New York: a legendary destination for students from all over the world, but known to be difficult. Studying in the Big Apple, Mission Impossible? Not that much. As long as you do it very early and tie up your budget.
New York is the first student city in the United States. More than 500,000 young people attend the benches of its 110 establishments, scattered all over the city. Among them, there are more and more French: nearly 1,500 are enrolled independently in New York universities. To this figure must be added the hundreds of students who come for exchanges, generally for one semester.
Jessica, French student in New York. // © Photo provided by the witness
Why so much success? No doubt because this megalopolis of 8 million inhabitants, very cosmopolitan, is at the heart of the world of finance, media, advertising, fashion, and that she seduces students for her permanent frenzy. Jessica discovered New York when she was 16, and fell in love with it. After a missed first year at Paris 3, she convinced her parents to finance her studies in New York. She is currently student at La Guardia community college, which depends on the City University of New York (CUNY). “I do not regret at all, explains the young woman. The school system suits me much more. In the long term, I want to settle here, and work in cinema production. And in this area, an American degree is highly recommended. “
Marie, French student in New York. // © Photo provided by the witness
Marie, for his part, took the plunge after his master 1 at Paris 8. She took out a bank loan and enrolled in a master’s degree in international relations at City College, which she is about to complete. “The idea is to really open up my horizon, and give me more chances in the job market. I would later like to work in an NGO or an international organization. My master’s degree gave me the opportunity to do an internship at the UN, which I would hardly have obtained from Paris. “And by the way, she became bilingual in English.
A project to anticipate 1 year in advance
The selection rate at the entrance to New York universities is very variable. But everywhere, you will be asked more or less the same thing: your notes, letters of recommendations, sometimes a text to write, and scores on different tests like the SAT or ACT for undergraduate entry, TOEFL (an English test), GMAT (for MBAs).
To choose your course, know that most New York establishments organize guided tours (“campus tours” or “open house”) or conferences, sometimes several times a week, in the spring or in the fall. If you don’t travel there, you can make a virtual visit on the YouVisit.com site or on CampusTours.com.
Be attentive to labels and accreditations (check on the Council for Higher Education Accreditation website), and rankings – the best known is that produced by US News & World Report. Please note: registrations in American universities take place very early, between November and December for an entry in the following September.
Le City College is an institution of higher education dependent on the City University of New York (CUNY). // © City College
Funding, a pivotal issue
There remains the most painful question: that of financing. Tuition fees at New York universities are very high.
The cheapest university is the City University of New York (CUNY). In this public establishment, which has branches all over the city, a year in community college will cost you around € 8,300. If you opt for a generalist Bachelor at this university, it will cost you € 14,800 per year. At the other end of the spectrum, for a master’s year at Columbia, tuition fees reach € 43,000, or even more depending on the specialties.
Many students realize a loan to finance this expense. Otherwise, it is common to arrange your schedule to work alongside – it is possible to distribute your credits over several semesters to reduce your number of course hours.
The student visa allows you to work only on campus for the first year. From the second, foreign students can take a job for up to 20 hours per week.
As for scholarships, they are rare at the undergraduate level (Bachelor), and reserved for Americans. At this level of studies, it is better to turn to student mobility aids in France, in particular with cities, CROUSs, regional councils.
For the master’s and doctoral students, it exists some possibilities : the Fullbright scholarships, the Monahan foundation scholarships for engineers, the George Lurcy foundation scholarships for SHS … The “Serge Bellanger” scholarships were launched two years ago by the foundation of the French American Chamber of Commerce. Worth 10,000 US $ (approximately 9,200 €), these scholarships are awarded to French students admitted to an MBA in the United States.
Two reference sites will allow you to find scholarships according to your profile: EduPass, and IEFA.
Daily life: pay attention to the rent
Daily life in New York (food, transport, outings) is more expensive than in Paris, in particular because of an exchange rate that is unfavorable to Europeans. And rents are skyrocketing. A room in a shared apartment in Manhattan will generally cost you between 1,000 and 1,300 US $ (900 and 1,200 € per month) – in Brooklyn or in Queens, it is possible to lower the bill to around 700 to 800 € monthly (around 800 US $), at the cost of slightly longer subway trips.
Columbia, one of New York’s most prestigious and selective universities. // © Jessica Gourdon
To find advertisements, the site Craig’s List remains the reference. The French also have their community, Les Frenchies à New York – essential for finding a roommate with compatriots. There are also speed roommating evenings that bring together people who are looking for a roommate and others who have a free room.
Focus on diplomas
As elsewhere in the United States, New York universities are organized in cycles.
– The “Bachelors” (undergraduate, called undergraduate) last four years. It is for these programs that you will need to apply if you are graduating from high school, or if you do not have a bachelor’s degree.
– The “Community colleges” provide two-year programs that are more general and more accessible. They are roughly the equivalent of our IUTs.
– The “masters” et “MBA” are graduate programs. They last one or two years, and are accessible in theory to students who have a license (but it is advisable to have at least a master’s degree 1).
A look at 9 New York universities
– Columbia. Elite University, member of the IvyLeague, Columbia is research-oriented. It is very selective (7% admitted). Barack Obama did part of his studies there.
– NYU. New York University is New York’s other private university of excellence. It is a little more accessible than Columbia. It brings together 50,000 students, including 10,000 foreigners.
– CUNY. The City University of New York is the largest public university in New York: it has 270,000 students. A real city! It is scattered all over New York. Tuition fees are lower than in private universities.
– Fordham. Catholic University, whose main campus is located in the Bronx. It was at the heart of the struggles for the emancipation of minorities in the 60s. On the ranking side, it is in the first third (58th out of 300, according to US News).
– Yeshiva. Jewish university with 9,000 students, particularly renowned in law, science, medicine. It is ranked 48th (out of 300) by US News and World Report.
– St John’s. A private Catholic university (20,000 students), St John’s offers above all professional courses: business (22% of students), communication, health professions. Side rankings, it is in the middle of the table (145th out of 300 in US News and World Report).
– The New School. Avant-garde university, focused on the arts (photography, jazz, cinema, design) and social sciences. Its fashion school, Parsons (with specialties in creation, design, lighting, communication, etc.), is renowned worldwide.
– Juilliard School. School having trained many artists, the Juilliard School is intended for future dancers, musicians, actors.
– The FIT. The Fashion Institute of Technology is a renowned (public) fashion school, bringing together 10,000 students. In addition to creation and design, the FIT offers courses in business, technology, history, always linked to fashion.
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