State University of New York at Oswego
Oswego, NY, USA

Reviews

State University of New York at Oswego

Sarah

a current student here
16 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
Most of my classes, were very enjoyable. I took a public speaking class and learned such a huge amount of material, without realizing it. I did so well in the class and learned so much that the teacher asked me to be his Peer Educator for the next fall semester.
Am enjoying being here
I love almost everything about SUNY Oswego. First, the lake is amazing. My room has a perfect view of the lake, because I am in a lakeside dorm, and it is very relaxing. My most favorite part though, is the hockey. The games give you something free, and fun to do, when you have no money.
Bang for the buck
The room and board plan is the main investment and it was the part that is the most worth it. The dining hall connected to my dorm is better than some fancy restaurants that I have been to. My mom comes to school all the time just to eat there.
Tips for prospective students
You must have a huge love for hockey. SUNY Oswego's hockey team brings the whole school together for all the home games, and it is a huge event, which is free for current students at Oswego. Plus the hockey team is amazing!
Also, the main tip I can give you, be prepared for winter. You want to invest money into a good, warm, wind resistant jacket. Also splurge a little on some nice snow boots. You won't regret it.
Another thing, Oswego students are offered a debit card at the beginning of the year, and the card website makes it so easy for your parents to send money to you. It is usually avaliable next-day.
Great for these types of students
Snow Enthusiasts, Prospective Teachers/ Education, Broadcast Majors, Meteorology Majors.

a current student here
7 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
When going to college most students are nervous about the work. However at SUNY Oswego the teachers really want you to do well, especially when they see that a student is trying to do well, and they care about their grades. In addition as a student, if you might be nervous to ask for extra help from your teacher you can be tutored, and there are many other ways to get extra help on campus. For example if you have an English essay that is due on Friday and you finished early, let’s say Monday, Oswego offers students to have their essay’s read by a professor who will show you where you went wrong and what you can do to make your paper better. In the same prospect students who are doing well in a subject can tutor one of their peers and get paid. Overall there are many ways to make sure you are doing well in your classes at SUNY Oswego, especially since you don’t get progress reports in college like you do in high school.
Am enjoying being here
I am a big family person, therefore I was really nervous to go to college. However when I am visiting home, I start to miss college. That’s because there is usually always something going on there The big sport there is hockey and the games are Friday and Saturday nights. It really brings the students together, we even have our own section in the audience, and even better the tickets for students is free. We also have our own movie theater on campus in the campus center which is the main building. The movies are older than ones in the movie theater but newer than the ones on DVD so they are still pretty new, and the tickets are cheaper than going to a movie theater in town. Besides the bigger events on campus, there are so many clubs and organizations that you can get involved in based on your interests. The college has over 140 different organizations from Chemistry club to Outdoor club. If there isn’t a club you like, than you can create your own. Oswego is a large and diverse campus. We have so many international students, that one of our dorms, Hart Hall, is an international dorm but any student can dorm there. . The campus is beautiful, it is right on the lake, and the sunsets are amazing.
Bang for the buck
Oswego is one of the many SUNY schools therefore the price is still a lot, but much cheaper compared to other schools. First there are academics, there are many majors and minors available on campus and then there are some classes you could take just because they seem interesting to you. There is also a lot of academic support; setting up a meeting with your teacher during their office hours, tutoring, and “ask a librarian” which can help you with term papers, and other projects that involve research. Then there’s the food, which is usually really important to everyone compared to mom’s home cooked meals. There are five dining halls on campus, all of them are generally the same but they each have their own hours and meals. For example one dining hall, Cooper, makes ice-cream sundaes and milkshakes certain days during the week. When my family comes to visit one of their favorite parts is coming to eat in the dining hall. The food is good, and if you don’t like the main meal there are always other options that are there every day like the salad bar, sandwiches, pasta, and more. The meal plan can be expensive but if you get the unlimited meal plan, which is required for freshman, you can go as many times as you want to any of the dining halls when they are open. Another important factor is the dorms. There are 13 resident halls on campus and they are currently building a new one. Some of them are in better quality than others; however each of them have their own benefits.
Tips for prospective students
One of the most important pieces of advice is to do well. College is exciting, especially at SUNY Oswego, there is always something to do. Although that can be fun, it can also be distracting. Do you school work, and then have fun. If your grade at Oswego is too low you could get kicked out, so try to stay focused. Then be open-minded. This campus is so diverse, with so many people of different races, religions, and opinions.
Great for these types of students
If you are at all interested in SUNY Oswego, it is worth the visit. If you prefer a large and diverse campus, and like the snow, then you should visit SUNY Oswego.

Jessica from Bridgewater, NJ

a current student here
5 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
A great place for teaching, broadcasting, and sciences. The winters are brutal, it snows all the time! A great place for extra curricular activities!
Tips for prospective students
Get involved in something you are seriously interested as early on in your college career as possible so you can move up within that club by your senior year!
Academic Rigor
The science department is very challenging. I used to be a Zoology major and I decided to switch to Broadcasting. Zoology was pretty much impossible for me, but there were a number of professors who were really great at explaining things to me.
Dorm Life
The dorms on lakeside tend to be a bit bigger than the dorms on west campus. I started out my freshman year in Johnson which is the all freshman dorm and it was beautiful. I was scared moving into Cayuga because it seemed like such a huge step down from Johnson but I honestly love Cayuga now and although it isn't as pretty as Johnson was, its a pretty great down with a ton of awesome people.
Food and Dining
The dining halls have a lot of options for people who have specific food needs. I am a vegetarian and there are rarely any days when I can't find something to eat. Everyday a deli is open in the dining halls so even if you don't like what is being served for lunch or dinner you can always get a wrap or a sandwich. They also have bagged lunches for if your schedule is really busy and you can't get to the dining hall during the times they're open.
What to do for fun
I would say make a lot of friends who you can have a lot of fun with because there isn't really that much to do in oswego. You could go to the movie theater that is in town which I have done a bunch of times or you can take the bus to the mall in syracuse and it will pick you up a few hours later. Typically I would just hang out in a friends room in my downtime or rent out some kind of game or movie from the front desk. There's always parties on the weekends around town at frats and theres transportation that will take you to and from the parties for not that much money.
Bang for the buck
As a broadcasting major, having things on campus like the TV station, WTOP, and the radio station, WNYO, really gives me the opportunity to learn more about the broadcasting field before i go out into it. I think that's my number one thing that makes paying out of state tuition worth it.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
There's a whiteout game which is a huge hockey game whenever we play our rivals Plattsburgh. Everyone gets really into it and it turns into a big school spirit event.
Great for these types of students
For the types of students who always like to study in the library there's a 24 hour room where you can literally stay all night and study if you want.
Also for anyone who is really into science, Shineman which is our science building is practically brand new it opened in Fall of 2013 and its absolutely gorgeous in there.
Clubs and Activities
WTOP and WNYO are great for broadcasting majors as I previously stated. I am also involved in a club called Active Minds where we hold events revolving around mental health and its a really great club if you want to inspire people to take care of their mental health like they do their physical health.
Greek Life
There are always frat parties going on during the weekends. Sometimes the frats will hold events on campus but i don't see events held by greek organizations as much as other clubs on campus.
Campus Safety
I haven't really heard of anything bad happening on campus in terms of assault but if that's something that you are worried about there is an app that university police are involved in called Rave Guardian where you can text them that you are going somewhere and you text them when you get there and if they don't receive some form of notification from you they'll call and make sure you are okay. In the event that you are not okay for whatever reason, they will come and help you.

Josh from Clay, NY

a current student here
4 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
If you attend Oswego not only will you get an amazing in class experience, but outside the classroom you will have the time of your life. If I could go back and start college again, at Oswego, I would in a heartbeat. It will change who you are as a person for nothing but the better.
Tips for prospective students
The main tip I would have to give out would to be get active within the college. The more things that you involve yourself with, the bigger your family will be here.
Academic Rigor
Each major is different with the amount of work that goes into the major. Its college so there will always be difficult classes but Oswego has a lot of hands on learning opportunities that I feel is unique to the college.
Dorm Life
Dorm life is definitely a good time. Most likely that is where you will meet most of your best friends and it is always a fun environment.
Food and Dining
There is way to many food options that are all around campus. You will never go hungry on this campus. There are just to many options to choose from.
What to do for fun
Oswego is a very physically fit campus so I am constantly playing sports or in the gym. Also the school hosts a bunch of festivals and concerts to keep the average student busy and active,
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Being located directly on a great lake, the common thing to do is hang out by the water. Also walking out to the lighthouse is a very common thing that is special only to Oswego.
Great for these types of students
Oswego can really appeal to a number of different people and lifestyles. The college has an 80% retention rate so that just goes to show how many people love our school.
Clubs and Activities
With over 200 clubs on campus you can find a couple of things that interest you. All the clubs are a really good time and give you the family that you look for in college. Plus if we dont have a club that you like, you can always start one of your own.
Greek Life
If you are involved you are all about it. If your aren't you really don't deal with it.
Campus Safety
The campus is very safe. The campus police are constantly present and you always have the custom made app called the Oswego guardian

Desiree from Bronx, NY

a current student here
4 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
SUNY Oswego is extremely far away from home, but I know that I definitely made the right choice. People here are extremely friendly, you just have to get to know them. The weather is beautiful and lakeside residence halls are just as great because of the view in the summer and spring.
I do caution those who consider coming here, like most other reviews, to invest in warm clothing and snow boots for the winter season. You will be ecstatic that you did, trust me.
I am currently a sophomore and a peer advisor on campus so the best thing to do when you come is get to know your professors, they will be helpful in so many ways. Also, move around campus and find all the buildings, this place is huge and there is so much to do.
Tips for prospective students
Get to know your professors. Introduce yourself after class and visit them. They will remember you and if they know your name it will help you in grades and contacts.

Look around the campus so that you know where you are. The first day I came here I immediately went to find where all my classes were. Do it before classes. You do not want to get lost trying to ifnd the building your class is in. There are a lot of buildings.

Make friends, join clubs, do community service, get a job. DO SOMETHING PRODUCTIVE!!! There are so many things you can do in your free-time, just pick one.
Academic Rigor
Classes are definitely a challenge. Some are easy and some are hard, depending on the material and the professor. No one said college was easy and that's what your there for isn't it? To be challenged. Well I will definitely say that I am challenged everyday.
Dorm Life
I love living in my dorm. I live on Lakeside, so I love the view of the lake. Sometimes it is annoying because osme phones lose signal in certain dorms, mostly Johnson and Riggs.
Food and Dining
Some days are good and somedays are bad, but if you have unlimited plan like most freshman do then you can eat whenever and as many time as you want a day. Just be aware of the freshman fifteen, it is possible.
What to do for fun
Join a club there are so many:
Aikido, Fencing, outdoor club,
Go to Bev's ice cream shop, its soooo gooood!!!!
Go to the movies in town
go to a hockey game
swim in the lake
have a picnic in the quad on the grass in the fall semester and at the end of the year. The weather is perfect then.
Campus Safety
Campus safety is definitely strong here. We have our own personal ambulance here SAVAC and they are students trained to help you and bring you to the hospital. They are extremely professional.
The school has you sign up for emaergency contacts with the police on campus, so the moment you call 911 you are put in contact with them immediately. Also, at the beginning of the semester you are asked/requiered to sign upi for a texting/calling service for on campus emergencies. They really help you keep in touch with what's going on.

Castelli from Jamaica , NY

a current student here
4 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
There are a lot of classes offered at Oswego. I learned a lot about subjects that were not even in my major's curriculum.
Am enjoying being here
I've made a lot of friends by joining clubs and attending various events. The more you put yourself out there, the more people you will meet.
Tips for prospective students
The school is very secluded so try to make friends quick. Pick you're dorms wisely. Pack very deep. Bring lots of food. Always have a debit card ready for quick withdrawals. Most importantly, do not be intimidated by anyone. Everyone won't like you but the ones that do, stick with them. oh yeah STUDY very very hard.
Great for these types of students
International students have a ball here. The campus is so diverse, it can make any type of student feel comfortable.

Aiyana from Bronx, NY

a current student here
2 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Oswego is really a nice small big school. It's the perfect size if you want to have the intimacy of a small school and the benefits of of a big school such as college pride in a major team (hockey).
Tips for prospective students
Definitely bring a long warm coat! The winter here gets pretty windy so bundle up!
Academic Rigor
There are some classes and teachers that are easier than others, but as a second semester freshman, the classes are evenly balanced if you have a good work ethic.
Dorm Life
The dorms are cozy depending on where you live. Central Campus (Hart, Funnelle) are the best accessible to everywhere, East Campus (Waterbury, Scales, Riggs, and Johnson) are futher east if you have classes in Shineman. West Campus (Seneca, Cayuga, Onondaga, and Oneida) are a bit further out from the rest of the campus, but are really fun on the weekends.
Food and Dining
The food diversity is great, though you can see a pattern eventually. This is no problem as there is always the option of a salad and whatever specialty the dining hall you happen to be in is serving.
Great for these types of students
Studying-types
Campus Safety
If you feel unsafe, use Rave Guardian to set a timer to get from point A to point B.
Also, UP will easily come to you if you call!

Marta from Oswego, NY

a current student here
2 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
It is an excellent college to be part of
I am very proud of being part of this college
I would continue to do the best with this great opportunity of higher education
Tips for prospective students
Have an open mind as pupils
Be interdependent among academic staff and tutors
Be persistent and organized and you will find your path
Academic Rigor
They allowed you to develop yourself and grow up by becoming mature and
responsible for your own schedule and classes. One learn to make decisions, you learn to cope the good or bad consequences.
Dorm Life
All dorms have excellent maintenance and supervision.
for Juniors and Seniors there are Villas housings Beautiful!!
and you can always live off campus if you prefer that
Food and Dining
So much to choose from with excellent quality!!
What to do for fun
So many activities, Art Galleries, Our own Rise Creek a Natural Reserve Conservancy, Clubs of all kinds, Ice Jockey, Organizations,Community Services, Sports everything is there.
Bang for the buck
The city is charming and cheaper. Restaurants, Walmart, JCPenney, TJMaxx, Bowling and public transportation very accessible. and you have the option to travel to shopping centers located in Phoenix NY, and Syracuse NY the big city.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Green and Gold pride, Halloween, Hugs day etc
Great for these types of students
Students who want to excel in their studies broadcasting, communications, art in all expressions, English and foreign Languages we have French, Italian, Spanish, German, Japanese,Chinese, Korean, Portuguese, Arabic etc. We just got our new science building with the most advance planetarium lab. One can study by Ontario's shores love nature, unbelievable sunsets, boating, sports, and night life!! What else can you ask for
Clubs and Activities
more than 200 hundred clubs
Greek Life
Lots of them for girls and boys
Campus Safety
You can walk all year around from the city to the university no matter a what time and you will be safe. We have our own police that coordinates with the city police.
our own ambulance service as well. The town is safe!!

Christopher from Center Moriches, NY

a current student here
2 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Oswego is pretty strong academically, especially in the Schools of Business and Educations. It has a lively social life with a lot of campus events and tons of bars. Overall, it is a great party school where you can still get an education and enjoy the experience of being away from home.
Tips for prospective students
One of the biggest pain in the butts at this school is scheduling. So, when registration time rolls around, make sure to be on top of your game and meeting with your advisor to make sure you are getting into the right classes. Also, NEVER sign up for a class without looking up the professor at ratemyprofessor.com. And finally, live on west campus if you're trying to party!
Academic Rigor
Wide grade range accross the entire student population but classes can be rigorous at times, but it often depends on the professor.
Dorm Life
Live on west campus if you're trying to party, but avoid Oneida Hall. Avoid Waterbury and Scales as they are extremely old and the only two dorms not connected to a dining hall. Funelle Hall isn't bad because it is in the center of campus. Hart Hall is as well but it is the international student dorm which means there are a lot exchange students living there. Also, if you're a freshman, don't live in Johnson. They'll treat you like babies and everyone else will make fun of you.
Food and Dining
Overall, food on campus is good; better than most would expect. Laker Dining Hall is one of the best and newest. Good food and there main special is Chinese and they usually have stir fry and pizza's made to order. Cooper Dining Hall's special is the Cooper Creamery, which has great ice cream. Pathfinder has an awesome grill with made-to-order burgers, quesedillas, etc. And Little Page isn't bad.
What to do for fun
Party! Drink! Tons of bars and lots of frat parties. Also a lot of campus events if you're not a drinker.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Lake Ontario! Main highlight of campus, easily. Gorgeous when it's nice out and when it's cold the lake turns into gian ice mountains.
Clubs and Activities
TONS of student organizations!
Greek Life
Lots of fraternities and sororities.
Campus Safety
Always feel safe.

Ashley

a current student here
2 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
I really enjoy my classes at Oswego (aka Oz). The professors are fantastic, especially if you car to take the time to get to know them at their office hours. I'm in the Honors Program- which is really very easy to apply for: if you have a high school average over 90%, you are sent a paper where you check yes or no to the Honors program. I advise checking yes if you apply! The clases are smaller and you really get to know everyone because the same 80 or so students will be in your classes all four years. It isn't really much harder than regular core courses, just with more discussions and in depth.
Am enjoying being here
I absolutely love it here at Oz. The students are friendly, the faculty members are very committed to giving you their best, and the campus is just beautiful. Watching the sun set over the lake is a useful stress reliever. It's the best view at any New York college, I can guarantee that.
Bang for the buck
Don't waste your (or your parent's) hard earned money on a fancy private school. The SUNY system is truly fantastic, but the tuition prices do rise every year due to decreased state and government funding. But the good thing about Oswego is when you enter as a freshman (or transfer) you get a guaranteed tuition rate. That means even if the tuition goes up the next year for new freshman, yours will not go up all four years. Room and board might increase, though...
Tips for prospective students
-Enroll in the Honors program if you can.
-Make sure you sit with new people at the dining halls the first couple of weeks- everyone is outgoing at this time.
-Go to the counseling center if you're homesick or have any other huge problems- they are professional, effective, and very nice.
-West Campus is more of a party center as far as the dorms go. Lakeside dorms are beautiful. Central has ease of geting to classes, but the buildings are older.
-GO TO CLASS. Don't skip all your classes- it isn't worth it and you will get on academic probation.
-Meet your professors during their posted office hours. They won't bite, and it will make the class more interesting and possiblly help you out if it's the difference between a B and a B+.
Great for these types of students
All types.