NYU vs. UCSD!! Help!

College Search & Selection
1

Hi, an international applicant here.
I am currently deciding between NYU and UCSD, but I really don’t know which one to choose (it’s like 50%/50%).
My intended major is…well, this is what’s REALLY keeping me indecisive right now.

I applied for AND planned to major in either Education Studies, Sociology, Communication studies (double major in any two of those three), so I thought NYU would be a better choice since it’s a more liberal arts school than UCSD (it’s renowned for its STEM program. I’m passionate for all three of them. HOWEVER, at the same time, I am extremely passionate about marine biology/sciences. Since I was a kid, I’ve been flipping through hundreds of pages of a Fish Encyclopedia. I’d even try to memorize their scientific names. I even love going to aquariums and learning so much about the fish/mammals there. UCSD has a really good marine biology program, which NYU doesn’t have. I would love to do marine biology and get a job related to the field, but here’s a problem: I’m not doing stellar in my biology class. I get around 6’s for Ecology and Evolution (Biology SL - IB) but I am terrible (5’s) on other topics (ex. Molecular Biology, Human Physiology). I am rather better in the humanities (Economics, History HL,TOK). So in this case…how should I approach my multiple passions?

In terms of the college environment, I prefer UCSD to NYU because of its weather; I tend to be happier when I’m exposed to a lot of sunlight. I also lived in California as a child so I don’t have a problem adapting to the weather. But in terms of social life, I’d prefer NYU…I visited both campuses and talked to current students, and plus I know some people from both campuses. I felt more comfortable with NYU students.

NYU has a better reputation in the country I live in (Korea). This doesn’t affect me that much, but it’s definitely a factor that I am keeping into consideration.

As for tuition, my parents assure me that they can afford both schools, but when I think about the sacrifices that my parents would have to make to send me to NYU (which is a more expensive school), I get uneasy. My little brother has yet to go to college. My family has a total income of around $180k. Four family members are dependent on that income.

I would really love to attend either school! I just can’t make the right decision.

Please help…any advice is appreciated! :slight_smile:

2

How much does UCSD cost vs NYU.

NYU will have a more international vibe while UCSD will have a high percentage of Californians (80%) and 45% will be Asians, Something like 55% are from LA and San Diego which means you will have a limited exposure to rest of US population.

3

@texaspg UCSD: $56,073 and NYU: $ 75,283…

4

NYU is going to cost nearly 300k USD. For a family of 4 earnings only 180k/yr, it isn’t remotely worth it-- not even for a nanosecond of consideration. Even UCSD is going to be a financial stretch for that income level. Why didn’t you apply to any more affordable schools?

5

@GMTplus7 Well, it can’t be helped now. These were the schools that I wanted to apply to, as well as the schools that my family encouraged me to apply to. We already knew. Plus, I couldn’t apply for financial aid/scholarships because of my status as an international student.

6

aside from the money part, you will get completely two different college experience. NYU --> urban / east coast culture. UCSD --> suburban / beach culture. in the states, they are on par as far as reputation goes. maybe NYU better known. just because it’s New York, and longer history. but if you are on the west coast, which is the heart of the United States, :smiley: (we are the 9th biggest economy in the world!!)
UCSD is well known for it’s engineering / science

7

Do you have any options in Korea?

If not, UCSD. Honestly, both of those prices are outrageously high for your family.