So I’m currently a Cornell AEM student and I really dislike the location of the school. I’m used to the opposite of Ithaca - I’m from a big city and it isn’t as cold where I’m from. The program is fine in itself but I’m considering trying to transfer to NYU Stern since I feel like I’ll be happier there, but I obviously don’t want to make a mistake since Cornell is such a great school. Is it worth transferring because I hate the environment? Should I just “live with it”? (Posting this on both NYU & Cornell forums to get more input)
This is a decision you have to weigh yourself. In my opinion (though I’m no expert) there won’t be a significant difference in the employment opportunities between the two schools. Maybe AEM gets a slight advantage because of name (though Stern is a great name too), but Stern gets a slight advantage because of its location - you can literally walk a couple blocks and your in one of the business centers of the world. If you truly hate Ithaca and love NYC, then transferring may be the right move. And trust me when I say I’m being honest - I personally hate NYU and love Cornell (though I’m not much of a city person and I love Ithaca, plus NYU is too close to home), I do not think you’ll be at any disadvantage by transferring.
The only major factor I want to emphasize is cost. If you are from New York, there is a significant cost difference between Cornell CALS and NYU Stern. Tens of thousands of dollars. If you’re not from New York, I believe the difference is less significant.
But again, if this is not an issue, I’d say go for it. It seems like you thought it through, and I’m sure you’ll succeed no matter where you are.
tl;dr: If you want to transfer, you should transfer
Visit NYU Stern and see if it right for you. The campus or lack thereof is completely different than Cornell. School spirit at NYU is non-existent because of the lack of campus/sports.
My kid lives in NYC and goes to Cornell. She has a lot of high school friends at NYU. When she is home she hangs out with them and often it’s at their dorm/apartment. They spend a lot of money when they go out - drinks, dinner and cab rides. If you have the fund NYC can be enjoyable. As a transfer, I don’t know if it would be that easy for you to make friends unless you already have friends at NYU. FWIW - NYC’s weather also sucked this winter. If you are looking for warmer weather you will need to look further south or go to west coast.
“Is it worth transferring because I hate the environment?”
It can be. But make sure a) you really hate it; and b) you are getting something else that will suit you better.
You’re free to differ, but I don’t think NYU is a more appealing setting for an undergraduate education. And I am not alone.
Here’s a recent quote from someone currently attending college in uptown NYC; mimics my D2s sentiments (she actually transferred from a NYC college to Ithaca). Not NYU, but equally applicable.
“…the thing that’s killing me is the absolute lack of community life. it almost feels like a commuter school. people just go to class and then disappear. new york is great, but not so much for a non-wealthy college student. everything is out of reach”
and another opinion expressed recently on this subforum from an NYU law student who attended Cornell undergrad:
“NYC obviously has more parties, clubs, things to check out, etc but it’s all way more expensive and thus more suitable for people making serious dough, not for cheap broke college students barely scraping by. I am glad I didn’t do NYU for undergrad.”
“…it isn’t as cold where I’m from.”
If where you’re from is NYC, I’ve been here in its close suburbs while you’ve been up in Ithaca, and let me tell ya, it’s been miserable here this winter. If that’s a significant aspect of the environment you’re “hating”, then you should target U Miami or something. Because it’s been no picnic here either.
From reading a Cornell “Life on the Hill” blogger’s posts about AEM, frankly it sounds great, in the upperclass years. If you cared to stay on to see them, perhaps instead of hating the environment, maybe you could embrace it- strap on some skis and get yourself to Greek Peak, for example.
But it’s your life. And your opinion/perceptions that count.
I would advise against transferring out of AEM to NYU Stern as well. AEM is a well-regarded program, possibly more so than Stern just due to the additionally Ivy league brand name, and it doesn’t have nearly the same competitive feel that you’d have to deal with at Stern. Stern is known for being cutthroat and while everyone in AEM is competing for the same internships / jobs, etc. people aren’t going to actively try to screw you for their benefit. Plus as people mentioned, unless your parents are rich, the city isn’t going to be a great place to be as a college student. Assuming you want to do business, chances are you’ll end up in NYC anyways, take your four years of college as a time to experience a different location. If it really boils down to the fact that “its cold”, you really have to think about if that is such an issue that its worth giving up the opportunity to graduate from an Ivy League school and top ranked business program. I really don’t think it is.
The grass is always greener. …
Cornell AEM is a good program but if you think you would be a better fit at NYU then definitely transfer. You are not giving up anything since NYU Stern is a world renowned business school and even more so for finance. I’m a current Stern student and I’ve met several Cornell transfers every year.
As for employment similiar opportunities exist at both schools but more employers recruit at NYU just purely based on location. You are also in more control at NYU over your professional life and don’t have to just rely on the what the school brings you but can make opportunities for yourself.