BU or NYU - HELP?!?!

Colleges and Universities A-Z New York University
1

<p><em>Ahem</em> alright then.</p>

<p>Yesterday I was accepted to NYU (Tisch). Today, I was accepted to BU (Film and Television).</p>

<p>My parents are heavily pushing for NYU, and I am definitely for it - I just want to make sure I'm not writing off BU too quickly.</p>

<p>I am 17 years old from California, and have never been to see either school. What I'm aiming to do is have you all confirm that NYU is the right choice for me (or tell me that I need to MAJORLY reconsider BU just in case). The reason for this...frantic-ness is that flights are expensive, and I am flying out to New York for a week to check out ONLY NYU. My parents think its too much trouble to check out BU when NYU is supposedly far superior. We book the flights tomorrow and I want to make sure that I'm confident in our decision when that happens.</p>

<p>So, let me give you a brief description of who I am, what I like, and what I look for in a school, so you can all give me your insight.</p>

<p>First and foremost, I am a filmmaker. And rest assured, I am a good one. (I created a feature length documentary which aired at the Jewish Film Festival). Oh yeah - something else: I'm Jewish. (For whatever that's worth)</p>

<p>I love the entire process of film. I would love to be the writer/producer/director of films, but I wouldn't mind a more realistic profession of editing, writing for movies or TV shows, or really...being any part of the process. Since NYU is ranked the #1 film school in the country, this is pretty much what made it a no-brainer to begin with.</p>

<p>Besides this, I have played the piano for almost 10 years. (I'm terrible with sight reading; my talents lie in improvisation and jazz). I also enjoy singing, and would like to become involved with theater.</p>

<p>I care very much about politics - primarily the communication and peacemaking process of nations, religions, and races. Being a Jew, I care most about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the discrimination that happens, and what that means for both sides (and the way this, in turn, affects us all).</p>

<p>I want a large school with small classrooms. Granted, this is a lot like the albino lifeguard in that commercial about contradictions, it's more or less what I aim for, and I'll take as much of it as I can get.</p>

<p>I want classrooms that will foster my interests and facilitate my ideas, and professors that will make me think, and change the way I look at certain subjects. Feeling supported is crucial for me. Obviously, this won't happen with every class/professor, I'm just looking at the school overall.</p>

<p>I would like to be very involved, and want a campus where there are a lot of student groups, and even more importantly, where it's just easy to meet people - where students are in your line of fire all the time, and it's inevitable you will become friends. On this, I have the understanding that BU has the edge: I have heard that (while obviously I will make many friends and contacts in both schools) its much easier to ignore and be ignored at NYU.</p>

<p>I also don't want to fixate solely on my interests - I want to be exposed to a TON of things I never thought about, and additionally, have room to move around. I recognize that film majors are not a sure thing, and I would like the ability to move to an entirely new field (and know that it is what I want) if I so choose.</p>

<p>It's tough to say which environment I like better - the more or less sophisticated and quiet feel of Boston, or the fashion and ruckus and action of NY. (Yes, I know these are major generalizations). Speaking strictly in terms of location, I think the big apple sounds a bit more appealing to me than Boston.</p>

<p>So, now that you know a bit about me, does NYU seem like the right choice for me? I know both schools are amazing, and both can essentially offer what I am asking for (definitely a lot more than other schools can), but in terms of what I want, does NYU have the clear win over BU?</p>

<p>Please give me your feedback, with any details you can include.</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

<p>-Wes</p>

2

<p>Parent here. My daughter was accepted to both schools as well, although film was not her major. We visited both. Daughter chose NYU. It has an electrifying feel to it, especially when you are a freshman and you dorm near Washington Square. She got way more money from BU and it met her criteria of being urban with a large number of students, but she was very drawn to NYU.</p>

<p>I would suggest that while you are here, you should take the 3 hr Amtrak ride to Boston and see for yourself. BUT, I have met her suitemate and some friends who are film students and they are a very artsy, hipster type. They are from Washington state, Michigan, Boston and California.They filmed a short at my house so i did get to talk to them. Very nice bunch of kids. I particularly liked how they worked as a team. They told me that they work in teams on film projects and they each have to be responsible for an aspect and they have to learn all aspects. They absolutely love being at NYU. My daughter’s suitemate may get an internship in England at the BBC next semester.</p>

<p>I know the opportunities at NYU are tremendous and it will definitely help your resume.</p>

<p>best of luck.</p>

3

<p>Thanks for your help!</p>

<p>Because of your message, I was able to convince my parents to let me leave 2 days earlier, and take the Amtrack from Boston to NY. </p>

<p>Thanks so much!!!</p>

4

<p>Good luck, if you need anymore help just pm me.</p>

5

<ul>
<li>Our film department here is great. I’m taking a class in the Dramatic Literature department in Tisch, but the electrifying feeling you get when walking into the building is incredible. </li>
<li>There are a TON of student groups here. If you are looking to get in touch with the Jewish side of your heritage, there is a vibrant Jewish community here at NYU. The student groups I’ve been in have all been very driven and full of different kinds of people. </li>
<li>NYU will challenge you, if you’re up to the challenge. It’s easy to skate by in the four years here and take easy classes and party all the time. However, if you are willing to challenge yourself, NYU is here to make sure you are completely changed by the time you graduate. </li>
<li>Tisch prides itself on small classes. Your liberal arts core classes might be large, but your Tisch classes won’t be. </li>
<li>Steinhardt offers piano lessons and piano classes that anyone from any school can take. </li>
<li>If you feel like you want to pursue other paths, transferring from Tisch to another NYU (barring Stern) is pretty easy. You’re not bound to Tisch forever. </li>
<li>We also have an active community of students who are interested in activism and politics. </li>
</ul>

<p>Honestly, you sound like a Tischie already. But I urge you to come look at the school. The campus visit will make or break it, because some students can’t stand the fact that the campus is so open.</p>