a dilemma...WashU vs. NYU?

Transfer Students
1

<p>ok, so... i'm a freshman at NYU and i haven't really enjoyed my time here so far. i decided to try to transfer into WashU because it appealed to me more, and also because my boyfriend goes to school near there (yes, i know, that shouldn't be a factor). </p>

<p>anyway, i got into WashU. however, part of me still thinks i didn't give NYU much of a chance---plus, i'd be leaving behind two really great friends, and other friends as well. i'm not positive that my relationship with my boyfriend will last, and i'll be going to WashU without knowing anyone.</p>

<p>my question is--- is it worth it to go to WashU anyway since i have the opportunity? i know it's a better school than NYU. i also know that if i pass up on this opportunity, it might not come around again. plus, i don't think i'll like NYU if i go back there again. i'm just wondering if it's worth it for me to start somewhere new.</p>

<p>i need unbiased opinions--- all the ones are either coming from people who want me to stay, or people who don't. what do you all think? thanks...</p>

2

<p>You will find friends at every university! I know it may be hard to leave your friends behind, but you are sure to make new friends at your new university. </p>

<p>WashingtonU is not necessarily a better school than NYU. In terms of international reputation, I know for a fact that NYU is much more recognized than WashU in the East Asian region. My opinion may seem biased since I go to NYU, but bear in mind that I am transferring out this Fall.</p>

<p>I think your choice should be based on your intended major. If you want to go into business, then staying at NYU would be much more prudent. If you were to go into a field such as politics however, WashU would be better.</p>

3

<p>i guess a part of me is just afraid that people already have "cliques"---even at a school of a little less than 10,000 people. </p>

<p>i'm going into psychology, and i think either school would be good for that major. i hear that WashU is better for medical stuff, but i don't think i'd be missing out if i decided to stay here at NYU either.</p>

<p>i know a lot of people haven't even heard of WashU, and i'm not sure why that is. it's just hard to be unbiased when i have so much going for me either way :( i can't look into the future, so i don't know if i'll be a lot better off at WashU. i don't want to regret it if i choose to go there.</p>

<p>thanks for your suggestions, though!</p>

4

<p>as for cliques, i'm pretty sure you will have no problem finding friends. there are also tons of people that transfer into WashU every year and i'm assuming they would like to meet new people also.</p>

<p>if i was in your situation, i'd go to WashU.</p>

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<p>I'm transferring to WashU this fall, I'll be your friend!</p>

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<p>there ya go :]</p>

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<p>besides the proximity to your boyfriend (so precious), tell me why you want to leave NYU and then I'll render my opinion.</p>

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<p>Go to WashU. It is better (on the whole) academically than NYU. Even if your relationship with your boyfriend doesn't last you will still have amazing academic and social opportunities at WashU. Don't worry about making friends, there are people in the same situation as you at every school. Plus, why go back to NYU if you aren't thrilled. So you give it more time and still don't like it. Why not go to a school that is better on the whole academically and give that try.</p>

<p>You will fit in and enjoy a great college experience at WashU</p>

9

<p>kjanebarnum--- yay! :) haha, i'm actually glad that i'll at least <em>know</em> someone now.</p>

<p>as for why i want to leave, akafizzle, here's the deal:</p>

<p>i've wanted to go to NYU for years. it was my dream because i love NYC so much (i live in NJ, and have been there countless times) and i thought NYU was a great school that would offer me all i wanted and more as far as academics, and even more opportunities as far as social situations were concerned.</p>

<p>however, once i got there, i realized only a certain kind of person is suited for life in the city. i never thought i wanted a campus--in fact, i didn't want anything traditional about a college at all; i wanted somewhere i could run free without limitations. that's not exactly how it turned out, though. i feel really overwhelmed and alone at NYU despite that 20,000 people go here. the city makes me feel anonymous and the people aren't exactly the nicest. all my friends want to do is go to clubs and bars with their fake IDs, or smoke pot. my roommate is my best friend, and she doesn't always do what everyone else does, but she never wants to go anywhere with me either--i'm all for going to a bar once in awhile, but i also love going to museums or just walking down 5th avenue. i found myself doing all of this alone. </p>

<p>i know i could maybe find people who would share my interests, but that's not all it's about. it's about the city in general, and how the atmosphere makes me feel. i would much rather have a place that has a more "campus-y" feel...WashU has that, but it also has St. Louis for when i really want to go to a city and take advantage of all it has to offer.</p>

<p>my roommate is trying to convince me to stay, telling me that i haven't given NYU much of a chance. she says it's the #1 most desired university in the country, and that if i stay in the room all the time, i can't take advantage of the city anyway. she told me she'd go places with me next year and that she thinks i'm only going for my boyfriend, which is a bad idea because once we break up, i'll be heartbroken and alone without people who care as much about me. </p>

<p>so, i dunno. i don't know if it's true that i haven't given NYU as much of a chance, but this is my one opportunity to go to WashU, and i don't know if i should give that up either.</p>

10

<p>Wow! For all the years I've yearned to attend NYU, just recently, I realized that I would have hated it; I learned that I myself wants a small population and a "campusy" setting where I can see familiar faces walking to class, and I want to feel like I am in a college setting. I just realized that I don't want to be just another face (something that I would be in NYC), but a distinct person on campus. I feel you kiliki.</p>

<p>And I honestly didn't know NYU had potheads and passive individuals whom want to stay in their dorms and not take advantage of the academic and social constructs NYC has to offer. </p>

<p>Anyway, WUSTL has an awesome campus: it's "campusy", facilities are top notch, students are friendly and welcoming, campus events take place, etc. WUSTL makes you a distinct individual instead of as another face on campus. Also, given that WUSTL has better academics than NYU, that's another reason to attend WUSTL. </p>

<p>Honestly, given your personality traits and academic and social curiosities, WUSTL is a perfect fit for you. Now I hope you and bf commit to each other (there is nothing better than love...on the real), but even if you guys call it quits, you will have no regrets for transferring to WUSTL; it'll be one of the best decisions of your life.</p>

<p>So to answer your question precisely, yes, attend WUSTL.</p>

<p>Oh yeah, your roomate or best friend is wrong, NYU is not the most desired school in the nation, in your case, it's WUSTL!!!</p>

11

<p>omg im in the same situation. Im a freshman at NYU who is probably going to be transferring to Wash U in the fall. But im still debating. Im not really worried about the friends thing because one of my really good friends at NYU is also transferring to Wash U (I don't know why there is so many of us), which will make things a lot easier...but even still, you'll make friends at any university, seriously. Its more of a financial situation for me. Wash U gave me really good aid and NYU (of course) gave me little to nothing. But I don't know how I am ever going to leave the city...I honestly can't picture myself not going to concerts every weekend and having everything I need close by. But still, on the other hand, NYC will always be here...which is why im leaning towards Wash U....what dorm are you in? im in third north...if you decide to transfer, you should meet up with me and my friend for sure. Alright, I have to go study now...good luck with your finals.</p>

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<p>you two should seriously be best friends or something, hehe.</p>

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<p>akafizzle:</p>

<p>thanks i really appreciate that. it's nice to have unbiased opinions, because yiiiikes, i just ate dinner with my roommate and she isn't giving up. she keeps telling me that i can make NYU work out and that "college is what you make of it."</p>

<p>that can be true to an extent, but i just really think i'm more suited for WUSTL, where i'll be recognized. i will feel awful for leaving her behind, though. especially because she thinks the reason is for my boyfriend, and she hates him.... it probably won't sit well with her. </p>

<p>whenever i start to feel comfortable with a decision, someone always ruins it for me. :-\ like you said, even if things with my boyfriend don't work out, WashU is 48 or 49% male. the atmosphere will be more laid back for me, and i will make new friends. they might not compare to my best friend here, but i can't stay for her. </p>

<p>i wish i could just feel good about my decision either way...even though i have no clue about what can or might happen in the future.</p>

<p>peachesbeaches:</p>

<p>ahh, no way! that's so cool. i'm glad i know someone now! i had no idea there were other NYU students who were considering WashU, especially since it's kinda "out there."</p>

<p>but i definitely know what you mean about leaving the city. i may hate living here and going to school here, but there's definitely something about it. i live in NJ so that's not so far away, and i honestly feel that if i go to WashU, i'll appreciate NYC <em>more</em> than i do now. it's probably because now it lost its magic... since i'm here all the time, there's nothing special about going anywhere. plus, i'm always stuck downtown during the week and no one ever wants to go uptown. at least if i go to WashU and come back during breaks, i'll be able to do what i want in the city, and have it be more of a special thing.</p>

<p>as far as where i'm dorming...i'm at hayden right now. i'd definitely want to meet up with you guys if you're going to WashU too! then i'd really feel better about knowing people there. :) let me know what you decide to do, definitely.</p>

<p>good luck with your finals as well.</p>