<p>So I have three days to decide and I'm still just as confused as I was three weeks ago! Here's the situation:
CORNELL:
-Got into the AEM (Applied Economics and Management) Program
-No financial aid, however, $15,000 in outside scholarship (which because of their financial aid policy negated whatever they would have given me). Total cost comes to around 30,000 , of which 22,500 is covered by my father (divorced) so its about 7,500 for my mom (which she may have trouble coming up with----complicated situation)
Likes:
- I love the environment (its beautiful)
- The program seems more personal and direct (smaller total class size/classes)
- It's an ivy
- It has a large Greek system (which I would get involved in)
- Summer internships are easy to find
Dislikes:
- Seems like its in the middle of nowhere
- Cold and horrible weather
- 5 hours away from my home</p>
<p>NYU:
-Got into Stern
- Given $32,000 in financial aid (including $25,000 stern scholarship) + around $5,000 in outside scholarship. Therefore total cost comes to around $25,000 ($22,500 of which is covered by my dad). The last $3,000 or so I would take out as a unsubsidized loan offered through NYU's financial aid package. So cost to my mom would be out of pocket expenses like clothing.
Likes:
- It's in the city (I also love NYC)
- The dorms are amazing (each has its own bathroom!)
- Lots of nearby internship opportunities
- Double major is an easier option
- An hour away from home so I could come back immediately if I ever needed anything
- Weather is not AS horrible
Dislikes
- I'll probably be working in the city after I graduate anyway...lack of true campus/ college experience
- Not an Ivy (would be first in my family to go to one) and easier acceptance rate (around 25% as opposed to 11%)
- Larger/ more impersonal class sizes</p>
<p>Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Which would you attend if you were in the same situation? Do job recruiters favor the Cornell grads more because they are from an Ivy/ which will give me better job opportunities (I know I can get internships from either)? Which is a better education? Any advice you're willing to offer!
Thank you all so much for your help!
- A.j.</p>
<p>I would go to NYU. I would not underestimate Stern’s prestige relative to Cornell. Stern is one of the nation’s leading business programs and has much sway on Wall St.</p>
<p>If you were my kid, I tell you to go to Cornell. I understand it is Stern that you got into. But overall education, it is better at Cornell. AEM is not the hardest school, which would mean you could take classes at 7 other schools. Cornell will give you a classic college experience. My daughter is in a sorority, and she enjoyed her experience very much. You grew up in NYC, will probably work in NYC someday. Why not take the opportunity to live in a beautiful town. It is an experience you probably wouldn’t get again. My daughter is in A&S and she is going to work for an IB. they all come to recruit at Cornell.</p>
<p>I’d check to see if Stern’s financial aid package will be renewable after the first year. NYU is not generally known for generous financial aid and from several HS classmates’ experiences, has tended to scale back their aid in later years. </p>
<p>Cornell, on the other hand, has been very good with FA with nearly everyone I knew for all 4 years. </p>
<p>I also agree with oldfort that you’d get a more well-rounded college experience at Cornell…especially when nearly all of its schools tends to be strong whereas from what I’ve seen and heard from those who attended NYU…NYU’s school/departmental quality outside of Stern and Tisch can be very uneven.</p>
<p>If you are SURE you want to go into business then go to NYU. But Cornell is the stronger of the two in so many other areas, I might opt for Cornell since it is financially feasible with loans/work.</p>
<p>Spend some time in the 4 year well rounded beautiful country campus known as Cornell. You will have plenty of time to spend in NYC after graduation…</p>
<p>thank you all so much! with only a few days left before we all have to send in our decision I’m sure you can imagine how stressful this is and your input is much appreciated! There are two other questions I need input for! Which school do you think would give me a better education (in regards to their business program)? and which do you think would set me up on a better [career] path to success (as to what precise business area I want to go into I’m not yet sure of)? Also which would give more access to prestigious internships? </p>
<p>Once again thank you all so much for your help!</p>
<p>Cornell has better reputation and prestige, but Stern is literally on Wall Street so you will have more internship opportunities, thus better placement. Both are great programs, depends on where you want to live for the next couple years</p>
<p>ahhhh thank you all so much for your help! I’m freakkinngggg out. I can’t get this decision out of my head and I don’t know what to do or where to begin. Wish me luck: hopefully I make the right choice! Ultimately I think it comes down to the location (both schools offer excellent internship opportunities and a great education…right? (this isn’t a rhetorical question lol))</p>
<p>Any more advice would be appreciated
Sorry guys but I’m so concerned about my future haha</p>
<p>I would definitely choose Cornell. I think it’s worth the extra money (and I don’t think that price is unmanageable for you). Then again, I’ve been raised to love Cornell, haha. </p>
<p>Re: AEM: What I hear from people that go to Cornell, AEM kids do pretty well in finding jobs, and it’s not exactly the toughest major at CU. Overall, it’s a well-regarded program.</p>
<p>I’d go with Stern. Better connections and opportunities post grad. AEM I frankly believe is over hyped as the only Ivy alternative to Wharton. But it’s not Wharton. Housing it in the Ag school is an insane, historical relic. Requirements that you take life science and chem/physics is more insanity. Give up the campus. Weather will be better. Make NY your playground.</p>
<p>Only difference I noticed between the people I knew who ended up at Cornell and NYU was that the latter group ended up having far greater loan debts to pay off unless their families were loaded to begin with. </p>
<p>Even after 10+ years from undergrad…the NYU group are either still paying off their loans…or just paid them off within the last couple of years…including those who ended up at places like Goldman Sachs. It’s pretty sad when I keep meeting NYU alums who are burdened by crushing loan debt…especially when I could have easily been one of them had I gone there for undergrad. </p>
<p>As I said before…unless your family is loaded and willing, carefully check your family’s/your finances before considering NYU.</p>
<p>The OP stated his yearly costs would come to $5,000 LESS at NYU than Cornell.</p>
<p>Agree NYU is expensive and “thrifty” with financial aid, but this does not apply globally. Wild generalizations really should be kept in check. </p>
<p>And since when is Cornell a bargain for out of staters or at any of the endowed colleges? Tuition’s up to $41K. Half of all undergrads at Cornell are paying full freight. Either they’re also leaving “burdened by crushing loan debt” or their “families are loaded.”</p>
<p>I actually just was contacted from the outside scholarship committee again and they increased the grant. My mother and I (other than out-of-pocket expenses) will have to pay virtually nothing for my education, which is a rare and very fortunate situation :D</p>
<p>Thank you all for your help and from what I see there is an even divide between those who would take Cornell and those who would take NYU (which doesn’t make this choice any easier hahaha). I also see fairly even input on recruiting, internships and job placement. </p>
<p>@wbwa
Did you attend AEM? You seem to know a lot about the curriculum. And if you did attend, how was your experience there? What occupation (if you don’t mind me asking) do you currently have now as a result of their job placement?
On the other hand, if you are speaking solely on secondhand experience from a friend(s) in AEM than (assuming you enrolled in Cornell) how was your general experience of Cornell as a whole?
And if none of this applies, thanks for your help anyway! :D</p>
<p>@cobrat
wbwa is right, I have no money issue (once again, a very fortunate situation) that will effect where I enroll. But thank you for your comment; the price at NYU is ridiculous and if I hadn’t taken that into account I would definitely be in trouble 0.o</p>
<p>@LadyGoGo
That is something I am definitely taking into account. I love the campus feel, but I also love the city more. I think what it comes down to is do I take a (presumably) lesser education at Stern and enjoy the city, or do i enroll in the AEM program and tolerate (and enjoy on occasion when the weather isn’t horrible) Ithaca and the campus setting. I’ve always wanted to join a frat so the Greek life and social scene there is a draw. </p>
<p>In regards to that ^^ this is a question for anyone with experience there :What is the social scene at NYU like? Obviously education is my main focus, but I’m curious as to how kids drink and party. In Cornell its fairly simple: frat house parties lol but the social scene strikes me as a bit more complicated at NYU. </p>
Ultimately I think it comes down to the location (both schools offer excellent internship opportunities and a great education…right? (this isn’t a rhetorical question lol))</p>