Hey guys! So I am in a very confusing predicament here. I have been accepted to FIU (4 year uni) in Miami but I have also been accepted into a community college in NYC. They both will end up costing me about the same. However, I am confused as to which one would be better for me. If I were to live in NYC, I realize that there is a commute of at least 30 mins (I’d live with someone I know) whereas in FIU I would be living in dorms. BTW I am majoring in Computer Science. And I believe I am motivated enough to maintain a good GPA so I think that in NYC i would do my 2 years in CC then move onto NYU or some other better school and in FIU, well I would maintain good GPA but I’m not sure I’d end up transferring. Since I am going from high school to college, which would be a better transition? To a big city like NYC or a campus environment such as FIU? Is the “college experience” worth it? Is it harder to make friends and relationships in a CC in New York than FIU? And in the long run, is going to a CC then transferring better for me than just doing my four years in FIU.
Thanks for reading. I have been putting off my decision for months now but I have to finally decide and I need some outside advice from someone who isn’t my parents lol.
Also to take into account: I checked out Rate My Professors and it seems like most if not all FIU profs relating to my major have a rating of 3ish 3.7 max whereas I consistently see high ratings of 4 and above in the CC in NYC.
Don’t rely on rate my professors to make a choice. There are great teachers everywhere, bad teachers everywhere, and ratemyprof is so biased.
I don’t see the point in attending a CC if it will end up costing the same. Community college is generally supposed to be the affordable option. Commuting sucks and finding affordable living is hard.
It is hard of us to know whether a CC would be best for you. It’s not necessarily going to be easier. Did you do well in High school? Do you have good study skills and time management? If you’re going to attend a CC why aren’t you staying closer to home? NYU is competitive, there is no way of knowing if you’ll get in.
The traditional four year experience can be worth it yes. It is much harder social atmosphere in a community college and transferring is also hard to make friends. Entering as a freshman, you generally do freshman activities and live together. This can create strong bonds.
I don’t understand how community college in NYC will cost you the same amount as FIU, but if that is actually the case it doesn’t sound like a good choice for you.
Even if you did get into a school like NYU, how would you pay for it? If you already know that FIU is affordable for you it may make more sense to just go there and do well in four years.
Yes, it will be harder to make relationships and friends at a CC in NYC than a traditional four-year university. Many CC students are non-traditional, non-degree students who are just taking a class here or there, or returning to school after many years off. CCs are largely commuter campuses, too.
@elena3142 I just graduated high school with a 3.7 GPA. And when I’m motivated I have excellent study/time management skills. 
In NYC one of the biggest advantages for me is that I’ll be living with a relative who is settled in NYC as well.
@julliet I received a merit scholarship from FIU that significantly helped.
I guess I’m in a dilemma because I want the best possible education for my major (Computer Science) while building a technical resume, and I don’t know if I’d get that from FIU (their CS isn’t the best, so I’ve heard anyway).
Anyway, thank you so much for the input guys I really appreciate it.
If you are truly unhappy with FIU, take a gap year and reapply to a better list of places.
There is no reason to pay OOS costs and commute 30 minutes (or more) each way to a community college in NYC when you can be at a 4-year institution for the same price. Start at FIU. If you want to apply to transfer in the future, then do that then. But at least you will be at an affordable 4-year place if you aren’t admitted anywhere else.
This shouldn’t even be a question given the finances. The choice is as simple as you like. FIU.
FIU for the win. Often community colleges in NYC are made up of adults and college age students. Many have jobs and leave right after class. It’s not going to be like living in a dorm with kids your age. If you want a real college experience while you are still young go to FIU. Move to NYC after you graduate. It will still be there.