Down to the wire and desperate

College Search & Selection
1

<p>May. First. That is all I need to really say.</p>

<p>I've done a lot of research, but I could use your input from your own research and experiences.</p>

<p>Three choices, no order:</p>

<p>NYU, LSP w/ likely Tisch Track
I admit I applied not knowing what LSP entailed. I only found out about it's murky history after I applied. I did as much research as I could, scouring the various NYU web pages, speaking with administrators, and I can't shake the fact that it seems like 1.) LSP is like a remedial education junior college that was stuck on to make some cash, 2.) its structure is vague and its courses are very, very vague, 3.) I fell for an advertising trap considering many things including the fact that NYU refuses to say associate's degree program, but instead says "two year foundation program" throughout its website. They really glitzed it up. Feel a bit sick inside.</p>

<p>I feel like a slightly second rate student which is not exactly what I'm used to or aspire to be especially since a good LSP GPA is a 2.0 (from their website) and AP credits substitute nothing. I regret not applying to CAS (I thought LSP was a subsection of CAS or something that focused on liberal arts), but apparently there's nothing I can do. I'm wondering if it's worth blowing 50k on a liberal arts education that takes the "liberal" out of "liberal arts" (courses are highly limited).</p>

<p>But the one up side is that I'll be in New York (or London, depending on availability), and I could transfer to Tisch.</p>

<p>-BUT- I could go to one of the colleges below (or apply to late deadline colleges) and then also transfer to Tisch.</p>

<p>I guess I'm mostly looking for inspiration and experience from living in the city.</p>

<p>Iowa Honors, English/Cinema
Iowa, tops for writing, of course. Film production aspects look sketch. Hm. The only stand out thing about Iowa, for me, is the variety and depth of English and writing courses.
And Honors is pretty sweet.</p>

<p>UIUC, Division of General Studies
Going to UIUC would allow me to explore my other interests being assured that I will be in great programs. However, I would be sacrificing English. There aren't comprehensive screenwriting courses or film production classes... or that's what it looks like.</p>

<p>But who knows if I'm even going to do English for sure.
Which is why this is all a terrible balancing game.</p>

<p>Help :( I beg of you.</p>

<p>I'm kind of thinking about transferring later to UMich for Screen Arts.
Or Emerson?
Or Chapman?
USC?
UCLA?</p>

<p>Yikes.</p>

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<p>Where are you cc gods</p>

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<p>I’d lean towards Iowa (for the writing program), but I’m not very familiar with these programs. Is there a study abroad program affiliated with Iowa or UIUC that would add depth beyond the school’s offerings?<br>
Good luck with your decision!</p>

4

<p>I’d choose UIUC. You’re not completely set on English and Illinois is stronger across the board when it comes to other subjects.</p>

<p>And then transfer and be with meeee</p>

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<p>@thumzup: they definitely have study abroad programs
@arkhaik: Very true, but I’m scared of losing out on the writing experience at Iowa.</p>

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<p>Well then, you have answered your own question. Iowa is a very good school in its own right (Big Ten means more than just athletics) and it has a full range of majors. If you want to have that chance at the writing and yet the option to change later if you wish, then Iowa is your best bet.</p>

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<p>I attended UIUC and D attends Iowa – both great schools, but different vibe/atmosphere. Illinois is a little more of everything (size, reputation, etc.) while Iowa is smaller, more personal and perhaps a little warmer atmosphere and more artsy. I’d consider any financial implications and flexibility with available majors, and then go with your heart and what feels right to you. BTW, Iowa has a strong study abroad program…D is a sophomore and has already studied abroad.</p>

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<p>Truly, it’s hard to make a recommendation without knowing the relative cost to you of these three options.</p>

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<p>Iowa and UIUC are good options for you, and if you have to choose the cheapest, you will be fine.</p>

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<p>For what it is worth – my son was admitted to Honors at Iowa and to UIUC, with a strong writing/English interest. Visiting the two schools, he much preferred the environment of Iowa, felt it was more independent, quirky, tolerant. UIUC just seemed big to him. The Iowa administration seems well-organized and effective, a relief to parents. UIUC does have a stronger overall reputation than Iowa but that could be, in part, due to the strength of their science and engineering. For a student with an interest in English/writing, Iowa’s reputation is superb. NYU does not seem a worthwhile option at all as compared to those two choices. Good luck.</p>

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<p>^^^^^</p>

<p>Interesting that MMoB also has experience with UIUC and Iowa, and seems to indicate the same sort of positives for Iowa as I had indicated. I agree that among UIUC’s biggest strengths are engineering (and business, agriculture, etc.) while Iowa has a pretty vibrant arts scene, administration is great, fantastic writing program, friendly vibe, etc. </p>

<p>No bad decision here, but these two great schools definitely have their unique cultures and strengths.</p>

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<p>NYU is not worth the $ - I would go to UIUC or Iowa - whichever is less costly - all things being equal UIUC based on location, vibe, diversity and Chicago proximity.</p>

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<p>I’ve pretty much erased NYU from my choices. The only way I would go there is if I have some unsmotherable urge.</p>

<p>So! It’s down to UIUC and Iowa. Here’s a post I made in the UIUC forum:</p>

<p>UIUC vs. UIowa</p>

<p>These universities are SO BIG that I can’t compile all the information I need to make a sound judgement, so I’m asking students directly for their input.</p>

<p>Things to be aware of:
a) I am not going into any STEM majors (though I may do digital art and computer science).
b) I am most likely going into business and/or creative writing or communications (radio, television, film).
c) I’ve been admitted to Iowa honors, which is a plus for me to go there rather than UIUC.</p>

<p>I appreciate any information and opinions.
Also, how is the film scene at each of these universities? I know Iowa has Bijou, but UIUC has Ebertfest, IFV, and VAMP. Anyone involved in these?
And most importantly, how is UIUC English, creative writing, and communications and media in comparison to Iowa (I know Iowa’s cw rep is legendary, but in case I do choose UIUC, I want to make sure UIUC’s rep is respectable in the areas of study mentioned above).</p>

<p>Misc: Opinion on facilities (gyms, theaters, etc.) and atmosphere (gardens, parks, architecture, etc.)?</p>

<p>For Iowa students: Is anyone dorming in Daum? Is anyone doing the Living-Learning Communities?</p>

<p>Thanks :)</p>

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<p>@Midwestmomofboys</p>

<p>This sounds exactly like the kind of atmosphere I would love! And Iowa seems to lack the charming bureaucracy of NYU and UIUC. Though ISIS along with its other webpages look… outdated and built for five year olds. Terrible graphic design and font choice. However, the logistics of everything is much smoother at Iowa, so I’m going to forget about that >.></p>

<p>Part of the reason I considered NYU was that the majority of students from my high school go to UIUC, Iowa, Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan, etc. Midwest slump, you know, but I’m kinda finding it endearing after spending the majority of my life in the midwest suburbs. Meh.</p>

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<p>Id go uiuc</p>

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<p>If you want to do anything TV, film, studio related, etc., NYU Tisch is the best, hands down, if you can afford it. </p>

<p>If you’re looking to do just english, NYU is the highest ranked for, but UIUC is not far behind at all – save your money and go to UIUC. </p>

<p>I don’t know exactly what the cost differences are for you though, so I can’t really attest to that, but I assume NYU is a decent amount more expensive than UIUC?</p>

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<p>I think NYU is about 20k more for just tuition. And I wouldn’t be in Tisch as a first year anyway.</p>

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<p>You would be in LSP, but you would then transfer into Tisch – which for TV, film, studio, etc. is the best place to be; Tisch is world class for what it does. But, if it’s $20,000 more per yr + room and board, it’s hard to justify going to Tisch unless your parents can pay the difference without putting themselves in financial hardship.</p>

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<p>Agreed. My plan is to transfer to Tisch or another college that is better for the areas I want to study. But I have to pick the college I want to go to now haha</p>

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<p>Remember – it’s much harder to transfer into NYU than it is to get in as a freshmen.</p>