Syracuse University Top Questions

The most frustrating thing about my school is probably the fact that we are required to live on campus for the first two years. This is somewhat inconvenient because we could save a lot of money living in an off campus apartment or house as sophomores.

The amount of professors and teaching assistants that do not speak english as a first language. They are some of the best and very knowledgable professors, however the language barrier is very frustrating some times. This is not the case for all colleges within the university, but within engineering there is definitely a large share of foreign professors and teaching assistants. It makes getting help and really understanding difficult, especially when they do not understand questions or why students don't understand.

The most frustrating thing about my school is getting from class to class in the cold. Here in Syracuse, New York it is very cold in the winter and as the cold is approaching it is getting worse and worse to go to class. The buses do not seem to come around often enough to get me from my dorm, which is on the opposite side of campus, to my first classes of the day. I do not mind of this when it is warm but as it gets colder it is not as fun walking in the cold.

It's a research institution, so professors often want st spend a lot more time with their research than with students- esspecially in engineering, DON'T expect an advisor that's really interested in your success. I went into my third advising meeting and my advisor didn't even know who I was. I had taken a class with him as my professor and he STILL didn't know who I was.

Most of the colleges dont get that much support from the alumni. Newhouse gets a ton and the rest get almost nothing. Some professors are not suited to teach.

The lack of intergration amongst cultures.

Nothing. Everything is great here and I could not be happier.

there's a sense of affluence/expectation that is hard to get used to if that isn't your background. also, the college is run like a business and sometimes it feels like they just want your money.

The frightening amount of stupid kids who have more money to spend on alcohol and less time to spend on going to classes, or at least, speaking with their brains frustrates and disappoints me the most. I thought college is a place for intellectual challenges and self-enhancement... and Syracuse University being a renowned private university, would have had a higher standard in selecting students. Evidently, I was wrong.

I think that the most frustrating thing about Syracuse University are the dinning halls when there is any kind of special events on campus or if there is a football or basketball game. I found myself waiting for about 10 minutes to be able to get a little bit of pasta. On the plus side, you can see the school's spirit every time these things happen. I guess you just have to run to the dinning halls before any game is over to be able to get everything you want without having to wait.

I feel there is not enough time to explore the boundaries of what I am really interested in. I would appreciate if students were able to actually had less general requirements to graduate so that we can take more unique courses. One thing I would have liked is to have more major related electives.

The most frustrating thing about my Syracuse isn't neccessarily a bad thing. There are so many options and so many things happening, its hard to pick and choose what programs and events I would like to be a part of. I often find myself pacing back and forth in my mind, trying to determine which classes and opportunities will benefit me the most in the long run. Sometimes it can be a struggle because everything looks to interesting and promising. Although I'm indecisive, the experiences available to me are incredible. So much to do, so little time.

The campus can seem to be politically charged during some events, whether they occur on or off campus. While this is certainly enriching to listen to pertinent discussions on real-life issues, I do not think that bringing that sort of bias into the classroom is beneficial. This has not happened too many times but certain conflicts, such as the Iraq War, have skewed professor's lectures and their teachings. At times, this can interfere with the learning process and as it is not in sync with the mission of Syracsue University.

You can start seeing the same type of person appearing over and over again and you end up feeling lost because you're not like that and you don't want to change. Don't give up. There are good people, you just have to dig around a little for them.

How expensive it is

the weather. It snows from October to April.

competition in large classes

When you need to get things done (ie papers signed, drop classes, etc) and they're important...no one seems to care.

the weather., liberal bias, academically tough

Since Syracuse University has such a large number of student, it is often hard to find a parking spot. The University is located right in the middle of the city so there is alot of pay stations and street parking but majority of the time every spot is taken. So, often times, your left to drive around in a circle looking for a spot and doing so can make you late for class.

Some departments get more money than others and they have better facilities and equipment. Because of the budget some of these departments are understaffed or have professors that are not the best we could get.

Probably the weather. It is very hard to be motivated to go to an 8:30 class in a blizzard. The snow accumulates so quickly and the ice makes it almost impossible to go one day duing the winter months without seeing someone fall (also very dangerous around the campus bars). During most classes, your boots are soaked and you are uncomfortable until you can get a chance to go back to your dorm for another pair of socks!