<p>I'm majoring in political science in CAS, but from what I've read, it doesn't seem like CAS is as well regarded as Tisch or Stern. I was wondering, from anyone that has graduated from CAS, or is about to, what are the job opportunities being a CAS grad? Would being in the honors program make a big difference? What did you guys do throughout college to ensure that you would get a good job afterward (and pay off all of those student loans!)?</p>
<p>You ask a very good question. </p>
<p>The issue is not that NYU CAS is not as well regarded as Stern and Tisch. CAS has some very top-notch undergrad programs, including the Dept. of Politics. It is the issue of getting an end degree liberal arts undergrad degree in this tough economy. I just read that a sizable number of graduates of law schools are not getting professional jobs directly related to their field. So, getting a job that pays off the cost of a NYU education after graduating with a CAS or even a Tisch undergrad degree is a big unknown in this economy.</p>
<p>There is a growing disconnect between paying for a pricey undergrad liberal arts degree from a private university like NYU (with not too generous financial aid) and what you get for the undergraduate degree. Many even have to worry about getting employment that provides a living wage, let alone re-paying hefty educational debt. This issue is particularly vexing for the middle class. Obviously, if you are rich (rich enough not to have to worry about payment for a NYU education), then this is not an issue for you.</p>
<p>This is why NYU Stern will continue to have more applicants going for its undergrad business degree since it is one school where the return on your education investment is likely to pay off in a relatively short time.</p>
<p>Well, the reason CAS as a whole isn’t viewed as highly as Tisch or Stern is because it isn’t as highly ranked compared to those two (Tisch and Stern both top 5). However, you have to realize that CAS has some very highly rated programs including the Politics department. For example, CAS has the #7 rated Econ program in the country and the #20 rated Politics program. </p>
<p>I have a couple friends in CAS, one who was an Econ major and the other was a Journalism major. Neither was in the honors program. The Econ guy had a 3.5 GPA and the Journalism person had a 3.4 GPA. By the end of graduation they each had two internships and both had full-time solid paying jobs. CAS job prospects may not be as good as Stern because it’s so well regarded on Wall Street, but you’re not gonna be left hanging as long as you’re not lazy and use the Wasserman Center to your advantage.</p>
<p>I shared the pragmatic concerns about the liberal arts degree, now there is a different perspective on this.</p>
<p>Here is an article from the Chronicles of Higher Education based on thoughtful issues shared by Humanities majors at Stanford U. (how humanities subjects add to our human society, despite their ostensible lack of “pragmatism”):</p>
<p>[The</a> Value of a Humanities Degree: Six Students’ Views - Commentary - The Chronicle of Higher Education](<a href=“The Value of a Humanities Degree: Six Students’ Views”>The Value of a Humanities Degree: Six Students’ Views)</p>
<p>Finding a high paying job with any arts and sciences degree is a challenge. I know Political Science, Psychology, Philosophy majors from the very top schools who are not making a living wage. So, it’s not a problem with CAS; it’s just that the liberal arts are not a direct pipeline into high paying jobs, as a rule. Not that those who take this route don’t find a niche for themselves in time. Without a direct marketable skill and no or little experience, it is difficult to find a job that pays well.</p>
<p>cpt, Exactly what I was trying to say in my first post on this thread. Though what the students had to say in the article I provided a link to above reminds us of all the things that comprise our human society. Even if not all employers think this way. :)</p>
<p>Thank you everyone. I guess a lot of it comes down to how much work I put into it, and how much I take advantage of the networking opportunities in NYC.</p>
<p>The latest headline news article from cnnfn (6/13/11):</p>
<p>[Rising</a> college costs price out middle class - Jun. 13, 2011](<a href=“Rising college costs price out middle class - Jun. 13, 2011”>Rising college costs price out middle class - Jun. 13, 2011)</p>
<p>It appears that NYU parents and families in the middle class bracket are indeed the ones referred to in the article. Except the burden is made even more untenable with the cost of a PRIVATE university like NYU and the less than ideal FA packages (as reported here by a number of students and families). Especially in light of the fact that middle class income has remained stagnant at best in comparison to the sharp and relentless increase in tuition.</p>
<p>Unless you are rich (now the uber-rich with the growing income gap), NYU is a struggle financially for the middle class.</p>
<p>We are one of those middle class families that has taken the leap of faith to attend NYU. Because Tisch is top-rated and D has the right combination of talent, academics, work ethic and ambition, we decided that her best opportunity to compete successfully in a competitive field was to invest in Tisch. She is not planning to attend graduate school, so our investment is concentrated in the undergraduate degree. Yes there are substantial loans involved and many here on CC would put us in the “what were you thinking” category. We were thinking that this is her best shot and we have to believe in her, and believe in the training that will give her a leg up in the theatre world.</p>
<p>As I have stated before, mainstream parents, families and students themselves have sacrificed tremendously for the NYU education (my hat off to them). This has to be taken into consideration as more and more students themselves are querying how the numbers add up and what happens after graduation. </p>
<p>I think it is a smart thing to do to consider the cost and benefit of a NYU education besides the idealistic or “dream college” aspect of attending NYU. Those students who are not going for specific areas that may pay off the NYU education sooner in economic terms or who are not going for one of the one of a kind/ top-notch programs at NYU may very well want to consider other more “smart” options for colleges.</p>
<p>As much I see how a NYU education can grow and enrich a student educationally, artistically, intellectually, the reality of tuition increases against stagnant (or even falling) wages/ unknown post graduation job opportunities has to be put into the equation.</p>