University of Rochester User Reviews and Ratings
Had a Great Experience at U of Rochester
By RCZ, Class of 1996, From Chicago, IL
I have fond memories of my undergraduate experience at University of Rochester. I liked the size of the University, the quality and access to great professors, the diversity of the student body, and the lifelong friendships I made while I was a student there. It was an academically challenging environment, but there was a friendly camaraderie among students (not cut-throat). I'm proud to be an alum and highly recommend going there if given the opportunity.
What best describes you? Alumni
Activities & Social Life
Score：4
City & Setting
Score：4
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：4
Dorms & Housing
Score：4
Health & Safety
Score：5
Recent Graduate of the UofR
By Madeline B. Class of 2018, From Boston, MA
I had a wonderful experience at Rochester. I met people from all corners of the world, and was fortunate enough to have a slew of incredible professors who I am still in touch with today. Though I can't say I miss being an undergad, I will always look back on my years at the UofR fondly.
What best describes you? Alumni
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：3
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：4
Health & Safety
Score：4
Fantastic undergraduate education!
By Ashley, Class of 2019, From San Diego, CA
I had the best experience as an undergraduate student at University of Rochester. Rigorous academics, beautiful campus, hard working and passionate people, and great access to internships/jobs (especially at the University of Rochester Medical Center). I would choose U of R all over again.
What best describes you? Alumni
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：5
Highly recommend
By MechEng, From Upstate NY
I spent 5 years at U of R for my Bachelor's and Master's degrees in mechanical engineering. The class sizes are small enough that you get to know professors and have opportunities to conduct research. The school is big enough that the social scene is active/exciting, but not overwhelming. A sports-centric school can be fun, but I found that it didn't matter as much as I had originally though. As someone who was involved in Greek life, this was the perfect school to have an exciting college experience, while being surrounded by peers who prioritize their education. I made lifelong friends as an undergrad who have positively influenced my life since arriving on campus. Dorms range from above average to great, depending on how new the building is. People who complain about this have unrealistic expectations of living in a college dorm. Same can be said for the food. The campus is absolutely gorgeous, the resources are top notch, and the professors are brilliant (a few admittedly not the best teachers, but you can work around it - and most are very passionate about their field). The administration's laissez-faire approach to student life is ideal, in my opinion. As long as you aren't blatantly doing something dumb/harmful to yourself or another student, they let you live your life - which is invaluable to young persons transitioning from high school to adulthood (it probably helps that the student body is more intelligent/responsible than most). Some people say that U of R prepares you for grad school, rather than a job. While it's definitely a good school to attend in order to get into a top-notch grad program (due to research opportunities), it's also a great school to prepare a student for the real world. While the career center certainly isn't the best in the country, students who seek out their own opportunities are still highly likely to succeed. This is a school that prepares students for a career and life after college.
What best describes you? Alumni
Activities & Social Life
Score：4
City & Setting
Score：4
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：4
Dorms & Housing
Score：4
Health & Safety
Score：5
Great School
By Jack, From NYC
Definitely have to stay active and take advantage of extracurriculars to succeed. Its a very difficult school so having a support network is vital.
What best describes you? Alumni
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：5
Bad dorms
By Michael, From NY
Depending on where you live, you could have it amazing or you could have it pretty bad (most of the time pretty bad). Almost all housing on campus is really really old and needs to be updated, but they just continue building new buildings (very poorly mind you, the buildings are actually sinking into the ground because the foundation is so poor) instead.
What best describes you? Current Student
Activities & Social Life
Score：4
City & Setting
Score：4
Classes & Teachers
Score：4
Dining & Food
Score：4
Dorms & Housing
Score：2
Health & Safety
Score：4
Great experience
By YS, Class of 2016, From New York
Academically, UR couldn't be better. There is so much freedom in curriculum. I did three majors and three minors back in school. It was amazing how accommodating and non-bureaucratic the school was. The size of the campus and student body was just perfect, not too big, not too small. Professors were very approachable and insanely smart. I can't think of a better school for me (oh well at least nothing within my reach). Students were very friendly and also hardworking. However, dorms were a little pricey and the food was pretty average. There are things to do in Rochester but everything is scattered around in Rochester suburbs. I really enjoyed my experience at UR.
What best describes you? Alumni
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：4
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：4
Dorms & Housing
Score：4
Health & Safety
Score：5
Great School
By John, From Cleveland
I found it to be a great school academically. Large selection of classes and majors. The city is small but safe. There are many on campus activities and clubs. I transferred from a small College and the difference was striking. It offered a lot of options. I really enjoyed my experience.
What best describes you? Alumni
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：4
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：5
Great school for learning!
By Al MSME'18, From San Diego
If you want to learn and have some descent research opportunities Rochester is a great choice for that.
What best describes you? Alumni
Activities & Social Life
Score：3
City & Setting
Score：4
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：4
Dorms & Housing
Score：2
Health & Safety
Score：4
Best Decision of My Life
By CYRoss, From Worcester, MA
Class of 2002, 2004. Great school. I'm actuly smarter for having went there and that's saying something. I am immensely proud to call Rochester my alma mater. It has opened doors for me that I couldn't have dreamed of standing in front of throughout my life. The OMSA Office kept me steady for 4 years and the English department and Warner School nurtured my brilliance. I am forever grateful to the school by the Genesee! Go Yellowjackets!
What best describes you? Alumni
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：5
Great small university
By New york lawyer, From New York City
I graduated years ago and found Rochester to be a great choice. It is small enough to have close contact with professors and small classes. The professors were dedicated to undergraduate teaching. Now Rochester provide opportunities for undergrads to do research in sciences and liberal arts. The campus is pretty and safe.
What best describes you? Alumni
Activities & Social Life
Score：4
City & Setting
Score：4
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：4
Dorms & Housing
Score：4
Health & Safety
Score：5
Great school
By Jacob '20, From Rochester
This school has an tremendous faculty and I've some if the best years of my life at this institution. They are generous to those that need it and provide a great education. It's not very common to be able to sit in a class and be taught be people at the top of their field with national acclaim. The school is constantly changing for the better and is pouring money to make student life better every year. The environment at this school is very collegeial as well, something you wouldn't really expect at one of the top research Univeristies in the country.
What best describes you? Current Student
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：4
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：5
Great school but
By Lucy, From Jersey City, NJ
I had my child attend this school and we both liked the school from the academics, small undergraduate student population, beautiful campus, and academically challenging for a top notch university. However, there are drawbacks like the cold weather, social life, and city setting. These things were trivial to me and my child but school started to tamper with the financial aid and expected cost to come out of my pocket despite being a Hispanic mother from a poverty stricken background. The school was not understanding to finances of the household and demanded the impossible or unreasonable of me when it came to pay and it was not like this in the beginning. I had my child transfer elsewhere due to this and the president of the school ignored my child's pressing emails to him on the situation of the financial situation. My child goes to a better school but all of this mess, drama, and chaos could of been avoided.
What best describes you? Parent
Activities & Social Life
Score：4
City & Setting
Score：4
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：5
Rochester is a great choice
By Mike A., '72, From Western NY
I am a 1972 graduate who is thankful every day that I chose the University of Rochester for my post-secondary education. Great curriculum choices, top notch professors and administrators excellent athletic programs, very nice campus, and just the right balance of education, sports and social life.
What best describes you? Alumni
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：5
