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Sooo I've been completely in love with NYU for my entire cycle, thought I had decided to enroll there, and then received a curveball Wilson scholarship from Penn worth $60k this morning (even though I had never received any notification of being nominated for one?). Although I think I would like Penn, I was unable to attend its ASW, so I have a few doubts. I have until Monday to decide. Advice?

Have you notified NYU about the Wilson yet? Call them so you can actually talk to a person, and let them know that you JUST got this information today and only have until Monday to let Penn know. And it's super weird that you don't even have a full business day to work with this.

Chicago.

HTH

They are both amazing schools, but the extra 60K would be nice to save.

law_monkey wrote:Have you notified NYU about the Wilson yet? Call them so you can actually talk to a person, and let them know that you JUST got this information today and only have until Monday to let Penn know. And it's super weird that you don't even have a full business day to work with this.

yeah I called, but it didn't help.
Oh and oops! Technically I have until the 19th (Tuesday) to commit to Penn.

Muenchen wrote:Chicago.

HTH

Haha, i'd like to see you at Chicago too, but honestly, I really get the vibe from your posts that you want to be at NYU. I vote NYU.

I'd take the $60k from Penn considering these schools are fairly comparable. I might lean towards NYU if you want PI/gov work though.

In the end, I'd say pick the one you prefer considering that even with $60k less debt, your Penn debt will still force you to shoot for biglaw/LRAP or bust.

If possible, check out penn this weekend. If not ( which is very likely) try to take an online tour of the campus. Compare NYU and Penn's placements, and then compare those facts to your debt load ( including living expenses) and how they place in your target region. If they are similar- go with NYU, if there is a big difference, go with penn. ( or if you are very nervous about the total amount of debt of nyu).

congrats!

I voted for NYU only because of knowing how much you love it and a 60k scholly still leaves triple figure debt (even though of course it'll be an even bigger difference with COL but still). I also think committing to schools without visiting is scary because you never know what will change your mind about a place. Having visited both schools though, they're both great and I think you'd enjoy either. Oh and for full disclosure you also know I'm biased haha.

If you go to Penn, you'll be thinking about how much you might be missing out at NYU. If you go to NYU, your high expectations will make it seem less great and you'll wonder if passing up a scholarship was smart. Which would you rather do?

EDIT: still not decided

gatorgirl4life wrote:ok i've somewhat convinced myself that $60k isn't that much in the grand scheme of things. taking the plunge and going to nyu! thanks, everyone!

Grats on your decision . Enjoy NYU!

Knock wrote:

gatorgirl4life wrote:ok i've somewhat convinced myself that $60k isn't that much in the grand scheme of things. taking the plunge and going to nyu! thanks, everyone!

Grats on your decision . Enjoy NYU!

aw thanks, knock! =)

Aw got my hopes up with that poll Right decision though. Congrats!

I slept on it...and am starting to lean towards Penn. Just booked my flight, so I can visit tomorrow and ask for an extension...

ahhh im so excited for you!!!! Btw i had the same decision to make and chose penn

In my opinion, the schools are more similar than different in terms of employment prospects (though NYU has something of an edge for PI), so money and vibe should be the two important criteria here. When you visit Penn, ask yourself if you could see yourself happy there. If you feel like you could really enjoy it, take it -- with the 60k (which is more like 70k w/ COL) difference, it's smart. If Penn doesn't click or you feel like NYU is where you just MUST be, then go there.

gatorgirl4life wrote:I slept on it...and am starting to lean towards Penn. Just booked my flight, so I can visit tomorrow and ask for an extension...

It's good that you're going there to check it out. Keep in mind that 60k is a LOT of money. People seem to be a bit cavalier about numbers like that. 60k is significantly higher than the median income of the average person in the US. You should go where you're happiest and all, but... between the scholarship and Philly's COL, personally I'd probably do Penn sight unseen.