The State University of New York College - Oswego

Date: Jan 04 2010
Major: History/Histories (art history/etc.) (This Major's Salary over time)
SUNY Oswego is certainly a frustrating school, but it isn't completely soul-sucking if you play your cards correctly. Do not expect any sort of rhyme or reason in the financial aid process. Most of their on-campus jobs are federal work study, but a lot of students with an EFC of 0 do not receive that award. The same goes for a majority of the offices. The staff is extremely friendly, but most ineffective. This is, sadly, a reoccurring trend for Oswego.

Do NOT attend Oswego if you are a liberal arts student. Oswego is primarily a school for education and communication, and it shows. There are great facilities for the Communications department, but the entire liberal arts department is shoved into a inadequate and deteriorating building. The professors also vary greatly. On one hand, my adviser (who also taught two of my classes) is a fantastic, well-qualified individual who really cares about his student. However, many of my professors have been completely apathetic and- in one case- rude. It's all about picking professors you like and sticking with them, otherwise you run a great chance of being stuck with a horrible teacher.

The academics are dismal at Oswego. The most challenging aspect of most classes is understanding what the professor actually wants. Communication is not the forte of the history department.

If you looking for a challenging degree, look elsewhere. However, the campus is gorgeous and the buildings are taken care of very well. There is a great discrepancy between the quality of the dorms. If you want space and a place to study, look at either the Mackin Complex or Sheldon. Sheldon is a gorgeous old building, and only has about 70 students. Mackin provides single rooms. However, there is no social life whatsoever. The west side of campus is the opposite. The buildings are awful, but there is no lack of parties.

There are clubs and organizations on campus, but they're not well advertised. The on-campus events tend to appeal to only a small segment of the student body. However, Oswego is a hockey school, and most of the students are proud of their hockey team. If you like a different sport, or don't care at all, a different school would better suit your needs.

The student body is sort of disappointing. While there is racial diversity, most students are middle class and come from either Rochester or Long Island. There is little economic and age diversity. It is difficult to meet people here unless you're part of the Greek Life, and little to learn from your peers. Most of the international students are sequestered into their own dorm, with is a huge disappointment. It's really a great disservice to both them and the general college community.

Also, if you're a transfer student, forget about it. We're treated like shit. There is absolutely no logic behind their transfer credit evaluation.