For Syracuse University, I had the pleasure to interview Riley, who provided some insightful responses for students interested in applying to Syracuse University! I highly recommend you check out the responses! Thank you so much Riley! - Meg
What makes this school so special to you? Was it your first choice and your dream school?
"The first second I walked onto Syracuse’s campus, it felt like home. The first time I was there was in seventh grade when I moved my older brother into his freshman year dorm and there was something about the school that was indescribable. I never stopped thinking about it after that day. I wanted a big school with a lot of school spirit and that’s exactly what you get with Syracuse. There are so many organizations to be a part of and you take classes with a lot of the same people within your area of study so you still get a “semi-small school” vibe but there are so many opportunities because of its size and name recognition. I can get everything I ever wanted in one school and I couldn’t imagine getting that at any other college."
Personally, would you recommend morning or night classes?
"With morning and night classes, it definitely depends on the person. I’ve taken both for different reasons. Taking morning classes isn’t fun because you have to wake up so early (after a late night normally) but you have so much time ahead of you for the rest of the day to either just relax or get homework done. 8am may not seem early compared to 7am in high school, but trust me, after a few weeks it feels like 5am. Night classes make your day shorter because you normally wake up later and finish later so you might have less time to work on important things and join organizations because it may overlap with meeting times but you will probably feel more energized and well-rested so it depends what you’re looking for. I’ve taken both because my job is only open from 8am-5:30 and it’s definitely exhausting to have class and work all day from 8am to 7pm but it’s doable. I recommend choosing either one or the other instead of both though."
Were you awarded financial aid? If yes, how would you rate the financial aid package given? Was it able to remove some financial pressure?
"Syracuse offered me a very generous financial aid package which allowed me to go to my dream school. Even though I wanted to go there for six years, I wouldn’t be able to go without financial aid (considering tuition is over $70,000 a year). My package definitely allows me to feel comfortable knowing I won’t be swimming with tons of debt when I get out of college. This isn’t the same experience for everyone but I’m so grateful it worked out."
What is your major and why did you choose this major?
"My majors are Marketing Management and Entrepreneurship & Emerging Enterprises with a minor in Dance. Since I was little I always wanted to own a dance studio and wanted to study subjects that would help me reach this. Entrepreneurship will help me learn how to create my business and maintain it in the most efficient way while still studying dance. Marketing was something that I just recently added out of pure curiosity and I’m so happy I did. I always had interests in editing and photography and marketing helps me combine these lives with social media and I absolutely love it. I was recently able to start a marketing internship where I get to run the social media for corporations and now see myself having a future in social media and marketing. Finding this has been so helpful to me because I know I will have the skills to get a good job in today’s climate which will allow me to collect the funds to create my dance studio down the road."