University of Rochester (UR)

Founded in 1850, the University of Rochester is located in Western New York. Rochester's rich history in enterprise and social justice radiate through the student experience through courses and extracurricular activities. The moderate size and range of academic and top-tier research programs allow for both individual attention and unique flexibility in designing undergraduate studies. Rochester's unique undergraduate curriculum lets our students take control of their education from day one. Students pursue and connect a wide range of interests— from math to music to modern dance.

Rochester operates as both a homebase and launchpad for discovery. Our students and faculty come from around the world, so diverse perspectives characterize all aspects of life on campus.

The University's mission is to Learn, Discover, Heal, Create—and Make the World Ever Better. Through individual endeavors and collaborative efforts, students and faculty work toward this goal each day, improving themselves, each other, and their shared learning environment in the process. The University's motto, "Meliora" (ever better), shapes students into future leaders in industry, education, and culture.

Rochester offers more than 250 student-run clubs, an extensive athletic center, and nightly events; the University of Rochester's River Campus rarely slows down. Most students love it so much that they decide to live on campus all four years.

With student organizations ranging from cultural and political to religious and athletic, students at Rochester can easily find communities of friends who share their interests and passions. Part of what makes the student experience so fun is the variety of rich traditions on campus. This includes Meliora Weekend for students and alumni, Dandelion Day and Springfest, the annual medieval-style celebration Boar's Head Dinner, and Wilson Day community service during first-year Orientation.

Diversity is key at UR, "both [in] background and academic interests." As one student states, "In my class alone, 46 percent of us are international students." Those different backgrounds branch into an even wider range of activities. "Some [students] are filmmakers, some are dancers, some love sailing, some love art. Everyone has their own passions," another student describes. The variety is a benefit, with students claiming "the best thing about the UR community is that nobody can be put into a box." Undergrads describe their peers as "charmingly nerdy" or "chill nerds" who are "very down to have interesting and academic conversations." While most students are "academically focused" and "really care about what they do here," they are for the most part "more collaborative than competitive." "People range from passionate to apathetic, party animals to total nerds." However, amidst all the diversity is a strong sense of camaraderie, and "everyone holds each other accountable in terms of pursuing their absolute best."

University of Rochester is "very much an academically driven institution," and course work is the top priority. But as one student says, "The weekend [is] when most people fill their days with different activities." One such activity that many students rave about is movie night: "School movie nights are [the] best school-provided weekend activity." Athletics are, of course, present, but as one student notes, "Rochester varsity sports are not very competitive, [however]...a lot of people...do club sports." Other students mention weekend hikes, dance groups, plays and recitals. One thing to contend with at Rochester is the long winter; as some students put it, it's "winter 90 percent of the time." Both the school and students have adapted, and one student offers assurances that Rochester has "established a tunnel system which provides convenience." Dining halls on campus also provide comfort, and anyone looking for a tasty bite to eat can rest easy: "There are a bunch of places to eat on campus." Another way to socialize on campus is through Greek life, but even that is "not as fratty" as you'd expect. As for parties? "There is not a huge party scene on campus, but it's there if you want it," claims one Yellowjacket. Off-campus activities are plentiful, "if you have a car." Otherwise, students rely on the shuttle system. Overall, "there is always something to do on the weekend for entertainment" if students need a study break.

The university’s Greene Center offers a variety of services to help students along their career paths, including drop-in hours (during which students can receive assistance with résumés and general advice), advising appointments, internship and job search strategies, job fairs, and networking events. The school places “a large emphasis on community engaged learning,” and many classes incorporate experiential aspects and trips. Funding is available for all aspects of these opportunities, including skill-building boot camps, cost of living for unpaid summer internships, and creative festivals and residencies. The school also posts college and departmental internships on Handshake; students can also take advantage of The Meliora Collective, the university’s networking platform for connecting with alumni mentors, practicing interviews, and browsing job and internship postings. This all boosts student confidence in the education they’re receiving. One student shares, “I know when I get out, I’ll be able to get a good job I will academically be prepared for.” The numbers reinforce this sentiment: University of Rochester graduates report a median starting salary of $74,000, and 54 percent receive a high level of meaning from their job, according to Payscale.com.