Stern or CAS Econ? Chances for both?

<p>I'm trying to decide between applying to Stern or CAS. I'm aware that Stern is comparatively more difficult to gain admissions into, and an internal transfer from CAS to Stern is highly unlikely. I appreciate NYU as a whole, and I know the Econ program is one of the best in the nation, but I'm afraid that immediate job prospects upon graduation may be overshadowed by Stern students.</p>

<p>In any case, here are my stats. Chance me for both Stern and CAS:</p>

<p>Top ranked New England prep school
92% UW GPA, 'Most Rigorous' Schedule (6-8 APs + many Honors courses by graduation)
2160 SAT (700 CR, 730 M, 730 W)
SAT Subject Tests: 740 Math II, 730 French with Listening, 620 US History
AP Exams: English Language (4), U.S. History (4), French (4)</p>

<p>You’re about an average candidate for Stern and probably CAS as well. CAS is easier to get into than Stern, however, only slightly. Your concern over job prospects isn’t something to be too worried about. Stern focuses on more applied Econ. CAS focuses on more econ theory - so it depends on what you want to go into.</p>

<p>Is that so? I always had this notion that Stern admissions was comparable to “lower-tier ivy” competitiveness (Cornell, Brown). Not sure what this implication is for CAS but this comes as a surprise.</p>

<p>Eh, I’d say you’re above an average CAS applicant. CAS is a low match (I’d be very, very surprised if you were declined) and Stern is probably a match/high match. Your profile fits those of many accepted Stern students.</p>

<p>NYU is becoming more selective every year. </p>

<p>SAT scores:
Cornell:
1300-1500</p>

<p>NYU for all 4 year programs:
1280-1480</p>

<p>So yes, admissions to NYU is becoming quite competitive and selective for all NYU schools.</p>

<p>I think that 1600-scale SAT scores mean very little, especially considering that most programs within NYU weigh all three sections equally. NYU is a fantastic school – my top choice, in fact – but collectively it’s still not comparable to an Ivy school. I’d say Stern is pretty close though. </p>

<p>SAT scores for Cornell and NYU don’t change the fact that the OP’s GPA and SAT are above the CAS averages. You can check the NYU results threads – or current applicant threads – and find out that the OP is definitely not an average applicant to CAS. It’s not a safety, seeing as that that’s the case for very few, but he definitely has an above average chance.</p>

<p>If NYU’s SAT scores are 19500-2230, then what are defining average as? CAS is the second most selective school in NYU. I’m sure there are plenty of students in CAS with 2100+ SAT scores. While it may be the case that there are students with lower SAT scores, if OP’s SAT scores are within the NYU range, then he is, in fact, an average applicant to CAS. Most people who apply to NYU are average applicants. A non-average applicant would be someone with a 4.0 UWGPA and a 2200 SAT, or a 3.7 UWGPA with a 2400 SAT. Anything that falls outside of the “norms” is non-average. Anything that falls within the norms is “average”</p>

<p>CB says NYU’s average SAT scores are 1860-2170. OP is almost exactly at the 75th percentile and a 3.6 unweighted is typically accepted as average at CAS. OP has an UW GPA of a 3.7 with an impressively rigorous schedule. To call him/her an average applicant would suggest that his chances of being declined are equal to that of being accepted. I’d say he/she is much more likely to be accepted.</p>

<p>CB isn’t always that reliable.
NYU reports SAT scores for all 4 years programs at 1950-2230. </p>

<p>And no, you misunderstand the word average. Average means anyone who falls into any of the NYU average ranges. Being outside of these would be non-average. Average implies that you are similar to many other applicants and students who already attend. Thus, average. OP would be non-average at, say, any T50 school. Average does not imply 50/50 chance. Average implies you are within the average student range of NYU students.</p>

<p>Sorry, you’re using “average” in terms that are far too vague. There’s a huge difference between a 25th percentile “average” and a 75th percentile “average” applicant. Based off of that definition of average, to call the OP simply an average applicant wouldn’t useful at all. </p>

<p>Somebody stuck at the 25th percentile of a school’s average has a decidedly low chance of admission unless he or she has some sort of hook, significant ECs, or brilliant essays; on the other hand, an applicant at the 75th percentile has a pretty good chance of admission. If you’re going to simply tell the OP that’s he’s average, some distinction between a 25/75th percentile ‘average’ applicant would be useful because the OP has a much higher chance of admission than does somebody with a 1860 SAT.</p>

<p>No. I’m using average correctly. You’re trying to attach meaning to average that simply isn’t there. You’re trying to say average also means “you have these chances”. Please look up the meaning of the word “average”. No where does average have a definition of “you have these chances of getting into college”. </p>

<p>“Average” and one’s chances of getting into college are not the same thing. You’re trying to say that my statement of “average” is wrong because the OP has better than “average chances” of getting into NYU. You’re using the words “average” and “chances”. I’m using only the word “Average” is terms of his stats in comparison to NYU’s average students. </p>

<p>Please understand the difference between “average” and one’s chances of getting into college. They are different things.</p>

<p>I never said that you’re using average incorrectly. I’m saying that “average” does not give anybody an accurate depiction of their chances. “Average”, in this context, means nothing and you shouldn’t be using it.</p>

<p>Not really worth spending any more time, though. Evidently neither of us are going to be able to change each other’s opinions.</p>