NYU-Poly, Purdue, or UCSD - CS/Engineering

College Search & Selection
1

<p>So I'm deciding on NYU- Polytechnic school of Engineering, Purdue, or UCSD. Financial issues don't matter for me. I was accepted to all as a CS major but I might either be double majoring or changing majors to a more general engineering path.</p>

<p>Since there's a good chance I might try and transfer to Stanford or UCB after two years, I feel like the school I go to should have a plethora of opportunities so that I can start early on programming or engineering. I know that NYU-Poly should have a lot of those opportunities and that UCSD doesn't so much. </p>

<p>I live in LA and I may continue to pursue piano and archery depending on my motivation. If I choose SD it'll be much easier to continue those hobbies and participate in more competitions and such.</p>

<p>At first glance, I wasn't even considering NYU seeing how relatively low its engineering ranking compared to the other two schools, but upon further research I found that NYU-Poly and NYU had recently merged in January of this year, and that NYU-Poly is pretty dedicated towards the engineering field. It has a smaller class size and one of the highest salary potentials. I don't know if I would enjoy it there, but if I decide to transfer, I'm probably going to be putting myself to work like a mule for the first two years anyways.</p>

<p>Though I initially favored UCSD since I love California's weather and proximity to home, I realize that change is good too, even if it may be unfavorable. Besides, I've never visited New York (though I've gone to the east coast and visited several other colleges).</p>

<p>I have lots of friends going to UCSD and its proximity to home allows me to easily transition and visit my home friends. It has a good engineering program, but again, it might not be good for me since as of now I plan on transferring. Its location is pretty nice, though, and looks "refreshing."</p>

<p>I don't know much about Purdue other than it has a pretty good engineering rank and that's in the middle of nowhere, which leads me to believe there aren't a lot of opportunities for me. Though I know rank isn't exactly a good measure of what a school can provide, it's straightforward, simple, and clear.</p>

<p>As of right now I'm trying to get my grades up and participate in competitions while developing android apps, since I was inspired to transfer schools. I feel like this is the kind of thing I should be doing on my own in college as well, so the opportunities a college and location has to offer me play a big part in my decision. Again, there's a chance that if I really like the school, I won't transfer, but the thought of transfer gives me motivation to achieve a lot and not just get good grades, and it's the first real desire and motivation I've had in years. I know it'll be hard, but I'm in for a challenge.</p>

<p>Any advice in choosing which school would be appreciated. Thanks.</p>

2

<p>If you intend to transfer to Berkeley or Stanford, wouldn’t starting at a community college be cheaper and potentially more favorable, as both schools admit most of their transfers from community colleges? But note that Stanford admits only a few dozen transfers each year, so do not get your hopes up too high about transferring there.</p>

<p>However, the four year schools you are choosing from are all perfectly fine places to study CS, so you may not want to get too fixated on a dream of transferring to Berkeley or Stanford. What is the net price of each, and how much debt would be involved at each? Also pay attention to whether you are in the major or must face an internal admission process to get into the desired major.</p>

3

<p>I do recognize that Stanford only accepts 20 to 50 students annually, and that means I’ll just have to be that more amazing haha. As long as there is a chance, I’ll take it and simply be the best I can be. It’s really given me motivation to try and accomplish things I would’ve thought were outrageous last year. I’m not the type to be daunted by low percentages anymore, as long as there is a chance. </p>

<p>Again, I don’t really have financial issues so the cost shouldn’t matter. I’ve begun to explore my full potential and make the most out of what’s given to me. I wouldn’t want to go to a CC anyways, and don’t worry, I’m not too fixed on transferring. To be honest it’s essentially what’s fueling me right now. As for cc, again I feel like I wouldn’t get that many opportunities, and I know that transferring from a non-cc isn’t impossible either since one person I know has transferred into Stanford from Ucla. Don’t get me wrong, maybe I am a little stubborn, but I’m willing to carve my own path. </p>

<p>So even if I do get rejected after applying for transfer I’ll have done amazing things with my life anyways and feel accomplished anyhow. </p>

<p>Thanks for the response! </p>

4

<p>I’d drop Purdue from consideration. So, essentially, it’s between UCSD and NYU Poly and it’ll really be personal considerations - “fit”, weather, discovering a new city or not…</p>

5

<p>Be aware that the pre-full-merger Polytechnic Institute of New York University was probably only about half residential students, based on the percentage of frosh living in the dorms. Pre-full-merger New York University was predominantly residential by this measure.</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.collegedata.com/cs/data/college/college_pg05_tmpl.jhtml?schoolId=102”>http://www.collegedata.com/cs/data/college/college_pg05_tmpl.jhtml?schoolId=102&lt;/a&gt;
<a href=“New York University Housing & Campus Life | CollegeData”>http://www.collegedata.com/cs/data/college/college_pg05_tmpl.jhtml?schoolId=436&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Note that pre-merger NYU did not have engineering at all, so all engineering at NYU is from Polytechnic Institute. If you were looking at Payscale rankings, Polytechnic Institute did well because it was all engineering majors.</p>