NYU Polytechnic School of Engineering information

Colleges and Universities A-Z New York University
61

@Ali121‌

Ah yes. So to break it down, CAS’ computer science program focuses more on the theory of computer science. It’s more discussion of why the algorithms work the way they do rather than actually writing them. Of course, you do write programs in theory classes, but they want you to understand why more than how. Poly, on the other hand, is focused on cyber security. They are very well known for this, and they hold quite a few events (such as CSAW) throughout the year. You can’t really compare the two because they’re different fields of computer science, but CAS students take computer science classes at Courant (I’m pretty sure) which is quite a prestigious institution. Let me just clairify, you do both theory and cyber security at both schools, but each schools focuses on one aspect more. Poly’s computer science is more applied as it is in the engineering school field, which is a reason why quite a few transfer to Poly from CAS. I personally prefer theory more than cyber security, but I don’t plan to transfer. I’m fine with the classes here.

As for the transfer situation, I’m not too sure. I’ve only known people that left around their late sophomore year or junior to CAS, but that does not mean you can’t do it freshman year. I would suggest you talk to your advisers once you meet them to ask them because they’re always changing policies.

As for the classroom size situation, it depends on the course. Considering CAS has a lot more students, their classroom sizes might be higher. However, it depends on the subject, amount of sections that semester, etc. In my little experience with Poly, the average classroom size for me among all my classes combined would be around 30. Please note that this is heavily skewed because some of the classes I have taken are required by all first year students and there is only one section, so yeah. The least amount of students I have had in a class would be like 15. I can’t give you a general answer as to if they’re on average smaller because it depends on a number of factors.

62

@persarmy‌

Hello there! Yes, there is no biomedical major at Poly. I don’t know too much about the biomedical major, but after looking at the following link, it appears to look like you choose which route you want to take, chemistry or biotechnology. I suggest you read up on biotechnology as it may be similar to what you’re looking for. You must see, however, that they are going to focus on technology and science as it is an engineering school.

http://engineering.nyu.edu/academics/programs/biomedical-science-bs/schedule

You may be glad to know that there is a MS option of biomedical engineering at Poly. It would be a great idea to do the chemical and biomolecular option with your ms being biomedical engineering. This would look quite great on your resume. The link for this is below. You can complete your BS with a MS within 5 years (depending on how many credits you come in with and how many credits you take per semester).

http://engineering.nyu.edu/academics/programs/biomedical-engineering-ms/curriculum

It’s quite easy to change your major within the first year as many of the major take the same classes. I actually changed my major this semester (Spring, freshman year). When you’re a freshman, you only need approval from your first year adviser. However, when you become a sophomore and later, you need approval from your advisor AND the department head as you take different classes sophomore year compared to other majors.

I don’t think you can double major (and you wouldn’t have time anyway because you’re in engineering, so you have few free credits). You can, however, minor quite easily by filling out a form on albert. This will all be obvious to you when you first begin. Of course, the minor has to be approved first, but you usually almost get it. If it’s not on albert, then you’re most likely not eligible for it. There are a plethora of minors, such I think you’ll find one to your heart’s desire. You can just take classes for fun as well at the main campus, but they can’t be requirements you have at poly (i.e. math classes). However, if they offer a math class or whatever that Poly doesn’t, you may take it. It, however, will cost you a free elective.

Although you can’t double major, you can do the BS/MS program which I previously mentioned which allows you to achieve a bachelor of science in one field with a master of science in another. This is a lot better than a double major.

I don’t understand what “rush” fraternities means. A very popular one at Poly is, as mentioned above, “Lamba Chi Alpha.” You can probably join them at the main campus too, if you wish. I, myself, am not in one so I can’t recommend one. You can contact @NoVaDad‌99 as he appears to have information on them from his post.

63

@PolyEngineer‌ , do you think Poly becoming a part of NYU would have any effect on the school in terms of salary potential ? And would they try to change the rigorous nature of the school to make sure less people drop out and hence improve their school as far as rankings are concerned?

64

@SameerHussain‌

Poly has had an amazing “salary potential” even before the merger. Will the merger increase them even more? I don’t know about that. I say this because NYU keeps raising the tuition so it all cancels out in the end. If they lessen the rigor, then you won’t be getting the education that Poly is known for.

65

Hey, I’m an international student from Singapore. I’m coming in to Biomolecular Sciences as a premed course. Anyone else doing premed here? I didn’t realise that more people do premed at CAS than at Poly when I initially applied, but the course here seems pretty good for premed (as stated in the website and so on).

Anyone graduated into med school from Poly?

Also what are the pre-health intern opportunities like for freshmen summer? Is there a pre-med advising committee, and are they good?

Thanks in advance!

EDIT: Also, when we apply for on-campus housing, do we get to choose between Othmer and Clark, or do we get allocated? And is there any website or thread with people looking for roomies at off-campus housing near Poly? My senior suggested that off-campus is more convenient and cheaper, so I can’t decide between on and off campus :frowning: Any thoughts please?

66

@PolyEngineer‌ Hi, I was accepted to Poly for Sustainable Urban Design. I was wondering under what terms they rescind admitted students? I only ask because my grade is dropping really fast in AP Physics and I think I may go from a B to a D second semester :-S

Like does it depend on each grade in each class or overall gpa?

67

Thank you. One more question, haha. How did you manage to maintain a 4.0 GPA for the entire year? How much did you have to study on a normal day for that? I know it’s different for each person but I’d still like an idea of how much work I’m in for.

68

Hey PolyEngineer,

It’s me again. You responded to my initial post, so here’s an update on my credentials that I’m hoping to present to NYUPoly when I apply there.

Keep in mind, that right now I am a junior in HS.

I am in the IB program (International Baccalaureate Program), which is the alternative to the AP program but is more rigorous. Right now, all of my classes are IB and all of them will still be IB in senior year as well.

My elective (or major) for both this year and the upcoming senior year is IB SL Physics.

I am planning on taking three HL (high level) IB classes next senior year such as IB English, IB Bio, and IB History (this one is a maybe; not sure yet). The rest of my classes will remain IB SL as they are now. (Math and Physics will also be SL since HL isn’t offered for them).

My overall GPA thus far is a 3.5. (It could be higher; this is just a modest estimation). I am also involved in other extracurricular activities such as Photography and National Honor Society. I’ve volunteered in assisting at Kumon (a popular test prep/ tutoring company).

Soon, I am planning on joining the Flag Football team as I do enjoy playing football (ALOT).

I have taken the SAT once and received a score of 1810 on my first try. However, I’m planning to retake it again in order to achieve a super score somewhere between the high 1900’s and 2000 range.

Any advice? What are my chances of getting in? Is NYU Poly difficult?

If I do get accepted (I’m applying senior year), I am planning on majoring in Computer Science, because I’m very interested in learning code.

Do you know of anyone in Computer Science? Is it rigorous and difficult?

Thanks.

69

Hey, I hope you can help me out with this.
My name is Bilal, and I am an international from Pakistan. I was accepted to NYU Poly Class of 2019 in the MechE program. Currently, I’m still in the decision stage, so I haven’t committed yet.

I was given a scholarship of ~32,000$ a year which makes the net cost of freshmen year also ~32,000$ ( My NYU portal shows 64,000$ as the annual cost without any aid is which is surprising because I’ve head it’s ~70k for most people). Anyway, 32,000$ is still beyond my family’s budget which is ~18k a year. I’m pretty sure my family can manage to pay for freshmen year, but won’t be able to for the rest. So, here are my questions:-

  1. Are the 32,000$ I got in FA renewable or for just my freshmen year?
  2. Are there plenty of scholarship opportunities available on/off campus I can use to cover for the extra 15,000$?
  3. Are their jobs available for internationals? If yes, how do they work and how much can one expect to earn?
  4. Does Poly offer some kind of subsidy to students with 3.5+ GPAs?

Please help me. I really want to go but the cost is so D:

70

@Abhiroop‌

Hello! I don’t have any friends that have, but it is certainly possible. I don’t know anything about a committee. There are plenty of opporunities on the NYU Wasserman portal. It provides information on internships and jobs for a variety of majors. I am currently doing a cancer research/computer science internship at NYU Langone (medical school / hospital).

I believe you get to put a preference, but I don’t think it’s a guarantee that you’ll get it. However, I am a commuter, so I may be wrong. I don’t know of such page, but you can try the NYU Class of 2019 facebook page. There are many members there, and you’re bound to find a person.

Yes, I know many people that choose off-campus housing. I can’t say whether or not I would recommend it as I am a commuter, but the people I have spoken to say it is much better. Plus, you don’t have all the restrictions that the dorms may have (whatever they may be). Perhaps if you can’t come to a final decision, just go with dorming. If you’re not happy with it, choose off-campus housing the following year!

71

@awerth‌

Why is the class of 2019 so scared about their acceptance being rescinded? Lol.

I can’t give you a definite answer, but I’m sure that both overall and individual are equally as important. Just try your best to keep your grades up. Don’t worry too much about your acceptance being rescinded, but just keep in mind that it MIGHT be possible, so try your hardest. Plus, try your best to get a 4/5 on your AP exams. You will not believe the time and money you save.

Seriously, get 4/5 on your AP exams. Mark my words that you will regret it if you don’t.

72

@SameerHussain‌

I don’t know, I just seemed to get everything, haha. I actually didn’t study that much (only studied a couple of days before the exam), but please don’t let this make you feel better. I know people that studied really hard and barely got 3.0s. It’s different for every person. I saw things very clearly. Some people did not.

Always expect the worst! This way, you’ll never be disappointed by the outcome.

73

@PolyEngineer‌ “Seriously, get 4/5 on your AP exams. Mark my words that you will regret it if you don’t.” Can you list all AP exams Poly recognizes(even when you get a 4) and lets you use that to fulfill intro requirements? I can’t seem to find that info on the web. Thanks a lot!

74

@ionLion‌

I am not sure what SL and HL mean… but those sound like great courses.

Your SAT could be better. Really focus on math. It’s an engineering school. But also focus on reading and writing as well.

As for the difficulty of getting in, I am not too sure. Now, since NYU has taken over, I would imagine it’s going to become a lot more difficult. In order to illustrate this opinion, the accepted class of 2019 has been the largest in Poly’s history, so it is getting quite more competitive. So on your application, show them some of the work you have done to show your creative engineering side.

I was actually in Computer Science for one semester. I switched to Computer Engineering because I plan to get my MS in computer science. It is difficult, but it’s as difficult as you make it to be. I, personally, found it quite easy (but I am a freshman, so these courses I’m taking are nothing compared to the higher level ones). Honestly, some people get it and some people don’t. Don’t be intimidated by what other people say. Just do it if you want to. If you find it to be too hard, you can always switch majors.

It’s a great program though.

75

@LaalBee
The scholarship stays with you as long as your keep the minimum GPA I believe. I will be able to confirm this once i receive my financial aid package for this year.

I don’t know of any scholarship opportunities on campus. You can work for the school, but it will not amount to 15k. Unless you get a REALLY great job. There are plenty of jobs at NYU. There is a careernet website which lists all jobs that available across NYU, and many companies as well. It’s a matter of actually getting the job that is hard.

I don’t believe there are any subsidies for certain GPAs. I have a 4.0 and I haven’t gotten anything, haha.

76

@PolyEngineer Hi, can you elaborate on your on-campus internship? Is it apart of the work-study program or did you find it on your own? What are the on-campus employment opportunities for students who did not get FA?

77

@veritasry1
http://engineering.nyu.edu/files/AP%20Chart%20Spring%202015.pdf

78

@laurabae

It is not part of work study. As for now, it is unpaid. But if I do well, I can get hired to work there full time. The head of the computer science department usually sends out emails talking about internships, so I just took advantage.

There are plenty. If you go to the following website, you will find loads of opportunities. You have to create an account first.

https://nyu-csm.symplicity.com/students/

79

Hi, do you know anything about changing majors before I actually start fall term? I want to change from BTM to CS. Is it possible?

80

Yes, all you have to do is have a meeting with your advisor and get their signature. In the meantime, you should build your schedule based off the computer science requirements (even though the first semester courses don’t vary that much) so you don’t fall behind.