The University of Rochester is a prestigious private research university located in Rochester, New York, in western New York state. The university is known for its strong programs in engineering, medicine, music, and optics, with popular majors including biomedical engineering, computer science, economics, psychology, and political science. Rochester is particularly recognized for its world-renowned Eastman School of Music, cutting-edge research in optics and photonics, excellent pre-med programs, and flexible curriculum that allows students to explore diverse academic interests without distribution requirements. The campus sits in a suburban setting along the Genesee River, surrounded by the mid-sized city of Rochester, which is known for its cultural institutions, parks, and proximity to the Finger Lakes region, though the area experiences typical upstate New York winters with significant snowfall.