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Inside Scoop

Quick Stats

School Slang
  • The Cart: Cart outside the ITS Center that sells snacks.
  • CAS: College of Arts and Science, the freshman writing course.
  • CLARC: What everyone still calls the ITS Center.
  • CS: Computer Science.
  • D-Forth: Danforth Dining Center, in Susan B. Anthony.
  • GLC: Pronounced “glick,” the Graduate Living Center.
  • Ho-Cro: The Hoeing Crosby dorm area.
  • Ho-Town: Hoeing Hall.
  • Hoyt: The auditorium where lots of classes are held that is not exactly in any building.
  • Hutch: Hutchison Hall, the science building.
  • Hylan: The math building next to Hutchison, not labeled.
  • LJ: Lovejoy Hall.
  • The Mel: The dining area, not to be confused with Meliora Hall, or Meliora, the school slogan.
  • The Old Gym: Spurrier Fieldhouse, where the old athletic center was.
  • Phase: The old name of Hill Court, mostly senior dorms.
  • The Pit: Dining area in Wilson Commons.
  • The Quad: Main academic quad.
  • Res Quad: The Residential Quad with freshman and upperclassmen dorms.
  • The Res Quad: Residential Quad, freshmen and upper-class dorms.
  • Rochacha: You don’t have to know this, but it’s what people call Rochester.
  • RRL, Nipple of Knowledge: the Rush Rhees Tower, or just the library.
  • Sue B.: Susan B. Anthony Dorm.
  • Towers: Both Anderson and Wilder.
Things I Wish I Knew Before Coming To School
  • Declaring your major is not strict, so you don’t have to go in with a set major
  • Don’t get the mini-fridge. They may seem like a good deal, but sometimes they don’t work well and you don’t get to keep them.
  • Go out a lot during orientation or in the very beginning of the year. It might be your only free time.
  • Learn study skills before you go.
  • You don’t really need to attend a lot of the orientation activities.
  • Your meal plan will rip you off no matter how you look at it.
Tips to Succeed
  • Do your work and reading.
  • Don’t be afraid to talk to the TAs; they can help you and that’s what they’re there for.
  • Get to know at least two professors well for recommendations and because it will be valuable for you.
  • Go to class, especially if it’s something that’s challenging.
  • Join at least two clubs. You will meet upperclassmen and it can lead to many good opportunities.
  • Prepare far in advance for midterms.
  • Study three times as much as you did in high school.
See how you stack up against students who were accepted to this school . . .And calculate your chances!Register to get started

Rochester Student ReviewsWhat's This?

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Inside Scoop at University of Rochester

cdavis28

'14

Economics

5.0
A+

Rigorous

The Univeristy of Rochester is an underrated school for its academic rigor. The medical program is very difficult, and the economics program at the school is among the best in the country.

Oct 03, 2011

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Inside Scoop at University of Rochester

nanven

'11

Biology

4.6
A

Clusters

The school asks students to cluster in subjects outside of their declared majors which enables students to dabble in areas of academics that they normally would not have the opportunity to be exposed to. In addition, the flexible curriculum enables students to create their own majors if a student is motivated to construct an individualized course of study.

Jul 30, 2011

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Inside Scoop at University of Rochester

annalisebaird

'13

English

5.0
A+

Open Curriculum Lets You Do What You Want Right Away

One thing that a lot of Rochester students take for granted is our curriculum set-up. There are very little requirements, so you're able to dive right into your major or simply explore and actually take classes you want to be taking right off the bat. I know a lot of people who complained about having to fulfill math, language, English, and science requirements before they could even start taking the cooler and more interesting and specialized classes. At Rochester, the curriculum is really open, so we're very spoiled!

Jun 05, 2011

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Page 1 of 3

Facts

Traditions
  • Boar’s Head Dinner: Boar’s Head is the annual dinner that has been held since 1934 where students gather for a traditional medieval times dinner, served by the student choir (they sing to announce each course) and humorous speeches by faculty in costume. Other performances include the Strong Jugglers whose act includes fire and glowing rings and a cappella groups.
  • Convocation: Tents are set up on the Quad with lunch and speeches to welcome students back and kick off the beginning of the academic year. Notable professors are also presented with achievement awards.
  • Dandelion Day: Nicknamed D-Day, this is the all-time favorite tradition at UR. Held on spring weekend when classes end, an all-out fiesta will ensue on the main quad in front of Wilson Commons, the student union. Security is lax on this day, and students are allowed to be on the Quad with alcohol pretty much without a second glance. There are rides, games, and a band each year. Everyone mingles on the Quad and has a good time. Deans may also be spotted walking around during the day, as well, joining in the festivities and keeping an eye on everyone.
  • D-Day: This is a huge party on the last weekend before spring exams. Lots of drinking goes on all around campus.
  • Meliora Weekend: The largest celebration on campus, this fall event includes alumni reunions, Parents Weekend, Homecoming, and the Stonehurst Regatta. Parents, students, and alumni descend onto the campus, increasing campus population by thousands. Celebrities, graduates, and national figures fill the weekend with speeches and presentations. The crew’s regatta brings the three-day fête to a close.
  • Painting the Tunnels: The tunnels are well used in the winters when no one wants to spend much time outside. The tunnels connect students in heated, lighted walkways to the main academic quad and the student union. As a tradition, one hallway is painted by student groups or fraternities and sororities to advertise activities and current events throughout the year. Everyone should take part in the painting of the tunnel at least once in his or her undergraduate career.
  • Sam's Garbage Plate Run: This is a charity event in which teams of three split up to run to Nick Tahou's, eat a garbage plate, and run back. Some try to Iron Man it and do it alone.
  • Traying Behind Sue B.: Rochester is definitely known for its fierce winters, and this is one way to make the snow fun. It is UR tradition to take a tray from one of the dining halls and use it to go sledding on the steep hill behind Susan B. Anthony Halls in the winter.
  • Viennese Ball: The student union, Wilson Commons, is transformed for a night into an elegant ballroom where students dress in formal wear and waltz the night away, accompanied by the University Chamber Orchestra.
  • Wilson Day: This is a day during Orientation where students are sent off with people from their hall to do various community service activities in the surrounding area. Some projects may include re-painting buildings, outside maintenance, or clerical work, but mainly manual labor activities. The program is meant to allow students to participate in community service activities but also to bond with hall-mates while out doing their Good Samaritan civic duty.
  • Winter Carnival: To celebrate what Rochester does best, the winter, this carnival is a day filled with student performances, free food, and a comedian or musical show. It occurs at the beginning of the second semester to give students a pick-me-up as they head into another round of classes.
Urban Legends
  • If a student walks under the clock in Dandelion Square, he or she will not graduate from Rochester.
  • The ghost of a man who fell into the concrete foundation of the library when it was being constructed, whose body was never found, still haunts the stacks and asks people for directions out of the library.
  • The Olsen twins were going to attend UR, as was Kevin Costner’s daughter.
  • The statue of the first president of the University stands on the Residential Quad facing the library, and if he does not have his gaze on the library at all times, it will crumble and fall. The student union in front of it has a glass section.
  • Tuition goes up each year to fund President Jackson’s private houses and investments.

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Major: History and International Relations

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