NYU (full COA) vs. Columbia

[Fluffer]

I am just interested in some outside perspectives.

Considerations....
Columbia
-perfect location for me
-will be paying full price (80k; yikes)
-incredible school
-has amazing dual degree programs

NYU
-cost of living+tuition completely covered
-great clinical exposure at Bellevue
-slightly worse location although still in NYC

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[mik30102]

I am just interested in some outside perspectives.

Considerations....
Columbia
-perfect location for me
-will be paying full price (80k; yikes)
-incredible school
-has amazing dual degree programs

NYU
-cost of living+tuition completely covered
-great clinical exposure at Bellevue
-slightly worse location although still in NYC

Are you serious? This is easier then deciding to breathe 😛. Nyu all day long.

 

[MedNation907]

Wow, I would say 'no brainer, follow the money' because that is a huge financial disparity

Edit: Seriously, I'd choose a wooden barn in the middle of North Dakota before paying 80k for any other program in the world. That's crazy expensive.

 

[PhillyMed777]

NYU.

Often, people compare the "prestigous-ness" of institutions based on undergrad prestige. Doesn't work here. NYU is comparable in many ways to Columbia without even considering cost. Not feeling like talking specifics at the moment. good luck.

 

[C@lidoc]

NYU. Columbia isn't that much more prestigious, honestly.

 

[IQ2US]

320K + interest!!! compared to nothing??

No one can justify choosing columbia in this situation. Its not like you are comparing Columbia to a school that isn't ranked. But NYU is a really good school.

 

[ducksau5]

NYU's location >>>>>>> Columbia's

Not sure why you feel Columbia's is perfect but it is in a far more dangerous neighborhood and takes about 1 hour to get to lower manhattan

 

[gettheleadout]

Nearly half a mil after residency for Columbia over NYU for free? No way, hombre.

 

[puglet]

Congratulations on the scholarship; I'd recommend you keep it. 😛

 

[Steve French]

I cannot understand people's thinking on questions like this. I feel like I have to be biting on troll bait but here we go. I would go to "University of generic state school college tech" if they had an accredited MD school if they offered me to go there for absolutely free, even if every top school in the nation offered me a spot at full price. It's not even close. You can get a great medical education for $0 or get a great medical education for what? $320k minimum BEFORE interest accumulation? In 10 years you'll be extremely grateful you don't have loans to pay while driving your BMW to work from your dream house.

 

[jeghaber]

I was offered the Vilcek last year. It was a tough decision to make and I ultimately declined for a different school (~100k over four years). BUT had the cost differential been that high, I imagine I'd have taken the scholarship. It may sound like hypocritical advice, but 500k (300k after interest) is a lot of money, and depending on what field/type of practice you enter, daunting to repay.

It sounds like you prefer Columbia as a school. Only you can put a dollar amount to how much more you'd be willing to pay for Columbia's advantages, but I'd be surprised if it exceeded half a million dollars. If those advantages do in fact exceed 500k, go for Columbia, but in most every other scenarios, NYU would be the better choice.

Feel free to PM with any questions or if you just need someone to hash things out with.

 

[bluemachine]

have you asked columbia for more financial aid? it wouldnt hurt to let them know that you have this really nice offer from another school, but greatly prefer columbia and would attend if not for the cost difference.

 

[WedgeDawg]

have you asked columbia for more financial aid? it wouldnt hurt to let them know that you have this really nice offer from another school, but greatly prefer columbia and would attend if not for the cost difference.

Unfortunately, Columbia explicitly says that if they only reason you're appealing your aid is to match a merit scholarship from another school, they will not be able to accommodate you.

Full disclosure: I'm going to Columbia and obviously I think it's a wonderful school, but it's very difficult to turn down a full ride, especially to a school as solid as NYU. Even if you're in love with Columbia, this is very likely one of those situations where you should go with the (exceptionally generous) money if NYU is tolerable for you. Graduating debt free is a huge deal. Congratulations on your options!

To clear up misconceptions in other posts:

Washington Heights is no longer a dangerous location. It was 15-20 years ago, but it is so much safer now. Obviously it's still part of a city and you have to be prudent, but it's comparatively very safe.

It does not take an hour to get to midtown. During revisit, we took the non-express train on a Friday night at peak going out hours and it barely took us a half hour. Any other time it would be even shorter.

 

[mmmcdowe]

I would still ask for Columbia to offer you a better deal, doesn't hurt especially if you're leaning towards NYU. It takes 10-15 minutes from Columbia to 42nd street. NYU, I seem to recall, isn't on a subway line and there is some walking or bus-taking involved. Possibly has changed.

 

[22031 Alum]

Congrats OP! Take the money and run to NYU.

 

[tiedyeddog]

NYU all day.

 

[pink/\floyd]

NYUUUUU!

 

[NYerrr]

NYU -#6 subway 3 blocks. Express 1st avenue bus. Xtown bus on 34th. And your feet. It's very central/convenient. Transit is a non factor.

 

[Ace Khalifa]

This is a no-brainer.........go to NYU. Unless you want to be a slave to the government with all that debt because of a huge financial mistake.

 

[Goro]

NYU!

Both schools are outstanding.

I am just interested in some outside perspectives.

Considerations....
Columbia
-perfect location for me
-will be paying full price (80k; yikes)
-incredible school
-has amazing dual degree programs

NYU
-cost of living+tuition completely covered
-great clinical exposure at Bellevue
-slightly worse location although still in NYC

 

[Señor Científico]

nyu all day

 

[Salt Salt]

Columbia! ...but only because I'm gunning for a COA at NYU currently 😉

 

[Ace Khalifa]

Columbia! ...but only because I'm gunning for a COA at NYU currently 😉

Did you call them like we told you to?

 

[mmmcdowe]

Moving to SSD

 

[Salt Salt]

Did you call them like we told you to?

Yes 😉

 

[johnnytest]

In this case, Columbia, because of the name.
- Said no one ever

 

[ridethecliche]

Which dual degree programs does Columbia have that NYU doesn't? Yeah, I mean the MPH at Mailman would be insanely awesome...but it's not like NYU's post grad programs are shabby.