I got accepted into both of these schools. My intended major is Biology.
NYU - COA: 29K/yr (I’m not really sure why NYU is regarded as being terrible with aid considering they not only met my full need but also threw in some more)
Northwestern - COA: 43K/yr
I got accepted into NYU’s Presidential Scholars Program which only 5% of CAS students get accepted into. Apparently guaranteed research in labs and priority in advising
I have visited NYU and loved it. I love the whole city feel and like how it doesn’t feel like I’m stuck in a defined area (I don’t really like campuses). Also, I was raised in NYC (not living there currently) so I know the ins and outs. Still going to visit Northwestern, but from what I have seen, it looks like a good campus.
My stats: 35 ACT, 2250 SAT (Did not submit), 4.0 GPA, Valedictorian of class of 400
The only reason I posted this thread is because my parents are saying they have no problem paying 14K+ more a year since Northwestern is a very prestigious college.
So is it worth going to Northwestern ( a top 15 university) if it is going to cost 56K more than a university that is ranked 32 and that is also guaranteeing me research experience?
FYI, don’t forget the living costs of living in NYC! I personally would pick NU if cost isn’t a big issue. I think it will provide you a more traditional college experience.
Honestly, although Northwestern is probably the more prestigious university, NYU is more recognizable to most people. So in your situation I’d probably go with NYU seeing as the main thing that Northwestern has over NYU is prestige, but that front sorta falls short…
The question here is do you want a more traditional college experience? NU will give you a campus, sports teams, etc. NYU will not. Instead it will give you a “living in Manhattan” experience. Personally, Manhattan will be there in four years, a more traditional college experience won’t. But that’s my opinion (plus I’ve spent my whole life in NYC). What do YOU want for the next four years?
I go to NYU and I have never looked back at my decision. As for “traditional campus” experience… NYU has done a lot to make sure students are not isolated, especially CAS students. CAS students are required to take a Seminar class taught by well renown professors in a small setting of a max of 16 kids… NYU is also very diverse and with a CAS Presidential Scholar Pass, you get all the perks of being at NYU. People on here hate on NYU because of its bad FA (which has hands down gotten so much better over the past few years) but if they give you a good FA package and you want to go, go. It’s an academically stimulating school and its truly a lot of fun.
I don’t think the overall costs will be a $56K differential due to living costs etc. in NYC vs. Evanston. And did I miss this – what are your proposed major(s)? That is more substantial aid than NYU usually offers. They may have kicked in extra due to your earlier NYC experience; one never knows. I’d vote for NU without more info., but I don’t like to recommend taking out too much in loans to anybody.