NYU GSP vs. McGill

<p>Hey everybody,</p>

<p>I am an international student who got accepted at McGill (admitted pending final results) and at NYU General Studies Program. I am uncertain as to which university I should choose. I plan on majoring in economics at both schools. NYU seems very attractive since the financial institutions are located there, but I would attend the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) rather than Stern. Also there is this uncertainty of actually getting into the CAS after the GSP.
McGill seems very appealing as well but I have the feeling that the reptutation of NYU is slightly better?! I wish to attend a Grad School in the US after my undergrad. Do they see that I "only" got in through the GSP? Also, I am a bit scared that if I attend McGill I might get stuck in Canada, which isn't a bad thing, but I'd rather keep my options open to work in the US or somewhere else. Speaking of which, as I am an international student, would it be difficult to work in the US? Would it be easier to work in Canada?</p>

<p>By the way, I also received an offer from St. Andrew's University in Scottland. I don't know whether it's very well-known in N. America?!</p>

<p>I would appreciate your advice since I seem to change my mind every hour about where I wish to go. Thanks!</p>

<p>McGill. :)</p>

<p>St. Andrews is more well-known in the US than most UK universities - but only because of Prince William. People don't know much about it but tend to assume it's one of the best in the UK. The debate continues among people who know more about UK universities as to whether that's deserved or not.</p>

<p>McGill will not limit your options. Particularly in the northeast McGill is pretty well known - and it is internationally well regarded. In the US NYU is probably more prestigious though.</p>

<p>I would go to McGill.</p>

<p>Thanks! But I still have one question for you, sheetmusic. You say that NYU is more prestigious in the US. So why would you go to McGill? Are there other factors that you think overweigh the benefits of NYU or St. Andrew's?</p>

<p>Because prestige is not my main criteria.</p>

<p>I don't want to go to school in NYC (close to home, don't really like New York). I like Montreal. I wouldn't necessarily want to stay in the US, for college or after graduation. If I did I probably would be in the northeast where potential employers etc are familiar with McGill. McGill's price tag is much friendlier.</p>

<p>You, elitester, are making a big mistake if you are considering NYU GSP over McGill. Truth be told, NYU is one of the most overhyped universities. Its undergraduate schools were always crap, and they still are. It is the most over-priced, over-hyped, and "rip-off" school there is. AND GSP IS CRAP--it has kids that can't get into NYU! NYU just accepts them for more money, etc.</p>

<p>Listen, I know and have known many people who went to NYU--teachers, family friends, friends, and so forth. It is not worth going. You are much, much better if you choose to matriculate at McGill. You can't go wrong with that! </p>

<p>But, as always, the choice is up to you, and I hope you choose wisely and weigh each option carefully!</p>

<p>I agree that McGill will not limit your options in anyway. However, I sense from your comments on this board and the other one where you poseted that you really prefer NYU. Go where you think you'll be happy. Really, they are both good schools and if you want NYU, dont worry about GSP and go there and make the most out of your experience. I know people who've done GSP and loved it. It's all about the attitude you go in with.</p>

<p>I wouldn't say I prefer NYU. It just seems difficult for me to compare them and then make a well-founded decision. I've heard a lot of negative things about GSP and a lot of positive things about McGill. Perhaps I feel that NYU is slightly better, nevertheless, because I heard of it before I ever heard of McGill, giving me the impression that NYU has a better reputation and would be more worthwhile than McGill. NYU seems to be convenient for me because I want to work in financial services and I fear that although I might be able to work in NYC if I study at McGill, that ultimately I will be bound to stay in Canada. I just haven't really seen any people who studied at McGill and then did not end up in Canada even if the went to Grad school in the US.</p>

<p>I know this sounds extremely superficial, but to some degree I find it important to know about all of this beforehand.</p>

<p>Don't pay full price to lick NYU's boots for crumbs.</p>

<p>The money you save will probably allow you to move to NYU and find a job with your Mcgill degree. Or you can invest that 200k in a new business!</p>

<p>Haha, I take it, you don't like NYU, especially not the GSP?! How come? Bad experiences? Where did you study/are you studying/are you going to study?</p>

<p>NYU just isn;t value for the money comapred to McGill, especially GSP. Go to McGill, if you still want NYU in a couple of years, consider a transfer. But McGill is very well known and well regarded and will not hamper a career in the US at all.</p>

<p>"Haha, I take it, you don't like NYU, especially not the GSP?! How come? Bad experiences? Where did you study/are you studying/are you going to study?"</p>

<p>I got into Stern last year. I visited the college and all the Stern kids were joking to me about CAS and even more about GSP. Go visit NYU and find out for yourself. I'm probably being a bit too elitist but nobody really respects GSP.</p>

<p>Yes, I also heard that the GSP people are regarded as dumb. For them GSP stands for Generally Stupid People. I just wasn't sure whether that "secondary" status of the GSP people was solely a NYU internal affair or a general perception.</p>