My goal after graduation would be to complete a PhD in a computer related field, so research opportunities are important to me.
I’m leaning towards NYU Tandon for non academic reasons, but it is hard for me to appraise the quality of research there given the recent merger.
I feel like RPI and maybe even UR will be stronger from an academic research perspective than NYU Tandon. What do you think?
RPI from your group receives recognition in U.S. News for its faculty-mentored research opportunities.
https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/undergrad-research-programs
I have been accepted into both NYU and UR, as I applied to only both out of the three. I have chosen UR, and I have elaborated below as to why.
UR
if your looking for outstanding research opportunities, and committed to pursuing your goal of a PhD, the University of Rochester is a top-caliber research university. It’s a very-academia driven school producing Nobel winners, PhDs, etc. including 3 faulty members recently (just last year. Look up the Alumni, and you’ll see what I am referring to. It’s a mid-sized school, so it’s easier to exploit the endless opportunities. Your taught by faculty who have really distinguished themselves in academia, and the students are ready to follow their footsteps. The school is a small hidden gem (many call it the hidden ivy) in upstate NY, and has an excellent student-body, who are more cooperative and friendly than cutthroat. 90 percent of graduates continue pursuing their education in graduate school, especially in elite schools like Stanford, UC Berkley, and Harvard. You sound like a right fit for UR. I suggest you research further on this school, b/c it sounds like the perfect school for you, as you intend to do research. Their goal is to send students to top-grad school programs. You are free to ask me more questions, as I have researched this school extensively, and will be attending there in the fall.
NYU
The Tandon Campus in Brooklyn is a recently- merged school. It’s a more commuter school, and it didn’t feel like a traditional campus w/ a community. The school is excellent, and will land you great job opportunities, just like UR, but I believe it is less research-intensive. Generally speaking, NYU is a huge school, so I felt the lack of personalized attention. NYU is devoting a lot of money to the new Tandon building (maker-space, and 3D printing), and it does have outstanding facilities near West 4, but the actual location, just so you know, is separated from the primary campus in Washington Square Park. if your looking to dive into a job right after a graduation, then the NYU brand in engineering can land you the best jobs.
Both are excellent schools, and it’s a matter of preference. If your primary goal is research and a traditional community/campus feel, go to UR. NYU is equivalent to UR academically and in terms of national rankings, (33 UR vs 30 NYU) but it is more of a commuter school.
NYU, RPI, UR are peer institutions, and as for me the decision was b/w UR and NYU. As I am intending to major in computer science on a pre-med track, I chose UR because of the outstanding research opportunities in a school with a smaller teacher to student ratio.
I would choose either RPI or U of Rochester. RPI has a lot of ties to IBM research, and the supercomputer center. RPI offers a variety of computer related degrees, including IT, gaming, and computer engineering and traditional computer science degree. But in fact, I sort of like U of Rochester better for all the reasons @Puzzeled101 lists. U of Rochester gives you a greater diversity of premedical and prelaw students, very strong research in engineering, and CS as well as a top medical school. Medical records and CS are a huge area today to study in Cs.
I would not pick NYU. The Brooklyn campus is too far from the " good" part of NYC. NYU does not yet have a strong reputation in engineering, but Courant Institute in Mathematics is amazing, if you are leaning towards math, and can
attend classes at Courant that would be the one reason to pick NYU. If you are downing Brooklyn then you have no access to Courant, check on that.
Rochester as a city is nicer than Troy/Albany too. Cold and grey both!
@Puzzeled101 Wow, thanks for the insight. I did visit UR and they do seem to have the best research facilities and funding for undergraduates. Also, according to their outcomes statistics, 45% of students head to graduate school which is twice the proportion of RPI or NYU. On the other hand, according to http://csrankings.org, NYU seems to be putting out stronger research. Also, Tandon has the undergraduate summer research program which funds you full time at $15 an hour during the summer. How do you think this stacks up with UR?
@Coloradomama Yes, I do believe a lot of the best professors are in Courant. As a Tandon student you are only allowed 4 classes outside of Tandon, which is not ideal.
I’m still waiting on UR financial aid, so that may be the deciding factor
@Ranothil I thought you were a junior searching for colleges, but it turns out you have already been admitted. Congratulations! If you chose to attend, I will be seeing you in the fall- also as an incoming freshman. Cost was also a substantial deciding factor for me, however University of Rochester nearly covered all my tuition, room & board with financial aid & scholarship for the first year. It was pretty easy to make the choice at the end, because it was practically choosing the school that I liked with no loans/debt after graduation. As for the answer to your question, Tandon has strong research programs as well, but I know UR does do. They offer plenty of opportunities for research, and I know some students even stay during the summer to work on internships. I think what comes down to your decision is the cost, a major factor, as well as fit. Rankings are quite subjective, and that said, top-notch CS internships can be found in both schools. Good luck with your decision, and let us know which one you choose.
@Puzzeled101 I’m happy to say I chose UR! In the end it came down to the friendly UR community and access to research opportunities.
@Ranothil I haven’t visited college confidential for a while. I just read your post. Congratulations! Hopefully, I will see you in August!!!
Public service announcement - watch out for UR’s financial aid. They drop after year one (happened to my d and most of her friends, to varying degrees) Ours dropped so much d is transferring because to us it’s no longer worth the premium cost. And in general, their definition of “meets full need” may not match what you believe you can afford. Here’s an article from their campus paper a couple of years ago: http://www.campustimes.org/2016/09/11/students-urs-financial-aid-theories-dont-always-match-reality/
@taverngirl thanks for the heads up
@Puzzeled101 I’m sure we will!
@taverngirl – sorry to hear that about financial aid. Where is she transferring?
@AlmostThere2018 that’s the million dollar question as the other problem with Roch is they let us know so late in the game that transfer apps were closed for most schools (late June). She applied at UPitt, UVM, St. Lawrence, Susquehanna, Quinnpiac, and Wheaton but hasn’t decided yet and is still waiting on two acceptances.
Good luck – I’m sure she’ll have great opportunities.