<p>I've been accepted to Tulane and NYU. In NYU, I was rejected from the CAS but accepted to their Liberal Studies Program. I don't know much about the Liberal Studies Program besides the fact that I have to take general courses and have smaller-sized classrooms. Though, I hear I'm looked down upon from other NYU students for not being able to get in to the "main" schools. I'm unaware of any financial aid or scholarships that NYU will provide me (Most probably Not). On the other hand, I've been awarded a Founders Scholarship from Tulane (20,000 dollar scholarship per year). I don't know which school would be more beneficial to attend. NYU is extremely expensive but the name and recognition that NYU has would turn heads. Tulane is also a nationally recognized college but doesn't carry the same weight as NYU. For that reason, I'm conflicted between these two colleges. Is NYU justifiably so much better than Tulane that I should pick NYU despite it's overpriced tag?</p>
<p>I’d say Tulane is pretty clearly the better option in your case.</p>
<p>Even if money were not an issue (which it is), Tulane has a few things going for it. It’s much smaller and has a real campus with traditional quadrangles. The overall quality of life probably would be better if you cannot afford the cost of NYC entertainment. I think of these as peer schools; there’s not much prestige difference. Tulane is one of the top 5 or 6 schools in the South. You cannot say the same about NYU in the NE.</p>
<p>With the $20K scholarship advantage and the fact that you wouldn’t be in the CAS at NYU, I think this is a no-brainer.</p>
<p>Not to mention that once you are not talking about Harvard, Princeton, etc., the “turning heads” factor is way overblown. Even then, it wears off pretty quickly. It is far more about what you get out of the school and the experience, and what you will remember for the rest of your life.</p>
<p>These are two extremely different schools as far as environment, location, and many other factors are concerned. Decide which one you think you would enjoy more based on everything you can find out and decide based on that. Unless by saying “extremely expensive” you are talking about taking out major loans to go to NYU. Then what tk said is even more right, it is a no-brainer. If going to NYU will essentially mean a difference of $80,000 or more over 4 years (and NYU is infamous for poor FA packages), there is no way except in dream scenarios that you will make up that kind of money because you went to NYU.</p>
<p>Bump! Thanks or your opinion guys. My friends suggested Tulane as well (for the girls). I’m still conflicted for various reasons. After researching up a bit more, I find that the LSP isn’t bad at all but rather a “unique” program for lack of a better word. One of my good friends is doing the LSP this year and he was an extremely competitive candidate (Above 2100 SAT scores, 4.0 GPA while I only had a 1980 SAT and a 3.7 GPA. He said it sounds an amazing program to be honest. My parents have asked me to consider which schools with money not being a factor. I’m a down to earth kid that likes to have a good time while at the same time I like being in an intellectual environment.</p>
<p>Which environment do you like better, Manhattan or a campus like Tulane’s? What’s your intended major? If being in NY is better for job connections (like finance industry), then NYU is the smart choice. Otherwise if it’s a career that you’ll do anywhere, then Tulane.</p>
<p>I’m planning on majoring on Political Science, I might switch my major to Psychology or Philosophy (Yes I know a lot of P’s). In NYU, for the first two years I’ll be taking general classes and only a few classes for my intended major. I know in Tulane that I’ll be under Jimmy Carville (campaign manager of Bill Clinton) for political science. My ultimate goal is to go to law school which is why I’m concerned about the “prestige” of a school. It’s pretty common knowledge that a 4.0 GPA from a less ranked college isn’t as good as a 4.0 GPA from a named colleges. If you were a law school, who would you pick?</p>
That is not common knowledge, rather it is a common myth promulgated by students who incur megadebt to attend a higher ranked school. I would call Tulane more a “named college” than NYU. Outside of the northeast, many people think NYU is the state flagship university of New York.</p>
<p>I know the “name” of the school isn’t the number one criteria for getting into a graduate school. Still, there’s no doubt in my mind that between two applicants with similar scores and grades, the one that attended a “prestigious” university would be more heavily favored in getting picked. I live in New York, so maybe I’m biased towards believing that NYU is a more named school than Tulane. But still, NYU is rated the #1 dream school for students in America. Back in my home country of the Philippine, everybody knows of NYU. Then again I don’t live in the Philippines anymore. 40% of people I talk to have no idea what Tulane is but they all say “wow” when it comes to NYU. </p>
<p>I know I’m sounding shallow. I know both are great schools. I guess the bottom line is if NYU is better than Tulane vice versa.</p>
Are these people you talk to other high school seniors or adults in the real world? If your parents can afford to pay an extra $20,000/year for NYU, then go. Otherwise you will be in for 10 or 20 years of heavy loan repayments after graduation.</p>
<p>Definitely know that what tom is saying is right. Law schools go by LSAT and GPA mostly, and the school you get the GPA from is not the issue as long as it is a recognized, accredited university. And while you may have been using the 4.0 as just an example, getting a 4.0 is very very hard.</p>
<p>I guess I would turn that around on you, if you are so sure Tulane is not as “intellectual” as NYU. If you are a serious student, which do you think it would be easier to get a high GPA at? I would, however, point out that NYU’s 25-75% SAT scores for their freshman class (2008, latest I could find for them) are virtually identical to Tulane’s. CR, M W NYU: 620-720, 630-720, 620-720. Tulane (2008 also): 630-720, 630-700, 630-720. Those differences are insignificant.</p>
<p>I really think you are laboring under a Northeastern bias about Tulane. I mean bias in the scientific sense, not as a bad thing about you. Trust me on this, if you get a 3.8 GPA from either school and score 168+ on the LSAT, you will get into the same top law schools. If you get a 3.4 and a 160, you will get into the same next tier law schools. In other words, you won’t see a difference because you went to Tulane instead of NYU, if that is what you choose. My S went to a school almost no one has heard of, Truman State University, and he did quite well in law school admissions.</p>
<p>NYU is no longer the #1 dream school in America. It was topped by (Insert ivy leagues here). A couple of years ago when I first heard of NYU, it was the dream school. No matter if it’s #1 or #3…It’s still a dream school for many. I haven’t checked up the rankings in years, I just assumed they were the same. I think you guys are getting the impression that I’m bashing Tulane, but I’m not. I know Tulane is an amazing and great school with numerous opportunities. It’s also located in New Orleans (party time/Mardi Gras?). I’m just torn between two schools. When I was a sophomore/junior it was my dream to attend NYU. After realizing how expensive and exclusive NYU is I got a little bit turned off. Now that I’m in, I guess I’m just remembering back to my old attitudes. It was only recently when I was applying to colleges that I fell in love with Tulane. So I don’t know where I want to go.</p>
<p>Other posters have said this, but I want to repeat it: what do you like?</p>
<p>Do you like urban campuses and the most glamorous and expensive city in the United States? Or do you prefer a traditional campus layout in a neighborhood in one of the country’s quirkiest, and ethnically unique cities? What are you looking for in a student body? NYU has people from all over the world; Tulane has people from all over the United States, but it’s not exactly the most ethnically diverse place, even though it’s in a city that has, in many places, a nearly Caribbean feel.</p>
<p>Regarding political science, James Carville teaches a spring semester course for which kids need to apply. He decides the makeup of his class based on essays. Thought you might want to know that; being in the poly sci department doesn’t mean you’re guaranteed that class. Obviously, it’s a popular one. </p>
<p>And as for law school, Tulane does have a highly regarded law school and its undergraduate school has several unique programs for law school admittance (early application to go straight to Tulane Law or a three years of undergrad/go to law school program). </p>
<p>Not sure about NYU and its pre-law programs, but of course, it’s law school is world-renowned.</p>
<p>The difference in prestige between <em>undergrad</em> Tulane and NYU (unless Business, Arts or Journalism) is negligible. Law schools will see ZERO difference between the two. NYU’s SAT stats of enrolled students are no different than Tulane’s.</p>
<p>Law school is about GPA and LSAT. You will have a better GPA at whichever school causes you to feel more engaged with the material… at the school that motivates you to explore the world of ideas. Which school will do that?</p>
<p>You are getting great!!! advice here. Everyone is spot on IMO.</p>
<p>I didn’t think you were bashing Tulane at all, in fact I knew you were not since you are, as you say, torn between the two schools. What I and the others, if I may speak for them, are perceiving is that you are laboring under the delusion that the NYU name is worth something for your future goals, at least as compared to Tulane. I don’t deny it is more recognizable, it has “New York” in the name after all. But that doesn’t really translate into any significant advantage, surprisingly. As someone said, there is even the issue that many incorrectly think that NYU is one of the SUNY schools. Once you get out of the Northeast corridor, you would be amazed.</p>
<p>Your last post said something really important to me.
To me, that says it all. If you really got the feeling that the school was that good a fit for you, that seems like your answer right there.</p>
<p>I just saw you post asking for a “rundown”. I think you will have to be more specific. That is really broad and also there are so many different types at each school. We are talking thousands of students.</p>
<p>I’m a down-to-earth outgoing guy that likes having a good time. I’m also a guy that’s sort of into “school spirit”. I never displayed it much in high school because quite frankly, I just wanted to go off to college during my junior year. I like a generally friendly atmosphere with definite “intellectual” feeling.</p>
<p>34% of the students at Tulane are from the north east, 33% from the southeast and mid-south including Texas, 30% from the west and mid west, 3% international</p>