Syracuse University

[socdoc]

Welcome:

This is a forum for all things Maxwell School! If you are in application to the Syracuse University doctoral program in sociology, please join in the discussion! If you have already received notification of your admission status, please also contribute to the development of this discussion community. Do you plan to visit Syracuse during the March, 2010 recruitment weekend? Are you considering other options?

Looking forward to building a new Grad Cafe subculture with you.

SocDoc

[socdoc]

There is a nice thread on life in the city of Syracuse in the "city guide" section.... Any other thoughts about living in Syracuse? Anyone out there?!?

[herself the elf]

There is a nice thread on life in the city of Syracuse in the "city guide" section.... Any other thoughts about living in Syracuse? Anyone out there?!?

Hi, I didn't apply to Maxwell for my PhD, but I went there for undergrad (poli sci/ women's studies), it is an incredible school with incredible people. If you are interested in gender stuff, there is some really interesting work being done in women's studies and African American studies. (Also, SUNY ESF is great for environmental stuff, and Newhouse for media stuff.)

One really cool thing about the region is the Native American history, so if you are into that (e.g., land and water rights), it would be a great place to research.

As far as living in Syracuse-- don't let anyone trick you-- it's rough. And I'm not talking about snow; I love snow. The city is generally pretty depressing, with most days of the year cloud-covered, and not really much to do as far as cultural activity. It's what one would call post-industrial, the industry I believe was associated with the use of the Erie Canal. Typically in these conversations Carousel Center comes up, which also, don't let anyone fool you, it's just a mall.

On the positive side, there is a pretty renowned collection of pottery in one of the city's (small) museums if you are into that. The main places to go out are Marshall Street (mostly for undergrads I think) and the area downtown called Armory Square, which is fine and has a few good pubs and restaurants. If you are into sports, you should get season tickets to men's basketball, it is a really fun scene. Finally, I'd have to mention the Finger Lakes-- beautiful glacial lakes, even if only available part of the year. Lots of people get married there, do wine tasting, etc. Some of the wineries aren't half bad, are good even. Dr. Frank's comes to mind as a good one.

If you are moving there, I'd recommend not living too close to campus (Euclid, etc.) as it tends to get pretty crazy with house parties. Unless, of course, you are into that. My best apartment was on Avondale Place in a neighborhood called Westcott, about a 15-20 minute walk from campus. Grocery shopping, if you have a car, should be done at Wegman's.

I got a great education there, I met my future spouse there, the school has a lot going for it. Feel free to PM me with any specific ques. about professors or the city, etc.

And congratulations for getting into a great program!

[hip2btriangle]

i grew up in syracuse, and now i live in nyc. for a reason. the city sucks, the winters are long, and there's rarely a day without clouds. that said, SU's campus is pretty and has lots of kinds of people, and i'd bet there are lots of grad students to get to know. syracuse is also nowhere near nyc -- it's a 5 hour drive to get there -- so just be prepared to try to make your own fun.

[socdoc]

Thank you (both) for such a thoughtful and thorough response!

I live in sunny California, and while I would enjoy experiencing snow every now and again, I worry about my mental health in dreary Syracuse (thanks for providing a bright side, though: LOL "be prepared to make your own fun!"). The university seems like a wonderful fit, so it's definitely a tough call for me.

I hope you have a wonderful graduate experience wherever you choose to go. Herself the elf, thanks for the invitation--I might send you a message regarding your experience as a student. What schools are you considering?

[hip2btriangle]

Thank you (both) for such a thoughtful and thorough response!

I live in sunny California, and while I would enjoy experiencing snow every now and again, I worry about my mental health in dreary Syracuse (thanks for providing a bright side, though: LOL "be prepared to make your own fun!"). The university seems like a wonderful fit, so it's definitely a tough call for me.

I hope you have a wonderful graduate experience wherever you choose to go. Herself the elf, thanks for the invitation--I might send you a message regarding your experience as a student. What schools are you considering?

definitely talk to herself or another student about their experience there. i'm considering a program in southern california (not LA), and worried about my transition there, as well. always tricky!

[herself the elf]

Thank you (both) for such a thoughtful and thorough response!

I live in sunny California, and while I would enjoy experiencing snow every now and again, I worry about my mental health in dreary Syracuse (thanks for providing a bright side, though: LOL "be prepared to make your own fun!"). The university seems like a wonderful fit, so it's definitely a tough call for me.

I hope you have a wonderful graduate experience wherever you choose to go. Herself the elf, thanks for the invitation--I might send you a message regarding your experience as a student. What schools are you considering?

If you have the opportunity, you should visit, it will give you a much better idea if it is right for you. The campus is really beautiful (has a traditional quad with mixed styles of architecture, chapel, etc.) and if your offices are in the Maxwell building, it's a really modern facility; really quite nice. I've been thinking about why more people haven't responded to this thread, and I think it might be due to the high percentage of international grad students at Maxwell, who might be (I'm guessing) less likely to be on a forum like this. There are a lot of graduate students in general at SU, which is likely where you will find your fun if you go there-- in the company of others.

Undoubtedly, you will miss the great weather that you have now. But you will probably miss that wherever you go, honestly. My Californian sister-in-law is currently spending her second winter in NYC and is finding it very difficult.

My husband works in media, so I've only applied to NYC schools. I'm waiting for them to tell me they messed up, but I've been admitted to Columbia, and it is an offer and a fit that is hard to refuse. I'm worried about my own (less dramatic) climatic change, from Brooklyn to the UWS. You'll be lamenting the loss of sun, ocean, and local produce, while I'll be lamenting the loss of independent restaurants, food coops, community gardens, and snarky fiction writers.

Best of luck in your decisions Socdoc!