The Rochester Curriculum perfectly shows the philosophy of the U of R. Diversify! Try new things and explore. Rather than the first year or two being filled with general requirements that prevent you from taking courses of interest to you, Rochester allows you to take courses you are most interested in taking right off the bat. The cluster system allows for this flexibility. The curriculum is broken down into the following subject areas: physical sciences, social sciences and humanities (Your major will fall into one of these categories and the other two can be satisfied by a minor, a double major or a cluster which is just 3 related courses!). The available clusters are NUMEROUS. Anything you can think of and are interested in, it is available. This is the idea behind the Rochester Curriculum and as a current student, I can say that it is effective. Taking courses that you are interested from day 1 of your academic career allows you to personalize your education and be engaged throughout.
Do you enjoy the experience at your school?
The flexibility and variety of courses available at the U of R translates perfectly to the students. Students come from a wide array of backgrounds and experiences. In my freshman year, I lived in a triple with a student from Peru and a student from China. This is just an example of the diversity of students found on campus. From a diverse student body, one can learn very much just by talking to new people and learning about their experiences.
The U of R also has a HUGE variety of clubs and activities. There is Greek Life but it is not overpowering. During freshman year, it may feel like everyone is going to the frat quad for parties but this is not so! There are all sorts of people on this campus doing all sorts of interesting things and you do not have to look hard to find them. I feel it is very possible for every person to easily find their niche at this school. There are performing groups such as a capella and dance groups representing Indian, Korean, African, hip-hop and ballet styles (and many, many more), community service groups, environmental clubs, political clubs, academic clubs... The list goes on and on. The best part is that these groups are constantly putting on shows and events for the entire campus to take part in. There are movies every weekend and with the events provided by the clubs and the Campus Activities Board, students will find that they are learning just as much outside the classroom as in.
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
The U of R is a very expensive school, it is true. However, with the curriculum that allows for such a personalized education and the diversity of students and student activities, I am finding it to be well worth it. I do not feel I could have found such unique students clubs, activities and students at another university. The ability to create such an individualized curriculum made me enjoy my college career more than I could have elsewhere because I was able to make my education my own. There are also loads of opportunities for research experience (paid or unpaid) that can help lead to jobs in the future!
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
- Class sizes range greatly. Many introductory classes (especially science and math) are very large, with hundreds of students. This may seem intimidating for most but these types of classes are made more accessible through meetings in small groups of students called workshops or recitations. In these, students are able to ask questions and discuss concepts.
- Work loads for courses can be very demanding, depending on a students schedule. The Curriculum can help you in this way in that by minimizing requirements, students can have a more flexible schedule that works for them in terms of difficulty.
- Academic advisors and faculty are very approachable for the most part.
- Speak to current students to get examples of how they personalized their curriculum to see how this worked for them.
- Remember that there are going to be plusses and minuses to any college you look at! Know that you can make college the way you want it to be.
Which types of students will excel at your college?
- Students ready to be academically challenged
- Students who are interested in getting involved in extracurricular activities
- Students who know what they want to get out of their college experience AND students who are not quite sure yet!
The Rochester Curriculum perfectly shows the philosophy of the U of R. Diversify! Try new things and explore. Rather than the first year or two being filled with general requirements that prevent you from taking courses of interest to you, Rochester allows you to take courses you are most interested in taking right off the bat. The cluster system allows for this flexibility. The curriculum is broken down into the following subject areas: physical sciences, social sciences and humanities (Your major will fall into one of these categories and the other two can be satisfied by a minor, a double major or a cluster which is just 3 related courses!). The available clusters are NUMEROUS. Anything you can think of and are interested in, it is available. This is the idea behind the Rochester Curriculum and as a current student, I can say that it is effective. Taking courses that you are interested from day 1 of your academic career allows you to personalize your education and be engaged throughout.
The flexibility and variety of courses available at the U of R translates perfectly to the students. Students come from a wide array of backgrounds and experiences. In my freshman year, I lived in a triple with a student from Peru and a student from China. This is just an example of the diversity of students found on campus. From a diverse student body, one can learn very much just by talking to new people and learning about their experiences. The U of R also has a HUGE variety of clubs and activities. There is Greek Life but it is not overpowering. During freshman year, it may feel like everyone is going to the frat quad for parties but this is not so! There are all sorts of people on this campus doing all sorts of interesting things and you do not have to look hard to find them. I feel it is very possible for every person to easily find their niche at this school. There are performing groups such as a capella and dance groups representing Indian, Korean, African, hip-hop and ballet styles (and many, many more), community service groups, environmental clubs, political clubs, academic clubs... The list goes on and on. The best part is that these groups are constantly putting on shows and events for the entire campus to take part in. There are movies every weekend and with the events provided by the clubs and the Campus Activities Board, students will find that they are learning just as much outside the classroom as in.
The U of R is a very expensive school, it is true. However, with the curriculum that allows for such a personalized education and the diversity of students and student activities, I am finding it to be well worth it. I do not feel I could have found such unique students clubs, activities and students at another university. The ability to create such an individualized curriculum made me enjoy my college career more than I could have elsewhere because I was able to make my education my own. There are also loads of opportunities for research experience (paid or unpaid) that can help lead to jobs in the future!
- Class sizes range greatly. Many introductory classes (especially science and math) are very large, with hundreds of students. This may seem intimidating for most but these types of classes are made more accessible through meetings in small groups of students called workshops or recitations. In these, students are able to ask questions and discuss concepts. - Work loads for courses can be very demanding, depending on a students schedule. The Curriculum can help you in this way in that by minimizing requirements, students can have a more flexible schedule that works for them in terms of difficulty. - Academic advisors and faculty are very approachable for the most part. - Speak to current students to get examples of how they personalized their curriculum to see how this worked for them. - Remember that there are going to be plusses and minuses to any college you look at! Know that you can make college the way you want it to be.
- Students ready to be academically challenged - Students who are interested in getting involved in extracurricular activities - Students who know what they want to get out of their college experience AND students who are not quite sure yet!