Prestiege vs. Social Atmosphere...what would you do?

Transfer Students
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<p>I know that Pace isn’t the most prestigeous school in the nation (or even New York City for that matter), but I visited a friend there twice, took a campus tour, and spoke with an admissions officer, and I am, as of now, seriously considering going there. If I do end up applying, it will be more for the social atmosphere than anything else.</p>

<p>However, I also want to apply to NYU (Gallatin), Fordham (LC, Individualized Major) and Barnard (Film Studies and Sociology), which are all (somewhat) prestigeous schools. </p>

<p>I am worried that NYU, Fordham, and Barnard will look better when I graduate (assuming I’ll get in) and need to apply for a job, but I think that I might be happier socially at Pace.</p>

<p>If you had to choose between a prestigeous school and a school where you know you would be socially happy, which would you choose? Which would be better in the long run?</p>

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<p>I chose the social option by going to James Madison U. It is a heck of a party school and a fun place with great people, but the city sucks and in general other schools could have met my needs better. Which is why I have come to this forum.</p>

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<p>Prestige. You can have a great social life at those other colleges you’re considering. In fact, it may be better there…those schools have more connections, money etc…which means more programs (not only for academics) but social opportunities. The prestige and connections that those other schools can offer will do you more good than a few years of good soc life and avg. academics. Good luck!</p>

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<p>Without saying anything negative about Pace, consider if the fact that you were visiting a friend there may have made it seem more attractive and socially comfortable.</p>

<p>There’s certainly a lot of diversity of students at NYU and Fordham, you’re bound to find plenty of people of the background type you’re comfortable with.</p>

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<p>Different schools apply to defferent people. Not all colleges are equal. Choose the school that fits your interest. Never do it for the job. Do it for the passion.</p>

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<p>Thanks for the advice you guys. I will definitely take everything into consideration, including the fact that Pace may be a different place without my friend. I will try to spend a little more time at each school so I can give them equal consideration.</p>

<p>Again, thanks. Your input is much appreciated!</p>

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<p>“If you had to choose between a prestigeous school and a school where you know you would be socially happy, which would you choose? Which would be better in the long run?”</p>

<p>I think if one searches hard enough amongst the top universities in America, he will find a university with both name recognition and a fitting social atmosphere. Good luck in your search =]</p>

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<p>CardinalFocused - I think you are absolutely right.</p>

<p>However, for my situation, I don’t want to venture outside of any states where I don’t have any family nearby, so I am sticking to New York and (as a safety) Georgia. That gives me very limited choices as far as which colleges I have to choose from in the prestiege vs. social atmosphere debate.</p>

<p>I’m trying not to make assumptions at these colleges, but it’s hard to do when you don’t spend enough time there to make an educated decision. I don’t want to automatically assume that because NYU and Barnard are the most rigorous acadmically that the social atmosphere there is any better or worse than the atmosphere at Pace or Fordham (an association I learned to make in high school - academic rigor = mean people and no life, which I don’t think is true about NYU). </p>

<p>I am also applying to UGA as a safety. Although I know that there are very bright people that go to UGA, it is a school known, especially in Georgia, for football, liquor, and parties. Do employers take that into consideration when you’re up for a job against a Harvard grad? It’s kind of my same worry with Pace, which is not known for it’s acamic rigor. So, how would I look in a side - by side comparison with someone from NYU or Barnard?</p>

<p>I feel comfortable at Pace. I feel like everyone is on pretty much the same level there, academically and socially, and I like that.However, after being on this board and recieving advice from you guys, I realize what my problem is. I am being totally one - sided because I have spent more time at one school than I have at the others, and I need to correct that problem before I make a decision.</p>

<p>I guess I was just asking about my situation. If, in a limited selection of schools, you needed to choose one that was less academically rigorous and more socially comfortable or one that was the opposite, which would you choose?</p>

<p>Thanks, again for the input and advice. You guys are insightful, and it’s part of the reason why I come here so much.</p>

<p>BTW: Happy holidays everyone!</p>

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<p>Hey collegegirl. I read your post earlier and didn’t reply cuz I dont really spend much time on this board, but i kept thinking about it and had to respond, because I feel like I was in your shoes. As you can probably tell, I go to Tufts and I chose it solely because I heard it was a “good” school that I got in, and I wanted to go somewhere that was “prestigious”. I have been there now for 3 semesters and I really hate it. The life there is not worth it, I am miserable. I really wish I had gone somewhere that had a better social life, somewehre that I could have fun. Hate to sound like a philosopher but wouldn’t you agree that life is about the journey, not the destination? Don’t worry too much about your life after college. As long as you do well academically, you can succeed in life with a degree from anywhere.</p>

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<p>tufts008 - I absolutely agree that life is about the journey, but when it comes to employment after college, at least for me, it will be about the destination. My parents are not going to let me live with them when I get out of college, and I’m going to need a good job in order to live on my own and pay back the massive loans I already owe.</p>

<p>However, even with that said, I want to have fun in college, acadmically and socially. I want the good social life, but I want the good job too and I wasn’t sure that I could do both given the options that I was working with.</p>

<p>Thanks for the advice, tufts008 - your point is well recieved!</p>

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<p>I definitely second tufts008. I chose my school because of the “internships, academics, and post-degree opportunities,” as I put it. I knew going in the social life wasn’t perfect for me…and now I’m miserable. You’ll succeed if you put enough effort into what you want to do, regardless of where you got your degree.</p>

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<p>Thanks for your input, acm09!</p>