Hi, I’m a senior and am trying to narrow down my college options. My top choices are Emory, Rice, Georgia Tech, NYU, and Columbia. I applied as an Engineer to all except Emory and NYU (applied for business at those two). I don’t know if I want to do engineering or business, so I could see myself switching around in college. Can anyone tell me about the academics aspect of these schools and what the dorms are like? How is the school spirit? Safety? Thank you!
Were you admitted to all of them already? (If so, congratulations! Those are all fantastic schools!) What’s your EFC?
NYU’s business program is one of the best in the country - so academically, a business major at NYU would have quite a few opportunities both during college and after graduation. Columbia is a strong school all around. In actuality, all of your schools are strong schools pretty much all around - so business or engineering is more than likely going to be top notch wherever you so choose to go. Have you thought about where in the country you’d like to be? Urban? Suburban? Big city? Small city?
@preamble1776 thank you! (: my parents are divorced - my mother is willing to support me in every way whereas my dad wishes I would stay in state and therefore is less likely to contribute much towards any out of state. I love NYC but am worried that living there on a college campus isn’t as great as it seems when you just visit for three days. I like smaller schools (with maybe 6,000-10,000 undergrad students). I don’t want to live in a “small town” but none of the schools I got in to seem like they fall in that category. I’m more concerned with the living conditions at each campus (like the facilities and how the housing is set up).
How’s the financial situation? This may preclude you from attending specific schools, especially a place as stingy as NYU. Have you been accepted to all of them so far? IIRC, Ivy Day’s in March and Columbia’s ED, not SCEA…
I have very close friends at GaTech, NYU, Emory, and an acquaintance at Columbia. I have yet to find someone who actually enjoys GaTech. Seriously. Two people I know dropped out after the first year, and one girl (who is the current Miss GA) had to switch from chemical engineering to business, because she said it just wasn’t worth it. I have a friend that is making bank with an internship as an engineer (like, graduating w/ 6 figures in his bank account) and he’s only a sophomore. It is a great school, but I have just to warn you that you have to sell your soul to graduate.
Emory is a great school too. My high school best friend is a current sophomore there. He loves it. I visited, and the campus seemed to lack a personality, but everyone I know there wouldn’t dream of going anywhere else. That said, I guess it takes a special person to like it?
If finances aren’t an issue, I would definitely narrow it down between NYU and Columbia. Maybe I’m biased because NYC is a dream, but seriously. If you can make it: do it. NYU does lack the traditional campus and collegey feel, if that would bother you.
I’m sure you are really smart if these are your choices. Whatever you choose will give you a kick ass education.