CUNY Vs NYU (different programs)

[Zahraa]

If I am funded from a local institution for a master program which one shall I choose:

1- Master in Pathokinesiology for Physical Therapists from NYU (++).

2- Master in Neuroscience (++) from CUNY.

I know that NYU is an elite university, but I plan to apply for a PhD in Neuroscience after I graduate.

[NeuroGal]

If you're serious about applying for a PhD program in neuroscience, the obvious choice is to go for the masters in neuroscience. The applicant pool for neuroscience will be filled with people who have relevant experience. You have to think about your competition! A masters in physical therapy from an elite school is not going to be as good as a masters in neuroscience from a lesser school. A neuroscience ad comm will want to know if you can make it in their program. The only way you can prove that is by demonstrating your ability to conduct research and complete graduate level work in a relevant field.

[abc123xtc]

If you're pursuing neuroscience, I'm not even sure why you would want to do physical therapy instead. Yes, NYU is a great school, but it's not even relevant to your future goals.

[Zahraa]

Thank you NeuroGal and abc23xtc, your advice is so much appreciated

[joefc]

you've gotta be nuts to go to NYU for several reasons.

1- i dont know how you would ever get funding for a terminal masters, but the price of one class at NYU GSAS is about, oh i dunno, between 1-2 semesters FULL time at CUNY!

2 - if youre going into neuroscience, get a masters in neuroscience. there is a good amount of neuro research going on at hunter college. it only makes sense

3- nyu is elite? really? since when? having been a part of a masters program at their GSAS, its vastly overpriced for no reason other than the fact that you are taking classes in greenwich village, a truly awesome place. and even if you are fully funded, what the heck is the nyu degree in physical therapy gonna do for neuroscience? the only great thing ive noticed about nyu that makes it worth any time, other than its prime location (which is $$$ to live in) is that a lot of the professors do stellar research. so do professors in CUNY though, but on average not as many (talking about bio)

4- as someone who is considering an offer from CUNY to go to their phd program, ive seen first hand that they give PREFERENCE to people who completed a masters within their program. a lot of them go right up to the PhD program once they are about to complete their masters

CUNY all the way.