Hi! So i have till may 1st to choose a college. Im torn between NYU and northeastern university. Here’s what i love and hate about each:
NYU:
Love:
- has more of a name/more prestigious (i just kinda like the idea of saying “i go to NYU”)
- im in love with new york city, and although i tell myself i could survive there, i really dont know for sure. I feel like it might also drive me crazy coming from a very small city.
Dislike:
- no campus (its harder to meet people and make friends and im pretty shy)
- the program i go into requires me to go abroad to paris first YEAR which seems like a long time for someone just started college. Im also nervous about how this would affect my social life when i return
- not sure if i would l love or hate the types of kids that go there…i kinda like they theyre “different” tho and very diverse
Northeastern:
- much closer to home (but i sort of dont like that since i wanted something new but this would also be more convenient)
- more familiar but also different since it is a relatively big city but not huge…a good transition for me
- has a campus AND is a city school
- has an amazing co-op program - im pretty much guaranteed a job after graduation (i can also do a co-op in nyc)
- only have to go abroad first SEMESTER (but not to paris which is where i want to go) and 1/3 of the class will be gone first semester so i will return in the spring with a lot of other freshman in the same boat
- although im not in love with boston, it may be more manageable
- cheaper but not MUCH cheaper
Dislike:
- many kids i know from high school are going there… this concerns me since i reallt want something different… the kids at this school seem very similar to back home since the cities are pretty similar
- im worried i will regret passing up NYC for boston
So what do you guys think i should do? Also, does anyone know what the party scene is like at both schools?
Thanks
Definitely NYU. Both great schools, but it sounds like an experience you absolutely need to have (and it sounds like you already know that). Go try out a new area, experience new things, learn new cultures, and meet new people. Also, the Paris trip sounds awesome. NYU! Best of luck!
@SwellyBelly What experience exactly is needed to have? Starting in Paris for the entire first year and not even seeing NYC until sophomore year? Granted, Northeastern in this case is also a semester abroad too. Regardless, this decision is a lot of close personal factors, not a clear cut one way or the other. You can try out new areas, experience new things, learn new cultures, and meet new people at both schools. Both have very robust study abroad programs, though both programs start abroad here.
@indecisive321
I picked between these two schools myself (in addition to others) and chose Northeastern, but I didn’t live near Boston, have lots of friends going there, or have to go abroad for either school, so different situations. Here are some observations:
NYU:
- How big is the group of students starting in Paris first year? I couldn't find that specific info online. For others, the program is NYU Liberal Studies Paris. It also looks like the program requires you to declare your major/college later and hold certain academic standards to qualify. I would look over those details carefully, as it wouldn't be good to be in a position where you are behind or unable to do the major you'd like to do.
- Combining a lack of campus with coming back from a year abroad doesn't seem like the best recipe, though the advantage of abroad is close friendships formed over there, hence why I'm asking how many students are in the program.
Northeastern:
- The NU.in program isn't 1/3rd of the class, it will be closer to 1/10th (not sure where that first number is from). Still a good size, the transition back to campus is usually smooth and the first semester abroad creates good friendships. Again, same could be said for NYU likely.
- What city are you coming from? I came from a metro area with about 600K people, which many would consider a city, or borderline at least. Boston is another animal and I don't think you'll regret choosing Boston. As you said, you can always co-op in NYC, something I'm actually planning to do myself for my next one. Co-op is a great way to try out new cities, and we have housing in NYC, SF, and Seattle I believe. Many companies offer corporate housings or stipends with travel in the first place.
- Not wanting to be in the same environment as high school is very understandable and something I was looking for as well. Exactly how many people from your school will be there? The school is big enough that a few or even 10 will likely mean that you won't see them unless you try. For context, where do you go to high school? This will also help when it comes to comparisons between Boston and NYC.
General:
- What are you planning to study? The NYU program looks like a great start for the humanities and related topics. If you're looking to do anything STEM/Business, I would make sure you wouldn't fall behind. Once back to campus at both, the strength of the programs at each is a good consideration as well.
- A big difference you didn't highlight is the core curriculum design at each. NYU is much closer to a liberal arts style with pretty set and extensive core requirements, while Northeastern is designed for flexibility around co-op and more focused on your major from the first semester. Neither is better or worse, but I would guess you may have a preference.
Plenty of kids go to NEU and NYU a from our school. I hear more “love” from the NEU kids. My kid has a good friend who went abroad first sememster at NEU. She loved it, had a great time. Seems to have had no trouble settling into campus life at NEU. Boston is a great city. You will get excellent work experience there.
As far as you being shy, my kid is shy. She had a hard time settling in. She now has freinds and is happy. In many ways, I wish she had gone abroad as a freshman. It’s going to be harder to dwell on your loneliness, or any other issues when you are in a city like Paris. I went abroad in college and was so busy having fun and discovering a new world that I never even thought about being homesick and it ended all too soon. In a nutshell, I think you should go to the school you feel more drawn to. Either way, you have to study abroad. If you have always wanted to go to Paris, which is a wonderful city, and you like NYU go for it. If having a more collegey campus feel is important to you and the coop appeals, go for NEU.
How much debt will each school involve?