What is the student body like?
Syracuse University has eleven undergraduate schools and colleges. Each school will attract a different kind of student: Artists, engineers, architects, managers, etc. With about 11,000 undergraduates on campus each year, just about every personality type can be seen on campus. Therefore, you will be in constant contact with people who are different from you in their backgrounds, beliefs, and opinions. Overall, the campus is neither liberal nor conservative, but rather, a happy medium of the two.
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What is there to do on campus and in Syracuse?
The city of Syracuse and its surrounding areas are home to over 700,000 people. The University, located on its notable 'hill" overlooking the downtown area, has access to both the sizeable city and beautiful natural preserves and woodlands just a few miles north. The city itself hosts numerous festivals, concerts, and exhibitions throughout the school year and SU students often receive reduced prices to these events.
Many students here at Syracuse University choose to fill their weekends with intramural sports such as softball or soccer and visits to Marshall Street. This newly renovated campus avenue is home to a variety of restaurants, college shops, and bars. There are also a couple of great places to relax, grab a cup of coffee and talk for hours.
As a new student at the University, you will surely find that one can spend the entire school year on campus and never know what the meaning of boredom is. From recent speakers ranging from Hillary Clinton to Dane Cook to the musical performances of Kanye West, The All American Rejects, and The Format, just to name a few, there is something new to do each day within the university setting. The six major freshman dorms function like campus centers within themselves and are equipped with bookstores, laundry facilities, gyms/workout rooms, game rooms and dining facilities. Click here for more information about campus life at Syracuse University.
For those of you wishing to venture outside of the campus setting, the city of Syracuse boasts a top-notch professional theatre, a myriad of interesting art museums, symphonies, orchestras and shopping districts. A five to ten minute drive can transport you to the hustle and bustle of downtown Syracuse and its many hidden shops and restaurants. Both the city and the university provide a unique learning environment that fosters both intellectual and social awareness and also shows you how to just kick back, relax and have a great time!
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How large is the Greek system (fraternities and sororities)?
About 25% of the student population at Syracuse University join either a fraternity or sorority. You are not eligible to "rush" until your second semester and must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5. There are currently 40 Greek Houses on campus. Greek life offers many outlets for academic, social and campus-wide involvement.
Syracuse University's fraternities and sororities participate in the annual Homecoming events such as the skit competition and parade. Each member of the Greek System also donates his or her time to a philanthropic cause designated by each house. You may find the "rush" and "pledging process" to be personally rewarding. On the other hand, the Greek system here at SU is not an exclusive one and there is no pressure for you to join.
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How many students are undecided?
The Liberal Arts Core is designed under the assumption that every student will be undecided at some point in their first few years at Syracuse University. You are required to take courses in the three divisions of humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences/mathematics. This way, you are exposed to topics outside of your preferred discipline whether you are undecided or not.
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How do I choose a major?
The College has Advising Services and Career Exploration Services that can help you decide on a major if you are having trouble. Some of these same offices can prepare you for graduate school or can help find you a job after graduation. Also, there is a University-wide Career Services Center that provides you with resume tips, networking workshops, interviewing tips, and other useful information for the job search process.
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Can I graduate in four years if I change my major?
You are not required to declare a major until the second semester of the sophomore year (which leaves plenty of time to change your mind many times.) Typically, you will work on your core classes for the first two years through the Liberal Arts Core Curriculum.
The last two years are focused on your major. If you decide to change majors you should be able to finish on time, providing you don't switch at the end of your junior year or into a program that is very structured, such as architecture.
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Can I have more than one major?
Some students would like to expand their areas of study by having more than one major or a major and a minor. Nearly every students in the Arts and Sciences can pursue two liberal arts majors.
It is possible to graduate on time with this type of schedule, but you must keep in mind that the number of electives you can take will be decreased. You should tell your academic advisors that you would like to double major as soon as possible so you can plan your schedule accordingly.
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Is it possible to do undergraduate research and internships?
The Syracuse University Internship Program (SUIP) arranges internships for SU students in hundreds of different settings ranging from advertising agencies to hospitals, and law offices to prime time television. An internship can often be an invaluable opportunity that complements your classroom education with a greater understanding and appreciation for the 'real world'.
Internships typically range from one to four credits and can be taken in Syracuse during semester study or in any other town or city during summer break. The SUIP office has virtually thousands of internships available each semester and the staff in the office are willing to help you in whatever way they can.
The i-Learn Program offers you the opportunity for 'active learning at its best' and includes a variety of programs such as the undergraduate research program, mock trial, the Ruth Meyer research scholar program and many more. You can select to work with a single professor in his or her research area or with an entire team of professors, graduate students and other undergraduates. The opportunities for research at SU are endless.
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What does Admissions look for? What are the average SATs and GPAs?
Admissions looks for more than grades and test scores. They want to know the entire package: Who you are as an individual and what you can bring to the University.
GPA and Classes
Admissions likes to know that you have taken classes that challenge you and have matched your ability.
Standardized tests (SAT, ACT)
Like most private institutions, Syracuse University has no "cut-off" or institutional expectation. Your test results only have meaning in the context of the rest of your application. Of course, we hope you do the best you can and stronger scores help, but test scores never make the decision by themselves.
College Essay
The essay is a chance to give us something we might not learn otherwise. It cannot tell us all there is to know about you, but it can demonstrate your ability to develop an idea and bring it to a logical and thoughtful conclusion, as well as your ease with expressing yourself. If there's something especially important that we should know, be sure that you use the essay to tell us.
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Do you feel like a number? Are the classes big?
The student to faculty ratio at Syracuse University is approximately 11:1. There are generally a few large lectures with about 250 students in each. However, if you are taking one of these introductory classes, you will also have a scheduled discussion session that meets for about an hour each week. Here, you will find yourself amongst 10-15 other students and an instructor and with the opportunity to informally discuss the subject matter from lecture. Once you become "focused" within your plan of study, class size dramatically decreases in most disciplines. Usually, the average class size will be around 15-20 students.
Professors in The College have a strong desire to get to know their students. It is not uncommon for an entire class to be invited to the professor's home for dinner at the end of a semester. Each instructor also has scheduled office hours at least once a week and it is recommended that each student stop in to say hi and ask questions whenever they may arise.
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Do graduate students teach many classes?
Approximately 7% of all classes at Syracuse University have more than 50 students. These introductory lectures are taughts by SU professors and the recitation (smaller discussion section) of the lecture will usually have a graduate PhD student leading this portion of the course. It is in this discussion session that you will be able to ask any additional questions you may have. It is a valuable experience to have a graduate student, who is totally immersed within his or her field, guide your understanding of the course material.
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Can I study abroad?
Syracuse University Abroad (SUA) currently has six overseas campuses in London, Florence, Strasbourg (France), Madrid, Hong Kong, and Beijing. If you would like to study somewhere where we do not have campuses, SUA has reciprocal agreements with other universities to use their facilities. Studying abroad for a year or a semester takes a lot of planning. If you would like to partake in this program, schedule accordingly, your advisor can help you.
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Do you recommend bringing a computer to campus?
There are 20 computer labs on campus, including clusters in all of the first-year dorms. We advise you to contact your proposed major's department or your home school to find out approximately how much you will be using a computer, as this tends to differ across disciplines. If you are a student who needs total solitude when working or studying, you might want to think about investing in a personal computer. However, if working on a late-night paper with a group of friends is more your style, then the computer labs will surely suffice.
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Do you need a car on campus?
Students are not allowed to have cars on campus until their second year at SU. The University provides a free bus system to all parts of campus and its surrounding areas, so transportation is quick and easy. Because of the active campus community, you may find that everything you could ever want is a quick walk across the quad to any one of the campus area hang outs.
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How do I request more information?
If you would like to know more about The College of Arts and Sciences, you can contact our Visitor Center. We can answer your questions and send you brochures and catalogs about our majors and programs. See our contact information below.
If you would like more information about Syracuse University, complete our online information request form so we can send you more information by mail.
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How can I visit campus?
Visiting campus can be fun and exciting! Daily tours and information sessions are available through the Office of Admissions.
Office of Admissions
Syracuse University
100 Crouse-Hinds Hall
900 South Crouse Avenue
Syracuse, NY 13244-2130
Phone: (315) 443-3611
Fax: (315) 443-4226
E-mail: orange@syr.edu
Office of Admissions Homepage
If you would like to meet with an a staff member to discuss your interests in The College of Arts and Sciences, contact our Visitor Center. You may also be able to sit in on a class or meet with a professor during your campus visit.
The Vistor Center
301 Hall of Languages
The College of Arts and Sciences
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY 13244-1170
Phone: (315) 443-4322
Fax: (315) 443-2470
E-mail: visitas@syr.edu
Visitor Center Homepage
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