<p>I am trying to decide between tufts and stern. I want to major in economics and I love NYC but I dont want to work in an investment bank. What is the culture like? Workload? Wich school would you choose? Any input would be great</p>
<p>I think both schools are great and it really depends on what you are looking for.</p>
<p>I’m very familiar with both NYU Stern and Tufts and what each school has to offer and I’d say they are both great for economics. However, it’s important to consider what kind of environment you want to be in. While both schools are competitive, Tufts is a small liberal arts school which offers tons of opportunities in the arts (if you’re into that) while stern is in a huge city (obviously). You’ll get a very different experience in Tufts than you will at Stern.</p>
<p>My recommendation, however, is NYU Stern. Tons of companies and banks – not just investment banks – recruit there and what better place to be than in New York City, only a few train stops away from the financial district? Just keep in mind your success in college is only what you make of it so if you choose Tufts, venture out into Boston from time to time and see what kind of academic/social opportunities await you.</p>
<p>Tufts and Stern are both great schools, but based on the articles below, they are at opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of culture. Tufts is academically challenging, but the students tend to be intrinsically rather than extrinsically motivated (i.e. not competitive with each other) with a broad range of interests that tend to span multiple disciplines. Tufts has the feel of a small liberal arts college with an international vibe (due to the Fletcher school and a large population of IR majors) rather than the feel of a large business school. Tufts students lean more toward the idealistic side (make a difference in the world), rather than the raw ambition side (make as much money as possible). Tufts students tend to be creative, friendly, unpretentious and politically correct (some say they are too PC ).</p>
<p>Both Econ departments are highly regarded. You dont hear much about Tufts Econ department in the university rankings because it has a masters program, but no Phd program. University departmental rankings tend to be based on research output and the number of Phds produced. Tufts is ranked number one in the country among economics departments that only offer up to a masters degree, but very few are aware of the ranking. The disciplines in which Tufts econ department is best known align with Fletcher and the IR field (international economics, development economics, environmental economics and energy economics). Stern is best known for finance.</p>
<p>Tufts is located on the edge of a charming, small city that has a lot to offer, while Stern is in the middle of a very big city that has just about everything to offer (except championship sports teams). For better or worse, Boston is not NY. Boston is sometimes referred to as the best college town in the US- so the culture is very student focused, but there is less of just about everything than NY. If it is the nightlife that you love about NY, then be aware that Boston is not a 24x7 city. Public transportation shuts down after midnight, and the city pretty much shuts down by 2AM. </p>
<p>Personally, I prefer living near Boston and visiting NY, but there are lots of people who prefer the opposite. If you have friends or family in NY that can put you up for a Friday/Saturday night, then NY is a relatively inexpensive weekend excursion. It is about a 4.5hr, $20 (each way) bus ride from Boston. </p>
<p>I cannot make a recommendation because you did not say what kind of college culture you are looking for and I think that should be the priority. If you are miserable studying at one place or the other, then you are not going to enjoy either city and you may not perform well enough to get a good job in any field. </p>
<p>The fact that you are asking about culture and the fact that you already know you do not want to go into the career that most people who go to Stern are striving for raises a red flag in my mind, but I may be reading too much into your post.</p>
<p>In any event, the real question is - are you a Red Sox fan, or a Yankees fan?</p>
<p>Good luck </p>
<p><a href=“https://sites.google.com/site/nyureview/Home/nyu-stern-undergraduate-college---student-review-continued[/url]”>https://sites.google.com/site/nyureview/Home/nyu-stern-undergraduate-college---student-review-continued</a></p>
<p>[“The</a> freshman fizzle: A case study at the New York University Stern Sch” by Susan M Greenbaum](<a href=“http://repository.upenn.edu/dissertations/AAI3311550/]"The”>http://repository.upenn.edu/dissertations/AAI3311550/)</p>
<p>In addition to the above comments, one key difference to me that relates to the “feel” of the schools (as opposed to the academics) is that at NYU you don’t get the experience of living on a college campus, which i think contributes a lot to the experience. I liked the LAC feel of Tufts, as does my son. The campus just creates a difference environment (even if you spend your last year or two living in an apt off campus, but nearby).</p>
<p>WCAS makes an excellent point. I would choose Tufts for that reason. Visit both and get a good feel…</p>
<p>I attended NYU Tisch years ago. If relations between NYU’s administration (registrar, bursar, etc.) and student are just as onerous now as they were then, this could be another reason to steer away.</p>