<p>Hello everyone,
well, I got accepted to NYU's Steinhardt School of Education for nutrional science. My plan is to get my BS in nutrition and then go to med-school for psychiatry. I doubt I will change my mind, it is a long personally complicated story, but I know what I want to do. Anyway, I would come out of med school making about 135k a year. However, here's the problem. With a scholarship and some money my family saved, I have about 30k a year for NYU. I would need 15k-16k each year to meet the tuition payments. Consequently, after 4 years I will have racked up 60k-70k in debt. Then I would go to med school and add another 150k to my debt, which by the time I'm working, I would be over 200k in debt. Now, I know their are programs that you can work for which will pay off medical students graduate school debt, so the debt I accumulate at NYU wouldn't be as big of a deal, but their is no guarantee that I will be able to do those programs when I graduate from med school. Also, if I go to NYU, I may be able to get more outside scholarships that I really haven't done a very good job applying for as of now.
My other option is to go to the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, which is a great school. I would graduate with no or little debt. But Ann Arbor isn't New York City. I loved NYU's campus, I loved how many opportunities their seem to be in NYC, and I feel like I would be challenging myself socially. I don't want to go to U of M, end up finding scholarships or falling in love with someone in good financial situation, and then thinking "Man, I could have gone to NYU, my debt wouldn't really have been as much of a problem" So if you have any advice, please help, I'm desperate. Thanks, and good look to all of you in your college decisions! -JULIA</p>
<p>The University of Michigan is a very, very good school - generally better regarded for academics than is NYU. Your undergraduate college experience will last for 4 years, and then that it is done. The only thing you wll be left with is good memories and a mountain of debt. I, personally, couldn't imagine coming out of school <em>already</em> deep in debt when I'm just starting out. I do not want to discourage you, but just encourage you to be realistic... if that leads you to NYU (as it well might), then very good! Just consider whether you believe you will still consider NYU worth that major sacrifice once you are finished there, but still have to pay for it.</p>
<p>Julia, I'm in a similar position. NYU seems like it would be an amazing experience, but alas, it will only last four years. And then six months after graduation, reality is going to set in.</p>
<p>If I were you, I'd go for UMich.</p>
<p>Then again, I want NYU as badly as you do, and that's why I'm still undecided for 2010.</p>
<p>--Julia, I'm another one of those in your situation.</p>
<p>I was offered an almost-full ride to UCLA (which is more recognized for academics than NYU) but the experience just wouldn't be the same. Right now, I've decided to just go to NYU because college is a one time thing. I really don't want to be one of those people who end up saying "Oh i really should have gone to NYU instead" when I'm 25. But then again, I dont want to come out of undergrad being in major debt.</p>
<p>I'm undecided as well...but leaning towards NYU.</p>
<p>Thanks guys--I'm still thinking about it, I have about 2 weeks to decide and I'm going down to Ann Arbor for my sister's graduation, so I'll take a look around, talk to a few people and see what I think. It's just so hard to say no to NYU when if I had the money, I would go there, but I don't know if it's worth 50-60k of debt! ahhhhhh! Thanks, JULIA</p>
<p>I went to NYU CAS, and I hated it. However, I also wasn't crazy about the campus, etc, like you when I visited, so here's my advice IF you think this is the best place for you, and it's your dream school, and you'd regret it if you didn't go:</p>
<p>Go for it. You'll make enough money when you get out to pay it off. I had I believe 17k in student loans after I got out after a year, and that's considering I was living off campus (much cheaper), which by the way I wouldn't recommend to anyone, at least not at NYU. I paid it off in a couple of years. Really a little bit over a year, since the first year I was working pretty much minimum wage and was only making the minimum payments.</p>
<p>Seriously, this is the best time of your life - high school through college - and there's no way to bring it back. You may find that New York isn't for you and transfer. Or you may find that NYU is perfect. But if you transfer, at least you won't regret it later on.</p>
<p>Just my 2c.</p>
<p>-m</p>
<p>m_alias, living off campus is much cheaper?? how?</p>
<p>Yes, dorming at NYU is very over-priced. You'd quite easily be able to find a cheaper situation off-campus.</p>
<p>I would definitely go to U. Mich if you are going to get out of there without debt. It sounds like you want to go to NYU not because of the academics or the school but because you want to live in NY. Well, you have your whole life to live in NY - in fact, you'll probably enjoy it most in your twenties and 30s. Ann Arbor will be great for 4 years, then you can always go to NY.</p>
<p>I lived off campus in Brooklyn, split an apt with my then-bf. We actually moved to the city together. Broke up midway through the second lease, with half a year left to go. Wasn't fun... If we didn't live together, it would take less time for me to realize what a freaking weirdo he is, lol... So I hope this is not giving anyone any ideas!</p>
<p>I live in the Bronx now and travel an hour to work and back every day. It's a part of city life, unless you happen to have money - which I don't.</p>
<p>To play devil's advocate for a second, is it NYU you love -- or NYC? Don't forget you can always move to NYC and have the money to enjoy it. You don't have to go to NYU. </p>
<p>However, my personal opinon is go where your heart is -- NYU. If you really are determined, you can find a way (at least that's what I keep telling myself, as I'm also going into debt!). Hopefully I'll see you at Steinhardt in the fall! :)</p>