<p>I’m debating between NYU Stern or Brandeis my undergraduate studies. I’m really having a tough time deciding between the two, they’re both phenomenal schools. Here’s some background, I’d love any insight anyone has on the decision:</p>
<pre><code>I like NYC and Boston, not really any more than the other
I think campus life would be just as fun as city life, and it’s not like if I go to NYU i’ll never be able to throw the frisbee around
I want to major in business and minor in computer science, or double major
Money is fortunately not an issue
I got into NYU Stern, which is a phenomenal school. Call me conceited but on top of a great education, a prestigious name is also important to me. How much more impressive/prestigious is Stern over Brandeis?
I’m jewish, but NYU and Brandeis both have a very strong jewish presence
I live in CT, so it doesn’t make too much of a difference either way in terms of the trip to and from home
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<p>Basically I’m really torn. I’d really appreciate any comments from anyone, but especially current students and recent alumni.</p>
<p>I know that the people who boost Brandeis heavily talk a lot about Boston, but I really don’t buy what they’re selling. Speaking only for myself, I think Waltham, Mass., is definitely not Boston. Cambridge kind of is; since they extended the Red Line to the Alewife stop in the late '80s, even Medford/Somerville kind of is. But every time I visited Brandeis and they reminded me it was “only 9 miles from Boston,” I thought to myself, “You could have fooled me!”</p>
<p>I realize, not everybody wants an urban experience. Some people would much rather be in Waltham than Greenwich Village. It’s a matter of personal preference. If I were making the decision you’re considering, it would probably come down to Waltham vs. Manhattan.</p>
<p>No. I was kind of inferring that you saw them that way. </p>
<p>I know very little about Stern, or NYU generally. I thought you were trying to make a choice and you hadn’t really found much distinction in terms of academics. But I’ll have to leave it to the better informed to say whether one is academically superior to the other.</p>
<p>I’m a parent of a recent Brandeis Alum. I’ll be very honest, when comparing Brandeis and NYU-Stern, I really think that they are so close as far as academic ranking, reputation, etc. that you may very well make the decision on intangibles (i.e., do you want to be in a city school or a suburban school) and cost, if there is a material difference. </p>
<p>So, in answer to your question: “Are you implying that Brandeis and NYU Stern are so equal that it comes down to the preference of location?” I would say – maybe so.</p>
<p>Here’s one simple formulation. If you want to commit to an undergrad business degree, then clearly Stern is your best choice–assuming you don’t mind the NYU environment of a large, urban school without a formal campus. If, however, you are looking for a top-flight liberal arts college within a mid-sized research university, with personal access to high-powered professors who love to teach and that is located on a suburban campus yet close to Boston, Brandeis is the better choice. Only you can determine which is the right fit for you. Good luck!</p>
<p>Will you be necessitating any financial aid? Is cost an issue to be concerned about?</p>
<p>If money is not a problem, and you’re set on going to b-school, this should be a question. Go to Stern. It’s an elite business school with a better network, business reputation, and business educational preparation than whatever Brandeis has to offer in its recently implemented Business program.</p>