<p>I had applied to NYU and Columbia and in my mind I was almost certain that I would get admitted to NYU but not Columbia, so until I had received the decisions, I was researching NYU more than Columbia and liked it a lot. However, I've received admission letters from both school and now I'm completely confused. So, after thinking for awhile, these are the factors that are most important to me in choosing the school:</p>
<p>1) Academics Quality [I'm planning to apply for PhD in Stanford and MIT later, does my Master degree school make a difference in my chances to get a successful application]
2) Student Life [How much fun am I missing by choosing a school over the other] - remember I will be a grad student, not a college student</p>
<p>Now, from what I read, I know that Columbia beats NYU at the first factor but not the second one. So, If I were to give equal weight to both factors, which one should I go for? In other words, is the difference in student life worth rejecting Columbia's offer, or is the difference in academics quality worth rejecting NYU's offer.</p>
<p>At the graduate level, you find your own fun. The university has nothing to do with it, although certainly the specific grad students in your program do – something that’s impossible to predict. I suspect your idea of “student life” is based on the undergraduates, although there would be many people who would refute your evaluation of NYU being more fun than Columbia.</p>
<p>Look at the two in terms of academics and the fit with your particular interests. Which has better professors in your area? Also, since you are thinking about eventually getting a PhD, consider which PhD program is better. Not only will the M.S. reputation rests in part on the success of the PhD program, but also many programs encourage their best students to stay on as PhD students. </p>
<p>For grad school, you should always attend the most prestigious program that accepts you – provided that it meets your academic needs.</p>
<p>In graduate school, you should ALWAYS pick a school based on the quality of the program and not the social life unless you think you’ll drop dead from boredom or pull out all your hair in stress at the other school. If you know that the CS program at Columbia is better, there should be no question. It’s only two years (for now). Besides, as Momwaitingfornew mentioned, as a graduate student you make your own fun. My social life as a graduate student has almost nothing to do with Columbia but everything to do with New York, the family that I have that lives close by, and my own amusement. I do have friends from my program who I hang out with, but I think I would have friends anywhere.</p>
<p>If you could visit I would suggest that - I visited before I came and the atmosphere at Columbia really drew me. I don’t know whether CS is in Fu or GSAS, but the atmosphere at GSAS is very collegial. There are lots of student groups that are for graduate students or include them, and events for graduate students. You also have access to discounted event tickets like Broadway shows and the like (there’s a free ice skating event at Columbia next Tuesday, we’re going to a rink in Central Park. It’s a grad committee event). Also, I feel like my colleagues in both departments - both at the GSAS and the Mailman School of Public Health (I’m in an interdisciplinary program) are very friendly and like to hang out when we have the time. My department has graduate student teas 3 times a semester, a welcoming party, holiday parties, and tons of informal events with food (like after colloquia or when someone defends). The more advanced graduate students are around to advise and talk to their juniors, and the professors are friendly and collegial, too - first name basis here. Even the famous professors in my departments are called by their first names. The other department is slightly less so but that’s just because of departmental differences, everyone is still friendly and on first-name basis.</p>
<p>Of course, the difference will be departmental, but I think you should select Columbia if you know that the school meets your needs. I mean, think about this, you can always ride down to Greenwich Village and take a class or hang out with the NYU cats but at the end of the day, your diploma will say Columbia - not that NYU isn’t a great school too, but consider that. When you are applying for PhD programs or jobs no one will care whether you enjoyed yourself in graduate school.</p>
<p>amnj86, if you don’t mind sharing, what were your stats like?
I’m applying to Columbia and NYU for CS as well, and from what I’ve seen, Columbia has definitely been my top choice. It seems to be stronger academically as you had said and I went to visit both campuses over the summer and definitely liked the feel of Columbia much more than that of NYU. soo I’d definitely say go with Columbia :D</p>
<p>Thank you very much for your responses!!! You make really good points on social life in Grad School! You’ve certainly given me something to think about, I will pay Columbia campus a visit soon!</p>
<p>As far as the specific program quality, it turns out after research, that Columbia has indeed a slight edge on that (according to one study - US News, Columbia scores 3.9/5.0 whereas NYU scores 3.4/5.0). NYU does have a very reputable research institute though (Courant Institute) ranking fifth in citation impact. When it comes to Computer Science academics they seem to be of about same quality. Columbia has a more reputable name which I guess comes from its overall higher rank and its Ivy League tag. </p>
<p>webspiderus, my stats are as follow:
GPA 3.65/4.0 , Major GPA: 3.80/4.0. From my home country university (University of Jordan) which I’m guessing the review committee is probably not familiar with its CS department.
GRE Quant: 760, GRE Verbal: 340
TOEFL: 105/120
One publication on WSEAS</p>
<p>Although stats do not look that impressive, I’ve been admitted to top research schools like Cornell, Columbia, NYU and USC. Rejected by less reputable schools like University of Delaware. The reason is because research schools put more emphasis on personal statement and recommendation letter which I really showed a great research potential (I had even explicitly asked my professors to show my love of academics), other schools look for that very disciplined “by the book” A-student. Good Luck on your application!</p>
<p>I have a question though, webspiderus, where did you get your undergraduate degree ? Don’t you feel like you’ll have different experience with NYU non-traditional urban campus, rather that Columbia’s tradition campus (which is similar to UG level college experience)?</p>
<p>Thanks amnj!
I’m currently finishing up my degree at UC Davis. As far as the difference of experience, I think academically the traditional campus is much more conducive to getting stuff done (at least for me), since it’s easier for me to recognize when I’m ‘on campus’, and get into ‘school mode’ and get stuff done. Either way, I feel like it’s what you make it - the things I enjoy about the Columbia campus is that I think it encourages a lot more congregation of similar-minded people than NYU would just by the virtue of everything being much more connected. I also got to tour Columbia’s CS facilities (whereas I got a tour of NYU by my friend there who’s majoring in Film Studies, so she didn’t know too much about the CS aspect of things :P), and I have to say I really liked the feel.
What field are you applying to? I’m planning to go into Security / Cryptography, and both programs definitely came out as looking quite strong (I looked at USNR’s ranking of CS grad schools in general, but I don’t feel like it’s as vital as the strength of the particular field you’re applying to).</p>
<p>I see what you’re saying webspiderus , My brother has been visiting Columbia and he described it exactly like you and juillet. He liked the “feel”, he says the atmosphere is nice and students seem to hang out and have fun.</p>
<p>Additionally, I’ve been reading and gathering information on Columbia CS faculty and they seem to have very active professors and shining names on ACM.</p>
<p>I’m interested in Software Systems and Network Systems, although I had picked “Computer Security” in my application. But recently my interest has shifted more towards Operating Systems and Programming Languages and Compilers. It is a fascinating science in all of its fields :)</p>
<p>Best of luck to you, are you applying to Spring 2010 or Fall 2010?</p>
<p>Thanks again I’m applying for Fall 2010 - the reason I’m leaning to Cryptography is that I’m also majoring in Mathematics, so I feel like it would be a good combination of the two fields.</p>
I’m applying for Fall 2010 - the reason I’m leaning to Cryptography is that I’m also majoring in Mathematics, so I feel like it would be a good combination of the two fields.</p>