<p>Anyone here considering it?</p>
<p>I am…but I am worried that thier standards might be a lot higher than New York NYU.</p>
<p>Standards for getting into the school, or standards once there?</p>
<p>One thing that stood out to me during the information session I attended was that students there will receive more financial aid.</p>
<p>standards for getting in</p>
<p>I don’t see why any American would want to go there. The values of the Middle East completely contradict those of Western society. There is no free speech and no women’s rights. Does anyone else agree?</p>
<p>My daughter and I were both VERY interested. (and…JAM1007 …I assume your post was just meant to “incite a riot”, but…no…we don’t share your beliefs…we seek out cultural experiences very openmindedly. And we’re midwestern, middle class, caucasion, no religious affiliation females, in case that helps you understand that your point of view might not be shared by all. Consider research on Abu Dhabi as it’s culture and government compare to its neighbors. I DO have concerns…below…but your comments are very “generalized” and unresearched).</p>
<p>We received a full color advertisement type book (you know…all pictures…you had to work hard to read and discern information because there were so many splashy photos to entice you to avoid the text). They are definitely accepting only the VERY top students. One poster said it “might be a harder admit than NYU”. Yes, my guess is that only the top… 3% (?) would be considered. But I have no reason to use that number - it’s a pure guess. And, they’re going to have to dig deep enough until they find students who WANT this experience, so who knows if they will have a tiny or giant pool, and how far “down” into student stats they will have to go. I’m guessing…not too far. You do not have to apply to ONLY Abu Dhabi (as you do by selecting EITHER Stern, Steinhardt, CAS, etc.). You can add it in with a check mark on your application…“and I also want to be considered for Abu Dhabi”. As well, this book confirms what another poster said about financial aid…something like "a lack of finances will NOT prevent any accepted student from attending. So they seem to want VERY academic, mature, worldly, eager, open minded students from all over the world. I’m sure they’re very much “creating” the class they want-and it will be the melting pot that NYC is. If you fit that bill…your finances will be a moot point. Being the first graduating class of such a venture would be an unbelievable honor. They will get so much attention from NYU. It will be an incredible experience for one who truly finds this a good fit. And I’m sure doors around the world will spring wide open for these kids upon graduation. </p>
<p>That said, the things that make me feel that it is not a “good fit” for my D are these:</p>
<p>One of the main reasons people like NYU is that it’s in NYC. And of COURSE, you’d lose that. Traveling to Abu Dhabi for a week or two, or doing your overseas study there for one semester…does sound exhilarating. But living there for 4 years is a different thing and would require much soul searching before one decides it is their best option.</p>
<p>And, it’s a TINY TINY class. Did anyone see that in their brochure? The first year’s class will be only 100 students. THat is also NOT what one expects from the typical “NYU” experience. Obviously, this is NOT “typical”. I’m just saying that a lot of kids for whom NYU is a dream school…would be hard pressed to see this as comparable. I just wanted to throw these things out there, in case any of y’all missed them as they were our deciding factors.</p>
<p>Lastly, I’m only slightly loathe to admit, is that I DO have an insecurity about living a “stone’s throw” from both Iraq and Iran. I can’t help it…she’s my only child and I’m her only parent. It’s my job. There is a scene in a great movie…“Crash” where a woman gets mugged. She felt uncomfortable walking past two men that made her uneasy. But, instead of crossing the street…she stays “PC” and holds her ground. Turns out her instinct was right. Sometimes we do have to go with our gut. I work in tourism. If we were another nationality, I’d be more apt to ignore the feeling. But the Welcome Mat has been known to be pulled out from under Americans in my daughter’s lifetime. </p>
<p>Good luck to all who attend…I’m sure it will be THE experience of your life to date!</p>
<p>[NYU</a> Abu Dhabi Admissions FAQ’s](<a href=“http://nyuad.nyu.edu/admissions/faq.html]NYU”>http://nyuad.nyu.edu/admissions/faq.html)</p>
<p>IMO enrolling in Abu Dhbai would be sacrificing academics for a cultural experience. </p>
<p>I’d take NYC, with all the different cultures & people found there, a significantly larger class size, and more resources/top professors over experiencing one culture and one group of people any day. </p>
<p>Maybe I’d consider Abu Dhbai more if it were more established, with a larger class size.</p>
<p>JNE…</p>
<p>VERY good point. You get a “taste” of EVERYTHING at NYU…while living in perhaps the most vibrant city in the world. AND you still get to study internationally…it’s just not your FOCUS. </p>
<p>While NYU does tout their incredible academics/professors at Abu Dhabi…no one could argue the “well roundedness” that one would get at the Manhattan campus would be far superior to that of a tiny introductory campus (I don’t really understand their concept, I think they have students there NOW, and will be accepting more than the 100…but those 100 will be “dedicated” Abu Dhabi, if that’s a good way of putting it?).</p>
<p>
LMAO hahaha. What a shallow guy. So, Middle Eastern “values” are no free speech and no women’s right? Maybe that’s why they opened up a new campus in M.E, to clear the ignorant stereotyping off of some of their shallow students.</p>
<p>Besides being a 1-hour plane ride from Iran, it’s also hot, humid and generally fake, kind of like Dubai but not as fake.</p>
<p>Give me a campus in Auckland or Sydney and I’d be happy to look into it. I’ve never been “down under” so it would be interesting. Plus it’s not in the middle of the desert.</p>
<p>@future</p>
<p>i think we have international exchanges with colleges in Australia, if you’re interested in going. i could have sworn i saw it on the list when i was trying to decide where to go abroad. (i ultimately chose Paris.)</p>
<p>It’s †oo late now, that would interfere with graduating early.</p>
<p>@JAM1007</p>
<p>I completely disagree… no women’s rights in the U.A.E? Are you kidding me? Maybe you should actually visit the place or research more about it rather than stereotyping.</p>
<p>@ JAM1007</p>
<p>Way to perpetuate the stereotype that all Americans are ignorant buddy. UAE =/= Iran… </p>
<p>@R124687</p>
<p>I think a lot of what they’re talking about selectivity is a sales pitch. I got an offer to come for their candidate weekend (due to my end-of-semester exams being around the time I had to send back the information required to attend I completely forgot about it) and my grades aren’t too high - 3.3 GPA in the IB, 2290 SATs. I think I was being considered as a finalist more because I’m an expatriate student living in Mumbai and my essay was about how my experience in Mumbai has affected me.</p>
<p>So, I’m sure the class will be very diverse, but it’ll hardly be the top 3% in terms of qualifications. Also, I’ve been to the Abu Dhabi and I’ll vouch for it being quite safe. Your daughter wouldn’t need to worry for her safety there.</p>
<p>@JAM1007</p>
<p>Actually, UAE is probably the most liberal country in the Islamic world. Most people would kill to get into Abu Dhabi. I heard it’s going to be almost impossible though unless you’re an Ivy League caliber student.</p>
<p>Does anyone know when applicants could start to hear about Candidate Weekend invites?</p>
<p>UMMM its ABU DHABI</p>
<p>I’m just curious, i got asked to the candidate weekend thing, and although i have no intention of attending the school, i am enticed by the free airfare and residence they offer. Has anyone figured out any details on the matter?</p>