Help me make a college decision!

Schnitzy41
Wed, 06 Apr 2016 23:18:18 +0000

Okay, here’s the rundown.
I’m from Dallas, and I’m going through the college decision process right now, just like many others… As it stands right now, I have three options: NYU, Syracuse, and the University of Texas. I know that the decision is ultimately up to me, but damn I need some help making up my mind. I’m stressing out of my mind about this, and unfortunately I don’t have that much time left to make a decision. Below I’ll explain some feelings about each of my three options. If anyone has been in a similar situation regarding having to make a decision, or knows anything about these schools, please please please reply. Sorry for making this thread so lengthy, but if people read til the end I’d be greatly appreciative.

Texas:
I’ve been a lifelong Longhorns fan, particularly of their football and basketball teams. Up until about my sophomore year of high school, I thought for sure that I wanted to be a Longhorn. I applied to the Plan II Honors program here and didn’t get in, which really really hurt, but I still got in to the general school because of the top 8% rule for public high schools in Texas (look it up if you don’t know what I’m talking about). I’m listed as an undeclared business major, but that’s code for “I have no clue what I want to do yet”. My dad, aka the one paying for tuition, would love for me to go to UT because he’d only be paying about $9,000 a year for in-state tuition. Texas is a great school, especially for the price. I’m also a huge sports fan, and Texas can generally hang with most schools in most sports in any given year. Austin is also a pretty unique city. It’s relatively cheap, the academics and sports are both there, Austin is neat, the weather is nice…so what are the issues? Texas has over 50,000 undergrads, which seems absurdly big to me. I feel like I would be just another name on a paper there. Also, a lot of the obnoxious high school kids that I’m trying to get away from will be attending Texas. I know it’s a huge place, but it would still suck having to compete with them for grades, spots in a frat, etc. Furthermore, as much as I’m a fan of the school and its sports teams, getting out of Texas really does sound great. It’s not that I dislike my home state; I’m just excited to see some other parts of the country for 4 years.

Syracuse:
While I don’t expect to be partying 24/7, I do expect to be having a decent amount of fun on the weekends. And from what I’ve heard, Syracuse knows how to party. As a huge basketball fan, nothing sounds more fun to me next year than watching ball at the famed Carrier Dome. Also, while tuition isn’t as cheap as UT’s, Syracuse did offer me a little over half of the annual tuition in scholarship money. This option isn’t cheap for my dad, but it is affordable. I am concerned about the quality of my education though. I applied to the Newhouse School for some sort of a journalism major, and I know from my research that Syracuse has a top-ten journalism program. However, I’m not quite sure if I’m set on being a journalism major, so if I pursue something else I’m worried that my education won’t be at the same level as it would be at Texas or NYU, in any field. Syracuse is a good school, I just feel that academics-wise they’re trumped by my other two options. I want to have a good time in college, but I don’t want to feel like an idiot for choosing the lowest-ranked of my three choices (according to most college ranking lists). I want to wear bright orange next year, but I need some sort of assurance that Syracuse will challenge me intellectually, regardless of the major I choose. One more thing: I’ve heard the winters are brutal. I love snow, but I’ve never experienced a climate for a long period of time like Syracuse’s. I would either love it and hate it.

NYU:
Last but definitely not least, NYU. I’ve only been to New York City twice in my life, and I think it is just the coolest place. The skyscrapers, the culture, the urban life, everything. I definitely want to live in the Big Apple at some point in my life. NYU, by the rankings, is the best of my three options. I’ve been accepted into the School of Professional Studies as a sports management major, which I’m very excited about. This is the only option so far in which I’m content with my selected major. My issue with NYU is the opposite of my issue with Syracuse. I’m not concerned about the quality of my education at NYU. However, I am concerned that I wouldn’t have a very good time. And while my education comes first, I also think it’s important that I’m happy at my university. At NYU, there’s no competitive D1 sports, no fraternities, and no secluded campus. I’m not saying that there wouldn’t be anything to do at NYU. I’d be in Manhattan every single day, so there would be many fun ways to spend my time. I just don’t know how much of “college environment” there would be for me to get submersed in. With the lack of sports, I don’t know how many outlets there are to display some school spirit. NYU is also absurdly expensive, but I’m getting some scholarship money. This is by far the most expensive option for my dad, but he said that if I really love it then he’d send me there. I appreciate his kindness, but I’m not sure if it’s worth the expected debt following graduation.

I like and dislike many things about all three schools. I’m desperately seeking outside opinions, so if you’ve read to the end, please give your input. I mean it. I’m dying to hear from other people. Thanks

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