Help me please: NYU Shanghai vs Carleton College vs U of Edinburgh

Colleges and Universities A-Z New York University
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<p>Please, help me with choosing the school I will attend this fall.</p>

<p>A few words about me: I come from East Central Europe. Though still undecided about my major, I am especially interested in natural sciences (STEM) and economics/business. At this moment, I would like to do engineering (chemical? mechanical?) as an undergraduate and obtain the MBA degree. Also, I don't know yet whether I will stay in the country I will have been studying in or come back to my home country.</p>

<p>NYU Shanghai:
Brand new college in China under NYU sign. I visited it 2 weeks ago and feel like I really could live there. Graduating there, I will be holding the NYU and ECNU degrees, fluent in Chinese and having more stamps in my passport than after any other college. At this moment, they don't offer mechanical engineering (probably will), but majoring in economics or finance in Shanghai is very tempting. On the other hand, it's still a bit risky venture. I asked them for a better financial aid offer, since the proposed one doesn't let me study there.</p>

<p>University of Edinburgh:
I got offers for economics, biochemistry and chemical engineering. Though they are conditional, I will probably fulfill all requirements. It's a prestigious university, recognized all around the world (I know, it's not the main reason to choose the school, but it's definitely an advantage considering application to the MBA program or first work). I will not have to pay tuition fees there, so the costs seem pretty low. Also, its location is an advantage - I will be able to visit home more frequently than 2 times a year. The only flaw is that the Edinburgh isn't in the USA haha</p>

<p>Carleton College:
I feel that the Carleton really wants me I received huge FA offer, so the costs will be comparable to those of Edinburgh. I'm not even scared of the weather there. Advantages: liberal arts education, rigorious study, typical American college experience and football that I really love. On the other hand, Carleton does not offer engineering (only 3+2 programs or possibility of learning engineering at another university, after graduation). I have the impression that the Carleton isn't recognized not only outside of the USA, but it is not that known even in America.</p>

<p>I hold an offer from University of Glasgow too, but I decided to attend Edinburgh if staying in Europe. Also, I am waitlisted at the Middlebury College. Knowing that the odds are against me, I want to ask if possible admission there is worth it in comparision to Edinburgh, NYU Shanghai or Carleton.</p>

<p>Please, help me. Write, which school would you choose and why. Thanks for reading this and your answers so much</p>

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<p>Since you want to study chemical engineering, Edinburgh makes a lot of sense. Plus, not having to pay never hurts.</p>

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<p>Shanghai seems out because they not only do not offer what you want but also have yet to match your FA offer. As incredible as the prospects seem of being in the inaugural class and I think their J-Terms (if they offer them) would allow for travel but moving out there and not being able to do what you want plus having to bear the expenses is a lot of sacrifices imo.</p>

<p>Between Carleton and Edinburgh, it really seems like your decision comes down to whether or not you want the experience of living in the USA or doing Engineering. And to be honest, now is not the best time to sacrifice the career you want and love for four fleeting years of enjoyment in the states. It’s not like Edinburgh is a prison, it’s an incredibly established university with a really diverse student life. Not to mention it puts you on the fast track to getting your Masters in Engineering.</p>

<p>So Edinburgh if you really want engineering or Carleton if the experience of living abroad is more important. Good luck!</p>

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<p>Hey! So I was EDI to NYUSH, and even though you probably read this on the Facebook page if youre on there- there are a lot of students interested in Mechanical Engineering (they already have electrical engineering- and you could minor in business/finance or economics) so since you won’t be declaring until your sophomore year, I’d say that gives you a great opportunity to open the Mechanical engineering major- They are trying to offer the majors that have the most interest, and there is definitely lots of interest there. </p>

<p>NYUSH is trying to match everyone’s FA to their need, and assuming that they give you a package that works then I think it would come down to the location. This is because all three colleges you’re looking at have highly reputable programs and all would offer you opportunities- however, there is a large different in the ability to get those opportunities depending on location. I don’t know too much about Edinburgh, so I am iffy to say anything about that, but I know if you are dedicated to learning Chinese, being bilingual with English and Chinese is unbeatable in job opportunities— but only if China is something you could see yourself doing in the future.</p>

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<p>Thank you for your reply.</p>

<p>I will be considering NYUSH only if they will give me enough financial aid and offer mechanical engineering. It is very possible though.</p>

<p>I also forgot to add that with good enough scores on my final exams (it really motivated me to study for them haha), I may be allowed to enter the sophomore year directly and do the 5 year long Master of Engineering in four years.</p>

<p>So now it comes down to Edinburgh vs NYUSH - difference between these two couldn’t be greater. Two continents: Europe vs China. The class of around 5000 vs 300. 430 years old university vs brand new one. Finally, the advantages: a safe choice, proximity to home, prestigious, recognized degree vs the fluency in Chinese, incomparable internship/study abroad opportunities, a real adventure.</p>

<p>I know that many of you may be unfamiliar with the Edinburgh. It is one of the UK oldest and best universities - its place in world’s rankings vary from 20s to 50s, depending on the ranking (I know, I know, these are just rankings, they are not conclusive).</p>

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<p>Yeah, either way it looks like you have some great choices :smiley: I’d go with your gut on what you think you want- you couldn’t go wrong with either though.</p>

<p>And the rankings do help, I literally know nothing about Edinburgh!</p>

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<p>Go with Edinburgh hands down.</p>

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<p>^Second that, unless Shanghai provides you with sufficient aid, then you can choose.</p>

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<p>Again, thanks a lot guys.
Now I am waiting for a reply from Shanghai…</p>

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<p>Oh wait! I totally meant to tell you this before, but completely forgot in my post. When (if) you graduate from Shanghai, you will NOT receive a degree from ECNU. ECNU is simply offering the facilities for the students Freshman year while the buildings are being built- when you graduate you will receive a degree conferred by NYU, a degree accredited by China’s Ministry of Education, and a certificate of graduation conferred by NYU Shanghai.</p>

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<p>Even if Shanghai offers sufficient aid, Edinburgh is so much better for engineering than NYU. </p>

<p>NYU is not well-known at all for engineering, in fact, they only recently (as in a few years ago) acquired an engineering school - and the school is not well ranked. </p>

<p>NYU is well-known for social sciences and humanities, whereas Edinburgh is well-known for engineering, social sciences and humanities. The Edinburgh name will carry more weight in engineering than NYU without question.</p>

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<p>NOT true. Carleton is one of the most prestigious liberal arts colleges in the U.S. Employers and grad schools know it well.</p>

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<p>You said in first post you are undecided on major. Regardless…</p>

<p>Carleton…by a mile. Not even close.</p>

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<p>Again, I’d like to thank all of you :)</p>

<p>Yes, I’m still undecided (that’s why I find the idea of liberal arts education so appealing). Considering engineering and economics, I am nearly sure to get an engineering undergraduate degree and then decide between MBA or staying with engineering. At Edinburgh, I have 3 weeks to make the decision about my major.</p>