Wellesley vs. NYU?!?

<p>Hey Guys,</p>

<p>I'm having a lot of trouble choosing between Wellesley and NYU (College of Arts and Sciences). </p>

<p>I want to major in International Relations and take courses for Econ and Anthropology. My overall goal is to work towards pre-law.</p>

<p>I love NYC and think that NYU's location is perfect for internships and finding connections. But at the same time, Wellesley's academics and faculty seem far superior to NYU's program. I'm just not sure if I'm seeing the whole picture...</p>

<p>What do you guys think?? Wellesley or NYU? Anything is helpful!!</p>

<p>(1) At NYU, International Relations is an honors major. You have to apply during your sophomore year after having completed certain pre-reqs and you must have a minimum 3.65 GPA in both your pre-reqs and overall.</p>

<p>(2) Don’t discredit NYU’s academics. NYU is #12 in the country for economics among research universities; #17 for political science; #10 in international politics; #6 for political methodology. </p>

<p>NYU’s politics department specializes in political methodology because Bruce Beuno De Mesquita and Steven Brams sit on the faculty - two of the world’s leading political methodologists. A large percentage of your classes, regardless of whether or not they are in American politics, International Politics, Public Policy, etc. will contain political methodology because of this. </p>

<p>While it’s unfair to use graduate programs to examine academics, I think this should attest to the fact that the faculty at NYU is by no means sub-par compared to that of Wellesley.</p>

<p>Wellesley College has produced two recent secretaries of state. Its economics department is excellent. The Wellesley alumnae network is legendary. You will not have any problem getting internships at Wellesley. You will also never be taught by an adjunct or a TA (NYU can’t say the same).</p>

<p>However, it has a completely different feel from NYU, which is an urban campus integrated into the surrounding city. Wellesley is a beautiful campus but it’s a bit of a bubble. Some people like that and others don’t.</p>

<p>The real question is: how much will either one cost you? Wellesley does not give merit aid, but it gives great need-based financial aid. NYU is notorious for lousy aid, and its sticker price is a little higher than Wellesley’s.</p>

<p>Watermel:</p>

<p>I urge you to go to Wellesley. That school is a legendary school. A powerhouse for women. The alumni network will do you well. You would be a member of an exclusive woman’s club.</p>

<p>As a native New Yorker, to me, NYU is an also ran.</p>

<p>I didn’t even have my son apply there.</p>

<p>To me, the choice isn’t even close. </p>

<p>Don’t even think about going to NYU.</p>

<p>Again, the choice isn’t even close !!!</p>

<p>Send in your deposit.</p>

<p>You are thinking too much.</p>

<p>And this email is coming from a conservative republican, so I have no bias here.</p>

<p>Wellesley is a legendary school, an American icon.</p>

<p>I think floridadad’s point was that even though Hillary Clinton and Madeleine Albright served in Democratic administrations, he is politically neutral enough to give Wellesley its due.</p>

<p>What’s the cost difference (after aid, if any)?</p>

<p>Also, NYU probably graduates five times many people each year as Wellesley does.</p>

<p>So a Wellesley degree will be more unique.</p>

<p>But to me, it would be better to attend the top woman’s college in the country as opposed to the 33rd top co-ed college in the country.</p>

<p>And by the way, notwithstanding Sureblah"s comment that as a conservative republican, that I would be biased against NYU, I have a graduate law degree from NYU (an LLM), so my strong preference for Wellesley is not based on any political bias against NYU.</p>

<p>Both Wellesley and NYU are equally liberal.</p>

<p>When big companies or the government seeks job applicants/future leaders, I am sure that Wellesley graduates are at the top of their list.</p>

<p>There are just SO MANY NYU graduates that to me, it is not that great a degree.</p>

<p>Plus, it is not as if Wellesley is in a bad place. Boston is a great place to go to college.</p>

<p>Again, to me the decision is not even close.</p>

<p>As we lawyers like to say, please govern yourself accordingly.</p>

<p>I have to agree with floridad55 on this one. Wellesley is truly a top institution, and would be my recommendation as well.</p>

<p>However, if for some reason NYU has been able to offer you a better aid package that will leave you with significantly less debt, then NYU would be the better choice. Sometimes money does speak louder than anything else.</p>

<p>Both are fine schools although I’d also give the edge to Wellesley. But in addition to the programs, think also about the type of environment you’d like to be in over the next 4 years. Do you want to be in a large school right in Manhattan? or a small all women’s LAC in the suburbs with small classes? The lifestyle and experience at the two schools will be very different. If one or the other is more appealing to you that should be factored into your decision as well.</p>