Would you go to a school you've never visited? Forum

[Siamsa414]

I got in to NYU from the waitlist yesterday and am totally thrilled. It's the highest-ranked school I've been admitted to, and I've all but decided to go.

There's just one little detail: I've never visited. I've never even been to NYC. I have 9 days to accept the offer, and there's no way I'm fitting in a whirlwind visit to New York.

Would you spend the next three years of your life at a place yhou'd never been?

[blsingindisguise]

What's the next best school? I would say go sight unseen unless it's like NYU vs. a very closely ranked school and/or you particularly want to practice in the other school's market and not New York.

New York will be overwhelming, and it will be tempting to enjoy the city rather than study. You'll just have to be a grown-up and resist this temptation during the semester.

[glitter178]

ummm... it really depends. do you adapt easily to your surroundings? i'd imagine nyc could be terrifyingly overwhelming to someone from a very small town who's never traveled to city, and it'd suck to be stuck in a place you hated.

if, on the other hand, you like the hustle and bustle of city life, are at least fairly aware of and can handle the COL, you'll probably be fine.

[dabbadon8]

Just had the same thing come up and decided on the place I had never visited. Granted I had been to the surrounding area's and it was a college town which I was used to. Like the other poster's said, I think it comes down to your comfort level with big cities. I personally don't think I'd like moving to nyc for 1L not having lived in a big city, but that's just me.

[Siamsa414]

What's the next best school? I would say go sight unseen unless it's like NYU vs. a very closely ranked school and/or you particularly want to practice in the other school's market and not New York.

New York will be overwhelming, and it will be tempting to enjoy the city rather than study. You'll just have to be a grown-up and resist this temptation during the semester.

I had been planning to attend GULC, possibly with some money. I want to end up in California. Also complicating my decision is that I really like DC (lots of family there) and am not sure I'd like living in NYC.

ummm... it really depends. do you adapt easily to your surroundings? i'd imagine nyc could be terrifyingly overwhelming to someone from a very small town who's never traveled to city, and it'd suck to be stuck in a place you hated.

if, on the other hand, you like the hustle and bustle of city life, are at least fairly aware of and can handle the COL, you'll probably be fine.

I'm not from a super small town, and went to college in the Bay Area, also expensive and fairly urban. I'm not particularly adaptable but will be moving with my partner so I wouldn't be alone.

[glitter178]

i'd contact GULC and tell them you're considering NYU to see if they will bump up the money.

[Siamsa414]

i'd contact GULC and tell them you're considering NYU to see if they will bump up the money.

I'm on it. I actually didn't receive any scholarship offer from them initially, so I'm hoping this might change things.

[ArtVandalay]

i'd contact GULC and tell them you're considering NYU to see if they will bump up the money.

I'm on it. I actually didn't receive any scholarship offer from them initially, so I'm hoping this might change things.

Scholarship money and preference to DC might make it worth it. But NYU is pretty big difference IMO from GULC and without a substantial $$$ difference you might be forced to pick NYU...

[blsingindisguise]

I mean you're talking about your future and career here. This isn't college where you pick based on the "experience." And NYU's job prospects are SO much better than GULC's. If you're really concerned about adjustment to NYC, maybe you can move in a month or two early to get some time in the city. Again, not that it won't pose a challenge, but you have to be mature and face that challenge.

[2011Cycle]

I mean you're talking about your future and career here. This isn't college where you pick based on the "experience." And NYU's job prospects are SO much better than GULC's. If you're really concerned about adjustment to NYC, maybe you can move in a month or two early to get some time in the city. Again, not that it won't pose a challenge, but you have to be mature and face that challenge.

TITCR
MTFU

[flcath]

As someone who used travel stipends at half a dozen schools to take subsidized vacations, I gotta say they're pretty worthless for actually comparing schools.

The best thing they actually show you is which schools have the best Admissions Officers (Univ. of Alabama, FTW). It can almost be dangerous to base anything real on them.

[mikeditkaisgod]

I'm not applying until next cycle, but I did attend my UG without first visiting the campus. On top of that, I joined the Army without knowing which part of the country I would be stationed at (or where I might be deployed to).

[FantasticMrFox]

Just go where life takes you!

[Bildungsroman]

I'm going to a law school that I haven't visited, so clearly I would.

[FantasticMrFox]

I'm going to a law school that I haven't visited, so clearly I would.

Strangely, I can stare at your avatar all day...
(and me too, I thought the campus would be horrible but it wasn't, thankfully--expect the worst and you won't be disappointed!)

[Eugenie Danglars]

I'm going to a place I've never been. Crossing my fingers and I hope I like it. It's the best I can do since I'm abroad and can't get back to the US before August. I emailed with current students and had a friend in the area take the tour and tell me about it. I feel pretty confident

[IamAskier]

I'm headed to a city that I visited for the first time back in March for a day and a half for ASD; time which was spent entirely on the campus... so I'm pretty much attending sight unseen. You just can't know what its really like until you attend.

[OV2MI]

NYU! What was your decision?

[Dany]

As someone who used travel stipends at half a dozen schools to take subsidized vacations, I gotta say they're pretty worthless for actually comparing schools.

The best thing they actually show you is which schools have the best Admissions Officers (Univ. of Alabama, FTW). It can almost be dangerous to base anything real on them.

This, especially the bolded is so true.

Also curious as to what OP picked! Edit - nvm it's in his/her profile!

[JamMasterJ]

Good choice OP. I hope you like New York!!

[Dany]

Good choice OP. I hope you like New York!!

This!

[FantasticMrFox]

Good choice OP. I hope you like New York!!

This!

^ but you will like New York!

[JamMasterJ]

Good choice OP. I hope you like New York!!

This!

^ but you will like New York!

According to Alicia Keys

[ahduth]

I mean you're talking about your future and career here. This isn't college where you pick based on the "experience." And NYU's job prospects are SO much better than GULC's. If you're really concerned about adjustment to NYC, maybe you can move in a month or two early to get some time in the city. Again, not that it won't pose a challenge, but you have to be mature and face that challenge.

Ya this thread is over, but this bears repeating - it's professional school, you should go where you have the best professional opportunities.

Plus once you get over the garbage men playing softball with the garbage cans at 3 in the morning, NYC is completely chill.

[emorystud2010]

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