Trying to decide which college is right for you? Some former NeXt correspondents highlight the ups and downs of the schools they chose:

Sophie Friedman

Northwestern University

Evanston, Ill.

High school: City Honors School

Major: Journalism, magazine concentration

Undergrads: 8,284

What type of student would like your school?:

Anyone who considers themselves a hard worker, but also wants to have fun! Students at Northwestern are very social and have many interests. It’s difficult to find someone who isn’t involved in a club, sport or performance group. Although everyone has a lot of schoolwork to do, they are able to balance it with participating in many extracurricular activities.

Class sizes: It depends on the type of class. Introductory lecture classes are often in the 300s, but others (such as language classes) may have only 10 students.

Why did you choose your school?

Northwestern was one of those schools that my parents recommended I apply to, and it wasn’t really on my radar. I didn’t know much about it until after I was accepted and was able to visit. However, when I finally set foot on the campus I was immediately sure that this was the place for me. The students I met when I was visiting were some of the nicest I met on all of my college visits. They offered to take me with them to class and give me a personal tour just because I was a prospective student!

Pros: I believe that Northwestern is the perfect size! At around 8,000 students, it’s not too big and not too small. It’s big enough that I meet new people every day, but not so big that you don’t see a familiar face or two while walking to class.

Cons: The most frustrating thing that I have encountered while at Northwestern is being far from home. Although it is not on the other side of the country, I do have to take a plane or nine-to 10-hour train ride every time I want to go home, which means there isn’t really an option of “coming home for the weekend.” However, there is so much happening on campus to keep you occupied, it eventually becomes easier to feel at home and focus less on what you miss most about Buffalo. The fact that we are on a different semester system can also make things difficult. The academic year is comprised of three semesters (fall, winter and spring). Unfortunately we do not start classes until late September and we don’t finish until early June. Our breaks also begin at different times from colleges that are on the two-semester system. This means that you might not always be home at the same time as your friends.

Food: College food will be college food. It’s definitely a step up from the stuff they try to feed you for lunch in high school but nothing particularly outstanding. I do give them credit, however, for trying to offer variety. The salad bar is always open with anything you could ever want to put in a salad and, of course, there is ice cream available with every meal! There are six dining halls, a few cafes (including Starbucks) and convenience stores on campus where you can use dining points that come with your meal plan to purchase snacks.

Social life: Because Northwestern does have a larger student body, you are bound to find a group of people that you fit in with. The students here really love to have fun! There are always social events going on, whether it’s a formal, a concert, or a trip sponsored by your dorm.

Nearby town: Evanston is a great college town. It is just big enough to have a hip shopping and entertainment district and also small enough that everything is just a short walk from campus. We are also incredibly lucky to be close enough to Chicago that we can travel there whenever we want, without having to live in the big city. The easiest way to get to Chicago is by public bus or train, but there are also free university shuttles that run between Northwestern’s Evanston and Chicago campuses.

Class selection: There are so many options and so many interesting classes available that many students choose to double-major here. Within the university, there are six major schools of undergraduate study: the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Communication, the School of Education and Social Policy, the McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science, the Medill School of Journalism and the Beinen School of Music. Each school has different requirements that need to be met for graduation, but you are free to take classes in another school as electives.

Classes you are taking: I take a different set of classes three times a year. For fall quarter, I am taking Art History and the African Diaspora, Introduction to the Dance Experience, Introduction to Psychology and Accelerated Intermediate Spanish.

Activities: So far I have become involved in a few activities on campus, including alternative student breaks (we travel around the country and around the world during academic breaks to do volunteer work), Northwestern University Hillel (the Foundation for Jewish Campus Life) and STITCH Fashion Feed (Northwestern’s fashion magazine and blog).

Meghann Nielsen

University at Buffalo

High school: Brocton Central School

Major: Biological sciences

Undergrads: 19,022

What type of student would like your school?

I think UB is large enough that every student from every walk of life will be able to find their own niche. There are tons of programs on campus that help make UB feel smaller. For example, I am in the Undergraduate Academies, which is a living and learning community. Pretty much I live in a dorm with other Academies students and take a seminar on Wednesdays that introduces me to each of the three areas of the Academies (Research Exploration, Civic Engagement and Global Perspectives. See academy. buffalo. edu for more info). Some students may be turned off because of the size of UB, but once you get on campus and learn your way around, it really doesn’t feel overwhelming.

Class sizes: My classes are fairly large and all but two take place in lecture halls. My biology class has 452 students enrolled, chemistry has 336, math (calculus) has 58, psychology has 385, and my Undergraduate Academies seminar has around 20 students.

Why did you choose this school?

I chose UB for a number of reasons but mainly because of the research opportunities available here. I’m interested in Alzheimer’s disease, and I believe that UB is going to be the place where I begin my research.

Cons: The only downside, for some students, is the size. For me, however, there really were no cons. It’s close to my home (about an hour drive) and a good size for me.

Food: There are tons of variety in food. The dining halls offer different “themes” each night, and my favorite is Taco Tuesday. There are lots of places to eat all over campus. Also, in the Ellicott Complex (residence halls), there’s a food court with a coffee/ice cream place (Perks), a burger place (Sizzles), pizza place (Hubie’s), a soup and salad line (Greens and Beans), a place to get wraps (Wrap it Up), a Mexican place (Salsa), and a little convenience store (the Ellie).

Social life: There’s always something going on in the Student Union, from movies to grocery bingo to tie-dying shirts. And UB has Division I sports, so there are lots of fun games to catch.

Activities: There are more than 360 student clubs and organizations, so everyone is bound to find a club that they are interested in.

Class selection: There are also 100 bachelor’s degree programs, 190 master’s programs, and 83 doctoral programs. There are thousands of classes to choose from.

Chelsea Orcutt

Syracuse University

High School:Mount St. Mary Academy

Major: Public Relations in the Newhouse School of Public Communications

Undergrads: Approximately 12,500

What type of student would like your school?

While Syracuse certainly isn’t for everyone, if you’re looking for a traditional college campus with a reputation for strong academics, Syracuse is definitely worth your consideration. SU is ranked in the top 60 national universities by U. S. News and World Report. There are 10 colleges within the university, offering more than 200 majors.

Why did you choose this school: Although I chose to attend Syracuse almost solely because of the curriculum and prestige of the Newhouse School, I’ve come to enjoy the social side of life at SU.

Class sizes: As a public relations major, I not only take classes within the Newhouse School but also in many of SU’s other colleges. This year, my class sizes range from 14 students in my writing class to 120 in my international relations lecture.

Classes you are taking: Communications and Society, International Relations, Spanish, Statistics, Writing About Emotion in 19th Century Literature.

Activities: While Syracuse offers a rigorous academic curriculum, there is plenty of time for fun. With over 300 student organizations on campus (from fine arts clubs to the Quidditch team), there’s always a chance to get involved and meet new people. Additionally, basketball and football games draw a sizable student crowd to the impressive Carrier Dome.

Social life: Students can venture into downtown Syracuse for concerts and shopping at the gigantic Carousel Mall.

Food:SU has five dining halls on the main campus, as well as two food courts with restaurants such as Taco Bell, Sbarro and Dunkin’ Donuts. The quality and wide array of food was a pleasant surprise for a finicky eater like me. (But be warned! The soft-serve ice cream machines in the dining halls are addictive and may cause early onset of the dreaded Freshman 15!)

Caitlin Manley

Fredonia State College

High School: Immaculata Academy

Major: Music Business

Undergrads: 5,178 (the graduating class of 2013 is the largest the college has ever seen)

What type of student would like your school? I think anyone could love it here. But if you’re like me, where you want a school that’s kind of big but not so huge you’d lose yourself in it, then it’s the right place for you. Also, it’s a great school for anyone looking into education or some kind of music program.

What type of student would not like your school? If you’re a person looking to be in an urban setting with a huge campus, then you may not like it here. But honestly, there’s nothing to hate here.

Class sizes: Relatively small for a state university (even the bigger lecture hall courses). Professors can easily know your name if you make the effort to be known.

Why did you choose this school? I chose Fredonia because of the cost, for one thing. Because it’s in-state, it’s much more affordable than other schools I was looking into. Also, it has an amazing program for Music Business and there aren’t many schools boasting that major. When I came to visit Fredonia, I knew that it was where I needed to be.

Pros: The campus is gorgeous, really. People are extremely friendly, and there are literally a ton of activities both on and off campus. There’s a really nice gym and workout classes. We have a world-renowned school of music. Also, there is an insane amount of squirrels here and they provide a bit of entertainment.

Cons:We aren’t close enough to Buffalo to take a Metro Bus, hence the Coach buses, hence a $12 bus trip if you want to go into the city. But it’s really not so bad, and that’s the only con I can conjure up.

Food: The food is actually really good. There are three dining halls, but Cranston is by far my favorite because it seems the healthiest (and I had a Reuben sandwich there the other day that could have brought tears to my eyes, it was so delicious). The Williams Center is more like fast food. It has a great chicken finger wrap among other appetizing things. Also, a plus, it’s open until midnight all week. We have a Starbucks, too, where we can use our points. A side note, there are these metal milk dispensers and for some reason this amazes me; I had never seen one until I came to school.

Social life: The students here are very kind and welcoming. I have yet to meet one nasty person, although I’m sure, like anywhere, they exist. There are things to do all the time, whether they be on campus or off, and there’s something to suit everyone here. There’s really no shortage of a good time at Fredonia.

Class selection: There is an endless sea of classes that one can take here at Fredonia, and the school makes it a priority to make sure you are able to take everything you need for your major. I was told at orientation that signing up for classes can be a treacherous task, but despite my being a freshman and having last pick, I got into all the classes I wanted, and my schedule for first semester was fantastic, to say the least.

Classes you are taking:My classes are great. A standout though, would have to be my Mass Media & Society course, because it brings to light the reasons behind all the things the media does and its effects on our culture/society. Interesting stuff. Also, the professor is hilarious.

Jen Werbitsky

Cornell University, Ithaca

High School: Nardin Academy

Major: Applied Economics and Management, specializing in Finance and Strategy

Undergrads: 13,931

What type of student would like your school? Cornell’s motto, “Any person, any study,” pretty much says it all. There is an incredible mix of diverse students here with an incredible variety of interests, cultural backgrounds and viewpoints. However, the student body shares a common enjoyment of the pursuit of learning for the sake of learning, and most of the individuals I’ve met are highly motivated without being arrogant.

What type of student would not like your school? You have to be willing to actually do work and study at Cornell. In fact, it bears repeating: It is a LOT of work. As a result, students who slid through high school without opening a textbook to study may have a hard time adjusting. Additionally, campus is quite large and therefore requires a LOT of walking. It also might not appeal to those who prefer an urban campus, although the city of Ithaca is just a bus ride away and similar, in many ways, to Buffalo.

Class sizes: 73 percent of classes have 2 to 29 students; 10 percent of classes have 30 to 49 students; and 17 percent of classes have 50 to 100-plus students.

Why did you choose this school? I cannot imagine a better learning environment, from the friendly and intelligent students to the world-renowned yet accessible professors. There are so many opportunities for really unique experiences (academically and socially) that I can’t imagine happening anywhere else. Also, Cornell has one of the top-rated and smallest undergrad business programs in the country, the Applied Economics and Management Program.

Pros: Diverse and intelligent student body, expertise of staff, a variety of research opportunities, BEAUTIFUL campus, freshman housing (all the freshman live on North Campus, which creates a comfortable environment in which it is easier to meet students from your class), great food.

Cons: Classes can be scattered around the large campus, you are not allowed to double-major between colleges (Cornell is divided into seven colleges: College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, College of Architecture, Art, and Planning, College of Arts and Sciences, College of Engineering, School of Hotel Administration, College of Human Ecology, and School of Industrial and Labor Relations), workload is considerable.

Food: The food is fantastic! There are 33 dining locations on campus, including 10 all-you-can-eat dining halls. A significant amount of the food served at Cornell is grown locally or even on campus. Also, Cornell has its own dairy, producing its own milk and homemade ice cream for every meal.

Social life: Cornell has one of the largest Greek systems in the country, with 42 fraternities and 11 sororities (32 percent of undergrad men are in fraternities, and 23 percent of undergrad women are in sororities). However, there are plenty of social opportunities for those not interested in Greek life, including concerts and seasonal festivals.

Class selection: Cornell offers an overwhelmingly extensive and varied selection of courses, more than 4,000 in total. Also, Cornell Outdoor Education, the largest and most comprehensive collegiate outdoor education program in the country, offers not-your-average PE courses ranging from caving to ice climbing. Basically, there is something for anyone ... “Any person, any study!”

Classes I am taking: Psychology 101, Contemporary World Literature, Introduction to Business Management, Introduction to Applied Economics and Management, Introduction to Macroeconomics, and Why the Sky Is Blue: Aspects of the Physical World

For more info: Google “161 things to do at Cornell” for the Cornell Daily Sun’s (the nation’s oldest independent student newspaper) annual list of some of the unique experiences that you might encounter as a Cornell student.

Jason Silverstein

University of Rochester

High School: Williamsville North

Major: English (possibly film, depending on my patience for “classic” literature).

Undergrads: approximately 4,600

What type of student would like your school? The kind who doesn’t feel like putting up with classes they don’t have any interest in taking. U of R has an “open” curriculum, meaning there are very few requirements as far as classes you have to take. So, for instance, if I were an English major who would rather spend a semester in a Turkish prison than take required courses in math or science – hypothetically, of course – that’s something I’ll never need to worry about here.

Class sizes: Most of my classes are small, usually having about 30 students, tops. But my friends who take mostly science courses and such almost exclusively have lecture-style classes with 50 students or more.

Why did you choose this school? The “open” curriculum was a huge factorI wanted to take classes I genuinely cared about in college and not have to worry about extraneous requirements. I’ve visited Rochester many times in my life and knew it was a cool city. Plus, my family has a history here – my parents both attended the school, and my sister is here now – so I’ve been familiar with the college for a long time.

Food: Passable. I’m blessed with a good metabolism, so I don’t mind living on (very good) subs and (good enough) burgers on a daily basis. For someone looking for slightly healthier options, though, you kind of have to work for it. And one fateful pizza dinner gave me stomach pains for eight consecutive days.

Social life: As good as I hoped for. I live on a substance-free floor, which definitely contributes to my social comfort. It’s a good feeling knowing that, on the weekends, I always have people around to hang out with – sober people, nonetheless. There’s plenty of events going on all the time, too, if you scout them out. It’s hard to get bored here.

Nearby town: Buffalo is only an hour away! Class selection: Only decent, but probably

because I’m only a freshman. For the first semester, I was frozen out of all my “first priority” classes, and for the upcoming second semester, many of those classes aren’t even being offered (the class about the Beatles is gone ... grrrrrr). I had to take courses I only sort of cared about for my first semester, but it doesn’t bother me that much, because I know I’ll be taking the more “ideal” stuff very soon.

Classes you are taking: Changing Genres of Erotica (favorite); Authors, Editors and the Literary Marketplace; Ethics; Introduction to American Literature.

Activities: I started writing for the Campus Times (newspaper) as soon as I could, and I tried to become a DJ for the college radio station, but it was too much of a commitment for me right now (soon, I hope, soon).