Visit Report by mtnest2b (Member since March 15 2008 with 27 posts) Visit Date - September 2007
Visit to University of Rochester in September 2007 by mtnest2b (Parent of Student, HS Class of 2008)
Visit Activities:
Admissions Interview:
Yes - Interviewer (not a student) seemed really interested in what made my son tick, what made him different. Urged him to send extra material to elaborate on what they'd touched on during interview. Information Session:
Yes - Upbeat presentation with video. All the info is available on website but there was a palpable energy to the info session that really 'psyched' us for the tour that followed. Not much Q & Campus Tour:
Yes - VERY articulate, knowledgeable and deft student tour guide. Did not get to see dorm room (not sure why) but was able to elicit honest answers about problems like overcrowding & tripling up. Classroom Visit:
No - With limited time, opted to visit major dept offices & chat with undergrad advisor & student leader. Both VERY friendly, welcoming, gave us good insights into U of R.
University of Rochester Campus:
Friendliness/Courtesy of Students: 4 - Very Good -
Nice kids everywhere! Chatted informally with other tour guides while waiting for interview, & got sense of diversity (no UR stereotype other than SMART) of student body.
Appearance of Campus: 4 - Very Good -
River Campus has traditional university quad layout, not so sprawling as to make bitter, snowy winter walks untenable. Medical Center very close. Mix traditional Ivy & contemporary glass/cinderblo
Building/Facilities Maintenance/Cleanliness: 4 - Very Good -
Everything passed the Mom test.
Dormitories: 4 - Very Good -
Didn't see room but toured all-freshman Susan B Anthony Hall & cafeteria, with typical 60's architecture, corridor style. Perfectly clean. it's nice to be able to walk indoors to me
Security/Safety: 4 - Very Good -
Female tour guides say they feel totally safe, but see CC threads on safety for more views. Eastman sounds slightly problematic. People warn of bridge to 'ghetto' - didn't bother me.
Overall Campus Impression: 5 - Excellent -
Perfect size, attractive, convenient.
Off-Campus:
Area Immediately Around Campus: 4 - Very Good -
Seemed pleasant, quiet, suburban.
City/Town/Community: 3 - Good -
People criticize Rochester, but we really liked historic district with great upscale restaurant in restored warehouse and small art museum specializing in Rochester artists.
Campus Visit Notes for University of Rochester:
Visit Description:
This was first school that made my son REALLY EXCITED about college. Students seem to love the open curriculum with clusters, and the tuition-free 5th year is an amazing opportunity if you can swing it. The sciences, of course, are outstanding, everyone lauds the research opportunities, and the students seem to feel good about themselves -- they know they're smart, and they know they've chosen well. The size seems ideal for the student who wants significant resources but intimacy at the same time. I don't think you can fall through the cracks at UR; at the same time, I can't imagine that you would outgrow the academic offerings in 4 years.
It was Rosh Hashanah, and we saw faculty, students, and local families heading for services at the large non-denominational chapel that is a focal point of the campus. That, plus the historic connection with abolitionism and feminism, gave us a good feeling of pluralism, at least in philosophy. Similarly, there are Greek houses, and they offer their share of partying, but a lot of students like to call themselves, proudly, geeks. That mix helps make this a very appealing school.
In sum, no wonder UR considered "a new Ivy!"
One negative, strictly from a parent perspective --- the food! Too much fast food, and overall 'blah.' So many other colleges have really beefed up their food services in the four years I've been visiting schools with my kids. But I suspect my kids wouldn't care.
Hotel/Lodging Recommendations or Comments:
Clarion Riverside just fine.
Dining/Restaurant Recommendations or Comments:
Can't remember name of restaurant but Clarion has book with local menus. Visit historic district: during day we saw people enjoying after work beer outside old-factory-turned-pub overlooking rive
Other Comments (Transportation, local attractions, parking, etc.):
I love the convenience factor of this small city. Parking on campus is impossible, but students can rent Zip Cars and there is no problem getting into city or to airport.
-
Nice kids everywhere! Chatted informally with other tour guides while waiting for interview, & got sense of diversity (no UR stereotype other than SMART) of student body.
-
Perfect size, attractive, convenient.
-
People criticize Rochester, but we really liked historic district with great upscale restaurant in restored warehouse and small art museum specializing in Rochester artists.