<p>Just got into LSP. I was wondering if anyone who went through the program could tell me their opinion on it? I was excited for college because I know what I want to do in my life, and I wanted to pick my classes. Now I feel like NYU is telling me I need to reevaluate my certainties which I find to be kind of a slap in the face. I took a lot of classes like the ones LSP offers in high school, and I read a lot on my own time. In short, I need to know if this program is worth it? I’ve wanted to go to NYU since 4th grade, and I’m so devastated I didn’t get into CAS when I thought I was qualified…</p>
<p>@xojerseygirl My daughter feels EXACTLY like you do. She has high stats, is not lacking in any area as far as we can tell, and has no idea why she was placed into LSP instead of CAS, especially since many kids who got into CAS have lower stats. The only thing I can think of for my daughter is that she went to NYU’s precollege, and almost everyone she knows from precollege was placed into LSP. Maybe they figured that these kids love NYU so much that they are willing to take what they can get? My daughter, whose dream school has been NYU for years, is seriously considering attending UCLA or USC now, because she does not want to wait 2 years to take classes that she chooses, and to get started on her major. She also wants to either double major or double minor, so it seems those options are out now.</p>
<p>I read that in LSP you take one elective per semester freshman year. Sophomore year, you take three electives each semester. So pretty much LSP is over after one year and you can take classes in your projected major sophomore year.</p>
<p>I’m looking for someone who has attended LSP in Florence, and if they could elaborate on their experience their! Thanks.</p>
<p><em>there</em> lol</p>
<p>anyone with any more input on this?</p>
<p>Hi, I just got into LSP. I’m just wondering if I can definitely do econs at CAS in the junior year when I transfer to CAS? (as long as I meet the required grades and take the right courses.) Also, is there any chance I can ask for a transfer to CAS in my sophomore? Because I’m really set on an econs major, but I didnt get into CAS. Thanks so much in advance</p>
<p>astudent111 - Yes, you can definitely transfer into CAS as a junior and major in Econ. There’s a slight possibility that you can transfer as a sophomore, but it’s extremely rare and I only know one person who’s managed to do it, and he took summer and winter classes to make it happen. Talk to your adviser and ask him or her what you have to do to be able to transfer in sophomore as opposed to junior year. He or she is probably going to strongly advise against it, but stick to your guns if you really want it to happen.</p>
<p>xojerseygirl and xomom11 - My opinion is that NYU offers LSP to people who they think really desire NYU and would be willing to put up with LSP to get in. I agree that it’s a slap in the face and that it’s not right. I also know many people who fit the stats of CAS yet got offered LSP instead. Sometimes it’s because they think your writing skills aren’t up to par, sometimes it’s because they think you could benefit from more liberal arts classes, and sometimes it’s completely effing random. The acceptance rate dropped 3-4% this year so that might contribute to it as well. What’s done is done so don’t let college admissions make you feel like any less of a qualified student. Instead, rationally think about your current options: LSP classes can be finished in less than two years, LSP classes are small (always a plus), LSP classes are allegedly easier (which will boost your GPA), and you’ll graduate with an NYU degree. If that’s worth it to you, then take the LSP offer and be grateful that you get to attend an amazing university in arguably the best city in the world, and make the most out of what you’ve been offered. If it’s not, move on and don’t look back. It’s tough and I don’t agree with LSP’s existence, but a negative attitude is only going to make you more upset so just focus on the positive and remember that many people were rejected from NYU altogether.</p>
<p>So happy my daughter will be attending UCLA in the fall. LSP was too much of a turn-off to her, so even though NYU was her dream school, she’s going to be a Bruin, and we (and she) couldn’t be happier!</p>
<p>I’m applying to NYU early decision, and I was wondering if some of you could just tell me your stats and whether you were put in the LSP.</p>
<p>We have pretty much figured out that, if you check the box, you WILL be put into LSP (or rejected altogether). Can anyone discount this? In other words, is there anyone out there who checked the box saying it’s OK to be considered for LSP who was NOT put into LSP? My daughter thought that checking the box meant she would like to be considered for LSP only if she was rejected from CAS, which, as we learned, was not the case–checking that unfortunate box meant that she could be considered for both CAS and LSP equally. So we believe, after talking with many of my daughter’s friends, that anyone who checked the LSP box was put into LSP (unless they were rejected from both). Why were they put there? Because NYU could put them there. Of course I don’t think this applies to certain majors/schools, but for sure for CAS. So be warned…</p>
<p>PS she is so happy at UCLA! Doesn’t love the atmosphere as much as NYU, but she LOVES her major, is taking upper division major classes already, and has a 4.0!</p>
<p>Glad to hear xochild is doing well at UCLA. </p>
Hi! I was wondering what LSP is like? Apparantly from what I heard its looked down upon like a lot and its basically 2 years of BS. Is it hard to transfer almkst immediately? Because I wanted to study journalism and I am 100% sure about it so getting into LSP was a little bit of a downer
@Sashkopel Hi! I was accepted to GLS–the Core Program ED 1. From what I’ve heard about the program, it seems like an incredibly good opportunity to experience and learn more, especially for a journalist, like both you and I hope to be. After two years of LSP, you can easily transfer to CAS and major in journalism (like I plan to do). Journalists need a world view and this global, writing intensive program should really aid in the progression of our skills. As long as you’re learning, I don’t think there’s any real reason why jobs and internships should look down upon LSP and if it’s other students…what do they matter? PM me, if you have anymore questions? This is a rather old thread 
CAS students look down on LS and Columbia students look down on NYU. Frankly, what I think is great about NYU is that you can pay more than at Columbia, and get way less financial aid, and yet graduate with a diploma that’s NOT from the Ivy League. Cool!
@nyorbust Hi I was accepted to GLS. I am really confused since I would love to study Communications and Media. Is this GLS only for 2 years? And can we finally get to study our first choice after we complete the GLS? Basically, I don’t understand anything about GLS. Please help me. Thank you.
Almost everything I could think to share about NYU, NYU London, GLS and transferring out of GLS. I hope this LONG post helps!
Acceptance:
The reason they ask what city is to see if you “would be willing” to live in another city Freshman year. Think of it this way, they have limited space to educate and house students in NYC, with multiple locations around the world, they can accept more students because they can start them “off campus” so-to-speak. There is attrition from year to year, so starting students in Florence, Paris and London gives NYU time to experience some attrition and still keep their numbers high… that’s my take anyway.
My daughter was given an acceptance on the CONDITION that she spend her first year in London… it may seem that you could do the GLS Program and start in NYC, but I think the majority of students start in either London, Paris or Florence. Year 2 is in NYC. Year 3 is split between 2 locations and you can choose from a pretty big list including: Berlin, Buenos Aires, Tel Aviv, Florence, Madrid, Paris, Shanghai, etc. Then Year 4 is back in NYC. Now, that said, you can apply to study abroad Sophomore year and there is an accelerated BA/MA that could have you abroad again for all/part (?) of Senior+ year.
In short if you start in London, it might look like this:
F: London
S: NYC
J: Madrid/Paris
S: NYC
Budget:
Once in London, it’s more expensive that you think. Even after all of her tuition and housing is paid for… on an EXTREME budget it is costing about £140 a week for food, laundry, tube, and minimal fun. This does not include travel, pubs, major clothing or extra tube trips to other neighborhoods. So… make sure you are well financed. Do NOT use their “estimate of what is costs to live in London” I have NO IDEA where they got that!
The GLS Program is extremely expensive in a number of ways, first, if you receive “room & board” in your financial aid, you don’t get any “board” or food. At least in London. You pay for all your food, shopping, etc. My daughter is living sparingly on about £140/week. Keep in mind, when you are located in London that Paris is a 3 hr train ride away, Scotland is a bus ride and everywhere in the UK/Europe is in your backyard so you’ll want to factor in those expenses.
Also, factor in the 5 weeks they have off for winter break. That is either a trip home or travel, housing and food for 35 days…
Budget Update March 2015:
Also, just a money head’s up… living in London is much more expensive (about $8k) over the financial allowance for NYC. However, if you have aid, scholarships, grants, Parent Loans, etc… NYU adjusts for your living expenses and increases your aid. Also, completely as a surprise, my daughter received an additional $4k scholarship weeks before classes started so don’t decide to not pursue the GLS program simply because of money. If you are trying to budget… realistically above housing… it has cost her about £20 A DAY to live. This covers food (which you have to pay for separately), transportation (Cab, Uber or Oyster card for tube/buses), clothing, personal care, laundry, books, etc. It’s not inexpensive to go there… but knowing it was £20/DAY would have been really valuable information. A lot of the nightlife (yes, parents they will go out) is free for girls and about £20 to get in for boys…so the fellas might need a bit more money. Finally, there is a fall King Arthur trip which I highly recommend, that is $225 extra and then there is the Fall break - my daughter traveled to Glasgow and Edinburgh (budget about £40/DAY with bus fare, airbnb, food, tickets, etc. There is winter break, we flew her home… $1200 RT, but many kids travel throughout Europe, then there is Spring Break for 10 days so another £40/DAY - she chose Krakow and visiting Auschwitz… then there is staying for the first month of summer for Glastonbury. Her total expenses for SCHOOL were $76,100 Freshman year. We sent an additional £600 PER MONTH (about $1000) and she’s been frugal but had a VERY good time. We were lucky and she received a lot of financial aid, but even a FULL RIDE (which she didn’t get) leaves about $10,000 in daily living expenses. I imagine ALL of the other campuses are less (except perhaps Paris) but it was worth it to us to have live, really LIVE in the UK and Europe for her Freshman year. After all, at what other point in her life would this be possible. If it makes it easier to see how this is affordable, she received a full scholarship for tuition ($36k) and scholarships/grants (NOT LOANS) for $56k of the $76k. We did take out loans for $20k and send her $10k in monthly money… but we felt the $30k was worth it for the experience. It’s a family decision… but I found it impossible to get this transparent of information when we were looking, so I hope this helps!
Re: Internships
My daughter just started her position in London at a web brokerage company but she found this on her own. There doesn’t seem to be anything set up at the London location to facilitate internships.
Re: Academics
For my daughter who was IR but is switching to Philosophy, staying the GLS Program wasn’t really an option, so if you are afraid of that, don’t be. That said, I sort of wish she would stay in there (not possible for Pre-Health, IR, etc) because the GLS Program has a concentration called Politics, Rights and Development which may be right up her alley and she can do cross-school minor in Philosophy or Econ… but alas, she gets to choose! It is a tough decision to walk away from Paris, Madrid, etc. and spend 3 winters in NYC… but it’s all good. NYU has done an exception job putting together this global program, but also making it easy for students to transfer out if they WANT and stay in and find a close major if they WANT. For my daughter, the IR Major is an Honors major and she not only would have to transfer out but take required electives her freshman year in order to transfer out and NYU London made sure she knew about those electives and she took them. They really have this process wired. My daughter’s advisor in the GLS Program is very knowledgable about the IR Major and what they look for when you apply… so it seemed she would have been well-positioned. Many of her friends are Communication or Journalism majors, many, many are Pre-Health and yes, they have the prerequisite classes in London anyway. Basically, I don’t believe doing the GLS CORE Program the first two years will in anyway adversely impact your overall educational goals unless you have your heart set on Tisch or Stern. Happy to answer any other questions on London or the GLS Program from our limited knowledge and experience so far.
If you get accepted and DECIDE TO GO (V. IMPORTANT):
NOTE there is A LOT to do and it needs to be done immediately and there is not room for delay or negotiation. Most notably, the Student Visa process. Once you accept, you’ll get info about a month later… from that MOMENT on the clock is ticking and you’ll be hard pressed to get your student visa in time if you delay anything even a week. There are a lot of things they say like, “Get your Biometrics done” but they neglect to say getting an appointment could take 10-20 days. So… watch your email and create a very thorough To Do list. Look at that list daily, do things far in advance of when you think.
Other than that, it’s amazing. It is everything she hoped for and more. It is an exceptional program and allows not only for travel, but cross-school double minors, double majors, etc. My daughter will most likely stay in the GLS program (instead of transferring Junior year for International Relations) in the Politics,Rights and Development Concentration with a minor either in Law & Society through CAS (College of Arts and Sciences - Department of Sociology) or a minor in The Business of Political Economy through Stern. Anyway, if you have ANY questions at all, don’t hesitate to ask! Good Luck!
Update on Academics:
Daughter has now decided to major in Philosophy in pursuit of Law School – ah … the beauty of youth and changing your mind! So, NOW, she will plan on transferring to CAS.
NYU London Specific:
Regarding libraries, etc. in London… NYU London is closely linked to the University of London system, you can use their libraries, go to their events and join their societies and clubs. My daughter wrote an article about London and her first year living abroad if it helps:
Hi all, I know I am writing this almost 2 years later, but is the LSP basically another way into NYU if you don’t have the best scores or grades? Would some of you mind posting your stats? Thanks!
If you get into the LSP, how do you know what city you will be starting in?