College Transfer Decision: Columbia GS vs. NYU Stern vs. UVA McIntire

I was recently accepted as a transfer student to Columbia University and Stern. I am a sophomore trying to break into IB, so mostly considering Columbia GS and Stern. I am considered a non-traditional student because I took a couple of years off from school after my freshman year. I am conflicted about which school I should go with. I am in love with the program I applied to at Columbia, but I am not too sure how Columbia GS is viewed on the street and would going there be better than Stern? I am also planning on getting an MBA. I would really appreciate it If anyone has any perspective on that. Stern is Stern. Both are in NYC, so location is not a matter. I am also getting a similar aid package from both.

I already had an S&T internship and secured a Private Banking internship with a BB for next summer. I was offered a couple of IB interview, but I already accepted my offer by then. Given my situation, which school would you guys suggest?

I would really appreciate your honest responses since I have to make a decision by this Friday. Thank you for your time and for reading my post!

13 Comments
 

Columbia. No brainer. Unless Stern gave you a lot of money in scholarships, I’d go to Columbia. Columbia and Stern would be way better for recruiting for obvious reasons.

 

Thank you for your advise. I was leaning more towards Columbia, but Stern just came back to me with an updated financial aid package. At Stern, I would have to take a combined loan of only $10,000 for two years and it includes on campus housing. For Columbia, I would have to take a loan between $40,000-$50,000, and it does not include room and board. With this new aid package from Stern, I am leaning more towards NYU. What would you suggest?

 

you’re obviously a bright person so you’ll do great at whichever school you pick and it’s ultimately your decision, but loans add up quick (some have 12% or greater interest rates) and you don’t want to bury yourself. If you value prestige, go Columbia. If your primary interest is IB recruiting, Stern sounds like the better option overall.

 

Thank you for your inputs everyone. After hearning your advise and talking to alumni at Columbia GS, I was leaning more towards Columbia. At the end of the day it is still an Ivy League school. Now I am conflicted again. Stern just gave me a generous aid package. For Stern, I would have to take a combined loan of only $10,000 for two years and it includes on-campus housing. For Columbia, I would have to take a loan between $40,000-$50,000, and it does not include room and board. With this new aid package from Stern, I am leaning more towards NYU. What would you suggest?

 

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