Did I make the wrong decision?

Colleges and Universities A-Z New York University
1

I’m not sure why I never had second thoughts before this, but I picked NYU CAS over schools such as Berkeley, Cornell, Brown, and CMU. I did this because I thought NYU had the best business school, and I was going to try and transfer in internally after my freshman year. My intended major at the other schools were either computer science or biochem…

I actually later overheard a few people talking about college choices, and one thing they said was that the overall image of the school matters far more than the prestige of one department. I’m not sure, I’m just feeling particularly despondent right now as I think I may have ended up picking the wrong school. I also won’t be double majoring in computer science as I originally intended to, as NYU’s school of engineering I’ve heard isn’t that great.

Can anyone tell me honestly whether or not I made the right decision? I’m paying full price for NYU.

2

If you think you might want to into CS or biochem then I would attend a top research university.

Did you get accepted to any?

They should be more affordable than NYU.

I would not pay that much money for NYU if you’re not sure.

What were your stats? As a freshman you might get huge merit, but as a transfer usually not.

3

Also, for Berkeley and CMU, I had gotten off of waitlists but chose to give up my spot, if that makes a difference, so these two schools weren’t one of my original options…

4

Oh yes, you said you got into CMU, Berkely and Cornell.

5

You passed up CS at CMU and Cornell for NYU? It’s water under the bridge now. Maybe that’s where you are meant to be.

6

Yes, I was priority waitlisted for CS at CMU. For Cornell, it was biochem. I want to go into business – originally I was set on the medical path, but after working as an intern this semester, I think I really prefer it to biology or biochemistry. CS was my parents’ dream and not mine.

I already picked NYU. Originally, before Ivies/waitlists came out, it was a really reasonable choice. Berkeley’s business program is apparently pretty much equal to Stern, and I picked NYU for New York City. CMU, Cornell, and Brown all have business programs that aren’t as great at NYU’s.

So general image of the school really does matter more than specific program?

7

Oops, I meant biological sciences for Cornell, not biochem.

8

Okay sorry for all the consecutive posts, but I’m just feeling worse and worse. If I’m 100% set on business, was picking NYU really such a bad idea?

9

But you are not in Stern.

10

Yes, I know. I didn’t apply to Stern. But I’m going to work really hard to try and transfer, and I’m banking on the fact that hard work will pull me through.

11

Even if you don’t manage to transfer into Stern, NYU CAS Econ (doesn’t have to be Econ could be PoliSci, Physics, History, etc. ) is a fine choice. If I was in HS in you situation I may have chose a Brown or Cornell over NYU CAS but knowing everything I now know, spending 4 years in NYC is incredible for your professional aspirations if you make the right use of it. I say this with friends at Ivies with good grades who have a tough time getting jobs.

I have friends at NYU CAS who landed incredible positions at top consulting and banking and research firms just by doing internships, being active, using NYC to reach out to people in industries they like and by making a good impression on them.

I truly believe you made the right choice. Ignore the noise around you and think about it rationally: you have an opportunity to go to school in NYC which gives you 4 year head start on getting into your desired industry and position over your peers. You don’t realize how competitive its is to get a job in NYC until you go through the process. Being at NYU makes this process infinitely easier.

12

Can your parents afford NYU “out of pocket” - from income and savings, without parental loans?

NYU Stern is very hard to internal-transfer for.
You’ll need stellar grades in math and economics.

However if you major in Econ, stats, or such, you have a great shot at internships.
And if you have money, NYC is a great city.

Did you join a LLC? If not, see if you can still do so.

13

Thank you qwertyzxc. I know it’s too late to change anything, and I guess I really was posting this in the NYU forum hoping for confirmation that I ultimately made the right decision. I just need to make the best of my current situation.

14

You are writing as if you are in a terrible position instead of about to start at a good school in a great city.

15

@MYOS1634 The only thing I can think of that abbreviates to LLC is limited liability company, and I’m sure that’s not what you mean. What does LLC stand for?

16

LLC living learning community

17

NYU is a big university in a large city. Being in a Living Learning Community means you won’t be as isolated as those not choosing a LLC, you’ll make friends quickly, and rhere’ll be trips.