My last appeal for NYU journalism

Colleges and Universities A-Z New York University
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<p>Okay, so my whole college search/acceptance process has been a rollercoaster...I need to vent, and I'm desperate for advice.</p>

<p><strong>Just a note before my lengthy story: I have put a deposit down at UW-Madison, do not have to put one down yet for Mizzou, and have not put one down for NYU and hopefully they will accept it late (they say they will but it could be a bit risky)</strong></p>

<p>I'm currently on the waitlist at Northwestern (Medill j-school), Georgetown, Columbia, Boston College, and WashU. It's not likely I will get off of any, so for argument's sake, let's assume that I am only in at NYU, UW-Madison, and Mizzou for journalism.</p>

<p>Here's the problem: Madison and MIzzou are wwaaaaayy cheaper than NYU, and although Madison is a stronger school overall, Mizzou wins in the journalism department. I am strongly leaning toward Mizzou and don't have many complaints about the school except that it might be in too small of a town and its academics are less than stellar outside of the j-school. Madison has good academics, and Madison is a fun place, but I don't like much else about the school. The only reason I am hesitant to say yes to Mizzou is that I am unsure about my career choice in journalism, and feel that if I change my mind from reporting/travel journalism/magazine journalism/fashion journalism/freelance writing/editing/publishing/advertising...you get the picture...and want to pursue politics or a career as an English professor, I would be ill advised to stay at Mizzou since it is not known at all for much outside of journalism. </p>

<p>Moreover, my #1 choice besides a couple schools on the waitlist is NYU, but the cost is insane. And factoring in the increase in price of tuition/room and board/personal expenses, and paying for my bro's 3 years at UW-Whitewater, the cost over all 4 years is roughly $250,000 (This also includes me not studying abroad, doing work study, working over summers and getting about $3000 per summer, and my brother contributing $2000 per year). Not to mention expenses to fly home to WI, parents flying to NYU and staying in hotels, etc. I know its a ton of money, and we are unsure about how much IB credit I could get at the school and can't seem to find a clear answer even after calling NYU and searching the web. </p>

<p>Is NYU worth the cost if I'm willing to work like crazy, apply for outside scholarships each year, skimp on living expenses, live in the cheapest dorms or even low cost triples all 4 years if I can, etc.?</p>

<p>I just feel like I have worked my butt off for the past 4 years and have sacrificed so much time, a social life, everything to avoid having to go to a public state school...I don't mean to sound like a prestige whore, but I feel so despairing to have to settle for Mizzou most likely or maybe Madison (and I know both are fine schools...I don't mean it like that). </p>

<p>The other potential problem is that I am a bit unsure about journalism, so when I try to explain to my parents how awesome NYU would be for connections, internships at top fashion or other magazines, etc., they claim that I can't argue that since I'm not 100% sure about journalism and can't argue the same thing for my other interests in politics/Enlish/publishing. But it would be the best place to go for publishing/editing for sure...what about politics or becoming an English prof (unlikely, though). </p>

<p>Basically, it comes down to Mizzou or NYU. Is NYU worth that much money...and my dad doesn't want to have to wait to retire at age 70, but if he retires at age 62-64ish, he'll still have to make a few loan payments of $2,000 per month by then with no income...is it worth that? I don't know how else I can make money to afford NYU, but I'm desperate to go there! Any suggestions, advice, things I can tell my parents? This is my dream (and they know that...money's the problem...)!</p>

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<p>If it’s your dream I would pick NYU, but not if you get in a lot of debt. Would you pick any of the others if you get off the waitlist? Northwestern may also be good for you. You have to decide what’s more important: money VS dream school. I think this will be the number 1 decision. It’s really up to you, go with your heart.</p>

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<p>I would pick NYU and go with my dream…but I can’t just selfishly say that…I have to convince my parents it’s worth it before they let me go…so any ideas, arguments, insight I can share with my parents on why this debt is worth the risk (like lets say my dad loses his job…he knows some people-including those in his company–who have recently), or how else I can be almost sure to get more money–lilke NYU has some merit scholarships for students, good outside scholarships that are not hard to win, borrowing from a relative—prob. not possible since none are rich, etc.?</p>

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<p>re: politics</p>

<p>the department here is okay, but not omg amazing. most of the professors lean moderate/conservative while the student body is pretty liberal. </p>

<p>i know it’s not what you want to hear, but if you’re going to go into something like journalism or english, the debt will CRIPPLE you. you can kiss j-school goodbye if you come to NYU because you’ll have to make debt payments as soon as you graduate. the debt collectors will come calling as soon as they can. you won’t make that much money coming out of undergrad if you’re going into journalism, publishing or politics.</p>

<p>really sit down and think about this. 250k is a LOT of debt to start off your adult life with. i know right now it seems like it’s a disappointment to go to a state school (you’re not being elitist, i completely understand what you’re saying) but think of it as investing in your future. grad school, a PhD program, j-school, all of those are a possibility if you don’t go to NYU. </p>

<p>i feel really bad, i do, because i’ve seen your post and seen how much you want to come here. but looking at your college list, none of the other colleges you are waitlisted at seem to be too much cheaper than NYU. how would you pay for Columbia if you got off the waitlist? </p>

<p>you can try transferring out of whatever university you end up in. it’s a crapshoot, transfer admissions are often more of a crapshoot than undergrad admissions, but it’s still an option. </p>

<p>i’m sorry that you have to make this decision, it’s a really sucky situation.</p>

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<p>@ missamericanpie: I definately wouldn’t consider j-school for grad school or anything if I went to an NYU or a Columbia or whatnot…I’d be happy w/ just an undergrad education.</p>

<p>Mizzou or NYU…aaaggghhh! There’s no real convincing me that I want to go to NYU, I’m really just looking for anything I can throw at my parents to convince them take this leap of faith with me…and I don’t have much time…</p>

<p>Life would be so boring without stress, wouldn’t it? ;)</p>

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<p>you’d be happy with it, but would you be able to get a job as a journalist without grad school or j-school? i’m not familiar with the industry so i have no idea.</p>

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<p>Yea…even majoring in journalism for undergrad isn’t all that important…what matters most is the clippings/samples you can show during interviews, your experience, past internships, and the connections you make…you have to be a good writer…and many is not most journalists don’t go to grad school for a masters or may go back later if they can afford it…many actually major in something else they are interested in writing about such as political science, and get their journalism experience only from writing for student publications, internships (NYC!! hello!! lol) and more…and NYU does have a j-school within the college of arts and science, its not just a major…so its not like it would be a disadvantage going there over Mizzou…</p>

<p>***ooohhh missamericanpie, I noticed you are a transfer to NYU. How was that experience. One thing I have thought about was going to Madison or Mizzou and then trying to transfer to NYU a year or 2 later…was it hard to meet people, get acclimated to the school, make up any credits (like any MAP courses), etc. Could you share a bit of your experience?</p>

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<p>Coffee: I agree with you. There are a lot of journalists who never go to school for journalism. I know that if you go to school for journalism for undergraduate, that most don’t get a graduate degree in journalism. If you majored in something else, it may have been worth it. I personally like Northwestern’s Accel Masters Program, which you get a BA/MA in only 4 years.</p>