New York University Top Questions

The best thing about NYU is living in the city and never running out of things to do. Also that being emmersed in the city helps me to be independent and mature. Things I would change- have more gyms, pay less for tuition, get better and more accessible food for all the dining halls. I spend most of my time at my acting studio or in the area surrounding Washington Square Park. I think NYU has pretty great administrators...at least I can speak for the Drama dept. Not a lot of school pride. NYU is unusual in that it's not the stereotypical college in any sense-- no real campus, not a large greek/party life, no big school sporting events, BUT every room has its own bathroom!

I think NYU's size is one of its greatest attributes. There are 16,000 undergrads, yet no matter where I go I run into people I know. On the other hand, it's great knowing that you won't be sick of all the same people by junior year, because up until the day you graduate, you are constantly meeting new people (including those in your own class). And believe me, there are so many different types of people here that you wish you could find a way to know all of them. Nonetheless, the wide range and diversity provides an incredibly exciting (not to mention refreshing) opportunity to connect with people on so many different levels. The size also makes it so that if you don't like someone, it's easier not to see them. There are less chances that you'll have mutual friends, be in the same class together, etc. Another great thing about NYU is that you'll never feel claustrophobic. The campus is not an isolated dome, separated from the real world. NYU, instead, is integrated into the outside world so that students can feel more like adults and have the freedom and breadth to be around new things, people and environments whenever they feel like it. This isn't to say that NYU has no campus, though. The library, student center, several dining halls, and most academic buildings where classes are held are located right around the perimeter of Washington Square Park. In addition, most of the deli's and coffee shops right around campus are basically primarily NYU student-filled - so much so that almost all of them offer discounts to NYU students or the option for students to pay via their meal plans. The underlying concept here - and one of the best things about NYU - is that you can make it whatever you want it to be. It can be very campus-like, anti-campus, or anywhere in between. It all depends on how you choose to look at it and what type of dynamic you prefer.

The greatest thing about NYU is the location! Where else can I see Mario Bertolli walking up and down 5th Ave. in his orange crocs? Or see Robert DeNiro pushing his kids in a stroller? Everything is so convenient, and I feel like I am being a good person because I walk everywhere instead of driving. One thing I would change is the cost! It's mad expensive here- not just attending, but living in the city, period. It's the perfect size for me. I know it's really like, what, 40,000 students or something? But I don't see them all- I have some really big classes, and then I have recitations and classes with like, 15 people. It's nice. People's eyes get big when I tell them I go to NYU. They ask me if I go into the city all the time...and I say yes. Because the school is in the city. As a matter of fact, NYU IS THE CITY, pretty much. I spend most of my time either in Weinstein (the residence hall with 2 dining options) or in my dorm studying, or at Kimmel where all of the student activities stuff happens. This isn't a college town by traditional definition. To me, college towns mean that the entire city knows when there is a football game, and all the kids grow up knowing everything about the university and wanting to go there all of their lives. Here, NYU just owns most of the property in the city, so it takes up a lot of space, but there is no sports team that all the families rally around. We're not really known for our sports, but we do all right. Administration I am skeptical of, since some people are friendly but many are not. Also, they don't like it when you point out their mistakes- especially financial aid! The biggest recent controversy? Well, there was the time that the politics department caught all these students cheating on a midterm, resulting in the "destruction" of over 250 student's tests. I don't know if there were other controversies, though. Maybe. There isn't much NYU pride as a whole, but that is because most people are busy cheering for their own "schools" within NYU. The business school is the most fanatic, but that is because they are all competing for jobs and such.

NYU is huge. There are thousands upon thousands of undergraduates, but NYU compensates by having thousands upon thousands of course offerings, professors, and clubs. It's a big college with all the advantages that entails and none of the disadvantages. It's situated in a lovely corner of Manhattan, just around the corner from $2.50 falafel and a plethora of specialty bars. The village is your campus, and it is huge. The downside to this is that if you're not careful, classes can be very far apart indeed. This is usually avoidable, so long as you're not a language major and you pay attention to the location before you sign up for a class. Language major? You'll get a lot of exercise.

The best thing about NYU is that you can pursue any interest that you have, the possibilities are endless. One thing I would change is the gender ratio at NYU, I would want it to be more even. Our school is very large, but the schools within the university make NYU it small as well. When I tell people I go to NYU, they assume that I have a lot of money and that I am very artsy/cultured. I spend most of my time in the student lounge at the Stern School. This is NYC, there is no college town, but a city that I think rivals any college town. NYU administration are very kind and helpful when you persist, but overall the adminstration is pretty impersonal. The biggest controversy is NYU's new study abroad site in Abu Dabi, and how it will be funded. We have very little school pride as a whole, but everyone is proud they go to NYU. There are many things unusual about NYU, we are not a typical school. One experience I will always remember is looking out into the city at the top of an NYU building the first week of school. Students frequently complain about how expensive NYU is.

The best thing about NYU...probably how pretty diverse it is. I've met a lot of pretty amazing people, from completely different backgrounds and perspectives. I'd probably make some changes in the housing office at NYU. For starters, I'd hire competent people. Since I was a sternie, I spent most of my time on "campus" in front of that R2D2 building in Gould Plaza. I've always hated that name, I feel like I have rotten cheese in my mouth when I say it. Each school is relatively small, but NYU in general is huge. Seems like everyone still knows everyone though. Facebook keeps me updated. I don't think NYU provided me with any one experience that I'll always remember. I did spend a whole lot of time overnight in the student lounge in Stern. Going to Seoul over spring break with stern was pretty rad too. Although that wasn't much of an educational trip, that was more of a week long alcohol binge that I barely remember.

The best thing about NYU in my opinion is the breadth of classes that are offered and the quality of the professors that teach these classes. The History Department has some of the most amazing classes and magnificent professors whose own published studies compliment the work of the classes. NYU is a large school, and I liked that it was so big. You could meet a different group of people every semester through classes, clubs, and your friends' classes and clubs. In general, people are impressed that I went to NYU; the academics in the departments I am familiar with are great. It is also in the center of Greenwich Village, so people tend to be envious that NYC was my homebase throughout school, and has continued to be post-graduation. There is no enclosed campus, but Washington Square Park and its surrounding area is consistently flooded with NYU students, so it doesn't feel strange that NYU lacks gates. Students often complain that NYU's administration is bureaucratic, and its true that there are, at times, many steps that need to be taken to get something done. However, with a student population as large as NYU's, it seems that these steps are the best way possible, in practice, to get things done. One thing that's difficult about NYU is how expensive the school is. Personally, I got a great deal of merit-based financial aid scholarship from the College of Arts and Science, but I know that this is definitely not true for many students. This does contribute to a large population of NYU students being from upper middle class to upper class backgrounds.

All things told, NYU is a fantastic institution with great opportunities, but it is definitely not for everyone. If you’re looking for the ultimate university experience with rolling lawns, outrageous frat parties, and a football team, then keep moving. If you’re interested in a metropolitan experience that makes you feel a little closer to the real world than prolonging high school, then look no further. The thing about NYU is that while most students will complain about it until the cows come home, they sort of knew what they were getting themselves into. We’re in New York City, and there’s no one here to hold our hands, so we may have to grow up a little bit faster than some of our state school friends (maybe).

NYU is an extremely populated school - too populated in my opinion. I think we need to concentrate more on the students who are already attending NYU, instead of trying to recruit more and more than we used to if we can't even afford to support the students that are currently students.

The best thing about NYU is living in NYC. Even though we don't have a "campus" exactly, I wish that there was more of a community in the residence halls and stuff. Sometimes I feel like you have to try so hard to meet people and make friends and I can see why some people wouldn't like it, especially if they are shy. I guess, since I consider NYC my real campus, I spend most of my time traveling around from thing to thing. I babysit way up town, I have to go to club meetings in Queens and Brooklyn, and then I give tours all around Washington Sq Park. But I do spend a lot of time in Starbucks!