Please help reassure me about my college choice!!

Parents Forum
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<p>Alright, I never really thought I had a good chance at the top-top schools such as Upenn, Princeton, Harvard, Yale, etc. I always knew I had a good chance at the schools between 10 and 20 on US news ranking, but I also knew I wanted to go into business. I have applied ED for NYU Stern, because its a wonderful school. I really have researched it a LOT and I can find only PROS and no cons! </p>

<p>Here is what I love about NYU and Stern.
- Its in NYC! And I love the city, it is also close to my home (NJ)
- I love the business program- very possible to double major AND minor, very flexible and all the courses sound interesting
- Study abroad opportunities are wonderful, all Stern students are REQUIRED to go abroad at least once, and IBEX programs sound really interesting
- 4 day weeks! can relax on three day weekend, do so many things in the city, and you can pursue an internship/job throughout the school year
- Tons of internship opportunities
- You can get a great job right after graduating
- Awesome dorms! Private bathrooms!</p>

<p>But the only thing I am worried about is - WHAT IF I COULD HAVE GOTTEN INTO SOMETHING BETTER?</p>

<p>I have some pretty good stats (1500 SAT, 800 writing sat 2, 800 math IIC, 740 bio sat 2). I now realize I could have applied to an Ivy league school for early decision. The problem is, I don't really LIKE any ivy enough to apply early. I wanted to major in business, but I do not know if I like only economics, which is what most undergrad schools offer. Only business schools like Stern and Wharton offer really varied business majors, and that interests me. I have not applied to Wharton because I have no business ECs and my parents, guidance, etc told me I could never get in, it was impossible. But now...I feel like I should have applied there! After all this research, could I have stood a chance at a much better school than NYU Stern? I just don't want to feel for the rest of my life that I could have done better. I'm NOT a prestige whore, and thats why I don't even like half the ivies...I've been looking for a school that really fits me and my interests, and STERN does that PERFECTLY. </p>

<p>I don't want to feel like I am applying early to something that I have too high stats for....is it true that my stats are high, or are there many students with stats like mine + higher? Do many students turn down ivies for Stern? And also, do you think I am being egoistic about thinking I have high stats for Stern or is this true?</p>

<p>Should I be worried about prestige or should I just sit back and hope I get accepted, and relax because I have a good chance? I have been stressed out recently by constantly thinking...WHAT IF I COULD HAVE GOTTEN INTO AN IVY?</p>

<p>Thanks parents and others for reading this (if you read this far). I am a very confused person. Please reassure me that making my choice based on program and not prestige/scores is right!!!</p>

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<p>Your stats are competitive for Wharton, but unless you have fantastic recommendations, awesome EC's, and a compelling essay to go along with them, I don't think you would have had much chance of an acceptance. </p>

<p>You have made a very informed decision regarding Stern and, on paper at least, it seems like the perfect place for you. Ivy League admissions can be so quirky and by no means a sure thing.</p>

<p>I believe you have made a great choice for yourself. Best of luck.</p>

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<p>Ivy Schmivy. Take a look at the bios of many CEOs. They didn't go to an Ivy. If you have found what you want, follow your own path. That's what CEOs do:).</p>

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<p>NYU, Stern and New York City are a wonderful combination. You've thought through what you want and your reasoning is sound.</p>

<p>But yet. . .</p>

<p>You are not the first person who's heard that nagging voice that "I coulda been a contender." It's not logical, it's not even healthy but it is a fact: for every door that ED opens, others close.</p>

<p>xo, only you can answer this question: will you always regret not knowing whether or not you were Wharton -- or HYP or any super-selective -- material? If you "gots to know" (to mix my movie reference) then you should act now. Change your NYU ED application to RD and let the cards fall where they may.</p>

<p>If you're looking for reassurance that you've made the right decision in choosing NYU, then I'm happy to give it. Stern grads go on to great things and NYU alums rave about their experiences. If you're looking for someone to tell you whether or not you'll regret not giving Wharton your best shot, you'll have to look in the mirror.</p>

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<p>Stern has a fine rep and NYC is a fantastic city (that you love!) so go for it with no regrets. And...if you chck out some of the CEO's with "pedigrees" - many have MBA's from Wharton not an undergrad degree. Two years ago we checked out Wharton since they indicated it was possbile to move directly into the MBA program and the info person said it's possible but they only accept one or two extremely mature people a year. So play your hand at Stern with no regrets - who knows you may choose to do a Wharton or some other MBA one day - regardless - enjoy your experience and make the most of it - it's still an opportunity many wish they had!</p>

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<p>Just an aside: I read that the two most powerful businesswomen in the world - Oprah, of course, and then Mother Angelica who built the EWTN satellite network - don't have MBAs. </p>

<p>I don't either, but I hire people with them! ;-)</p>

<p>This is just to agree with the above that you MOST DEFINITELY don't need an Ivy degree! (I do have one, but not in business...)</p>

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<p>FYI the College at UPenn offers an integrated major known as PPE, Philosophy, Political Science and Economics, that may give you more of the broad approach you are seeking. Good luck wherever you apply!</p>

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<p>Sounds like you've researched and chosen carefully. Just because a school is higher ranked doesn't mean it's better FOR YOU. If you get into Stern, don't second guess yourself and have a great experience.</p>

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<p>What is "something better"? Princeton, Yale, and Harvard are clearly inferior to you - they don't even have business programs. Why is something "better" when it fits you less perfectly? I would have thought that as decidedly inferior, and would be, not just for you, but for anyone seeking an undergraduate business degree.</p>

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<p>i'd agree. the onlyschools i know that are for sure better than stern are wharton, harvard, princeton, caltech, and MIT. all the others like columbia etc are in the same ballpark. in fact i think sterns SAT/gpa are better than that of columbia, as someone told me. but if you go to a school purely due to prestige thats pretty sad. for ug finance, i would only consider wharton and stern
also make sure you actually get into Stern before you talk about all this...</p>

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<p>Thank you everyone for your help :) I definitely feel better now - I know I have to make the choice on programs, and how it fits me, rather than prestige. It just becomes hard and confusing when I see all my friends applying to ivies, and I tell them I'm applying ED to Stern and all I get is a blank stare.......</p>

<p>But yes, I probably wouldn't get into Wharton as I have only a sub-par extracurricular resume, so I think stern is a good bet for me. Thanks everyone! I hope I get in too!</p>

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<p>Gaining an acceptance to Wharton is much more difficult than being accepted to Penn's regular undergarduate program and probably more difficult than gaining an acceptance to Princeton, MIT and Harvard.</p>

<p>That being said, if you want to know what to tell your Ivy wannabee friends, just tell them you want to study business/finance/economics, and the best places to do that are at Stern and Wharton and you know you don't stand a chance at Wharton (cause most kids don't). The kids that are giving you blank stares don't have a clue about Stern or Wharton for that matter.</p>

<p>I hope you have a positive outcome at Stern and I doubt you'll have any regrets down the road if you attend.</p>