Hi, I got into both schools and I’m intending to major in biochemistry/biomolecular sciences. I want to go to med school or and maybe get a PhD (my dad did both as well) after graduating, but I do know that I want to get into a top 10 grad school as it was a goal of mine for college but unfortunately I was rejected.
I got into both Brandeis and NYU (CAS), and I know for my major and academics in general they rank in the same zone with little difference. I’m just looking for which one will give me a better chance at a top ten grad school along with the main differences (location, campus, population, etc). Money isn’t an issue.
Background:
Brandeis likes
- I like the general sense I get from the people (research but I could be wrong) who seem pretty academic and serious
- I feel like the hard working atmosphere will motivate me to get the GPA i would have gotten in HS if I hadn’t slacked off
- I’m pretty shy and the people seem really nerdy and nice which is my personality (but I’ve been trying to grow past that)
Brandeis dislikes
- I have lived in Boston nearly my entire life and would like to get out, doesn’t seem like I’ll grow as much at Brandeis
- I’ve been at campus and it feels like a little too into my comfort zone since I know the area and I’m kind of shy so it wouldn’t be as hard a transition as NYU
- I said it’s in boston but really its in a tiny town where you mostly hang around campus b/c boston is harder to get to than they say
NYU likes
- In recent years I’ve been growing out of my shyness and putting a lot of effort to be less of that “nice quiet Jewish girl” I used to be, and NYU seems like the next step in that process
- I’m more into cities and the school I went to with a big population made me feel freer than the school I went to with a smaller population
- Way more diversity and the urban area is supposed to make you be able to live anywhere and tougher I guess (?)
NYU dislikes
- I’m terrified of the prospect of getting overwhelmed b/c I have NEVER been in a place like NYC before (closest is boston) but I’m not sure if that’s my anxiety talking
- It’s so big (in population and in location) I’m afraid of not “living up to my potential” or whatever academically since I’ll be so preoccupied with the city itself (and I’m trying to get into a top grad school)
- NYU seems like a step out of my comfort zone that’s TOO big (compared with Brandeis which is too small of a step) and I heard its harder to make friends which is already hard for me (getting easier though)
Sorry this is really long… What I would love to know is where I can find out what graduate programs for my major both of these colleges send their students to just to get a sense of where I have a better chance 