<p>I was accepted to NYU (Stern) and Carnegie Mellon (CIT, which is the engineering school), and I am currently split between the two for where I am going next year - which might appear to some as a strange predicament, since they are quite different from each other (i.e. one is business, other is engineering, one has campus, other doesn't, etc.). </p>
<p>The thing is... Stern was kind of a last minute thing. I have no ECs directly related to business, and have never taken any business classes. All the other schools I applied to were for Science/Engineering. I didn't really expect to get in, but then it turned out that Stern was one of the few schools to which I was actually accepted. My decision - aside from safeties - is between NYU-Stern and CMU-Engineering.</p>
<p>Now that I actually managed to get in, I'm quite unsure of whether I should go or not. A lot about my high school career points towards a future career in engineering (AP Physics/ BC calc) or some science (Ap bio/chem). Even my personality (according to my peers) seems to fit the stereotypical engineer better than the stereotypical businessperson (i.e. reserved vs outgoing). This I admit, but the allure of trying something completely new (in this case, business) that I might be good at, and quite possibly enjoy more is unavoidable. I don't want to become an engineer just because I seem to fit the personality for it. Although I had taken a lot of science courses, it was mainly because they were required at my school (that is to say, I never really gave a second thought about not taking a science course and taking a business course instead).</p>
<p>I don't want to look back on this critical decision in my life. Perhaps that is too much to ask, but at least I can try. I was wondering if anyone else here is in a similar situation and would have some advice for me. Also, if anyone could offer some perspectives on either field or either college, that would be extremely appreciated. All opinions are welcome.</p>
<p>(btw, i may only have 7 posts, but I do lurk around these forums a lot, so I guess I can be considered a somewhat-literate CCer)</p>
<p>When I was younger, I told my Dad i wanted to be rich (Lol). He told me to get a techinal undergraduate degree, work a few yaers and get the masters degree in business. He said leveraging a technical degree with an MBA would be the way to go.</p>
<p>I chose Stern, but I did apply and get in to Tepper at CMU. CMU is vvery strong across the board. You have two fine choices. Good Luck.</p>
<p>I would personally go to Carnegie Mellon. Overall it’s a stronger school than NYU, so if you change your mind about Engineering, you can do Economics/ Business there. But if you go to NYU and change your mind about Business, our Engineering program in NYU-Poly is honestly not that good, so you’d be screwed. </p>
<p>You can go into Business with an Engineering degree, but never the other way around. Engineering + MBA is the smartest choice. But Engineering is really difficult, whereas Business isn’t - so if you don’t really want to be an engineer, it might not be worth it.</p>
<p>I have gathered that engineering tends to be more difficult than business. I was wondering if there was any truth to this statement, since (perhaps sadly) I am lured towards the “easier” field, or perhaps the less study-intensive field. I want to try to make up for my aversion to raw studying and memorization with other not-so-traditional methods. While I am capable of doing the intense work required of engineering, I am not sure whether I would be happy doing it. </p>
<p>Also, many would probably agree that engineering + MBA offers a very smart combination, but I was wondering whether an undergraduate degree in some business concentration with a minor in something like computer science + MBA would pack just as powerful a punch. </p>
<p>By the numbers, it appears that Stern undergraduates make an average of $60k a year, while, suppose a chemical engineer, makes an average of $70k a year. While I am aware that having more money does not necessarily equate to happiness, I am also pretty sure that having a stressful job that is insecure and doesn’t pay much is not necessarily happiness either. I was wondering if someone could expand on the career-related aspects of careers in business and/or engineering.</p>
<p>I am grateful for all your opinions. I will of course be visiting both colleges before I make my final decision.</p>
<p>The $60,000 of Stern is the BASE salary. Your annual bonus will vary, with a sign in bonus of about $8-$10k and an annual bonus from $10,000-$50,000 depending on the field of business u enter (consulting will lead to a lower annual bonus, whereas finance banking is usually about 30 - 50k bonus, depending on the state of the economy). I don’t know much about engineering salary but from what I know, their base salary may be higher but their annual bonus may be significantly lesser.</p>
<p>Second, I don’t think a career in business will necessarily lead to a relaxing life. Investment banking for example may carry in a TON of cash but you will end up working almost 100 hours a week or in some cases even more. Again, investment banking is just one small area of business (although it is the most lucrative and hence most gunned for by undergraduates), but you get my point on a career in business, not being exactly an easy-going career.</p>
<p>In my opinion I think you should choose your school based on what area of study you are most interested in and where you think you will best excel at, and not based on salary, because both schools will give you a fair opportunity at a high starting salary. I think you will be most happy studying a topic that you are actually interested in. </p>
<p>*PS. If you want to enter the field of Finance, go NYU Stern hands down.</p>