The Mother of all Dilemmas: NYU and BU, with a catch

Colleges and Universities A-Z Boston University
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<p>Alright ladies and gents, I’ve got a really unique problem here, and I’ve been trying to seek help in solving it by talking to as many people as possible. You fellows seem like a smart enough bunch, so I thought I’d see if some of you could provide insight.</p>

<p>I got accepted to NYU’s Liberal Studies Program in Florence. My freshman year is spent there, with the remaining three years in NYC. NYU was the best school I applied to, in my opinion (others: BU, Northeastern, Sarah Lawrence) so I was ecstatic about my acceptance. The LSP program also appeals to me greatly, as does the year abroad in Florence. Sounds like I’m set, right?</p>

<p>Only I’m not. I had been planning to go to college with my best friend from high school, and we applied to almost all the same schools. We have very similar stats, and took almost all the same classes (IB Diploma). To my complete and utter dismay, he was rejected outright from NYU. The only school we got in together is Boston University.</p>

<p>So, I am faced with a gut wrenching decision; the biggest of my life. On one hand I have NYU, my preferred school in my favorite city and with a fantastic program with a year in another special European city as a bonus-</p>

<p>And on the other hand, I have BU with my best friend. The obvious issue is the difference in prestige, reputation, and academic opportunities between the 2 schools- I have been lead to believe that NYU is superior to BU in almost all areas of its being. Despite this, I find it hard to imagine myself leaving my friend- we’re like brothers.</p>

<p>I’m in trouble here. I can’t imagine myself rejecting NYU- I suppose you could call it my “dream school”- but I can’t see myself heading out alone, without my buddy. I know friendships last, and I don’t want ours to bear the regret of something as big as NYU- but at this time, I simply cannot come to terms with going to a separate university than him.</p>

<p>I’ve been trying to convince myself that BU really isn’t that much of a step down from NYU, that it’s worth it… is it?</p>

<p>Any form of help, advice, or guidance is strongly appreciated. Thanks in advance.</p>

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<p>You have to leave your brothers at some point in your life- right? If this friend is only a brother to you then attend NYU, make new friends,but don’t lose contact with him(speak to him over facebook and aim). Maybe try to spend some weekends with him. </p>

<p>Good luck
-My advice: Go to NYU</p>

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<p>It’s not that BU is a step down but that you’re comparing a year in Italy to a year at BU. If you really want Florence, then you should go there. Life goes on.</p>

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<p>I think you should go to NYU. Friendships can last through skype, email, etc. Going to the same college doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll hang out with the same people, be as close, or see each other as frequently. BU is a huge school, and while it would be nice to see friends everyday like in HS, more often than not, you won’t be with them as much. I mean, its cool that you want to be with your friend, but don’t give up what you want for it. What if you went to BU and things didn’t turn out to be what they seemed? You’d be disappointed and blown. I think you should go to NYU, and spend as much time with your friend now, while you can. I hope this could help. :)</p>

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<p>If you really want to go to NYU (and have good reasons other than prestige) than I would say go. I realize it would be a big step moving away from your friend, but if you guys really are like brothers you’ll be happy that both of you are going to the school you wanna go to! And what if you both go to BU but end up not being able to see each other that often? It’s just a possibility to consider. Florence is going to be an absolutely amazing experience to miss out on. </p>

<p>I’m sure your friend would understand. I don’t think he’d want you to go to BU with him just for him, if it were me I’d feel horrible that my friend did that just for me. Hope I helped.</p>

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<p>Hey I got accepted to NYU lsp in Florence too. I think I’m going to go so if you decide to go ,message me!:)</p>

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<p>i think the consensus is that you should go to NYU and i think you should too. it sounds like you have an amazing opportunity and I think your friend should realize that too. boston and NYU is only a short 4 hour drive away or an even shorter flight. you can stay connected on the internet and for the times that you do get to see each other, it’ll just be that much more excited and you’ll have more to catch up and talk about.</p>

<p>good luck!</p>

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<p>4 hour drive is a bit short Alectricity (accounting traffic) - I would say 5 hours, but to get there via bus is super easy and cheap.</p>

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<p>Drop your friend. It’s a harsh thing to say, but you need to be able to handle yourself and go solo. Your friends will be there, but not always. Eventually you’ll have to part ways. Plus, this program you’re in seems like such a great opportunity; why miss something new and exciting to stick with the old and humdrum?</p>

<p>Plus, once you get back your sophomore year, you’ll totally be able to reconnect with your friend. But I think separation time will allow you to grow. You probably don’t realize now how much your friend influences you.</p>

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<p>I came to BU with my best friend and now we aren’t friends anymore… Don’t base your decision on where your friend is going… If you are in NYC and he is in Boston, its only $30 round trip to get to either city via Bolt Bus and you will have double the friends in two different cities… I am telling you, not worth it to make your decision just because of that.</p>

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<p>NYU and BU are really not that far apart geographically. If your friend were going to NYU, you would still be apart for a year because of Florence, I assume.
While BU isn’t really the step down you make it sound like, you should go with this opportunity if you want it.</p>

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<p>You and your high school friend need to grow up and get away from each other in order to expand your horizons. If you’re good friend material, you will find a way to stay in touch. Imagine getting to know 10 people just like this friend from high school when you get to college … when your friend comes to visit, they will also get to know your new friends and life continues. Don’t make college decisions based on high school friends/boyfriends/girlfriends!</p>

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<p>That’s seriously a hard decision because I’ve been faced with that too in my senior year of HS, but instead, I was in your friends position. I got rejected to a school we both applied to, but my best friend got accepted. My friend ended up going there and I ended up staying home (which sucks) and we barely talk anymore. I know the truth might hurt, but the truth is that no matter how hard you try to keep in touch, its just not going to be the same as in HS once you enter college. </p>

<p>This is college, a new world, with tons of new people. Eventually, we will all split apart. Once you enter college, you’re going to make SO much new friends that you guys just can’t stay together 24/7 like in HS. Things change. That’s life. Me and my best friend rarely talk now. I guess this doesn’t necessarily apply to everyone, but it’s just my take. So what I’m saying is that either if you go to NYU or BU, you guys will probably part ways at one point or another. My advice for you? Go to NYU. I know its hard to leave your friend, but I can almost guarantee you that if you go to BU just to be with your friend, you will regret it, because things WILL change. And plus, college is about being independent. Go venture out, explore, and you’ll grow as a person.</p>