Thoughts on University of Rochester?

[Anonymous]

DD's college counselor is recommending that she apply. It's on her "match" list. I don't know anything about other than where it is ranked on US News and what I can read on their web site. Seems to be a strong school for the sciences? DD is interested in applying to med school eventually.

[Anonymous]

Would you have a problem if DD was attending a school in downtown Detroit?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Would you have a problem if DD was attending a school in downtown Detroit?

the environs are that bad up there?

ive heard it is a really good science school and not too big.

[Anonymous]

I went there and loved every minute. Great feeder to med schools, if that's an interest - I had friends that ended up at all the big name schools. Serious research focus. I was a humanities major and ended up at an Ivy law school, but really valued the curriculum at UR, which whichBI think left me really well prepared for grad school. Beautiful, self contained campus. The city has some great and not so great areas, but the immediate area is fine and safe, and most students tend to stay there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Would you have a problem if DD was attending a school in downtown Detroit?

the environs are that bad up there?

ive heard it is a really good science school and not too big.

The school itself is fine. They have a lot of great programs that are rigorous, and challenging. U of R is part of the Via Health healthcare system, and they're huge into medical and other scientific research. The school is also affiliated with strong hospital. There will be several opportunities for DD to get some healthcare experience along the way. Think a smaller version of the Inova healthcare system, but with a college attached to it. U of R basically feeds its own med school. Assuming DD does well in her classes and doesn't completely blow the mcat she'll be "rubber stamped" in.

Now, as far as Rochester goes. The city is sitting in Monroe county. Monroe county is designated a rural county. If you travel just 5-7 miles from the city limits you'll be surrounded by farmland. Also the entire area has been suffering decline for going on 20 years now. Poverty, that used to be contained to just the inner city, has spread to consume the entire city and bleed into the suburbs. There are entire areas of the city that the police forces will not patrol, not with out a good amount of back up. Meaning only when the services are called to go to said area. Due to the poor demographics of the area there is very little to do and DD won't be able to attend concerts, etc of well known acts simply because the tours skip the area. As for the weather, I'd hope DD likes snow and doesn't mind not seeing the sun. During the winter months, from October 1st through mid April, its not uncommon to go 2 weeks without seeing the sun, just to have it peak through for a hour or two, and then go another 3 weeks without seeing the sun. As for snowfall, "lake effect" snow happens every couple of days. It's not much different in how we have rain down here, but its snow up there. When Rochester has a snow "storm", its measured in feet not inches. Also, expect from thanksgiving through the end of February to have several days where the daily highs are in the single digits, with wind chills several degrees below zero.

[Anonymous]

How is it for non science majors?

[Anonymous]

your genitals and nipples will become frost bitten.

enjoy

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:your genitals and nipples will become frost bitten.

enjoy

no colder than you

[Anonymous]

Syracuse isn't too far to go see a show.

[Anonymous]

Great school, Rochester is not some small hick town it is a mid sized city and the alumni connections run deep. They have underground tunnels connecting many of the buildings.

[Anonymous]

Spring and fall are beautiful. I don't know how accurate/important the PP's strange comments about demographics and the lack of concerts are. Your child can sail, ski, hike, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Would you have a problem if DD was attending a school in downtown Detroit?

the environs are that bad up there?

ive heard it is a really good science school and not too big.

The school itself is fine. They have a lot of great programs that are rigorous, and challenging. U of R is part of the Via Health healthcare system, and they're huge into medical and other scientific research. The school is also affiliated with strong hospital. There will be several opportunities for DD to get some healthcare experience along the way. Think a smaller version of the Inova healthcare system, but with a college attached to it. U of R basically feeds its own med school. Assuming DD does well in her classes and doesn't completely blow the mcat she'll be "rubber stamped" in.

Now, as far as Rochester goes. The city is sitting in Monroe county. Monroe county is designated a rural county. If you travel just 5-7 miles from the city limits you'll be surrounded by farmland. Also the entire area has been suffering decline for going on 20 years now. Poverty, that used to be contained to just the inner city, has spread to consume the entire city and bleed into the suburbs. There are entire areas of the city that the police forces will not patrol, not with out a good amount of back up. Meaning only when the services are called to go to said area. Due to the poor demographics of the area there is very little to do and DD won't be able to attend concerts, etc of well known acts simply because the tours skip the area. As for the weather, I'd hope DD likes snow and doesn't mind not seeing the sun. During the winter months, from October 1st through mid April, its not uncommon to go 2 weeks without seeing the sun, just to have it peak through for a hour or two, and then go another 3 weeks without seeing the sun. As for snowfall, "lake effect" snow happens every couple of days. It's not much different in how we have rain down here, but its snow up there. When Rochester has a snow "storm", its measured in feet not inches. Also, expect from thanksgiving through the end of February to have several days where the daily highs are in the single digits, with wind chills several degrees below zero.

Good grief, you are dramatic. Rochester gets less snow than Syracuse and yes, you see the sun in the winter time--it's not Siberia. People also know how to drive in the snow, don't tailgate, and are friendly. It's also the third largest city in New York state, so yes, concerts tour there. There's also equity theatre, and plenty of festivals like the Lilac Festival and Corn Hill.

Yes, there's crime, but it's hardly Detroit or Newark.

U of R is an excellent school; strong in the sciences. I would ask to speak with some alum through their network.

[Anonymous]

I know of two students there and they are both very happy. It is isolated and very cold, so you need to go in knowing that.

[Anonymous]

Enough of what US News thinks. Since when did they control the American college system. U of Rochester is a solid school with a good reputation. If you dig in and do well there, it is a solid path to graduate school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know of two students there and they are both very happy. It is isolated and very cold, so you need to go in knowing that.

I think the terms "isolated" and "very cold" are relative. I'd see a place like Carleton College, Bowdoin, or Potsdam that way. Not U of R.