School Review: New York University

I've always been really torn when it comes to NYU, and after visiting the school I'm more conflicted than ever.

Pros:

NYC. As I said in my Columbia review, I'm in love with New York. There are endless opportunities in the city and it's one of the most diverse places in the world. The fact that it's, well, in New York has always been the biggest draw of NYU in my case.

The particular neighborhood NYU is in, Greenwich Village, is very artsy and neat. There's also a beautiful park right next to the school.

It definitely wouldn't be hard to make friends at NYU. Even if by some miracle a student there didn't get along with any of his or her 20,000 classmates, there are eight million other people right outside the door.

The food in NYC! There's so much! So many options!

Shopping!

Cons:

All of those things I've mentioned would be pretty distracting.

Housing in NYC is notoriously expensive and, in most cases, small. I'm not sure what the exact situation is at NYU, but I can't imagine it's the best housing available.

The NYU campus didn't feel like a campus at all. NYU is very intertwined with the surrounding area and instead of having a separate area exclusively for NYU, there are just buildings within the neighborhood that are NYU buildings. I feel like if I went to college somewhere I'd want it to feel like I had a tangible campus, even if it's in a big city.

Pictures:

NYC!

Nearby park.

Fountain in nearby park. Pretty sure this is a relatively famous monument.

Overall:

As much as I love NYC, I'm not sure if going to school there would be the best for me. NYU is a well-respected school, but I wasn't a fan of the "campus." But I love NYC! I'm torn.

School Review: Columbia University

First of all, I need to say that I love New York City. It's probably my favorite place in the world. When I'm in the city I feel like I can do anything--like the world is at my fingertips. Columbia evoked a similar feeling.

Pros:

NYC. Like I said, I love the city and would love to spend every day there. I also feel like I would run out of money in a week if I lived in the city. Also, it would be hard to focus on my studies since there would be so much to do all around me. But going to school in NYC undoubtedly gives Columbia students countless opportunities such as internships and whatnot.

Columbia is one of the best schools in the country. It's an Ivy. The education Columbia students get is hard to match.

Beautiful campus!

Even though it's in America's largest city, Columbia still feels as if it has its own identity. It's campus is somewhat separated from the city around it while still managing to provide a smooth transition from Columbia to the streets of upper Manhattan. Columbia is also in a really nice part of town.

Everyone in NYC is beautiful, or so it seems. That would be another obvious distraction.

Cons:

The distractions of NYC would be hard to resist, especially for me.

The campus is really small. Only 36 acres I believe. But as NYC as your playground, who needs a big campus?

NYC is really expensive, and I'm sure the housing situation at Columbia isn't great, due to the size of the city.

Pictures:

Obviously not part of Columbia's campus, but... NYC!

Overall:

If you can avoid the distractions of NYC, Columbia seems all too perfect! 

School Review: Princeton University

Princeton has never been a school I've dreamed of attending, but since I was passing by I figured I might as well check it out. I was astounded to find such a magnificent campus and I've got to say that I'm jealous of whoever has the privilege of going to school there.

Pros:

Princeton is by far the most beautiful campus I've seen. It's like a castle in the middle of nowhere. I took dozens of pictures because of how blown away I was by Princeton's campus.

Princeton's consistently ranked among the best schools in the country--the world even. In fact, I think it was ranked number one in America this year, and it often earns this spot.

Cons:

Princeton is sort of in the middle of nowhere. Of course, I'm sure it's relatively easy to get to New York and other cities from the area, but it still might get dull.

Princeton is very preppy. More so than most of the other Ivies. From what I've heard, it's a preppy, jock-oriented, not-so-diverse school for rich people. All of the Ivies have this reputation, but I found it to be especially true at Princeton.

Pictures: 

Overall:

I don't have tons to say about Princeton. It has a beautiful campus, a reputation as the best school in the country (rivaled only by Harvard), and, well, a beautiful campus. If I thought I stood a chance I'd apply in a heartbeat.