<p>Hey! </p>
<p>Can anyone PLEASE help me out with deciding between NYU and Northwestern (for Economics)? To make this difficult decision even worse, I have been invited to join NYU's Presidential Honors Scholars Program and have also been accepted to Northwestern's (pretty prestigious) Mathematical Methods in the Social Sciences Program, which kind of almost guarantees me a spot as part of the Kellogg Certificate Program in Financial Economics, open to undergrads (one of the main attractions for me), and thereby helps a ton with undergrad recruitment - and these would likely be huge resume boosters. I am fairly certain I want to get into something finance-y after I get my undergrad degree, maybe even something like investment banking or consulting, or even something economics-related - so in that sense, internship and job opportunities would be UNPARALLELED in New York.</p>
<p>However, Northwestern +MMSS is obviously more prestigious than NYU, even with the Presidential Honors Scholars Program, and I'm almost certain the Econ department at Northwestern would be better, not to mention NYU doesn't have a campus (!!) or much school spirit? But on the other hand, NYU is in NYC, there are AWESOME study abroad programs (which would basically be free for me through PHS), the internships/job placements would probably be much better in NY as compared to Chicago, and if I somehow decide to transfer to Stern for my sophomore year (I love Stern's business program), that option is still available. Plus, PHS makes the whole thing so much better! </p>
<p>I'm really not sure how to make this decision :( Before I found out about being invited to PHS, I had my heart set on Northwestern. But now... it's not so simple anymore :( Please help?!</p>
<p>money aside id say northwestern
but if northwestern results in you paying more, then no</p>
<p>This one’s easy–Northwestern. (And I say that not just because I am an alum.) Northwestern is ranked significantly higher than NYU overall, as well as in its undergrad economics and MBA programs. The university has a rich life outside of academics and a beautiful campus just a quick “L” ride from Chicago. Chicago is a fantastic city and a major financial market as well. </p>
<p>Just because you are a student at a university outside New York does not mean you cannot get internships there, especially if you are in a program as highly ranked as Northwestern’s. You are 18 years old. You have your whole life to live in New York if that is what you aspire to do.</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>Northwestern. Read the post above mine.</p>
<p>Northwestern MMSS, no doubt.</p>
<p>Northwestern. Read the post three above mine.</p>
<p>Unless there is a huge difference in cost for you which would favor NYU, i think it’s an easy call - Northwestern.
As i said in another post:
In terms of undergrad, it is a LOT tougher to get into Northwestern than NYU, and the overall undergrad student body reflects that. For example, for the last year for which both schools have made their common data sets available (2009-10), the middle 50% of SAT CR for NYU was 610-710, while for NU it was 670-750; for Math for NYU it was 600-720, while for NU it was 690-780; for ACT composites for NYU it was 27-31, while for NU it was 31-33. In 2010, NYU’s acceptance rate was 33%, while NU’s was 23% (and Nu’s acceptance rate now is much lower still - about 15-16%).
This is not the same playing field. That is why US News & World Report ranks NU 12th among National Universities, while it ranks NYU 33rd. (And the Forbes rating, which is admittedly wacky for a number of reasons, ranks NU 11th and NYU 200th.)</p>
<p>I’m sure you’ll do fine at whichever school you pick, but all other things being equal, I’d pick Northwestern in a heartbeat.
Good luck!</p>
<p>^^ Correction to the above re acceptance rates. According to US New 2012 rankings, NYU’s acceptance rate was 38%, while Northwestern’s was 23%.</p>