<p>OK, so I've pretty much narrowed down my college decisions to NYU or Villanova (Well, I was waitlisted to Barnard, my first choice, so I would still go there if I got in) and I can't decide where to put my deposit. Could someone who is familiar with the schools give me a hand?</p>
<p>Here's some background. I'm a biology major and looking to do a pre-med track. I'd also really like to do two minors, one in theatre and one in psychology. Pre-med/biology is my main concern however, so if you know about the programs at these two schools I'm interested in hearing about it. I was accepted to Villanova and to the Liberal Studies Program at NYU. Which do you think would be a better choice?</p>
<p>OK, so I stayed ten days at Villanova my sophomore year for this pre-med youth leadership forum thing. I thought the school was gorgeous, but I was only there with high school kids and I didn't meet any professors or actual students. I've heard Villanova is a good school academically, has a lot of school spirit and has a gorgeous campus. However, it just seems really, really hung up on its basketball team and I've heard it's populated mostly by preppy, snobby white kids. I mean, I'm a white kid too, but I like diversity. I've also heard it's a huge party school, and that's not really my thing. My friends and I go to shows or hang out at diners, we don't really do the whole party thing. Is there anything else to do there? </p>
<p>I visited NYU today and was really surprised that I liked it. The only reason I applied initially was because the fee was waived and I figured why not. I'm from NYC and I really don't want to leave, and I especially adore Manhattan. One of my problems is that I was only admitted LSP, not to CAS where I originally applied. However, this isn't really my main issue since it seems like you end up in the same place as the CAS students in the end. The school seemed challenging, appeared to have a wide range of clubs and opportunities to get involved, and seemed generally more quiet and nerdy. My main concerns are for all of the many negative things I've heard about the school. I already know there's not much spirit and it lacks a campus, and I'm pretty okay with that. However I've also heard it's pretentious, overrated and that it's hard to fit in at the school.</p>
<p>So, I'm pretty much in a pickle here. I'm torn between two VERY different schools that I've heard very mixed opinions of and I could use some outside opinions.</p>
<p>I just made the same decision. I went to visit NYU CAS and I was really impressed by it…there are so many oppurtunities in NYC that you can’t get anywhere else. I think I’m going to go with Villanova, though. I’ve always wanted the real college experience and that’s the kind of thing Villanova offers.
I think if you’re looking for an extermely unique experience, on that’s more, I would say, life experience than college experience, go to NYU. It’s unique and exciting, and you’ll get a lot out of it. If you’re looking for the green trees, fences, beautiful buildings, basketball games, and frat parties, go to Villanova.
I really want the campus (its how I’ve always pictured college), so I’m giving up on the big city dream.
Good luck!</p>
<p>i have the exact same problem but for business. i’m a little scared of living in nyc though, ill bet its really different from just visiting (which i have done a lot)</p>
<p>I can’t really say how much different NYC is from visiting, having been born in Brooklyn, but I think it is absolutely the most amazing place on earth. I feel spoiled always having been surrounded by diversity, excitement and the ability to get into Manhattan in under 30 minutes whenever I want. That’s why I really, really can’t bear the thought of leaving. I am at my happiest wandering Manhattan streets.</p>
<p>The only thing I’m really worried about is this LSP program now. My POV has shifted. I really don’t like the idea of taking general classes for two years and being bogged down by science in junior and senior year.</p>
<p>hi i was accepted into LSP as well and I am accepting the offer
i thought that for the first two years, everyone, whether in CAS or LSP, takes general classes, which are required for every student in NYU? The only difference is that LSP has more requirements and can’t take an elective?</p>
<p>Hey steffunny. True that everyone takes some general classes for the first two years. However, from what I’ve seen CAS students seem to have more freedom. One of my friends is in CAS and is supposedly taking Chem and Bio her freshman year in addition to her MAP requirements. LSP doesn’t get to do this, we’d only take the four general classes our freshman year. This may not work for me as I am premed and have a bunch of requirements to fulfill for that in addition to a major. Also, while CAS are practically finished with their requirements sophomore year, LSPers still have a lot more core classes to complete. </p>
<p>I’m talking to my college adviser about it, since there are girls from my school who have gone through LSP pre-med and kept in touch. She said it does seem like they get bogged down junior year, but I’m going to wait for definitive evidence of that before making a choice.</p>
<p>Lauren - Actually LSP students can also take Chem/Bio freshman year, there are not 4 general classes but 3 per semester, so you get 1 elective each semester. LSP Pre-Med students start taking Chem and Bio right away freshman year. And LSP students do not have a lot more core classes to complete after that; I will have finished my LSP requirements by 1st semester Soph year (completing the program in 3 semesters). You can actually finish LSP in 1 year if you’re in Tisch.</p>
<p>I believe starting for the class of 2013 there are more LSP requirements so it won’t be possible to finish in 3 semesters anymore, but you’ll still be taking CAS classes Soph yr and as a pre-med, Bio/Chem classes right away in 1st semester freshman year.</p>
<p>Hey molly, thanks for clearing that up. I’d actually heard about that, but I wasn’t sure if you got the elective in freshman as well as sophomore year. If that’s true it may be easier to complete the pre-med, but I’m still worried about taking classes for a Psychology major and a Theatre minor and still having time to explore other things. I feel I would be able to do this at Villanova, but might not have time at NYU after completing LSP and pre-med requirements, as well as NYU’s language requirement. Finishing in 3 semesters would obviously be preferable, sucks that they’ve added more. =/</p>
<p>Yep I can see why you’re concerned. Well, Psych is considered an “easier” major with not many requirements, it’s not too hard to double major with something like Psych. You’d be suprised how easy it can be - for Psych you have to take Bio anyway, maybe even Chem, you can take those as part of your major and they’ll count as pre-med requirements. LSP requires 1 Math, you’ll get Calc out of the way, then there’s just Organic Chem I think. But you won’t have as many electives as you would in Villanova, that’s for sure. good luck with your decision. </p>
<p>As for language, even though you need 4 classes, if you do well on the placement exam, you can skip most of them. I did well on the Italian exam so I only need to take 1 class instead of 4, which gives me 3 extra electives I didn’t know I would have before.</p>
<p>Thanks for the help molly, I appreciate it. I was wondering if I could bug you with one more question.</p>
<p>Does NYU accept credits from classes taken at other colleges? I have already taken and paid for credits for a number of classes at St. Johns University and was wondering if NYU would accept these credits. I have taken Calculus I (4 credits), General Psychology (3 credits), Spanish III (3 credits), Intermediate Spanish Conversation (3 credits), Jesus the God-Man (3 credits), Religions of the World (3 credits), U.S History: Colonial Times - Civil War (3 credits), U.S. History: Civil War to The Present (3 credits). You can see why I’m concerned. That’s 25 credits I’ve already paid for and some of them could be put toward my major. In addition, I’ll also be taking an AP Biology, AP Spanish and AP Gov test, and have recieved a 4 on AP American History and a 5 on AP Psych. I know they don’t accept any AP English credits so I won’t mention those. Would any of this help me complete any requirements sooner you think? Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>Yep they usually accept credits from other colleges - you have to write a short description of the class or just use the course syllabus, and show it to the department head (Math dept for Calc class, Psych dept for Pscyh, etc). Then the dept head signs the forms and you bring it to the LSP office and then they approve it and give you credit. Don’t worry about this now, you can get the forms once you come here from your advisor. </p>
<p>AP credits can’t be used for LSP requirements (except science) but they count towards graduation. Your AP English credits won’t get you out of any requirements, but they’ll still count as credits. Do well on Bio, it’ll get you out of the Science requirement (although you’re taking it anyway since you’re pre-med), they’ll make you do a placement exam for Spanish and determine how many Spanish classes you’ll have to take (try to do really well, and they use the SAT II as a placement test btw). Govt, History and Psych won’t get you out of LSP requirements, but they’ll count as credits toward graduation. AP Psych might help you skip Psych 101 and go into a more advanced class.</p>
<p>LAUREN8822, it has been 4 years. Where did you end up going? My daughter is facing the exact same delimma. She was on her merry to go to Villanova as a bio major with premed track, until she got an email from NYU 3 days ago that they have a spot for her. She love everything Villanova has to offer, small class, beautiful campus, preppy kids, and good academics. She does not like the city, but is aware that NYU is more nationally known. She’s also admitted into the LS program @ NYU. Appreciate it if u could share your experience. Thanks.</p>
<p>You would have to PM (Private Message) Lauren as this post is quite old. The PM will get delivered to his/her email address and it is more likely you would then hear from them. But you can do that only after you have posted 10-15 times. To send a PM to someone you need to click on the Poster’s name and it will lead you to the PM option.</p>
<p>"Can I be pre-Med or double major and still do LSP?
Yes, of course! Double majoring might be a little more tough, since you’ll have twice as many requirements and also the LSP stuff - you can do it, but it will leave less room for electives. As for pre-Meds, my pre-Med friends in LSP are taking Chem and Bio in CAS. If you applied as a pre-Med (no matter what major) your advisor will arrange for you to take these classes right away. "</p>
<p>if you like Manhattan, you might not like Villanova. It’s a campus in the suburbs. You need a car to get to the city or take a long train ride to Philadelphia.</p>