UF or NYU Tandon?

Hi,
I’m looking for some insight or which college I should choose. I was admitted to the University of Florida’s computer science program with a full ride. I was also admitted to NYU Tandon’s computer science program with substantial aid. Although I would love to be in NY, I’ve heard both good and bad things about Tandon and I am unsure whether it will be worth it. With the school being fairly new, I’m looking for some insight. Any opinions?

NYU engineering is the former Polytechnic Institute / University, a small engineering school that merged intuitive NYU. It is not really new.

Tandon/Polytechnic Institute has an excellent reputation with a long history. Are you aware that Poly is in Brooklyn and not on the main NYU campus in Washington Square? Are you from Florida or NY or somewhere else?

A full ride to UF in computer science is pretty hard to beat.

@STEM2017 Yes, I have done my research. I know about its past and everything. I’m from Florida, but I love NY more than I like Florida. Tandon would only be around $7k a year which isn’t really an issue.

Understood - well done @futurenyus!

I asked where you are from because if you were from NY, I would have suggested Florida, and if from Florida I would have suggested NY.

Therefore, if the $7k is not a financial burden to you and your family and you have done your research, I would suggest you give NYC a try for 4 years. Its the greatest city in the world and it will be at your fingertips for 4 years. You will be a quick subway ride away from the world’s greatest museums, theater, restaurants, sports, and yes, parks and recreation.

It will be an adjustment for you but it will be an amazing growing experience. If you do decide to attend NYU, I would highly suggest getting over to Manhattan and the Washington Square campus as much as humanly possible. This is where your “out of classroom” learning and “life experiences” will happen.

If you go back to Florida after college, your NYC experience will be one of the greatest of your life.

Good luck!

@STEM2017 Thank you! You’re very helpful. I was leaning towards NY anyway, but I’m more interested in the quality of education and job opportunities after college, although I have heard that the two schools are about equal in terms of academics. Would you agree?

I don’t know enough about the computer science programs at each school to honestly answer that question, sorry. Hopefully someone with real knowledge of the two will come and post helpful info.

Good luck!

Have you visited UF? Talked to Juan Gilbert? My son is CS at UF and there seems to be many opportunities for students to get involved in projects, research, etc. Son is a first-year and still in some weed-out classes but so far he loves UF.

I would not foot the bill for NYU, though our son had no interest in living in NY (Dad is from NJ). Otherwise I don’t know anything about NYU other than it’s expensive.

@SouthFloridaMom9 Looks like his/her COA for NYU would be $7,000 a year. Thats a bargain for any school.

^^if that is guaranteed. The one comment I consistently hear about NYU is the expense.

Academics aside, these are two vastly different college experiences. Florida is a traditional flagship campus with lots of spirit. NYU Tandon is literally a couple of buildings in Brooklyn, separated from the main NYU campus. It has a commuter feel, little school spirit. What student lifestyle is important to you?

@Chardo I am genuinely happy with either. I like that in Brooklyn I would get more of a feel of being on my own and in a big city. Where a lot of people hate that NYU has no real campus, it is one of the things I love. I’d be happy with either experience. I’m more concerned about academics.

Polytechnic University used to be ranked in the 100’s before NYU bought them out in 2010. However, Poly is located in a very nice area of Brooklyn, with easy subway access to all the major lines.

Tandon is a textbook example of branding. I wouldn’t say lipstick on a pig, but slapping the NYU name on it is an attempt to make it more than it is.

@Chardo That’s what I was thinking… NYU Computer Science is ranked in the late 30s, but I’m assuming that’s the major at CAS and not Tandon… I have no idea where Tandon stands. It’s so difficult to find real statistics (for example, the acceptance rate has been listed from 35%-70%), which makes me a little uneasy about it too.

@WildestDream Yeah? My concern is still with the academics, not the student life.