NYU vs Columbia

<p>I got wait-listed at Columbia (eventually let go) and accepted into NYU, so I understand what you’re feeling. But I’m beginning to realize that NYU was actually the better school for me. I’m going to be a freshman at NYU this fall as a studio art major. And when you compare Columbia’ and NYU’s visual arts programs, NYU’s is better. So whoever said Columbia’s was better… is wrong. The only reason someone might choose Columbia’s is because, not enough people know about NYU’s. For me, it feels like we studio art majors are given so much quality attention to. We get our own building, we have professors who are like no other (plus they’re currently working in their fields, with galleries around the city), and besides a thorough program, we have so much electives anyone from any of NYU’s school can choose from, like printmaking, silkscreening, glass, ceramics, jewelry, digital art, etc. Plus the program has a very distinct philosophy: they’re push you to be more theoretical and push you mentally and want you to be more thoughtful with your art, whereas I wouldn’t get at a regular art school. Columbia’s presentation of their visual arts undergrad program seems… pitiful.
And I have more freedom to choose my classes than I would at Columbia. I know Columbia has The Core, and when I was speaking to an alumnus, I told him I wanted to double major in fine arts and biology. And he thought that was going to be tough to do, especially with The Core, but not impossible.
People I know who go to Columbia tell me the administration sucks, one friend told me that in one or just a few classes, he felt like he was essentially just teaching himself. But I hear the people there are just awesome, which is so true, Ivy Leagues attract incredible people. But all that stuff could happen somewhere else.
The only thing I was unhappy about NYU was it’s price. I heard Columbia had received a lot of money recently, so their financial seemed like the huge reason why I wanted to go there. But I heard they were pretty stingy before all that money. Plus, I know this valedictorian who pretty much got into all the ivy leagues and he said Columbia’s financial aid package was the worst.
So I hope that helped. You can’t actually compare the schools holistically. Nonetheless, both schools are excellent.</p>

<p>The question of superiority or which is better is not relevant to the OP’s situation. If Columbia is not in the cards, who cares which is better? NYU is one of the best universities in the country, and if you are accepted and can afford to go there and want to got here, congratulations. Hope you have a great experience. Time to recycle the US news rankings.</p>

<p>NYU is right in the middle of the city…to the point where you dont really even feel like your in college. If you like being in the middle of a big city with lots of action, then NYU is the place for you.</p>

<p>Columbia has more of an inclosed campus. If you want more of a “college experience” where you really feel like your in a college community, then COlumbia is better.</p>

<p>My opinion, go to college to get the real “college experience”, and save the big city experience for later in life</p>

<p>lol, shuffleace, you should ■■■■■ somewhere else. I agree that Columbia probably has a better reputation for undergrad overall, but it doesn’t mean it beats NYU in everything hands down. Are you saying Columbia is better than NYU (Tisch) at art? Your post just shows how immature and illogical you are.</p>

<p>I am a graduate student in the Silver School of Social Work and NYU is far more superior for Social Work majors compared to Columbia. Both schools rank very well with graduate school rankings BUT NYU provides students much better opportunies when it comes to internships. Social Work students intern 300 hours per semester and NYU internships ROCK compared to the Columbia internships. I have friends that attend NYU and Columbia and we all agree.</p>

<p>D was accepted to Barnard, but turned it down to attend NYU because she could not study vocal performance (musical theatre) at Barnard/ Columbia and would not have had the opportunity to take the music/ media related business courses that she can at NYU.</p>

<p>Plus she was awarded a talent merit scholarship at NYU and would not have gotten any financial aid uptown.</p>

<p>She is a junior now and does not regret her decision in the least.</p>

<p>^^Barnard’s not the same as Columbia though…</p>

<p>What people have said about NYU Tisch is true, it’s stronger.
But in terms of how people (particularly employers) will view you as an NYU and Columbia student is, indeed, different. Academically and intellectually, Columbia is stronger.</p>

<p>I’m sorry, NYU is great, it really is, but there is no question that the AVERAGE student who attends Columbia has better stats than the average NYU student. Employers will not view the two schools as the same. </p>

<p>With that said, there should be no shame in being second, second doesn’t mean you’ve lost, it just means you’re one from the best, which is no small feat.</p>

<p>How about Stern? how do people view columbia maths/econs vs stern finance
I think Columbia(a lower tier Ivy) is 1 level behind stern in terms of that respect. Columbia is good, but not as good as NYU(Tish and Stern) in terms of specialized field, even with its ivy brand.
take a look at IB recruitment and target schools to see whether columbia is on par with the rest of ivies and stern.</p>

<p>Take this coming from a Stern student.</p>

<p>In terms of financial services (wall street) recruiting, Columbia beats NYU Stern period. Don’t get me wrong, NYU Stern is heavily recruited and one of the tops for finance recruiting but for front office jobs, Columbia definitely gets the edge up. And Columbia is NOT a lower ivy, it is a middle ivy, if not, an upper ivy. Although both give you excellent opportunities for recruitment, if you plan on working in wall street, you would be an absolute fool to turn down Columbia for NYU Stern </p>

<p>Keep in mind that the main strength of NYU Stern comes from its geographical location in lower manhattan. The reason why NYU Stern is so strong is because the students can easily network in person with wall street bankers and intern during the year - something that most other schools cannot do. In short, an employer would pick an econ degree from an ivy over a NYU Stern degree by itself the majority of the time. However, an ivy econ degree with some internships vs. a NYU Stern finance degree with multiple networked contacts and multiple internships from NYC banks under his belt? That is very difficult for an employer to turn down, even against an ivy league degree.</p>

<p>This is why some students pick NYU Stern over lower ivies such as Cornell or Brown. However against Columbia University, an upper ivy, which is also located in NYC? Columbia U ftw, hands down.</p>

<p>Coming from someone who lived blocks away from Columbia their entire life, did multiple after school programs at Columbia, and is going to NYU Tisch this fall, the location by Columbia is WAY BETTER then NYU. I also hate Columbia.*
My Reason why I like Northern Manhattan better

  • The restaurants are better and cheaper(for the most part)
  • The people are amazing
  • The culture and history is strong*
  • You just as “connected” to the City as NYU
  • To me West Harlem(uptown in general) feels more like New York than Lower Manhattan. Why? Because Lower Manhattan particularly the NYU area has this fake vibe. I can’t explain it but most native/long time New Yorkers would agree.</p>

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<li>Columbia is destroying West Harlem and the rest of Northern Manhattan. They are kicking poor families out of their homes and buying out local/small business as part as their expansion plan.</li>
</ul>

<p>The name of the school someone graduated might get them an interview and might even get them the job, but IT WILL NOT HELP THEM KEEP THE JOB.</p>

<p>Let’s be honest – The difference between NYU and Columbia, academics-wise, is very small. This isn’t comparing Columbia to Kentucky State or something here… They’re both elite schools. Columbia may have a longer standing tradition of excellence, but many of NYU’s programs, NOT just Stern/Tisch, are on the same level as or just below those of Columbia. </p>

<p>In the greater NYC area, Columbia and NYU degrees hold significant weight. Arguing which might, at the margin, have more influence is ridiculous. Either way, your alma mater will only get you as far as the interview.</p>

<p>While NYU us a great school, say whatever you want, but Columbia far exceeds NYU on a national scale. Certain schools stand out at NYU, but the caliber of student Columbia accepts is far superior to NYU. Yes, college is what you make if it, but you cannot deny the academic prestige Columbia holds in rankings.</p>

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<p>Destroying West Harlem by getting rid of abandoned buildings, gas stations, derelict buildings, storage facilities, etc… Relocating families outside of a blighted area hardly seems to be “destroying” a neighborhood. I, and most others, would call it “improving” West Harlem.</p>

<p>I guess bringing 1000s of jobs to an area can’t be a good thing…</p>

<p>BocaAlban: The caliber of Columbia students is not “far superior” to that of NYU – this might have been true in the past, but no longer. I do agree that for the most part they are stronger, as it is the more selective of the two, but NYU students are not miles behind as you suggest. </p>

<p>I do not deny Columbia’s superior academic prestige, but let’s not pretend NYU is only prestigious because of its location, either. Contrary to common belief on CC, most NYU students attend primarily because of strength in their academic program, not location – the NYC vibe is an added benefit, of course, but if it were the only reason, why aren’t Pace, Fordham, CUNY, New School as “prestigious” as NYU?</p>

<p>Smart Guy:
So its okay for Columbia to buy housing projects to turn into dorms? Is it okay for Columbia to place a Duane Reade across from two local pharmacies(one already closed down)? Is it okay for my Mom to have two jobs in order to pay for the newly raised rent?
Where are they jobs you are referring to? Every time a big company tries to buy land in a poor neighborhood they use the excuse of placing new jobs.
Its is very easy for people who do not live in the area to say Columbia is improving West Harlem.</p>

<p>^Have you read about Sexton’s plan to “take over” as much of lower Manhattan and Brooklyn as he can? The issue is very complex, and cannot be adequately addressed on a forum like this. There are pros and cons to university expansions. Suffice it to say that NYU is engaged in very same “manifest destiny” game as Columbia (or Harvard or ______).</p>

<p>I believe college to be a tool box. Some are shiny, prestigious, highly respected and envied. Others may appear average, dusty, old, and outdated. </p>

<p>In the end, it is the talent of the carpenter that really determines the quality of the finished product.</p>

<p>^ not all toolboxes have the same tools. ie. maybe you want to screw something in but you don’t have a screwdriver. Then, no matter how talented the carpenter is, he/she cannot create the best finished product.</p>

<p>@ Noooob are u saying that NYU’s professors are not as good as Columbia’s?</p>

<p>no but maybe the opportunities upon graduation due to the school name are not the same between the two schools</p>