A visit to Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a medium sized R1 research university (15,000 undergrads) offering over 200 majors and 100 minors across 13 schools and colleges. We visited because not only is it a very strong university, but also because it has three colleges which appeal to creative students: College of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA), S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, and School of Architecture all of which we discuss below. Syracuse is about 250 miles northwest of New York City and an hour south of Lake Ontario. The main campus is situated on University Hill, which provides a panoramic view of the city and surrounding areas. Many students touted the flexibility of the curriculum and openness of advisors which allowed them to change majors early in their academic careers, including changing schools, which is often impossible at other colleges.
The university's sports teams, known as the Syracuse Orange, compete in the NCAA Division I Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), offering students and fans exciting collegiate sports experiences. The Carrier Dome, an iconic stadium on campus, serves as the home for football, basketball, and lacrosse games, creating a spirited atmosphere for major sporting events. One music education student highlighted her participation in a wide variety of bands, including the famous Syracuse marching band, which allowed her to travel with the team and later on music related trips overseas.
Syracuse experiences a range of weather conditions throughout the year. Nearby Lake Ontario certainly impacts weather patterns and winters are typically cold and snowy, think 20s and 30s with the average snowfall of about 116”!! Our tour guide pointed out that the best place to sled in the winter is in front of the Crouse College, one of the original college buildings and home to the theater and music programs. Important to note, unlike other nearby schools, Syracuse does not have tunnels or crossways, so you will need a good winter coat, gloves, and boots. The overall consensus was that while it’s definitely cold and snowy in the winter, students are so involved in their activities that they don’t really notice the weather.
Downtown Syracuse features several art galleries and studios and hosts events like the First Friday Art Walk which are fun creative spaces to explore. Festivals and cultural events throughout the year (mainly from late spring to early fall) celebrate local talent and bring the community together to appreciate the arts. The Everson Museum of Art boasts a significant collection of American art and provides engaging exhibitions and educational programs.
College of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA)
VPA is comprised of several individual departments or schools: the School of Art, the Department of Film and Video Arts, the Setnor School of Music, Department of Drama, and the School of Design. It has an undergraduate student body of about 1,600 students studying 25 majors and 19 minors. Almost all majors in VPA require a portfolio or audition for acceptance.
The School of Art housed in the Shaffer Art Building, is located on the main Quad, adjacent to the Syracuse University Art Museum. It includes spacious studios, digital labs, and galleries where students can display their work. One of the interesting features that the tour guide pointed out were the "shark fin" windows at the top of the tower. This orientation was specifically designed to provide consistent, diffused light, which is ideal for art studios - no matter what time of day you are working in the studio, the light is always the same. BFAs are offered in Art Education, Illustration, and Studio Arts (which also offers a BS).
Also housed in the Shaffer Art Building is the Department of Film and Video Arts which offers BFA degrees in Art Photography, Computer Art and Animation, and Film. Regardless of which major you select, all students take four core classes their freshman year developing foundational skills in time, movement and digital media. The department is known for its innovative approach to media and storytelling with a comprehensive curriculum that covers various aspects of media production, from conceptual development and storytelling to technical execution and digital distribution. The program emphasizes hands-on learning, with students working on real-world projects in state-of-the-art facilities that include animation studios, digital labs, and production spaces. Our tour guide shared with us that students are encouraged to explore interdisciplinary collaboration with other VPA programs and to explore creative solutions across different media platforms. He felt that this approach fosters a broad understanding of media and prepares students for careers in film, animation, game design, and interactive media.
One of the oldest buildings on campus, built in 1889, is Crouse College which houses the Setnor School of Music. The organ in Crouse College is a remarkable feature of the historic building. Installed in 1914, this four-manual, 103-rank instrument was crafted by the renowned M.P. Möller Company. Celebrated for its exceptional tonal quality and historical significance, the organ is considered one of the finest examples of its kind in the region. It plays a crucial role in various musical events and services held in the grand auditorium, used for performances, recitals, and special events. BMs are offered in Composition, Music Education, Music Industry, Performance, and Sound Recording Technology, a BS is offered in Music.
Smith Hall, another historic building on campus, is home to the Department of Drama. The program emphasizes a blend of rigorous training and practical experience, providing students with a strong foundation in acting techniques, voice and movement, script analysis, and stagecraft. The curriculum includes a range of performance opportunities, from mainstage productions to student-directed projects, allowing students to gain real-world experience in a collaborative environment. Additionally, the department fosters connections with the professional theater community through internships, guest artist workshops, and networking events. This combination of hands-on experience, cutting-edge facilities, and professional connections makes the drama program at VPA highly regarded. The school offers BFAs in Acting, Musical Theatre, Stage Management, and Theater Design and Technology, as well as a BS in Drama. Built into the curriculum of several majors is the opportunity to study in Florence, London, New York and Los Angeles. The Acting BFA also offers a select few students admissions to the Acting-Singer Track which is a three year course sequence in both movement and spoken voice (you must apply to this program in the initial admissions process).
The School of Design offers BFAs in Communications Design, Environmental and Interior Design, Fashion Design, and Industrial and Interaction Design as well as a BS in Design Studies. Freshman year classes are held on the main campus, following that classes move to the Nancy Cantor Warehouse located in downtown Syracuse about a 15 minute bus ride from the main campus. The building features eight floors of open studio spaces, advanced technology labs, and exhibition areas, fostering a collaborative and creative atmosphere.
S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications
The S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, housed in two modern buildings on the main campus, is one of the premier institutions for media and communications education. Renowned for its comprehensive and cutting-edge programs, Newhouse offers degrees in journalism, television, radio, film, advertising, and public relations. The school is distinguished by its advanced production studios, digital labs, and editing suites, which provide students with hands-on experience in creating content across various media platforms. The curriculum is designed to blend theoretical knowledge with practical skills, preparing students for careers in the rapidly evolving media landscape. Newhouse emphasizes professional development through internships, industry partnerships, and networking opportunities, leveraging its strong connections with media organizations and alumni. With a focus on both the business and creative aspects of communications, Newhouse equips students with the skills needed to excel in the media industry and make an impact in their chosen fields.
One of the reasons we really wanted to visit Syracuse was to investigate majors that could be pursued as a BFA in VPA, or as part of the Television, Radio, and Film BS program at Newhouse. We talked with students pursuing animation and film programs in both schools. One thing of note, students did not combine the two schools together, or even leverage the facilities (studios, labs, etc) between the two schools. Everyone we talked with was affiliated with either VPA or Newhouse, but not both. As explained to us by several students, at VPA students are making “indie” films of their own passion, at Newhouse, students are telling stories, mostly, but not necessarily documentaries; this is evidenced by the requirement that Newhouse students must also take a minor outside of Newhouse, one student minored in anthropology, another in sport management. Newhouse does not require a creative supplement for admissions.
School of Architecture
The School of Architecture, is housed in Slocum Hall on the main campus, which has large classrooms and studios as well as its own fabrication facility and store allowing students to purchase supplies for their coursework without leaving campus. The school offers both the five year BArch degree as well as a minor in Architecture. Third year students have the opportunity to study at the Fisher Center in NYC or abroad in either Florence or London. Because Syracuse is an R1 research school students also have the opportunity to do research in architecture along with their technical and creative coursework.
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