<p>I'm currently a sophmore attending Rutgers with a 4.00 gpa. With scholarships and such, I'm paying close to nothing for my education. However... I'm tempted to go to NYU.
I think the environment is more interesting, the people are more interesting, the classes smaller and more difficult, etc.
Partly it has to do with that Rutgers, which is already ranked lower than NYU, is getting worse while NYU is getting better.
But I recognize that most likely, the academics are going to be marginally different. I'm more interested in the social aspect. Living in the city, being surrounded by people who are well... more of my socioeconomic status I suppose. I just don't feel like I fit in too well at my state school.
Anyway, I was wondering if people think that's really worth all the extra money NYU would cost (keep in mind I'll only be attending for 2 years).</p>
<p>with a 4.0 GPA, have you thought about applying anywhere else? A 4.0 GPA is quite impressive and will open a lot of doors.</p>
<p>There are two ways of viewing NYU:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>The enviornment is more interesting vs. the noise, congestion, and lack of an organized campus.</p></li>
<li><p>The people are more interesting vs. the lack of cohesion between students.</p></li>
<li><p>Status vs. a 4.00GPA that will get you to grad school.</p></li>
<li><p>Feeling like you don't fit in whith other Rutger undergrads vs. the same (a good number of NYU kids have an established circle, that can be hard to break into).</p></li>
<li><p>Low cost, solid education vs. possibly high cost education.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>NYU is more glamorous, and more trendy than Rutgers; but, NYU does still have large classes and a fragmented feel to it. Because there is so much going on in the city, life on campus does suffer to an extent, so it it not for the faint of heart or for those who want an intimate experience. </p>
<p>If you're outgoing, cofident, a little thick-skinned, and can deal with the positive and negative aspects of city living and absorb its cost, then NYU is a good deal.</p>
<p>Other schools to look at if you like the city experience: Northwestern, UWashington--Seattle, Fordham, Tufts, BC, BU, Chicago, Tulane, etc...</p>
<p>Is it worth the extra money to attend NYU? It just depends on what you can deal with and who you are as a person.</p>
<p>Personally, I love cities so I am partial to schools in or near them. But, I also like not having to deal with blaring horns, runaway taxis, the smell of bus fumes, the grittiness of some streets, and the distractions because it makes me focus less on intellectual contemplation and developing a stronger self awareness and more on immediate self-gratification and looking for things to do in the city rather than on campus. </p>
<p>That's why, for me, I'm more of a small college, liberal arts kind of person. I know my fondness for city life, so it was difficult to realize that a large, city school would not lead me where I wanted to go or help me develop as much as I would like.</p>
<p>Besides, after college and maybe grad school, I'm sure I'll inhabit a city--and enjoy its attractions. :)</p>
<p>Just my two cents. Good luck!</p>
<p>I think it would be worth it considering how you've spent practically nothing so far. I'm doing the same thing at my CC and then transferring into NYU. You only experience your undergrad college years once, so if you're not liking Rutgers (and NYU is becoming "better and better") I think it'd be worth it to get the degree from NYU and the experience that you're looking for. The way I see it, the cost of attending a high-price private for two years is a/b the same as attending a state school for 4 years so ultimately you'll have ended up doing what most people do. </p>
<p>Or you could graduate from Rutgers with practically no debt. But if you're getting a 4.0, I'd look around (maybe Columbia as well) and see what you can get out of the expenses of attending a private. You are obviously not challenged, too bored (so you study a lot), or a combination of both.</p>
<p>you're only a sophomore. who says you're gonna maintain a 4.0 for the next 3 years? anyways, i transferred from rutgers to michigan. it has seriously changed my life and everything is so different. i'm actually challenged in my classes for the first time in my life and everything here (socially, school spirit, atmosphere) is definitely worth it. you only get to go to college once.</p>