Dearest College Confidential Community,
Having received all of my college decisions, I would like to ask for the advice and help of this wonderful community to lend me suggestions as they have done so kindly in the past during my college admissions process. From all of my acceptances, all of which I am grateful of, I narrowed down my choices between NYU Stern and Williams College.
NYU Stern is offering me a practical full ride (67k of Gift Aid -- 56k being a renewable Stern Scholarship). I did not receive a financial aid package from Williams yet, but judging from my Gift Aids from other full demonstrated-need liberal arts schools, the gift aid could range between 59k (Hamilton) to 55k (Wesleyan).
Personally, I am split between being doing business in Stern and studying economics in Williams. I’m fond of Stern’s great job placement and high median starting salary, but I think Williams can offer me much more academic liberty being that a BA in economics has much more flexibility in higher education whereas a BS in business would probably limit my higher education to MBA. As I feel, choosing between Stern and Williams would lead to a paradigm shift of who I am: I’m a socialist who aspire to reform economic inequality and a BA in economics (especially Williams’s fantastic Public Economy concentrations) would be more suited towards this goal. As for Stern, well, the prospect of working in Wall Street is powerful, powerful enough to just maybe cause me to abandon my socialist aspirations.
What Stern lacks in a traditional college experience, Williams has. What Williams lacks in a great city, Stern has. I don’t have much of a preference of location, in fact, I like Stern’s location over Williams. But what matters more to me is the quality of the people in these two colleges. I’m saddened to hear about stories about inter-Sternies rivalries over internships and GPAs (I don’t mind the healthy competition though), and I don’t know much about Williams’s student life.
It’s a long post and I thank you all for reading it through. Are there any Williams or Stern undergrads -- or anyone! --here who can give me some insights on where I should go with all things I’ve said in this post in mind?
Both are unbelievable colleges, so I would not say one is better than the other. I could be biased (stern is my number 1 school) but I think stern just holds so much opportunity and excitement than Williams does. Stern’s location is unbeatable. Williams is isolated in its location in a tiny rural town. It just sounds so boring to me. You have to decide what you want from your college experience.
Can you chance me for Stern?: http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1749271-chances-for-nyu-stern-ed.html#latest
I think your decision is not so much NYU vs Williams but rather business school vs liberal arts. Once you make the second decision, the first one will fall in place.
It sounds as if you’re leaning toward the breadth and flexibility of the liberal arts degree. Many Williams students – in economics, math, and other majors – end up on Wall Street or in financial consulting or economics driven NGOs. Placement for summer jobs and internships is excellent as is the alumni/ae network.
You will not be compromised in any way from landing on Wall Street from Williams! Ephs do not suffer one iota from job prospects there… As to future opportunities, the Williams alumni network is strong, active and supportive. You will make connections not only on campus but throughout your life through this if you choose to take advantage of it.
You also have the rest of your life to live in NYC, and many people do head right to NYC right after graduation!
Only one chance to be a part of a community like Williams both on campus and after. A Williams education will expose you to such a variety of thought, ideas and opportunities that it will give you the base on which to build a life – not just get a high-paying job right after college.
I am a Williams grad and i know the power of the name, the alumni network and where people end up in their first jobs (many of my friends’ kids attend / have graduated from there). The friendships are lifelong. We have reunions every five years, and they are really well attended. (on my mind because i am heading up to mine in June!).
All liberal arts colleges have such a wide variety of activities on campus – they bring speakers, performers, etc. and the college organizations themselves put on events all the time. Plus, in Williams you’ve got the incomparable Purple Mountains. It’s a gorgeous setting. Even if you aren’t a big outdoorsy type, I am sure that you will find ways to enjoy the surroundings.
The atmosphere at Williams will be collaborative, not competitive. I can’t speak to the atmosphere at Stern, but I would imagine that it would have a much more preprofessional feel than at Williams. This is not to say that at Williams the students and the college aren’t concerned about post-graduate success, but just that the atmosphere on campus is firmly rooted in growth and exploration of all types.
Stern undergrad who came on a full ride so feel free ask any specific questions you may have.
Personally I would say Stern just because I’ve had such an amazing experience here. Also with a full ride to Stern, as long as you don’t screw up grade-wise, rest assured you will come out with some of the best finance opportunities nationally possible. People know how hard it is to get into Stern, let alone get a full-ride there so that alone will bring you far. Couple that with unparalleled study abroad opportunities and access to internships, networking opportunities, just a stone’s throw away - I mean the possibilities are endless and it’s really up to you to grab them by the reins.
Don’t know much about Williams other than that it is a great LAC. I believe you really can’t go wrong with either choice - its really up to you to figure out what sort of environment you’ll thrive in.
To your point about competition, yes it is competitive but that just pushes you to up your game. It’s not cutthroat at all but more healthy in the sense that when you see your peers doing well and pulling down all sorts of great internships early on, it pushes you to demand more from yourself.
Then when you look back and reflect on what you’ve accomplished you’ll be amazed at how much you’ve grown as a person. That is the beauty of going to school in the city. It’s a markedly different experience but one that is so valuable and inimitable.
As @SDonCC said:
My thoughts exactly! Go to college now…you have the rest of your life to live in cities. After graduation, Williams could be an advantage by sheer numbers (vs. NYU grads in the city).
There is no wrong decision here…so go with your heart.
Also, NYU housing is very inconsistent. Some, are just incredible, with incredible locales and river views, other not so much…