<p>Your D’s rationale is extremely similar to mine. What have you heard about NYU financial aid? Do I need to worry about them getting her there, and then stiffing her next year? NYU did offer a LOT more help than BU.</p>
<p>The scuttlebutt is that NYU is more stingy with aid than many comparable schools. But if you already have your package and it is quite generous, then you have already passed that hurdle. Obviously, there is something your D brings to the table that NYU really wants.</p>
<p>Maybe there is a parent on CC who has specific experience with NYU financial aid as the student progresses through college.</p>
<p>Momsrus - I see you’re kind of new to CC (at least as indicated by your join date) - (I am too.) But I’m wondering if you’ve been all over the NYU discussion threads on this? Perhaps you can post a thread about past experiences with their Fin Aid office? Or what about it should lure your d back east? Just a thought…</p>
<p>talk to folks at NYU and explain your situation, tell then your child really wants to go to NYU but can’t afford it, maybe they’ll give you more aid, also even if your child doesn’t go to NYU she can always transfer after a year or two</p>
<p>People I know have had bad experiences with financial aid from NYU. A student I know from a middle class (really middle class – probably a $75 k or so income max) family that already has 1 kid in private college, was offered only about $1,800 from NYU, tens of thousands below what need-based aid would have qualified the family for. The student is turning down NYU and going to one of the two top 15 privates that offered the student much better aid.</p>
<p>I’ve seen similar things happen to others.</p>
<p>Let me give you a New York area person’s view. I am usually a little Eastcoastcentric in my view of colleges. But if I were you, I would absolutely send my daughter to a UC school. People all over the country are paying big bucks to send their kids there. Santa Cruz is just gorgeous. New York is a fantastic city. But if she wants to see New York, she could get an internship and come in the summer. Of your whole family could enjoy a trip out here and take in the sights together. There is no prestige value to NYU that you won’t get from your UCs, they are on the same level, more or less. New York is a great place for people who are passionate about New York, but otherwise, it’s very draining.</p>
<p>"She has strong leadership skills, is creative and extremely personable. She sings and does a lot of community service…She loves travel… and very grounded. "</p>
<p>If it really won’t break the bank, and she truly wants to go to NYU, the school, and NYC, would probably be a great experience for her. Is it worth the $$? That seems to be the hottest question on CC these days…(Although, to be fair, it’s not just the economy. That seems to be the hottest question on CC every year at this time!)</p>
<p>I’m a born and bred New Yorker and my daughter plans on spending her life here but she refused to apply to any NY colleges so I know what you’re saying about being too close! </p>
<p>There are a few considerations with NYU - it’s large, very large, and disjointed. There is no campus (sorry, I don’t buy that Washington Square Park is the campus!), dorms are scattered all over the place. I am old enough to remember when NYU was not a popular college, it was easy to be accepted and NY was not a popular city; my concern for your daughter is that with the current economic climate the city is going to just get by at best which may make it a little more affordable but also a little more scary for a non-city kid (i.e. more homeless people around Washington Sq. Park). I also don’t know how that will effect NYU. I love NY no matter what state it is in and I never want to leave it long term but it’s not for everyone.</p>
<p>NYU won’t be a “true” college experience where the school is the center of the universe and the town exists for the college kids. My daughter and I found that to be the case even at USC and UCLA, it’s also pretty much the case up at Columbia/Barnard in NY, but not NYU. It’s the only time you can get that kind of atmosphere and I think that should be a consideration as well.</p>
<p>Just some additional food for thought. Good luck!</p>
<p>doame–Excellent suggestion! Thanks for the tip. I hadn’t found those threads.</p>