Jersey. They're typically pretty rich. Still, there's a lot of students from other states and other countries. If you look hard enough, you'll meet some really interesting people. It's hard to tell how Syracuse is politically. I'd have to go with liberal, but it isn't a super politically active school. Maybe I just don't check it out that much.

Elizabeth

People here definitely have different backgrounds. But it's good because everyone brings something different to the plate and you can learn from them.

Kendall

Syracuse is a no place for hate and a no put down zone. Draw a cock on someone's dry erase board and you're looking at five to ten years jail time. There's an ethnic fraternity or student organization for everyone, it's just a matter of finding your niche. If you like wearing leggings and Ugg boots with white V-neck Ed Hardy T-shirts that cover little more than half your ass while carrying an over-sized hobo bag and drinking hot Starbucks caramel machiattos with skim milk, no whip cream and two splendas please, while adorning a piece of yurman of equal value to the dorm janitors yearly salary, Syracuse is the place for you! If you're a girl looking to graduate in four years with your MRS degree, consider applying early decision.

Dave

Same as anywhere else. blacks talk to blacks, and asians only talk to asians. most black people are athletes i see and most asians are biology or engineering majors. lots of gays. no student would feel out of place theres a group for everyone unless you are a depressed gothic kid who doesn't care about life, i dont see many of those up here. a decent portion are rich sheltered jewish kids, ESPECIALLY the girls.

Sasha

experiences? i talk to everyone...i dont know. i dont know who would feel out of place. some people wear pajamas to class, some wear nice clothes, depends on the person and how much sleep they've gotten. yes different people interact. 4 tables in the dining hall? ha this isnt high school we dont have lunch room cliques. most people seem to be from new york or new england. most seem middleclass-rich. some are politically active, all different views. lots of people say they chose their major to get rich

Eric

Interestingly enough, in a school (Visual and Performing Arts) that prided itself on individuality, I was the one who stood out, wearing of all things, clothes from Abercrombie and Fitch. For the most part, everyone got along. You're gonna run into tempers and attitudes at any school, but I really felt that everyone was really together: proud of their school, in an us vs. them kind of way. Essentially, we're all Central New Yorkers.

Chelsea

Students are predominately financially well off, and hail from at least middle-class families. Every girl is accessorized with designer jewelry (mostly reeking of the latest David Yurman), and comfortable yet fashionable clothing to keep up with the NYC style scene. Politics are important, and students are constantly keeping up on the news, but the campus is fairly center politically. Most students come from New York, Massachusetts, Long Island (yes, it is it’s own state here), Connecticut or California. New York City is a huge stopping ground for all ‘Cuse students, and most flock to NYU dorms in large groups while working for coveted companies as interns. Vogue, Vanity Fair, Time Inc., Cosmopolitan, The New York Times, People and Harper’s Bazaar are popular media destinations for budding fashionistas. SU students are known to take over and thrive in New York City, and most remain there or in Los Angeles after graduation. Students at SU are reasonably accepting of racial, religious and LGBT groups on campus. Religiously, the campus is varied. About 1/3 of the campus is Jewish, but it seems like more than that. There are religious groups, like Campus Crusaders, for every faith. Hendricks Chapel, located smack in the center of campus and designed like the Pantheon is an interfaith chapel and many students attend services and even dialogue circles there. Students and faculty are cynical in typical northeast fashion, and agnosticism exudes from all corners of campus. Students definitely have their futures in mind at all times, and constantly talk about their goals towards financial success. There is a center on campus just for resumes, and even classes for course credit dedicated to teaching students how to appropriately construct and build a resume. If anything, students will graduate with a great resume.

Darren

Syracuse's student body is diverse. If you are religious, we have a catholic center, the Hendricks Chapel, Hillel, Chabad, Muslim groups, etc. The list goes on. if you want LGBT, SU has a top-rated LGBT program that has events on campus each and every week. I wouldn't say any student feels out of place at SU, as there is really a niche for everyone to join in. Like, you can find yourself in a group that makes movies, or a niche of kids who are holding a rally for Obama on this campus, so there is a lot of diversity among the things to do. Students wear just about anything on campus. Like you will see some on suits and ties, dressed for success. But then you have girls wearing Uggs and Leggings, and guys wearing Timberlands, etc. The one thing you need is a WARM WINTER COAT. You will wear it a good 4-5 months, so I would suggest buying a nice one, it's a worthy investment. Most of SU's students are from the northeast. I think 65{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} are from NY, NJ, MA, PA and CT. But it's amazing, being from Georgia, there are a lot of southerners on campus. SU is focusing on recruiting now in Washington DC, Atlanta, California, so there is truly a great amount of diversity amongst the students and you can feel at home anywhere.