<p>I'm a current freshman at NYU (Undecided CAS but want to do Marketing) and I definitely want to transfer to a smaller school with a campus. Although the opportunities are boundless here, I don't want to spend college here because there is no community. I really want to go to BC (I was heavily debating between BC and NYU before I applied to nyu ED actually...) because it has a relatively good b-school and it's on a beautiful campus, great location, and everyone there seems to love it. The problem is, is that my mom and my brother (a Stern grad) don't believe it is 'good' enough, and I'd be downgrading. My mom believes it's better for me to be surrounded by 'smart/well-rounded' people at schools (and I do agree) and then they suggest places like Brown or Williams or Vassar or Tufts and I don't know what to say to convince them or if I should listen to them. I know BC isn't as regarded as highly as NYU but it's still good and I'd have a great shot at getting in. Brown would be nice, but having gone to a summer camp there, I prefer BC's overall vibe. Moreover, I don't think my numbers are stellar enough, though I have strong extracurrics:
Highschool GPA (unweighted): Top 10% 3.65
SAT total: 1990 (690 M, 640 CR, 660 W)
College GPA (currently first semester freshman): maybe 3.6</p>
<p>What can I do? I showed my mom the BC's reputation thread from here, hoping she'd see how tough the acceptance rate can be and pretty good stats and she said she is even more 'worried' about BC because they seem to focused on athletics and partying. UGH.</p>
<p>I don’t think that there is a material difference between NYU’s and BC’s academic reputations as undergraduate institutions. NYU is undoubtedly a better graduate school; Stern is certainly well known. But a BA from NYU is not going to have a leg up over a BA from BC. I view a transfer from NYU to BC as a side step–neither up nor down. </p>
<p>They are, of course, very different institutions culturally. Very different. So different, in fact, that I doubt that there is much overlap in their applications. Frankly, if these were your top two choices for college, I suspect that you didn’t think through the process very much and/or didn’t have very good guidence. </p>
<p>I do think it is a bit early to decide to transfer. Halfway through the first semester away at college, many freshmen are in the throughs of buyers remorse. It’s natural—and it usually goes away. There is a reason why you chose NYU in the first place, and that rationale is likely to be reinforced if you give it some time. That said, if you really decide that a beautiful campus, sports, and school spirit are very important to you, NYU is clearly not the right place. </p>
<p>If you do decide to apply to transfer–I agree with your parents that Brown or Williams would be a step up. But I agree with you that its likely a step too far unless you come up with something close to a 4.0 at NYU. Tufts is a bit easier–but it is not large and probably does not accept a lot of transfers. I would rank Tufts ahead of BC, but not by a lot. Perhaps you could appease your parents by applying to Brown, Williams, Tufts and BC and transfer to the best school you get into.</p>
<p>I think of BC as the better school for undergrads.</p>
<p>I’d show your parents this site so they can read up on what it takes to transfer into Brown or Williams. You’d have to wait another year to have any real shot as you didn’t have the scores to get in out of HS.</p>
<p>Its a lifestyle and experiential thing. I get that. Your parents should get off the prestige hound thing and look at the bigger picture: your happiness and ultimately your success. Not that BC is any slacker school. To the contrary, you will be challenged to the max and be writing papers until you are dizzy. And they will be tough graders up there. </p>
<p>But yes, its a classical school, with a campus, school spirit and sports galore. </p>
<p>I’ve never been a big NYU fan for undergraduates. That is my bias. Plus I am a huge supporter of Jesuit colleges. If I had known about this before you applied ED (you were lucky to get in with those stats and scores), I would have strongly counseled you to go to BC. Frankly, getting into BC with those stats and scores would have been anything but a slam dunk. They are highly competitive. Maybe you did get in, and if so, you should consider yourself lucky. </p>
<p>But if you want to go to BC, make sure you are being rational and measured. That its really what you want. (I can’t think of two better examples of polar opposite choices…so it makes me wonder what on earth you were thinking to begin with?) </p>
<p>I support your move under those circumstances.</p>
<p>Hold firm. BC is a very good school. Your brother just wants validation for his own choice, so that’s not important. Do not give up your opportunity for a full college life for your brother’s wishes.</p>
<p>Go ahead and apply to those other schools as well. You won’t likely get accepted into those other schools. There’s also no guarantee that you’ll get into BC. I think you also need to apply to a safety school that you like.</p>
<p>BTW…I don’t think NYU is that hard to get into these days. I was shocked to see kids with lowish scores (like ACT 24/25) get into NYU last spring.</p>
<p>I concur that your numbers are not Ivy-Williams caliber, unless you gotta hook. Heck, the transfer to BC is not a sure thing with a 3.6, even though it accepts many transfers every year. Suggest you apply to several places to transfer and leave the decision-making to the Spring. By then you might be more comfortable at NYU.</p>
<p>Like Ghostbuster, I’m not a fan of urban-style campuses, either. But that is just personal preference. Obviously, many love, love the Big Apple first and foremost.</p>
<p>Umm I look at BC is being higher ranked than NYU. Stern is better for an MBA. You should do what will make you happy… you’ll only have once chance at having that “college experience” because it’s not the same when going to grad school.</p>
<p>Thanks for the help guys. Btw, my brother doesn’t want validation for his own choice, he agrees with me wanting to transfer. I grew up coming to/living in the city so I am used to that factor. I was debating between BC and NYU because they are pretty similar ranking wise (NYU having a slighter edge), and I am still on par with their stats. I love the city so I came here for that, the opportunities, and the connections but there’s no community and there ever won’t be any here and I want to have a college experience. My brother just doesn’t think undergrad b-school (especially BC’s) doesn’t matter much and a degree in Marketing isn’t legit.</p>
<p>“My brother just doesn’t think undergrad b-school (especially BC’s) doesn’t matter much and a degree in Marketing isn’t legit.” </p>
<p>Why “especially BC’s”? It happens have a very good business program (top 20, I think) and has been cited in a number of “polls” for its quality. And, fyi, it is the hardest school at BC to get in – harder than Arts & Sciences, apparently (which is an abrupt turnaround from decades ago when it played second fiddle to A&S).</p>
<p>BC is making impressive strides in many academic fields and is developing a campus master-plan that will undoubtedly solidify the very positive perception it’s getting.</p>
<p>Would that I were a student there (again!). It’s a very exciting time at BC.</p>
<p>I agree with your brother: a liberal arts degree, particularly econ, is better than undergrad biz; of the undergrad biz degrees, more quantitative is better than less quant (i.e., marketing).</p>
<p>I agree with the BC advocates. But I’d just like to point out that Tufts has a very pretty campus, too. I applied there for my MA in English, way back in the day, largely because I was walking by the campus one fall day at dusk, and the trees were ablaze with color, and it was all so lovely… (Plus, I lived about two blocks away, in “Slummerville.”)</p>
<p>Got my MA there. Of course, after I was accepted and awarded full ride & stipend, we moved to Arlington Heights, so – so much for the convenience factor. LOL! I still loved the campus, though.</p>
I applied there for my MA in English, way back in the day, largely because I was walking by the campus one fall day at dusk, and the trees were ablaze with color, and it was all so lovely… (Plus, I lived about two blocks away, in “Slummerville.”)</p>