Tell me about U Rochester

[Anonymous]

Visited with my DD twice as she was interested in studying engineering and was being recruited for a sport and this was one of the few schools she could do both. Very impressed with the academics, students we met and the campus is nice enough but there’s almost nothing for a student to walk to nearby. Campus has river on one side, huge cemetery on another and the hospitals/medical school buildings on yet another and it was probably a mile walk to coffee shop, drug store, bookstore, restaurants, etc. Felt too suburban and not enough of a college town/neighborhood feel for DD. Would have been difficult to justify the cost given her other option.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Visited with my DD twice as she was interested in studying engineering and was being recruited for a sport and this was one of the few schools she could do both. Very impressed with the academics, students we met and the campus is nice enough but there’s almost nothing for a student to walk to nearby. Campus has river on one side, huge cemetery on another and the hospitals/medical school buildings on yet another and it was probably a mile walk to coffee shop, drug store, bookstore, restaurants, etc. Felt too suburban and not enough of a college town/neighborhood feel for DD. Would have been difficult to justify the cost given her other option.

I visited with my daughter and she liked the University because of this. She hates campuses where you walk off campus and there are shops and restaurants and random adults going about their day. I personally prefer the neighborhood feel myself, but she prefers the opposite.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Visited with my DD twice as she was interested in studying engineering and was being recruited for a sport and this was one of the few schools she could do both. Very impressed with the academics, students we met and the campus is nice enough but there’s almost nothing for a student to walk to nearby. Campus has river on one side, huge cemetery on another and the hospitals/medical school buildings on yet another and it was probably a mile walk to coffee shop, drug store, bookstore, restaurants, etc. Felt too suburban and not enough of a college town/neighborhood feel for DD. Would have been difficult to justify the cost given her other option.

I am a native Rochesterian, and visit family there often. Although UR is working hard to support gentrifying the neighborhood on the other side of the river, it is a violent and drug-infested area. (City schools are the worst in the state of NY) UR supported the construction of College town to give their students something safe to walk to. https://www.collegetownrochester.com/directory/ Like many unis, Campus life is generally plenty social and self-contained

That said, the city of Rochester has some very lovely neighborhoods with lots to do and beautiful parks and museums. Uber or a car are probably necessary to have the best experience in Rochester.

[Anonymous]

My child looked seriously at Rochester, and we liked it. Many students double major or have a minor. In my kid's case, they wanted to study engineering and art. The campus is very pretty but not in a city. They ended up at another top choice, but it is a wonderful school

[Anonymous]

OP here...thanks for all the helpful responses. It seems like it has a lot to like (with some downsides). Again, I'm surprised more kids from around here don't apply...I'm going to encourage my junior to look at it!

[Anonymous]

One more plug for Rochester. DC is there. Very much was attracted to the open/flexible curriculum and the size - not too big, not too small. Yes, area adjacent to the school is not great but it's a quick (and inexpensive) Uber ride to fun restaurants and bars. And DC has become a Buffalo Bills fans so opportunities to take in big time sports or concerts just an hour away.

[Anonymous]

It’s a great and competitive school. The campus is beautiful and it has a fantastic medical and business school attached. Eastman School of Music is part of the school.

The academics and admissions are on par with other schools mentioned more frequently on this board. Admission is highly competitive. It’s very expensive but gives strong merit aid. There is Greek life but it’s not the only social life like some other schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Visited with my DD twice as she was interested in studying engineering and was being recruited for a sport and this was one of the few schools she could do both. Very impressed with the academics, students we met and the campus is nice enough but there’s almost nothing for a student to walk to nearby. Campus has river on one side, huge cemetery on another and the hospitals/medical school buildings on yet another and it was probably a mile walk to coffee shop, drug store, bookstore, restaurants, etc. Felt too suburban and not enough of a college town/neighborhood feel for DD. Would have been difficult to justify the cost given her other option.

I am a native Rochesterian, and visit family there often. Although UR is working hard to support gentrifying the neighborhood on the other side of the river, it is a violent and drug-infested area. (City schools are the worst in the state of NY) UR supported the construction of College town to give their students something safe to walk to. https://www.collegetownrochester.com/directory/ Like many unis, Campus life is generally plenty social and self-contained

That said, the city of Rochester has some very lovely neighborhoods with lots to do and beautiful parks and museums. Uber or a car are probably necessary to have the best experience in Rochester.

Unfortunately College Town is still a mile walk from the campus and while that’s certainly doable it’s not convenient for students without cars, especially when weather isn’t good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here...thanks for all the helpful responses. It seems like it has a lot to like (with some downsides). Again, I'm surprised more kids from around here don't apply...

$82,600 total cost of attendance probably has a lot to do with it. That plus terrible weather.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s very expensive but gives strong merit aid.

Looking at the CDS they give an average of $12,540 in non-need based aid to students in the school of arts and sciences. That's not very strong.

[Anonymous]

I'm curious about calling UofR's location as suburban. I grew up in ROC and would not call it suburban. That's Fairport, Webster and Penfield. :p

The campus is lovely. The weather isn't my favorite, but there are tunnels so you don't have to go outside. Fall and late spring are nice. It's a great school, but it has gotten very expensive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here- thanks for the replies.

Yes, this is what I’m reading and it seems like it would be a very good target for a very strong DMV student who wants an urban school, which is why I’m surprised I don’t see it mentioned more on this board or in the DMV more generally (Pitt gets lots of attention)…anyone have personal experience? Is the environment supportive or very competitive? Is it mainly graduate focused?

Rochester is not "urban" in the way Pittsburgh is urban, though. There are some trappings of city-hood, such as the hospital, but the sorts of diversions that a bigger city offers aren't much in evidence in Rochester.

That said, I like Rochester (native Upstater who returns quite often, though not always to Rochester), and I know some very smart, nice kids who have gone to U of R

[Anonymous]

For those who know kids who are there, are they happy? Super stressed? Have they "found their people"?

[Anonymous]

My kid is there. Totally found their people pretty much right off the bat. Feels workload is a lot and kid stresses regardless but happy for sure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are better schools... but if you're happy, I'm happy.

What an assholish comment.

+1 I was thinking this too. Idiotic.