Check out the entries from the Interview Feedback link from the SDN homepage; most of the folks that have posted there have been very honest and accurate.
Jennifer Welch is an extraordinary resource; you should feel comfortable calling her. She's been - IMHO - very honest and upfront, and very cordial.
Syracuse is cold, and that's in September. December will likely give you a glimpse of Syracuse that isn't all that pleasant, so if you like it then, you'll be good to go. I grew up a few miles from the school, and I survived, and I really don't think it's all that bad. Nice new library for studying, there's a B&N in Dewitt (nearby) that lots of students seem to study at, and Syracuse University is walking distance away. Small nightlife opportunities. I really like the clinical years option; I was awarded my first choice (Binghamton)...I work in one of the clinical hosptials; if you want some information on them, check
www.uhs.net, or
www.lourdes.com, or search for Robert Packard Hospital. You could also stay in Syracuse and do a classic teaching hospital thing there.
New Children's Hospital is going in there, with a really shrewd design...
Check out the Upstate website, too, maybe.
Good luck.
dc
