NYU Tandon School of Engineering, by Guest Blogger, Kayra Oguz

When deciding between universities in the US there are many varying factors that you may have to consider. For me, the biggest deciding factor after academic alignment was the lifestyle I would have during college. As I made the decision that small towns and campus universities weren’t meant for me, NYU stood out as one that allows a college experience with full freedom of having a city life. With its 11 schools embedded throughout the city of New York, NYU also showed an opportunity to travel to its campuses within several cities across the world. The appeal of living in a big city with much to explore didn’t let me doubt my choice of NYU for one minute.

However, something a lot of students don’t realize is that if you are applying to Tandon School of Engineering, you will end up further from the heart of the city than you would expect. Did you know that NYU Tandon is not in Manhattan? I for sure was not aware of this until after I was offered a place to study here. Me included, it is almost shocking the number of people that were unaware of the location of Tandon until the very day of move-in. Once I got accepted, of course, the first step was to go online and try to find any and every piece of information that was available on Google, Youtube, Instagram, and even Reddit. I don’t know about my peers but I definitely struggled to find details that provided more than what was given on the school website, which was mostly on academic programs, courses, and statistics. Nothing to be found about the social life or the ambiance of the school, whether or not Brooklyn would be the right choice, what the dorm life would be like, and so on. Anything that was elaborated on under these subtitles was about the Main Campus, targeted at Stern, Tisch, and CAS kids. My lack of resources contributing to my decision to attend this school of the university is what motivated me to write this blog. By reflecting upon my first semester and my current position here, I will do my best to communicate all that I have observed. Academics, extracurriculars, social life, and work life, and not only how I balanced these but how the school is supporting and guiding me to do so.

Addressing what seems to be the biggest question mark in all applicants’, and even current students’ heads: Does being in Brooklyn matter or make a difference? I would argue yes, unfortunately, against what everyone would like to believe. However this yes does not automatically mean that the Main campus schools are better than Tandon and Brooklyn. experience is just slightly altered. Brooklyn, when compared to Manhattan, seems to have a slower pace and less of the advertised “New York City”s popping lifestyle. Nevertheless, it is a good area to live in if you are looking for more stability and a chiller vibe. Firstly location wise it is obvious that the Main campus has easier and faster access to Manhattan and the quote on quote Main area of New York City. There is a wider variety of school buildings, including lecture halls, classrooms, dining halls, and dorms. However, Tandon students still have permission and access to use everything that is in Brooklyn, you are still close enough to the heart of the city and the main campus of NYU which is better known by everyone. New York City in general is a place where the metro lines run through the whole city and can get you to almost every corner that you would want to reach. Especially between Tandon and Washington Square Campus, there are multiple lines that allow you to travel back and forth whenever, with less than half an hour travel duration. In most cases, going by car anywhere is far worse than taking the metro as the NY traffic is unbearable. It’s more likely that you will cycle, walk, or ride the metro a lot faster than driving or being driven. 

You still get the city university experience, only combined with the experience of a campus university. You have the power and choice to decide whether to study “on a campus” or “in a city” which is not a choice that the Main campus students are presented with really.

Studying at Tandon, specifically, requires the skill of maintaining a balance between social and academic life if you are a student looking to both have THE college experience and be successful after graduation. Similar to many other universities in the US, once you enter your college life you will be left alone with your abilities to explore, plan, and execute whatever it may be that you want to be involved in, both socially and academically. Although location wise you are further from the ongoings in the main campus of NYU, if you desire to be more involved with the activities of those other schools you are welcome to, as long as you put in a bit of effort. Tandon has similar social activities to that of the main campus but less in the amount of options I would say. There is still Greek life and parties if you are looking for those groups, however, Tandon’s clubs are more academically inclined compared, at least in my experience. That does not mean you cannot find academics on the main campus, as some schools also offer very rigorous clubs to students who are interested in particular areas of study. You are free to join any frat or club and social activity in and out of school on both campuses. That being said, when you are a STEM student at Tandon, academic responsibilities besides social doings arise. I would rethink Tandon studies and science if you aren’t prepared to spend a large portion of your days holed up in Dibner, an empty room in Jay 370 (if you’re lucky), or at Bobst where you’re offered a change of location in exchange for a quick metro ride.

If you are a student looking to be involved in some more hands-on work rather than just regular university courses, Tandon has many opportunities up for offer. Starting with the well-advertised MakerSpace, you can find anything from 3D printers to laser cutters and sewing machines suited for individual projects. Otherwise, there are VIP (virtually integrated projects) teams and Professor research laboratories you can always apply to be a part of.

Another difference would be that there is a tighter community of people that study and work at Tandon. In an exact juxtaposition of what is said about NYU’s main campus, that ‘you can see an entirely new set of people every time you step out of your classes’, in Tandon it is quite unexpected to bump into many unfamiliar faces after a year. This arguably makes it a lot easier to make friends and stick with familiar groups of people which in my case provided stability and helped keep a social and academic balance in my lifestyle in New York. This doesn’t mean that I don’t still meet a handful of new people all the time. For me though, the stress of the academic rigorousness of Tandon is softened by the familiarity of my surroundings.
Still, whenever I have free time I take the opportunity to go up to Manhattan to join Main campus events and clubs, alone or with friends. And if I’m not at a Wash Square event, I am having dinner at a new restaurant, or wandering around Central Park or Soho. No place is unreachable, even if you live in Brooklyn, so honestly, reaching the correct answer to the question of differences between the main campus and Tandon is in your hands. After a year in the city studying and socializing, you will be able to figure out which part of New York appeals to your lifestyle. What I can assure you is that you will find an area that speaks to your desires from the many of the city and academics, clubs, and activities whether in Tandon or on main campus.

Regardless, Tandon may not be everything you expect, but that for sure comes with some pleasant surprises as well throughout your 4 years. As long as you strive to work and are ready to explore and be involved, you will be greeted with many chances and opportunities.

Financial Aid Strategies for International Students

Finding enough aid to be able to afford tuition can be stressful, especially if you are an international student.  You typically do not qualify for the types of aid domestic students are entitled to. Do you know which universities offer the amount of aid you need?  Do you have a school counselor who can direct you on finding the right balance of academics and financial aid?  Do you know if universities in different countries typically offer scholarships?  If the answer is no, read on.

Your first question should be:  What is my academic profile and how does an international admissions officer view it?  Did you attend a high school which offers a curriculum typically accepted by selective international universities such as the IB or AP curriculum?  Or did you study for, and take the AP tests independently, and attain higher scores such as 4s and 5s?  Are your extracurriculars and essays at a level where you feel comfortable?  The profile you present reflects your readiness for college.  There are universities at varying levels that will constitute a good fit for you, but if you have done your homework in preparation, you will qualify for entry into more selective institutions. 

The second question would be your budget.  Talk with your parents and understand the exact annual limit you can afford.  We often hear “I can pay 50%”, or things like “We will pay the entire tuition if she gets into an Ivy League university”.  But 50% of what expense? You need to first develop an understanding of the cost of attendance across markets.  Living expenses can cost as high as $15,000 per year in the US, and slightly lower in Europe, depending on the city your desired universities are located.  Hong Kong, for example, would cost about half of that amount.  Tuition varies from over $60,000 per year in some US institutions, to a few thousand dollars in certain public institutions in Italy.  So it's important to do your homework.  

Lastly, you need to understand the types and amounts of aid that may be offered in each market.  Bear in mind that as an international student, the higher the profile you present, the more ready for college you are, the more these institutions will want to offer you merit aid.  

There are also a few need blind institutions in the US such as Amherst, Princeton, Harvard and Yale but you must first get in, which is a probability that has dwindled to the lowest of single digits over time and it's fair to say that you have to be truly outstanding to gain admission.  The remainder of the institutions in the US, the only country where literally dozens of institutions offer merit and/or need based aid for international students, look at your level but also what you can afford.  So it's important for a family to realize that they need to set their budget very realistically and honestly.  Asa  rule, the higher the family budget, the higher the chances of admission. 

Lastly, there is a list of full tuition scholarships which you can often find on the university’s website. Some of these will require your high school to nominate you.  A good example is the Lester Pearson scholarship at the University of Toronto.  If your high school is one that regularly sends students abroad, then talk with your college counselor to see if they can nominate you.  If you do not have a college counselor, you will need to find an English speaking advocate at your high school to first apply to be a school which can nominate a student, and then put in your nomination.   Other types of scholarships vary by country and institution, some come in smaller amounts but provide much needed help.  An example is the Netherlands Scholarship, offered by the Dutch Ministry of Education at participating institutions to students in the non-European Economic Area countries.

Finding aid has to do with where you apply.  For that, you need good research and an early start.  As always, check out the videos on our YouTube channel to find out more. 

Yurt dışında üniversite okumak isteyen öğrencilere nasıl bir hazırlık süreci tavsiye edersiniz?

Yurt dışında okumak ve genelde üniversiteye hazırlanmak için sürece 9 ya da 10. sınıftan itibaren hazırlanmaya başlanılmasını öneriyorum.  En iyi sonuç, bu aşamada başlanıldığında alınmaktadır çünkü Türkiye’deki eğitim ile yurt dışı eğitim arasındaki farklar yalnız İngilizce dil bilgisinden ibaret değil ve bunları gidermek zaman istiyor.  Bir öğrencinin belirli bir konuya odaklanmış olması ve imkanları dahilinde üstünde araştırma yapıp konuyu içselleştirmesi bekleniyor.  Örneğin psikoloji eğitimi almak isteyen bir öğrenci bu konuda yaz derslerine katılabilir, okulunda psikoloji kulübüne üye olabilir hatta evvelden yoksa o okulda bu kulübü kurabilir.  Bu aktiviteler, üniversiteye öğrencinin bu konuya gerçek bir eğilim duyduğunu ve iyice araştırmış olduğunu ifade eder.

TOEFL ya da IELTS gibi İngilizce sınavları ve SAT standart testlerinden iyi netice almak çok önemli. Üniversiteler Türkiye’deki okulları iyi tanımadıklarında bu testlere bakıp seviyeyi ölçüyorlar. Bu nedenle bu testler yabancı öğrenciler için çok önemli.

Ayrıca öğrencinin kendi işini takip edebilen, hakkını aramayı bilen insan olması ve bunu ifade edebilmesi gerekiyor.  Üniversiteler, bu profilde insanların başarılı olduğunu biliyorlar ve aradan onları özellikle seçiyorlar.  Eğitim danışmanı olarak bizler böyle eksikliklerin zamanında giderilmesini sağlıyoruz ki öğrenci üniversiteye girebilsin, tamamen hazır olarak gitsin ve gittiğinde başarılı olsun

Yurtdışında Üniversite Seçimi Yaparken En Çok Hangi Kriterlere Dikkat Edilmeli?

Öncelikle burs gerekip gerekmediğine bakılmalı.  Bunun için alternatiflerin fiyatları araştırılmalı.  Amerika’da burs imkanları Avrupa ve İngiltere’ye oranla çok daha geniş.  Ancak Amerika’da hangi okullarda bursu arayacağınızı bilmek de çok önemli.  Biz bu araştırmada özgün teknolojimizi kullanarak başarı elde ediyoruz.

 Bununla birlikte bir gencin hangi konularla ilgilendiğini bilmesi, bilmiyor ise bu konuda destek olarak araştırmasına yardım edilmesi de önem taşıyor. Kendisini tanımasına, meslek seçimini yapmasına, bunu yaparken atacağı adımlara, dikkat edeceği konulara, edinmesi gereken tecrübelere katkı sağlamak, doğru yönlendirmek gerekir. Çünkü istediği konuda iyi olan pek çok üniversitenin arasından öğrencinin bireysel kriterlerine uygun seçimler yaparak başvuru listesini hazırlamak gerekiyor. Bu nedenle beraber çalışmaya ne kadar erken başlarsak o kadar katkımız oluyor.  9. ya da 10. sınıftan itibaren beraber çalışmayı tavsiye ediyoruz. 

 Ayrıca genelde dikkat edilmeyen ancak çok önemli olan bazı kriterler de göz önünde bulundurulmalı. Örneğin büyük veya küçük üniversiteler, araştırma üniversiteleri, üniversitenin bulunduğu coğrafi konum tercihleri çok önemli olabiliyor.  Bunların tümünü göz önünde bulundurarak gençleri aidiyet hissedecekleri, mutlu olacakları ortamlara yöneltiyoruz.

The Role of College Counselors in Working with Students with Learning Differences.

 There are a wide variety of differences ranging from ADHD, hearing or visual impairment to emotional issues.  According to the Hechinger Report, 94% of high school students with learning disabilities get help but only 17% of college students do so.   Learning-different students are far more likely to drop out of 4-year institutions.  According to the National Center for Education Research, just 34% complete a 4-year degree within 8 years of finishing high school compared to the 56% national average. 

Based on this scenario, it is important for college counselors to check for previous testing for students as necessary, and at the same time, be able to recognize potential issues based on the engagement they have with a student.  There can be previously unidentified disability apparent to someone with a high level perspective based on the transcripts, test scores and especially based on discussions on future planning and any level of career assessments.  If the counselor perceives any issues, they should be experienced enough to refer the student for a proper assessment.

Beyond any initial identification of differences, the counselor should consider the support various colleges offer for a disabled student.  For example, is there a dedicated office serving students with disabilities, are there mandated accommodations?  Are services such as tutoring, note taking, testing accommodations and assistive technology free of paid?  Is there an opportunity to customize accommodations based on the student’s disability?  Most importantly, is there an office for students with disabilities?  Some schools even offer coaching on self-advocacy, which is a great skill for these students who increasingly rely on themselves to seek their rights.  

Beacon College (FL) and Landmark College in Vermont accept only students with learning differences. Beyond those handful of schools, there are many excellent universities that offer a wide range of accommodations.  There are schools such as the University of the Ozarks, which serve students but charge them additional fees.  Another example is the University of North Carolina, which uses alternative educational tools to help students with learning differences perform better.

It is imperative for counselors to pay attention to which colleges students will apply to. This is necessitated by the fact that colleges do not fall under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and therefore, there are no IEPs or special education offered. Although most colleges have some level of different service offerings, they are under no obligation to provide specialized instruction or tutoring, for instance and therefore, the quality and the level of assistance varies greatly.  

The only law that binds colleges is the Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities act (ADA), both of which ensure equal access for students with disabilities to protect against discrimination and their obligation stops there.  The true level of assistance they do provide is something engrained in the DNA of each institution, and their enthusiasm for inclusion.