Strychnine

How does Poly compare to Stony Brook in terms of academics, cost(I am not a NY resident), work load, professor quality, overall experience? Which school do you think has a better Computer Science program?

I *think* that I will get a 18~20k/year scholarship at Poly, which would leave about 30k per year in tuition+rent+food+etc. I don't think I will be able to get any scholarships at Stony Brook.

Thanks!

static75

1.) 30k/yr is a lot
2.) you sure it'd be 30k/year? a year at poly costs ~34k. unless they changed it very recently by a lot. 34k - 20k (congrats btw) = 14k. + 9-10k for dorm and food = <25k. which is still a lot, to me. lol I'd try Stony Brook because I think that in general...aren't they cheaper?

At any rate, I'd like to stress that an NYU-Poly degree is taken very. very. seriously.
Best Engineering Colleges By Salary Potential
(i.e. Stony Brook isn't taken as seriously as an institution...and Poly is exponentially improving!)

oh and nyu-poly has an infinitely better compsci prgm than SB.

noimagination

I would love to hear you justify this.

static75

np. first, NYU's compsci program transferred to Brooklyn's Poly campus. NYU's compsci program was already a top program. but that's just statistics.

second... there are really smart, tech-savvy compsci kids @ nyu-poly. this is because of the excellent CS, ECE, and cyber security programs available here... it's a very serious, hardcore, often difficult-to-endure education but NYU-Poly is even actually currently hosting this HUGE Cyber Security competition ("CSAW" - Cyber Security Awareness Week | NYU-Poly) that high school students, undergrads, and grad students can all enter - from any and all institutions from around the world. And they do enter. It's pretty sweet, no lie, how everything is falling together into place at Poly, especially after its affiliation with NYU.

also, you're almost definitely going to be guaranteed a better-paying job after graduating from NYU-Poly. Best Engineering Colleges By Salary Potential compsci is a big deal here, and poly networks insanely with its alumni. it's really quiet awesome.

noimagination

I'll give you that. NYU has had a good CS program.
There are two fundamental flaws with the Payscale methodology:

1. Only graduates with a bachelor's as their terminal degree are counted, so those who go on to grad or professional school are left out.
2. Averages are made for a college as a whole, not by department. Of course a tech school will have higher salaries - almost everyone who graduates will be aiming for jobs that are traditionally higher-paying! The idea that Poly CS grads are "almost definitely going to be guaranteed a better-paying job" than Stony Brook CS grads is a bit ridiculous.

@OP: I would say that either school could provide a great education. Think about cost and campus dynamics to make your choice.

static75

^that's a super fair conclusion, noimagination, @OP. hope you visit both!

SharpTech

Where did you hear that NYU's Computer Science Program is going to be transferred to the Polytechnic Institute? I am a NYU-Poly student right now and they have not announced this at all. I really don't believe this until you tell where you got this rumor.

pierre0913

NYU-Poly
Academics:
Polytechnic University-Brooklyn is a private, "commuter-based engineering school in New York City" that boasts "rigorous" engineering, mathematics, and computer science programs. Be warned: Poly is "boot camp for engineers." As such, "Schoolwork and exams are crazy," and academic success "requires a lot of hard work, diligence, and a good attitude." On the bright side, "As long you work hard and study hard, you can achieve great things." "Professors are hit-or-miss," "the good professors are awesome" and "extremely educated in their field," "The bad ones are really bad." Due to the school's international faculty, students often complain that, "the language barrier between the student and the professor is difficult at times." Class sizes are "usually small," and professors are "always willing to see you and help you one-on-one." Students, however, are generally down on the "very unhelpful" administration, saying they are "not unified" and "blow through money

Student Body:
Drawing students from surrounding New York City and more than 50 countries worldwide, Poly is an "ethnically diverse" yet generally accepting community. On this small campus, "Everyone is different, yet this difference makes it easy to connect with others." Observes a sophomore, "kids are very diverse, with many interests and different backgrounds...as a foreigner, I [feel] like the entire world met in one place." However, students gripe there are "very few women" from any countries. You'll meet plenty of "stereotypical nerds," many of whom "stick to themselves and their laptops." You'll also find handful of "popular and trendy people" who are "involved in lots of activities." In fact, "The only real common thread is an interest in technology." "Most students are serious about their studies; they have to be to survive here."

Campus Life:
While the "school is not very good looking," the Poly campus has seen steady improvement in recent years. "Dorms are now right on campus," and "the main academic building has been renovated and expanded." It feels a lot like a "brand-new school." Overall, though, "life on campus is not that exciting," primarily because "the typical student at Poly will study nothing less than 3.5 hours a day." Campus clubs and organizations "aren't too popular," though many people enjoy "poker or table tennis tournaments" and videogames. In addition, "Most students are commuters, so there isn't as much of a social scene as there should be." For students who live on campus, "There's a fair amount of drinking," and many "gather in the student lounge or in their respective major lounge and just relax and laugh." While life at school is a bit serious, don't forget that "Poly is located in New York City" and "only a few minutes away from Manhattan, a goldmine for nightlife, food, and activities." A mere 15-minute stroll leads to the Brooklyn Bridge and great Manhattan neighborhoods like Little Italy and Chinatown.

pierre0913

SUNY - Stony Brook
Academics:
Stony Brook University "is a great place for ambitious, focused students who actually want to learn something" at a "great research university in which classes are challenging and interesting." Nearly half the undergraduates here pursue traditionally punishing majors such as biology, computer science ("one of the best undergraduate computer science programs," according to at least one student), and engineering. The school also boasts "a strong marine biology program," a popular undergraduate business program, and a solid selection of liberal arts majors. Students in the science and tech majors describe the school as "challenging but worth it," noting that "the sciences here are amazing. Now that I'm interviewing for medical schools, I'm seeing just how highly they think of Stony Brook's undergraduate science programs!" Professors are accomplished and, while "They can be boring, they know what they're teaching like the back of their hand. They will be very helpful in office hours, as long as you ask questions that show them you're trying." As at similar schools, "The only thing you have to watch out for, occasionally, is getting a professor who does not speak English well; that can cause some problems!" Students have "plenty of research opportunities" here, which is another plus. Stony Brook's administration "may consist of nice people, but it's pretty poorly organized. When there is some sort of paperwork involved, nothing ever goes right the first time around. Also, nothing is convenient, and you'll usually have to go in circles to get something done." Most students find the difficulties worth enduring and focus instead on how the school delivers "a great education for a reasonable price.

Student Body:
The typical student at Stony Brook University "is a middle-class Long Island or Queens kid of Jewish, East Asian, or Indian background." Minority populations are large across a broad demographic range; the school is home to many who are "either Asian, African American, or Hispanic and very, very liberal." Subpopulations "tends to stick to themselves.…The atypical students are probably quite miserable at Stony Brook. There is definitely a very Long Island high school-like atmosphere," in part because of the large commuter population and in part because the student body is so large. This may be changing as more and more students are from out of state. In addition 87% of freshman and 60% of transfer students live on campus. One student writes, "All students fit in, but the student body is often impersonal, and it is very difficult to develop lasting friendships and relationships as a result."

Campus Life:
Life at Stony Brook depends on whom you surround yourself with, students tell us. While "a lot of students complain that there's nothing to do on campus," others counter that "the problem is that students aren't willing to put in the effort to find those activities." One undergrad explains, "There are many activities in campus life. However, you won't be aware of them at all if you don't…look them up. There are a lot of places where you can go play sports, and most dorms have places to play pool, ping-pong, or just watch TV." The school is home to "lots of student clubs with something for everyone" and Division I intercollegiate athletic teams. In the past, students have noted that athletic games weren't well attended. Hometown Stony Brook "is basically suburban. It is not the best college town. There are a few clubs and bars in the area that some students go to on Thursday nights. However, you have to have a car to get there.…If I want to have fun, I generally have to go into the city [NYC]. The city is about 2 hours away by train.

SharpTech

Where did you hear that NYU's Computer Science Program is going to be transferred to the Polytechnic Institute? I am a NYU-Poly student right now and they have not announced this at all. I really don't believe this until you tell where you got this rumor.

static75

from my roommate who applied to NYU (not Poly) as a major in compsci. they basically were told they were in, and that the compsci program was moved to the Poly Brooklyn campus.

the only way I see which would be weird and not true is because my roommate is an international student, but I don't know. it sounds like they're not alone :/

SharpTech

I don't see how this will happen at all. It just doesn't make sense. There is not going to be any room in those two buildings to house all the professors coming from Courant. Plus the CS program at NYU is part of the prestigious Courant Institute. Moving the department to Poly would have ****ed a lot of people off.

I think there will be two CS departments in NYU for a very long time. One based at Courant and another based at Polytechnic.

static75

I think that sounds like a perfect explanation.

Focused

As a current Stony Brook student, I am speaking only to what I know about Stony Brook, and not the rest. State schools often cost the same to out-of-state students as private schools cost. I'm here only because SB offered me full tuition, and I know that their reputation for the sciences is already great, and constantly improving. That said, Pierre summed it all up beautifully.

Why not your own state school? Where are you from???

static75

Okay honestly, I hate Poly this week. It's so unorganized, it can easily eff you over (financially and academically).

Seek any other school

best of luck to you