Rochester, NY
University of Rochester

The University of Rochester was not a college that I was completely impressed with. While it had adequate academics, the University felt very insular and not community-focused, unlike other schools who seek to benefit the communities in which they reside. There have been prominent sexual-harassment cases against graduate students recently, which cast a long shadow over the administration of the University, with them at odds with their faculty. This is one of the biggest reasons to really make sure you want to go there over somewhere else.

Truthfully, I cannot imagine myself at any other college. The University of Rochester has the kind of environment where you feel like you fit right in, but there's such a diverse and exciting group of students who all bring in so many new experiences and worldviews that things never get boring. Students are very academically driven, and I mean this in the best way possible. People here are genuinely excited about learning, and it drives you to get excited, too. The people here are genuinely supportive of you and your academics; I rarely feel like there's "competition." You feel more motivated by the sheer interest and excitement you get out of learning new things and getting to share it with others, while hearing about what they're learning about as well!

University of Rochester was the perfect choice for me - I couldn't have been happier. The atmosphere positively oozed with dedication to learning and achievement. My fellow students were all fellow bookworms and nerds who also loved to have fun and be social. My professors were invested in my development as a writer, researcher, and student and I constantly felt as though I was improving and working towards becoming a well rounded citizen of the world.

University of Rochester has a culture that is primarily based on academics. However, it is not a competitive environment, and students are always supportive and helpful. The classes are rigorous but doable if you put the time and effort in. Most of the professors are very friendly and accessible outside of class if you attend office hours. The dorms are pretty typical, there's nothing special or bad about them.

Greta school academically. There are a lot of resources available to all of the university's students, its just a matter of using them. The campus is like a bubble, but it is possible to get out into the city. There is not much to do unless you know people, but you find creative ways to keep yourself entertained when you aren't studying which satisfies that itch.

Do not go here for electrical and computer engineering. You will learn nothing. The program is insufferably dumbed down; it is a wonder how it stays accredited. Dorms and food are sub-par. Professors care more about their research than teaching. Most students are uninterested, and it isn't hard to understand why. I feel like I was tricked into attending this university as the school has a good reputation. Now, I wish I had gone literally anywhere else. I have friends who went to community college and they learned far more in their engineering class than I have in three years here.

The rooms are quite large, and some of the newer buildings have sinks and mirrors in each room (even for some lucky freshman). However Residential Life Office is sometimes difficult to work with for any special cases. The food can get tiring... Nothing to boast of. Academics--likely the most important factor--are no joke. Nearly all my classes have been challenging and stimulating with many nice professors. There is a wide array of courses offered--check it out on https://cdcs.ur.rochester.edu/

It is definitely the university of my dreams. I would not be in a better place. I feel very comfortable being here and I fully recommend this college to anybody. The intellectual environment is something that makes it very unique. You won’t feel bored at any time. There’s always something to do out there! In fact, living in a city in which every place is so close is a good advantage.

Overall, my experience at the University of Rochester has been absolutely incredible. The academics are beyond this world and it's amazing to finally feel like I have found the place where I belong. It is a community of students and professors that encourage each other to grow and strive to the best of our abilities. There are several groups on campus for students to get involved with allow for students to continue their passions, as well as continue to make the campus "ever better".

On the first day of college I knew not a single other person on campus, I was so scared, I even got lost trying to find my way back to my room from the bathroom. And yet now I couldn’t image going back. I’ve made so many good friends, found new passions by accidently signing up for clubs, and found all sorts of new strengths and weaknesses. I love U of R and could imagine who I would have been had I not gone here.