Conn. College vs. NYU

Transfer Students
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Hi all,

I’m in a bit of a dilemma at the moment. I am a rising junior at Connecticut College (a T50 liberal arts college) but was recently accepted to NYU (CAS) as a transfer student. I put down the $500 deposit this week but am really debating whether I want to do this. For context, I’m majoring in History, in the Entrepreneurship Pathway (one step below a minor) at Conn; at NYU, I’d also major in History but minor in Law and Society. Looking to pursue a career in either law, business, or the intersection of both fields.

Pros/Cons: Connecticut College

Pros

-Top merit scholarship ($30-35k/year)

-Definite possibility of graduating 1 semester/1 year early

~3.925 GPA, which won’t transfer to NYU (if all goes splendidly, ~3.96 by time of graduation)

-Gen Eds are ~90% complete

-Know some amazing people here and professors have already offered to write letters of recommendation for grad school

Cons

-Less prestigious than NYU; may impact law/grad school admission

-Location isn’t really ideal (I’m from NYC)

Pros/Cons: NYU

Pros

-More prestigious than Conn. Coll, this opens doors at law/grad school

-Opportunity to minor in Law and Society

-Would be a more diverse, dynamic experience

-Puts me closer to friends & family back home

Cons

-Exorbitant cost; approx. $90k, which is ~$40k more than Conn.

-Housing is a total debacle. Low availability, and rents start at $2k.

-Would need to take a min. of 7 more CORE courses

-Unlikely to graduate early at all

Tentatively, I’d like to pursue an M.S in Management after graduation and then decide whether or not to apply to law school or an MBA program. Hope this context helps and I’d really appreciate any feedback. Thanks for reading!

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The case for transferring doesn’t sound compelling at all. I strongly suspect you’re overestimating the reputational advantage of NYU over Conn, for grad school admissions. A top student from Conn, with great recommendations, is going to do just fine. Why spend all that money, struggle with housing, waste time backfilling gen ed requirements… and give up what seems like a good situation where you are? You aren’t that far from friends and family.

Again, I really question the whole “opens doors” premise. The strength of your record at Conn, if you keep going the way you are, will open doors. NYU isn’t magic. A “Law and Society” minor isn’t magic either. How about planning a semester abroad - it may be too late to do it junior year, but maybe you could do senior fall - and go somewhere that you could take classes of interest that aren’t available at Conn. You could have a great experience at the much lower Conn price. IMHO, it ain’t broke, and you don’t need to spend six figures extra to fix it.

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I would stay put and try to work/attend grad school in NYC if you still want to be there when you graduate.

To me…it sounds like you want to transfer due to the “prestige” of NYU. This isn’t necessary…or worth it. You are doing well at your current school, you have a high gpa, you have met “amazing” people and have profs who already offered to write you letters of rec, etc. I do not see any reason to transfer.

While NYU is a good school, it will cost you a lot more money (which you will need for grad/law school) and you will have to establish yourself again- friends, relationships with profs etc. Transferring to NYU…in and of itself…will not propel you into grad/law school.

Unless there is a compelling reason to transfer that I am missing, I would stay at your current school. You can meet your grad school goals by remaining at Conn. College….where you appear to be very successful.

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You are welcome to repost under your original account. However, since Terms of Service prohibits multiple accounts, I am closing this thread.

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