Review of SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
from South Lima, NY
Describe your college in three sentences.
SUNY ESF is an environmental school with a diverse group of students that all share the common goal of making a difference in the world. It is a relatively small college, however, the tightness of the students is what make this place really special. Also, the close relationship with the professors is unlike one you will find at any other college.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
Visit the school to see how you think you would fit in. Go to information sessions about your intended major, talk to professors, and go to open houses. Most importantly, talk to the students who actually go here and get their opinion on the school. Feel free to ask current students anything that will help you figure out if ESF is the right place for you!
Do you find there’s enough academic rigor at your school?
ESF is a challenging school, all of the majors being science based, but it is totally worth it. The rigor of the courses prepares you well for life after college. Students here have to put in a lot of hard work and study a lot, but we definitely know the balance between school and having a ton of fun as well. Time management is the key.
Describe the dorm life at your college.
ESF just built their own dorm hall in 2011, Centennial Hall. They are extremely nice, better than any of the SU dorms! There are 2 people per room in the freshman wing, and each room is very spacious with its own bathroom, fridge, and microwave. The lounges and basement are all very popular places to hang out, and the atmosphere in general is just awesome. It's such a fun place to hang out with you friends, and it's really cool because your entire freshman class is in the same building. The other wing of the building consists of suites for upperclassmen, although freshmen are only required to live on campus the first year, but the suites are really nice!
Describe the food and dining at your college.
ESF currently doesn't have their own dining halls so ESF students eat at Syracuse's dining halls. One meal plan swipe is all you can eat, so one never goes hungry. If anything, they have leftover meal swipes at the end of the week which unfortunately don't roll-over. The food is generally good, and there is a large selection of vegan and vegetarian options as well. The only complaint about the dining is that the mean plan through Syracuse is so expensive, especially compared to the amount ESF students pay for tuition!
What’s there to do for fun at your college?
There is a lot to do for fun on and off campus. There are many many events going on every weekend at both ESF and SU, so there is never a dull weekend in the city. Free buses run to Destiny USA mall every Friday and Saturday, so that is something fun to do as well! The huge cemetery behind the dorm hall is also a cool place to explore and relax in during the nice fall days before winter hits. It's a great study spot as well!
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
ESF is a SUNY school so the tuition is very cheap. I would say the bang for the buck is really big. The ESF facilities are very nice and the professors and classes are challenging, yet very high quality. ESF students also have access to all of Syracuse University's facilities, activities, and even some classes, while still paying SUNY tuition. Besides the overpriced meal plan through Syracuse, what you get for the money you spend is totally worth it!
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
The biggest tradition at ESF is the rule that you are not allowed to walk across the quad. Students can run, hop, or skip, but they are not allowed to simply walk across the grass to cut to the other side. If they do so, they will get tackled by another student who sees them do this. Being an environmental school, this rule was established to prevent grass from being worn down to a dirt path from constant travel.
Which types of students will excel at your college?
ESF is a place for hard-working and determined students who want to make a difference in the world. Students at ESF are very friendly and care alot about the future of the world, the environment, and each other. The student community across campus is simply wonderful. ESF is like one big family.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
ESF has a variety of great clubs, activities, and sports teams for students to join, and ESF students are also allowed to participate in all of Syracuse University's clubs, activities, and sports, with the exception of Division I athletics at SU. With over 300 choices of clubs to join, there is something for everyone.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
There are a few fraternities and sororities that are specifically ESF organizations, however the majority of them are at Syracuse University. SU is huge on Greek life, and ESF students are freely welcome to participate in it at SU, similar to their access to clubs and activities there.
How would you describe campus safety? Do you feel safe on campus?
ESF is located in the city of Syracuse, so there is crime of course, but I have felt very safe on campus during my time here. However, just like any city, it is not safe to walk alone very late at night, especially off of campus. There have been reports of crime in the areas bordering campus. For safety, there is a blue light system across campus, in case of any emergency.
SUNY ESF is an environmental school with a diverse group of students that all share the common goal of making a difference in the world. It is a relatively small college, however, the tightness of the students is what make this place really special. Also, the close relationship with the professors is unlike one you will find at any other college.
Visit the school to see how you think you would fit in. Go to information sessions about your intended major, talk to professors, and go to open houses. Most importantly, talk to the students who actually go here and get their opinion on the school. Feel free to ask current students anything that will help you figure out if ESF is the right place for you!
ESF is a challenging school, all of the majors being science based, but it is totally worth it. The rigor of the courses prepares you well for life after college. Students here have to put in a lot of hard work and study a lot, but we definitely know the balance between school and having a ton of fun as well. Time management is the key.
ESF just built their own dorm hall in 2011, Centennial Hall. They are extremely nice, better than any of the SU dorms! There are 2 people per room in the freshman wing, and each room is very spacious with its own bathroom, fridge, and microwave. The lounges and basement are all very popular places to hang out, and the atmosphere in general is just awesome. It's such a fun place to hang out with you friends, and it's really cool because your entire freshman class is in the same building. The other wing of the building consists of suites for upperclassmen, although freshmen are only required to live on campus the first year, but the suites are really nice!
ESF currently doesn't have their own dining halls so ESF students eat at Syracuse's dining halls. One meal plan swipe is all you can eat, so one never goes hungry. If anything, they have leftover meal swipes at the end of the week which unfortunately don't roll-over. The food is generally good, and there is a large selection of vegan and vegetarian options as well. The only complaint about the dining is that the mean plan through Syracuse is so expensive, especially compared to the amount ESF students pay for tuition!
There is a lot to do for fun on and off campus. There are many many events going on every weekend at both ESF and SU, so there is never a dull weekend in the city. Free buses run to Destiny USA mall every Friday and Saturday, so that is something fun to do as well! The huge cemetery behind the dorm hall is also a cool place to explore and relax in during the nice fall days before winter hits. It's a great study spot as well!
ESF is a SUNY school so the tuition is very cheap. I would say the bang for the buck is really big. The ESF facilities are very nice and the professors and classes are challenging, yet very high quality. ESF students also have access to all of Syracuse University's facilities, activities, and even some classes, while still paying SUNY tuition. Besides the overpriced meal plan through Syracuse, what you get for the money you spend is totally worth it!
The biggest tradition at ESF is the rule that you are not allowed to walk across the quad. Students can run, hop, or skip, but they are not allowed to simply walk across the grass to cut to the other side. If they do so, they will get tackled by another student who sees them do this. Being an environmental school, this rule was established to prevent grass from being worn down to a dirt path from constant travel.
ESF is a place for hard-working and determined students who want to make a difference in the world. Students at ESF are very friendly and care alot about the future of the world, the environment, and each other. The student community across campus is simply wonderful. ESF is like one big family.
ESF has a variety of great clubs, activities, and sports teams for students to join, and ESF students are also allowed to participate in all of Syracuse University's clubs, activities, and sports, with the exception of Division I athletics at SU. With over 300 choices of clubs to join, there is something for everyone.
There are a few fraternities and sororities that are specifically ESF organizations, however the majority of them are at Syracuse University. SU is huge on Greek life, and ESF students are freely welcome to participate in it at SU, similar to their access to clubs and activities there.
ESF is located in the city of Syracuse, so there is crime of course, but I have felt very safe on campus during my time here. However, just like any city, it is not safe to walk alone very late at night, especially off of campus. There have been reports of crime in the areas bordering campus. For safety, there is a blue light system across campus, in case of any emergency.