<p>I need your advice on which university to choose.I got an admission on New York University and University of South Carolina.
I'm not sure which one to choose. I appreciate your advice. Considering point such as: </p>
<ul>
<li>Quality of Education. </li>
<li>Location of the University, NY vs. Columbia in SC. </li>
<li>Living Expenses. </li>
</ul>
<p>Notice, I'm going to study master degree in Computer Science and I'm international student.</p>
<p>Thanking You.</p>
<p>NYU is ranked higher than USC in computer science, but they are in the same general range (mid-ranked) so the difference is probably not that large in terms of quality of the departments and reputation.</p>
<p>Columbia, SC is WAY cheaper than New York.</p>
<p>Columbia’s also a smaller city - the metropolitan area of Columbia (so both the city proper plus neighboring suburbs) has just under 800,000 residents, whereas New York has 8 million and the metropolitan area has nearly 20 million people. I’ve never been to Columbia but I’m from the South, and I can bet you that Columbia’s public transit system sucks - you’ll probably need a car to get around comfortably and easily. In New York, you could easily live without a car, but the money you’d save on that you’ll spend on housing. Housing is ridiculously expensive in New York, especially in the neighborhood NYU is in. You’d have to live in a different neighborhood and commute unless you’re wealthy. All of your other expenses will also be more money - food, entertainment, clothing, etc.</p>
<p>Again, I’ve never been to Columbia. But I’m from a Southern city and they feel very different from large Northeastern metropolises - they’re more spread out, more sprawling, more suburbanish with a small urban center. New York is the opposite - everything is very condensed, easily available. In smaller cities, things close up earlier; many things in New York are open and available 24 hours a day. But, you’d be able to rent a much bigger apartment and have a slower, more leisurely pace of life in Columbia.</p>
<p>Personally, I’ve lived in New York for 6 years and I would much rather live in Columbia in the long-term. But that’s because I’m from the South and I already had the NYC experience. If you were asking me 6 years ago when I was beginning my graduate program, I would’ve chosen New York.</p>
<p>Thanks Juillet … So if I understood you correctly … if you were in my shoes … and for sake of experience … you will go for NYU. right?</p>
<p>Notice, I’m international student (not from US) and I would like to get a taste for life in US for a while.</p>
<p>Both are reasonably fine choices. you just have to decide if the respective departments have something in particular you are interested in. Of course there may be cost considerations. And generally where you want to live for a couple of years. I think NYU has a very strong department and is a lot more high profile than Univ South Carolina. Just for reference, and it is not definitive, but US News ranks NYU at 29 and that USC at 101.</p>
<p>I tend to think more people would like to explore NYC which is a unique metropolis in the country and the world. South Carolina might give you a better general idea of how more Americans live, but NYC is one of a kind. You will be in the thick of a very urban environment though with all the benefits and drawbacks of that. It would be a no-brainer for me to go to NY. But you might like a more relaxed lifestyle, a bigger apartment etc.</p>
<p>Many Thanks BrownParent for your thoughts and advice. I appreciate it!!</p>
<p>Yes, if I were in your shoes, I would go to NYU! Also, if your branch of CS involves a lot of math, I know that NYU has a well-reputed math institute (the Courant Institute).</p>
<p>Many Thanks Juillet for your thoughts and advice. I appreciate it!!</p>