Syracuse University Admission
Syracuse University Undergraduate Program
Syracuse University Application

The Facts

Syracuse University is a fairly large private school located in the city of Syracuse, New York. The school is home to over 11,000 undergraduate students, and approximately 5,000 graduate students. The university is comprised of eleven smaller undergraduate colleges including schools of architecture, engineering and computer science, management, visual and performing arts, arts and sciences, communications, natural sciences, information studies, social sciences, citizenship and public affairs. The university offers its students a huge variety and scope of majors, however some of the most popular with students include majors in psychology, political science, management and technology, marketing, and architecture.

Admission to Syracuse is fairly competitive, and the administration raises their admissions standards with every passing year. Last year, over 15,000 students applied for admission and approximately 8,720 were accepted. Eventually, however, only about 2,650 of those admitted actually enrolled for the coming Fall semester. The admitted students had an average combined SAT score ranging from 1150 to 1310, and an average comprehensive ACT score ranging from 26-30. Furthermore, over 80% of those admitted were ranked in the top 25% of their high school graduating class with an average high school GPA of 3.6.

Syracuse has a relatively manageable student to faculty ratio of 12:1, and students say that once you get beyond the larger introductory classes, the sizes are quite small, usually less than 20 students. Some students also gripe that there are too many classes taught by T.A.s who don’t really know what they’re talking about and grade really unfairly. However, as the classes become more advanced, students are taught by some fantastic professors who are often leaders in their respective fields.

The Social Scene

Syracuse isn’t the most secure city; the crime rate has leapt in recent years, but students say that on campus security is pretty tight. The campus is pretty spread out throughout the city, and while it might not be the most beautiful of campuses, it is certainly efficient. There is a free bus system that gets students from one place to another quite quickly. Syracuse does offer students plenty of off campus options, including many student-friendly clubs and bars with loose carding policies, as well as several malls and many shops and cafes. Syracuse is not a terribly expensive city, which students are quite happy about.

Syracuse is definitely a big party school, and there are many fraternities and sororities that throw plenty of rowdy parties on both weeknights and weekends. Students love to drink, and basically fill their weekend by filling themselves with alcohol of all types. Sports are also big at SU, and the Orangemen football and basketball teams always have huge rowdy crowds supporting them at nearly every game. The dating scene is quite particular; expect girls with bleachy long straight hair and too much self-tanner as well as dopey jock and frat guys. Sounds like a match made in heaven...

What's Good

“The Newhouse school is incredible; Ted Koppel is even a graduate, which reminds you of where you are and what is expected of you.”

“People here are really friendly and love to party, which is a nice diversion from the stress of academics.”

“The professors really care about you, and will take the time to help you out when the going gets tough.”

What's Bad

“Syracuse is a really scary city; you definitely don’t want to walk around by yourself, especially at night.”

“There are too many classes taught by T.A.’s who are riding on a stupid power trip.”

“Housing sucks. It’s cramped and the food is nasty.”

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