Hi everyone! I am an international student who has got into both of these schools off the waitlist and have a few days to decide which to attend. I am currently looking at physics or stem majors although I’m not 100% sure about specifically what I want to do in this direction. Cost is less of a factor here as I am OOS for UCSB, therefore, I would be paying similar fees for tuition in both universities (though NYU is slightly more expensive). Here are some of the main points.
NYU:
- I got into CAS for Physics however there is a high chance of transfer into Tandon (Someone I know who goes there told me this). Tandon has the exact/perfect major I want to do (applied physics). In a way, it is an advantage to start off in CAS so that I can really find out what it is I want to do. Plus if I choose to go into CS, Courant is great.
- In the city, therefore lots of opportunities. However, is NYC too finance, art, business-oriented for a stem major?
- Social scenes are not as good - am a cheapskate so idk if NYC is for me.
- Its business-oriented environment could lead to a possible tech management type minor which will be advantageous in the future.
- As an international student NYU has a 'bigger name' for working internationally. (I know school prestige is generally overrated tho). From what I have seen online and from those I have met, NYU people seem more driven to succeed and slightllyyyy more intelligent.
UCSB:
- I already got into the engineering school as a mechanical engineer, but I don't know if all the hands-on aspects of it are as appealing to me as the more research focus that Tandon's app physics has. UCSB's engineering and physics programs are very highly regarded.
- SOCIAL LIFE! and just the overall lifestyle. I love California and the people are chill. Just for this factor I think UCSB has my heart (although I don't want to get too carried away by this aspect of university - as its ultimately for the learning)
- Santa Barbara is a small town and doesn't compare to NYC in terms of opportunities.
- West coast has more STEM opportunities. However I will be compared to superior counterparts for jobs in Cali: Stanford, Caltech, Cal, UCLA etc
- might even get distracted by the social scene whereas at NYU I'll be pushed more.
- Better option for a transfer to UCLA (which prioritizes transfers from other UC's and was my number 1)? but nothing is guaranteed.