Please comment on differences and/or similarities. What sets each college apart from the other? How does academics rate in both? what's their campus and social vibe like? does anyone regret going to Columbia without trying for NYU? Is there rivalry between the two colleges?
I'm still weighing my options, so any insight from Columbia students will be greatly appreciated.
There's no comparison. Columbia is above and beyond NYU. The only reason I can think of for one to choose NYU over Columbia would be to go to a purely business or art school as an undergraduate.
Stern is awesome for business and the Tisch school school of Arts at NYU is something many admire and dream of studying in. For business and the arts, NYU is a fantastic school; even superior to Columbia itself.
I don't personally go to NYU or Columbia but if I had to choose between either of the two, I'd def. choose NYU. I think the experience there would nothing less than fabulous. I've talked to quite a few students from both schools and the students at NYU are happier. One NYU student summarized everything in one statement:
NYU is (behind Stanford) one of the top "dream schools," and is getting more selective year after year. Again, if you want to study the arts or business as an undergraduate, NYU may be a better choice than Columbia. However, Columbia is no slouch, and their graduates are more likely than NYU's to make it into graduate business schools (including the Columbia Business School, which consistently ranks higher than NYU Stern) regardless of their major. The difference is that Columbia students use their undergraduate years to explore other, less specialized fields of study that range from philosophy to engineering.
The campuses are quite different - Columbia is more self-contained, with most buildings in a walled/gated multi-block area, while NYU is more organically diffused in its neighborhood. NYU is in the Village, while Columbia is Upper West Side. Socially, both schools are more outward-focused than typical college-town colleges. New York City offers so many things to do that students tend to rely less on school-related activities to fill their spare time.
Be sure to visit the schools if you are able to, curious.
As someone who transferred from NYU to Columbia: It's very simple. There is absolutely no comparison between the two. I could not envision a more miserable place for a college experience than greenwich village. It is a very poor representation of the real world.
Academically, NYU is way overrated... classes are taught by TAs, the buildings and facilities are abysmal and way overcrowded, many of the kids are disinterested in learning. At NYU Being 'artsy' or 'queer' is a great substitution for intelligence.
I know plenty of NYU kids who felt like they were missing out on the "true" college experience, that there was little if any community, and that NYC replaced college life. For some that is amazing, others hate it.
NYU is the most overrated school... the incoming freshmen class is HUGE, all the classes are huge. In terms of prestige, columbia def. outshines. you have no self-worth if you apply to NYU...you might as well go to some large state school for less money.
I do have to admit, however, that NYU guys are wayyyyyyy hotter than Columbia guys. Larger selection too... all types of guys, white,chinese, korean, indian, hispanic, etc. you really cant go wrong...
but you're really an idiot if that is the reason you choose NYU over Columbia..
just my two cents
you have no self-worth if you apply to NYU...you might as well go to some large state school for less money.
Top investment banks recognize Stern very well. You can graduate from Stern and bank 75K + for a top i-bank your first year out. These guys can really compete with Harvard / Wharton business undergrads.
I don't think those i-banks recruit from large state schools (w/ exception of Berkeley and UMich). Maybe you could have found a better comparison to make regarding NYU than "large state schools"?
"Top investment banks recognize Stern very well. You can graduate from Stern and bank 75K + for a top i-bank your first year out. These guys can really compete with Harvard / Wharton business undergrads."
Yes. I've been out of the field for 3-4 years now and still get job offer soliciations just for coming out of Stern.
The only thing that Columbia has over Stern is its massive grade inflation and easy professors.
