NYU English program

[Creffecreve]

I was delighted to have been admitted to NYU's English PhD program. However, I've been speaking to professors, and some of them seemed to hint that the students were not fully funded/dissatisfied with the program. I do believe that NYU recently changed its funding policies, because it seemed like all the PhD students receive the same funding, and the amount seems pretty reasonable to me. Does anyone know anything about the strength of NYU's program/these concerns that some people raised?

 

Also, does it make sense to consider a program like Wisconsin over NYU? They're ranked roughly the same, but NYU seems to be a stronger program, and plus, its new york. 

 

I'd be glad to hear any opinions/first hand accounts/second hand knowledge!

 

[peachypie]

I'm a badger alum and i won't be offended by that.  But Wisconsin is a great school and i don't think you'd be disappointed education wise, and there are a lot of NY natives who go there (at least for undergrad).  

Have you visited these programs both?  What is the difference in funding at each school?  how important is funding to you in your decision?  these are the things you should consider and will ultimately lead you to the program that best fits you.  Best of luck.

[crazyhappy]

As someone on the Wisconsin wait list, I say NYU is terrific: you should go there!  I'm just kidding .  I don't have any insight, but a huge congratulations to you and good luck with your decision.

[ProfLorax]

Congrats, Coffeecreve! One thing to consider when weighing funding options is cost of living. $25K in NYC may not go as far as $16K in Madison. (I'm totally making these numbers up, btw, and really have no idea what the funding offers are!)

 

To second peachypie: Visit! Visiting can really open your eyes to the culture of the environment. 

[Creffecreve]

Thanks, guys! 

The problem is that they kind of have their visiting days on the same weekend!

[shortstack51]

Congrats on your acceptances! I'm at a school in NYC that's in the NYC five school consortium with NYU (meaning, PhD students are allowed to attend classes at any of the 5 schools). First, the cost of living in NYC is ridiculously high, to answer that possible question. You either resign yourself to living in a not so great area, find roommates, resign yourself to a 2-400 sq ft apartment, or commute in from outside NYC by train . I lived on a street next to a gang in a 700 sq ft apartment and it was 1400 a month (I had a roommate, so I paid 700)--and that was considered on the cheap side apparently. NYC is the only major city I've lived in, so I can't compare its living situation to any others, but I do have relatives in Madison and I know the cost of living is way way less in the Midwest. Some people love being in NYC and just take the living situation for what it is. Obviously, there's a ton to do here, academically and otherwise (the libraries are ridiculously helpful), and new york is a really awesome place to be. It's just expensive. And it has its own host of big city problems. People tend to romanticize it quite a bit, but most residents have a love/hate relationship with the city in reality.

As far as I've heard from my school's adcomm and from students taking classes there, NYU has been having some kind of departmental drama with its grad students. I don't know what the drama is or if the info is even that accurate, but it's something to think about. It might be related to the funding issue above? Maybe someone at NYU could dispel the rumors or clarify.

Anyway, congratulations again. I'm sure you'll be happy no matter where you are. And if any other new yorkers disagree with me, feel free to dispute!

Edited February 13, 2014 by shortstack51

[ReadingLisa]

Congratulations Creffecreve! I too was accepted into NYU's English department, so I'm also curious about the reliability of their funding. I mean, their offer seemed fantastic to me, but what do I know. 

[Maidhcoc]

Has anyone heard from U of Wisc Madison and their comparative literature programme? One person got accepted on 30th January and there hasn't been anything since... Bit strange

[mango28]

I was likewise admitted. Seems like the relationship between grad students and the administration has been pretty toxic until very recently. This may have nothing to do with the departmental issue Shortstack is referring to.

[NowMoreSerious]

I was delighted to have been admitted to NYU's English PhD program. However, I've been speaking to professors, and some of them seemed to hint that the students were not fully funded/dissatisfied with the program. I do believe that NYU recently changed its funding policies, because it seemed like all the PhD students receive the same funding, and the amount seems pretty reasonable to me. Does anyone know anything about the strength of NYU's program/these concerns that some people raised?

 

Also, does it make sense to consider a program like Wisconsin over NYU? They're ranked roughly the same, but NYU seems to be a stronger program, and plus, its new york. 

 

I'd be glad to hear any opinions/first hand accounts/second hand knowledge!

 

 

If you are actually on NYU's waitlist, this is an ingenious post.