<p>Hi guys,</p>
<p>Which one would you prefer for international relations and political science? American University with a decent scholarship or NYU with no scholarship? </p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Can your family pay for the difference in cost without loans? If not, how much debt would you have take out? Can you afford that much debt?</p>
<p>Wow those are both some great choices. Both their programs are highly respected, so if the money doesn’t make a difference for your family (like you wouldn’t have to take out more loans to attend one or the other) then I would just go with the one you think you’ll like more- American has more of a campus and college atmosphere, while NYU is in NYC and can offer opportunities within the city. </p>
<p>However, that being said, American is renowned specifically for their International Relations program (kinda like NYU is popular for Stern in business). They have some amazing opportunities for students in that field, so if you really can’t decide then look those up and see if it could be a tipping point for you.</p>
<p>As an aspiring IR major at NYU, I’d tell you to go with American. It’s a superior program. Simple as that. Plus, they’re giving you a scholarship. Going to NYU at full price is insane. Are you prepared to shell out $250K in loans? That’s practically a mortgage.</p>
<p>Proud NYU alum. But I’d definitely go with American. Their IR program is very well regarded, much more so than NYU. The fact that they gave you a scholarship, and NYU offered nothing, should completely seal the deal.</p>
<p>Not to spin too far off on a tangent, but I do disagree with the above poster who said:</p>
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<p>I have some experience with American, being from the DC area, and having rehearsed a show on that campus. The campus is very small, not particularly attractive, and I do not feel it provides a more “collegey” atmosphere than NYU. I do think people tend to underestimate how much Washington Square Park centralizes, and defines, the NYU campus. Almost all the surrounding buildings are owned by NYU, so there definitely is a sense of a main NYU “quad”, even if the school expands well beyond that area.</p>
<p>If were were talking about NYU’s campus vs Scribbs, Notre Dame, or Harvard, it would be a no brainer for which had the more traditional college atmosphere. But American? I’d go with NYU every time. Now if we were talking Georgetown? Now that is a spectacular DC based university campus!</p>
<p>^^^ Yeah, I guess it just comes down to a matter of opinions. I applied and visited to both campuses, and I just heard a lot from both the internet and students at NYU that they didn’t believe it had a good community. But it is true that they own all (except for one which the owner refused to sell- lol) of the buildings around the Washington Square Park. And, I whole-heartily believe that if you are a person who tries to make friends and doesn’t commute home on the weekends or something then you can find friends and a community anywhere you go 
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<p>As far as American, when I say “campus and college atmosphere” I mean that most of the activities that students go to on weekends occur on the campus (like a traditional college) and that at NYU most of the actitvities occur off campus. It really just depends on what you want.</p>
<p>I think we can all agree that Georgetown’s campus is the bomb! It looks like Hogwarts, in the middle of D.C., and is uber prestigious. :)</p>
<p>Oh yes, if we’re talking about a sense of overall school community, AU definitely wins out. NYU is massive, and known for a few really stellar programs. But it’s definitely a “make your own way” type of school, with so little mixing in between programs. You do end up fostering a strong sense of community, but it’s focused in on your specific school, or in the case of Tisch, your area of artistic study, or training studio. I felt so much more connected to Tisch that I attended only the Tisch graduation, and skipped the larger NYU ceremony!</p>
<p>I do think it’s worth noting that AU kids spend a great deal of their social time OFF campus. They might sell campus activities on the weekend to prospectives, but I know for a fact that AU students are constantly bursting to get off campus and into the surrounding areas, and points north.</p>
<p>Hogwarts! I love that analogy, and so true.</p>
<p>Neither of these two are known for having particularly great campus feels or environments. I’ve visited both and while NYU is more urban, American doesn’t exactly feel like your traditional college campus either. The American campus is like a small main square with a lawn.</p>
<p>For IR I would go with American. For pretty much anything else, including political science, I’d go with NYU.</p>
<p>Thank you all for your replies. Very helpful. I think I’ll go with AU. Maybe pursue a Masters at NYU.</p>
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<p>Good on you! I think you made the right choice. Also, if you continue IR into your master, Columbia would probably be a better option for the City.</p>