Syracuse University Top Questions

What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

Katie

I would tell them to keep an open mind. One college may seem like a perfect fit until you get there. I think that it isn't necessarily WHICH college you go to that will ultimately make it or break it for you. A lot of my friends have tranferred, and most have changed majors at least once- even those who went into a program that they thought they were certain they would complete. Just be sure that when you get to college you are pro-active and get involved right away.

Nicole

Visit every school you are considering again before you make your final choice and make sure that you visit at a time when students are around (early to mid-week) to get a good feel of if you belong there.

Diane

make sure you visit the campus. As a tour guide for Syracuse U., I found that students always had very important questions. It is also best to hear from a student when asking questions. We obviously know the campus the best as well as what it has to offer and we really won't lie to you about our experiences. If you feel as though you don't fit in, then don't worry about it. There is a school out there tha will work for you.

Xiao

I think understanding the weather, ethnicity, l and surrouding of the school is really important. These factors can really change a student's experience in college, because some students may not like to stay in a snowy place and make them feel sad the whole time. This may keep students from joining clubs, organizations, and even get involved on campus. This can really affect a student's thougth about their college. Also, try to do more research on the schools that the student is going., such as safety of the school, school's policy, regulation, etc. One thing that I think is really important about choosing a school is the location, because some students like to study in their hometown, but others choose to go study three- ten hours away from their home. Each one of these choice have benefits. Students that choose to stay in their hometown will not feel so depressed, because they won't feel lonley all the time. However, students that choose to study three -five hours away from home will learn to be more independent, at the same time they have to sacrifice the loneliness in college. It all matter fact of choice.

Catherine

I would advise to expect the unexpected. My experience at Syracuse Univeristy led me onto paths that I never imagined while I was still a high school senior. Attending a medium sized univeristy allowed me to be exposed to cultual and political expereinces that I am positive a small college wouldn't have been able to provide. The opportunites to study abroad or away from the campus were fantastic, and I loved that most students participated in this programs. The social scene at SU that allowed me to make lifetime friends. I would encourage freshmen to give appropriate amounts of thier focus to both academics and the social/extra-curricular part of college. My academic pursuits have led me to a job that I love as an alumni, but it is my friends that I look forward to catching up with over the phone and visiting all over the country when I am out of work. College was a complete experience for me, and I wouldn't take back a single day or penny spent.

Dan

Keep in mind that college is a social as well as an academic experience and that the needs of the student need to supersede the wants of the parents - at some point the student (child) needs to take responsibility for their life and choices.

Kaled

Always visit the campus. In this case, first impression means everything, from academics, to the beauty and location of campus. You do not want to be going to a university where the academics are great, but you hate living there. This is the beginning if the rest of your life, choose wisely and remember, you will be living at the school for the greater part of the year so make your choice in how you want to live your life, whether is social or academic or both, and picture yourself living that life in the university you are considering.

Kristian

Start early looking different colleges and Universities. Visit your best choices colleges'campus Get information about the specific field you are interest . Apply to more than 10 Universities ,with a variety of programs

Dianne

Although I have only been attending a four year university for a year now, within that year my life and perspectives on life have dramatically changed. I have matured through sprouting wings, leaving the nest, and moving six hours away to recieve a good education. Syracuse University has greatly impacted my life; more than I even expected it to. Not only does the college of your choice become a second home, but it provides you with a lifestyle. I applied to six different schools including UConn, St. Josephs, University of Delaware, Penn State, etc. During each visit I took note of what the student's lives seemed to be composed of over-all. This is the key to choosing the right school. During each visit, you must picture yourself living your every day life amongst those students and buildings you are seeing. Of course, you must discover how good of a program a particular school has for the major of your choice as well. Take everything into account. College is the basis and the platform of one's future, and every block that goes into building that platform will effect you.

Kelsey

A student and the parents definetly need to visit the campus. You get a feeling when you are on the right campus. Parents feel safe, secure and informed about the campus. Students can see and imagine themselves there. Important facts are cost, academic program, extra-curricals, location, study abroad and anything else that is important to you. To make the most, get involved. Whether its sports,music or art, get invovled. You not only feel a part of campus but can find friends for life. Go to the games, see the galeries, check out the mall and resturatnts, its all part of the college experience. You only live once, dont' have regrets, do everything you can. You only go to college once!

Meghan

My advice would be to go somewhere no too close to home, but close enough that you are still able to see your family and high school friends every few months. Being away from home is a big change, but it is definitely good for a new college student to get this experience and live on their own.

Jeff

Find a school that feels right. Once you're there you'll know its the perfect school.

Megan

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR THE RIGHT COLLEGE? T HINK about what you're passionate about. A SK parents and counselors for advice. K NOW your academic strengths and weaknesses. E XPLORE schools that have your area of study, fit your academic ability, and extra-curricular needs. T AKE virtual tours on-line and narrow the search. I NVEST time to visit the schools and get a feel for the campus. M AKE the most of the process and take care in filling out applications E XPECT success, expect to work hard, expect to experience some pain and conflict and expect and choose to be happy in spite of it. Remember, "No pain, No gain" in sports can be translated to "Pain brings Gain" in life. Don't be afraid to stretch yourself and move out of your comfort zone. Know that no matter what school you choose you can be successful and happy if you WORK HARD and WORK THROUGH any difficulty that may arise. Seek schools that have the academic, social, medical and emotional resources to provide you with any assistance you might need to insure that your college experience is rewarding and exciting.

Gretchen

My four years at Syracuse University was by far the best 4 years of my life ( so far!). I came from a very small, typical country town with very little diversity and was ready to open my eyes to the world; Syracuse University accomplished that for me. Attending a campus with an array of majors always attracts people from all parts of the country and world. ( My first year roommate, who is now my best friend, was from Geneva, Switzerland). Schools which offer majors/courses in liberal arts, sciences, communications, education, etc. not only allow you to meet people with all different interest, but also allows you to take courses in different areas and also offers the option of completely changing your major without transferring. Another bit of advice would be to attend a school with a very strong and well known athletic program. The school spirit and love towards my school was greatly developed during the times I was in the stands alongside my fellow peers cheering along with our school mascot. Also, attend a school which offers endless clubs and activities, nearby banks, stores, and restaurants. Good Luck with your future!

Danielle

The advice that I would give to parents and/or students about finding the right college is to start the search year in your junior year of high school. I would advise doing this by visiting the campus and getting comfortable with the campus environment. After that, making a pros/cons list for your narrowed down choices. To make the most of your college experience, I would advise to get involved with your college by participating in clubs, groups, extra-curricular activities, and most of all, make sure to make friends and get to know people. College is an experience like no other, each student should embrace it to the fullest potential.

Matt

Finding a college that is right for you is hard. I transfered schools because my first one wasn't right for me at all. My advice to students is to make a list of 5 things you are looking for in a school and then visit as many as you can and see how they fall. As for making the most of you're college experience, most colleges will have some kind of activities fair, so join a lot of clubs in the first week and then stay with the ones you are most interested in. You will make a lot of friends and will have something to keep you busy on the weekends.

Gloria

The college visit is crucial. When on campus, make sure to pay attention to the tour guides BUT don't forget to try and speak to the students. Remember, those who give the tour guides or those that interview are those that are trying to sell the school to you. Be observant and pick up the school newspaper. Check out the campus and see whats really going on. And don't forget to try and sit in in a class. Remember, speaking to the students will give you the real 411!

Sara

Parents could advise children what might be best financially, but they cannot choose the school for their son or daughter. The students must make the choice for themslves because they will be the one experiencing the college life. My parents let me choose the school I wanted to go to. Deep down I was worried because my parents income was high, but my parents stores are not doing well becuase of the economy in the United States. I feel like this year i might be able to recieve financial aid, but at the same time I am quite worried if I will not recieve it. A lot of stress on my parents. Messed up my freshman year mostly on time management when to have fun and when to study. The thing I can advise on students is that your parents will do anything eeven if your parents are stressed financially about paing yor college tuition. My parents even took on a second mortgage to send me to school. Since student loans has a higher interest. Incoming students should do their very best becuase of the loved ones,'parents', are paying for it.

Jessica

Get your credit card ready! College is expensive.

Kelsie

Visit, have an interview, take a guided campus tour, do research online, choose your major before choosing a school

jeremy

It's best to start looking for a college as early as possible, probubly in your junior year of high school. Visit as many colleges as you can until you find the one that is right for you! Once you get to college all you have to do is be friendly and you will find people that enjoy doing the same things as you.

joomi

I think its not about school but its about students. If a student has good social skill and hard worker she or he will like their school no matter where they go. There are pros and cons for every school and its about how student can adapt the environment. As a student, student should not think about negative things before coming to school but always have positive mind. Personaly, I love my school and i love people around me. There are some negative things but if i am sure that even if i went to different school, i could still find negative things about that school. It is about how you think and how you act.

Laura

Parents should get involved in the college search process, they know their children best and know in what kind of school they will fit in, so their opinion is important. Take interest in your child's picks and plan to visit the campus if possible. Student's should talk to current students and ask their opinion about the facilities, faculty and the overall campus because they will give you the most honest answers. Parents and students should take tours of the campus and get a feel for it, when you visit schools you can have a better idea of what to expect if you choose that particular college. Also, campus size is a big comfort and social factor, so be aware of it. Collect broshures and all sorts of information packages and compare all the colleges you might be interested in, going online and checking out their website is really helpful as well. Most importanly start your college research early, schools are very competitive and they get many applicats every year, take initiative, they like that.

Lauren

Take a deep breath. Parents, remember that this is the students decision, though you can assist in reminding your young adult about sometimes overlooked issues like campus safety, class size, diversity, library and health facilities, financial aid, and the like, but it needs to be the student's choice, as he or she will be the one to live it out. Students, do your research. Think about what is important to you: majors, future career paths, alumni success rates, extracurricular activities, social atmosphere, gym facilities, and whatever you want in a place you could call home. Rank possible schools, or list out pros and cons. Seeing it on paper in front of you can actually make a difference. Visit as many schools as you can. Go as a family, go with friends, and even connecting with current students for a visit can help you get an accurate feel of campus life. Finally, remember, it is nice to get it right the first time, but after giving something a decent shot, you can always try something else out instead. There is no shame in saying, "I tried it out. It wasn't for me." Something else will be.

Victoria

I would give the advice to keep an open mind throughout the process. Finding a school is extremely stressful and attending one has its highs and lows, but many times one's first impression of the school doesn't even come close to measuring up to what the school actually has to offer. On the other end, sometimes it's easy to fall in love with a school after just one visit, when really it isn't the right place for you. Even if you go to a school that isn't your first choice, it can be the most amazing place and wind up being the perfect fit. And if it is, make sure to make the most of your four years there by trying as many things as you can. Participate in clubs and organizations that interest you, study hard, and have fun. Making the most of your college experience is so easy if you just stay open about everything and just be yourself.

Katelyn

My advice is to make sure you thoroughly research any school you're considering, and to visit any school you're applying to. Don't write off a school because it doesn't fit your "perfect school" ideal 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c}. The school I ended up going to (and loving) was a school that I applied to last-minute (and visited after I applied to it). After visiting this school, I realized that some of my criteria weren't as important as I had thought...

becky

When looking for a college, visiting is a big part of the process. You need to be there so you know what kind of people go there, what the buildings look like, and see if you can actually see yourself at the campus mixing in with others. Another big thing: Don't force yourself into college. If you are just going because you feel like it is on the track of your life, allow yourself to explore other options. Sometimes college isn't for everybody when they are 18. In my opinion, attend a university specific to what you want to do. There is no reason to waste money on an expensive 4-year-university if you don't know what you want to do and you are going to explore taking gen-eds and drinking with your fraternity. I would suggest maybe even moving to a college campus and taking classes at a community college to save money.

Emily

Go here!

Courtney

When I was a confused 18 year old deciding where to apply, people always offered advice such as: "You will know when you find the right school." But in my opinion, this advice couldn't be further from the truth. Sometimes a "gut feeling" when touring a school could be completely wrong. What if it's a rainy day or you aren't feeling well? Your perception and attitude are altered as well. I never asked myself, "Is Syracuse the perfect school for me?" There is no such thing as absolutely perfect; not in life, not in people, and not in a university either. Instead, I wondered, "Could I be happy here?" Because at the end of the day, I knew that academic advising and fraternity mixers didn't need to blow other schools out of the water on the Princeton Reviews. I just needed the satisfaction of knowing that my day to day experience would ultimately lead up to the only important thing - happiness (okay, okay, maybe a decent job as well). To new students, go to your newly chosen school with confidence and enthusiasm. You made a decision that will shape your next four years - believe in it.

Kaitlin

Pick a few criteria that you know you want the school to have (i.e. region, size, sports teams...) and start with that. Visit as many schools as you can. Sometimes it helps to visit a school that's the opposite of what you think you want, just in case.