<p>Hey! I'm kind of undecided between the two and I wanted some opinions in relation to: location, people, social scene, academics, opportunities, internships, etc. </p>
<p>I'm planning on studying international relations and/or economics. </p>
<p>Thank you so much! </p>
<p>Will you have any opportunity to visit either? I am somewhat familiar with both. My older son was interested in Theate, and so his responses to the two schools are unique to their programs. He fell in love with BU and disliked NYU/Tisch (which he thought would be his top, dream reach until he visited and decided against even applying to). I would say that it really is a difference between Boston and NYC, if you’re looking into those fields/departments. NYC does have a more international flavor, and is simply a whole lot bigger. Boston is a little more intimate. Both cities are hideously expensive; NYC might be slightly more so, but don’t expect many cheap dates (much less apartments) in Boston, either. You could probably do more web research to see which school’s department is higher-rated, but the overall academic reputations are pretty comparable. NYU’s immediate neighborhood, Greenwich Village, is legendarily lively and colorful in a way that BU’s isn’t. It really is a question of whether you’d prefer Boston or NYC. Full disclosure: I grew up near Boston, in a family of Boston chauvinists, but I went to Barnard/Columbia and lived in NYC for years (I’m a NJ resident now). Most of my family will argue for Boston over NYC. I think they’re both great, but Boston ain’t New York. Apply to both; see where you get in; visit; decide. </p>
<p>Why are you deciding now? Why not apply to those schools AND others and see what happens? You may not get admitted to either one. Or, neither one may be affordable. </p>
<p>how much will your family pay? Neither of those schools gives great aid.</p>
<p>For IR at NYU, be warned that it is an “honors” major, which means that you have to apply and be accepted to the program after your freshman year at NYU. But I agree with other posters, you can just apply to both and if you get in to both, then consider the minutae</p>
<p>Boston Univeristy’s school for international relations is a member of APSIA, which means their program has been vetted. Here is a quote from the APSIA website.
“APSIA comprises more than 60 member schools and affiliated programs around the world dedicated to the improvement of professional education in international affairs and the advancement thereby of international understanding, prosperity, peace, and security. By combining multidisciplinary, policy-oriented, intercultural studies with career development, APSIA member schools are preparing students for the global workplace of the 21st Century and have become the primary sources of education for international affairs professionals in their respective countries.”</p>
<p>Just to clarify BU, as well as NYU, are both affiliate members. Below is a link to the list of full members. APSIA is also really only relevant for professional graduate programs. I dont think many people would argue that the IR program at Middlebury is below DePaul or George Mason because they arent part of this organization.</p>
<p><a href=“Members of the Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs”>http://www.apsia.org/member-schools/</a></p>