One of the hardest decisions of my life...

<p>... if not THE hardest. I am currently trying to decide between UC Davis CAS(or whatever its called), and the NYU CAS. I am interested in East Asian studies at the moment, and am also in the mood for adventure. I am from Sacramento, California (really close to Davis). I have started assembling a list of pros and cons for each school, though I still need help deciding.</p>

<p>NYU</p>

<p>PROS
-Academically better and more prestigious
-NYC
-I like the study abroad program(especially one in Shanghai)
-From what I have seen, professors are approachable
-It is something far away and new, which might change me for the better.
-Dorms are awesome
-New crowd of people (may be good or bad)
-Overall, a new experience</p>

<p>CONS
-Expensive, though I could afford to go if I want to
-Far away (possibly get homesick?)
-From what I've heard it's harder to meet people and make friends.</p>

<p>UC DAVIS</p>

<p>PROS
-Cheap
-Close(this can be good or bad)
-it has a study abroad program(though it might not be as good as NYU's)
-People may be friendlier here
-May be more comfortable for me</p>

<p>CONS
-might be boring/nothing new
-closeness might get to me
-I kind of know a lot of people going there already
-doesn't excite me as much</p>

<p>My biggest problem right now is probably my lack of information, notably about the East Asian studies as well as not knowing anyone that goes to NYU already (I know tons at Davis). I have looked at both sites for the departments of both colleges, but I can't find anything really... distinguishing or different about either. I didn't have the opportunity to audit either of the school's classes of those departments, nor do I know anyone in them. Nevertheless, I still am leaning toward NYU at the moment, not just because it is an academically better school but also that I've heard from all my friends who went East Coast that they don't regret it at all and have had life-changing experiences (something I wouldn't mind). NYC does sound exciting.</p>

<p>Definitely NYU.</p>

<p>Nyu!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</p>

<p>Please... someone tell me reasons why... I mean it is easy to say the academically better more prestigious school- I just want to have reasons to say why I want to go to a school that costs over twice as much other than because "it's better". But thanks for your input nontheless!</p>

<p>Davis, and go study abroad as much as you can. That will keep it from ever being boring. NYU has more prestige, but distance is a very big deal, and if you feel that you can get as good of an education for significantly less, why not.</p>

<p>Plus NYU doesn't really have the school spirit or college experiece that I personally am love, so I am biased against them.</p>

<p>Mostly because you grew up in Sacramento and should try something new and different for college if you're able to. I Actually, I don't think NYU is that prestigeous, but it would be a lot more exciting than cow town Davis which I couldn't see for myself if I had the chance. Wish there was a college I loved in NYC.</p>

<p>Yes, one of the main selling points about NYU is that is new and unknown- something Davis certainly isnt. While this may be a problem if I get overly homesick and depressed, but I also think "no guts no glory"- changing for the better might not be the most comfortable thing in the world. My parents want me to grow up anyways. Then again, they want me to be close.</p>

<p>See I'm opposite you there suze - I don't think I could stand living in NYC.</p>

<p>Any more suggestions?</p>

<p>I went to boarding school and trust me, you will get over the homesickness and be loving school too much to look back! Let's face it, if you don't leave now and go to a local college you're probably there for life. Davis is virtually unknown outside of CA. Expand your horizons! Once you've lived in nyc you can handle anything. I come from CA, went to HS in MA, spent Jr. yr in China,been working on Wall Street, going to college in NH. I love my family but everyone is happy I'm doing what I love.</p>

<p>Suze, </p>

<p>Dude, your last post really got my attention. I really agree with lots of things you said, but this college decision is still kind of hard- I kind of need to put what you just said into my own words. Do you have AIM by any chance?</p>

<p>NYU</p>

<p>Girlfriend from Hell went to Davis --scarred me for life</p>

<p>ur from sac looking at NYU
cool
Im from Granite Bay (like by roseville)
but yeah anywho</p>

<p>ide choose NYU (but that is one fo my top choices for next year when i apply)</p>

<p>I heard amazing things about there EAS department</p>

<p>also
if u decide to do international relationsish stuff, NYU has one of the best undergrad depts for it in the world.</p>

<p>and
U cant beat NYU study abroad</p>

<p>literally, u cant</p>

<p>and lastly
i could never go to davis cause its liek 30 minutes from home
i just want to leave california</p>

<p>Davis:</p>

<p>Save up the 120k difference over four years between the two schools and travel across the world for one year and see all that you want to see if you want. 120k would pay for all travel costs + forgone salary.</p>

<p>Or you can buy a car and pay the down payment for a new house.</p>

<p>haha BIGTWIX do you go to GBHS? I've had to wrestle against your school a couple of times (I go to Mcclatchy in Sacramento).</p>

<p>Anyways, I actually chose NYU, but thanks everyone for your advice</p>

<p>Congrats, it'll be a great adventure.</p>

<p>I was just gonna say, hey, if your family can really afford it, choose NYU because everything you said "CON" about NYU can be worked upon, but you can't change the "CONS" you had listed about Davis.</p>

<p>Most people would have to decide that one based on finances, so I'm sure you are thankful for your blessings to afford such a big ticketprice difference.</p>

<p>Congratulations for being brave. I think you'll come to adore NYC. Every time I'm in the NYU neighborhoods, it looks to me that the students are really friendly, walking together in groups and so on. Just stay really, really open and don't form opinions too fast around you. There will be culture shock but also culture plusses, in GREAT abundance. What a city!!! You won't believe it!</p>

<p>If you love it, after 4 years stay, and if not, go home and for the rest of your LIFE you'll have done something brave and exciting. Good for you.</p>

<p>yep. cool
glad u chose NYU</p>

<p>ummm
yeah
i do remember wrestling Mcclatchhy at a home match once, but that was when iwas a freshman, and now im a junior (i only wrestled freshman year)</p>

<p>but yeah
i think we are in a different league now
wasnt that metro? cause i think we are SFL again</p>

<p>I would choose UC Davis in this situation..NYU is not worth all the money and the trip across the country</p>

<p>but I see you have chosen NYU..good luck</p>

<p>NYU is better overall but the lack of community, a real campus, and many of the elements that make college great would make it very hard for me to attend personally.</p>