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The University of Rochester

How this student rated the school
Educational QualityB Faculty AccessibilityF
Useful SchoolworkB- Excess CompetitionC
Academic SuccessC Creativity/ InnovationB
Individual ValueF University Resource UseB+
Campus Aesthetics/ BeautyA- FriendlinessC
Campus MaintenanceA Social LifeC
Surrounding CityC+ Extra CurricularsD
SafetyB+
Describes the student body as:
Friendly, Arrogant

Describes the faculty as:
Arrogant, Condescending, Unhelpful, Self Absorbed

Male
Quite Bright
Lowest Rating
Faculty Accessibility
F
Highest Rating
Campus Maintenance
A
He cares more about Faculty Accessibility than the average student.
Date: Apr 09 2008
Major: Other (This Major's Salary over time)
Background: I am a third year Microbiology major, I live off campus.

I will now outline the pros and cons of U of R based on my own experiences:

PROS:

1. Degree Value: A degree from U of R has exponentially increasing worth, especially in sciences. Each year the academic standards increase and the University's reputation continues to skyrocket up the charts. A degree from U of R will continue to give you an employment edge over your competetors for the rest of your life.

2. Research Opportunities: U of R is a research university. There is so much exciting and groundbreaking research going and it is very easy to get involved as an undergraduate and get some valuable experience in your field.

3. Curriculum: Unlike public universities, U of R does not force you to take general education courses. You are free to choose which courses you take and which program track you want to pursue. The only course you are required to take is an introductory College Writing course but you can choose from about 50 different topics to take the course in. I took mine in Coen Brothers' films.

CONS:

1. Cost/Financial Aid: Obviously U of R is really expensive. Most students here have rich parents and it is therefore not a problem. Most students who need aid receive aid. But there are a few students, myself included, who fall through the gaps of their private-university financial aid system and get completely screwed over. My mother makes less than 30,000 dollars a year and my father abandoned us about a decade ago. I expected to receive a substantial amount of aid but received absolutely none. Apparently the University is allowed to investigate into my father's net worth (which must be a lot) and use that rather irrelevant information against me. Upon appealing their decision they treated me like dirt and I almost decided not to attend, but ultimately I decided to take out private loans and attend anyways, and I am still fighting the system trying to reach justice.

2. Food: The dining choices on campus are consistently rated poorly and the meal plans are ripoffs. Many students, myself included, move off campus just to get out of the ripoff meal and housing plans the university mandates.

3. Location: If you are not familiar with Rochester, the winters are long and brutal, the city is full of crime and economic dismay, and students are often discouraged from leaving the safety bubble that is campus.

MISC. COMMENTS:

Social life on campus is whatever you want it to be. You basically choose your own level of involvement. There is an abundance of Fraternities, Sororities, Clubs, and Organizations to keep you busy, but if you are like me you will make most of your friends with your first year hallmates. Don't miss freshman orientation week because this is when the strongest bonds are formed. You might end up hating your room mate but you will most likely have great friends next door to go hang out with instead. Also if you are like me you will make more friends staying up all night studying with classmates than you will partying all night on the frat quad. Try to make a few friends in your classes so you can help each other study and bond at the same time.

For me, the pros outweigh the cons enough that I still wanted to go here. I have made many friends and so far I have had only positive academic experiences.

My personal advice: Visit the campus, try the food, look at the dorms, tour the city if you dare, speak with a faculty member in your intended major, and weigh your options. Make sure you realize that this is primarily a science institute and its strongest programs are in natural sciences (biology, chemistry, physics, computer science, math, etc). Our humanities programs are not quite as challenging or as reputable. Also, if you are interested in music, check out Eastman school, I have never been there but my roommate loves it and it is consistently ranked one of the top music schools in the country.

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