New York University

NYU is not so much a "college" as it is a gigantic bureaucratic, inefficient institution. I only met a handful of people outside my major. There is no interrelation between the schools. Tisch is Tisch, almost not part of NYU. Way overpriced, and confusing to register. I remember, as a 17 year old high school grad, with no income from my parents, spending over a week, 9-5, just trying to freaking register. You wait in line for two hours for one window, to be told that you have to go to another line, in another building...or Lourdes the lady with the special stamp needs to go to lunch, and you can come back whenever she's ready. The school is not designed to be efficiently carrying the amount of students it accepts. That said, I was surrounded by some very inspiring and talented teachers and students for the entire four years. I was challenged beyond belief, and it made me a better artist, and a better person. I absolutely loved the Experimental Theatre Wing, it was exactly what I needed to get out of my head as a performer, and into my body. The core classes I had to take at CAS to fulfill my BFA requirements, totally totally sucked. They were always taught by Ph.D candidates that would rather be elsewhere, and the subjects were so basic and watered down, yet somehow still hard to study...maybe it's because they cram 300 people into some of these classes? I think NYU is a scam if you're undecided, a pain in the ass if you're specializing, but somehow worth it. One final complaint, as a poor student with no financial history, and poor parents, I got very little financial aid. 13 years after graduating, I'm still paying off my 100,000 education. I know that Buffy and Becky, who were standing in front of me in the registration line all those years ago, with mom's checkbook in hand, are doing just fine now. But yeah, I'm sure I got more out of the school than they did too.

Alumnus Male -- Class 2000

There are two types of people at NYU - those who are independant and don't mind being at once very crowded and rather lonely, and those are grossly unhappy, having carried into the experience prior expectations of popularity and campus solidarity. Do NOT expect to be big boy or girl on campus. 99% of the people you see on your way to class are far too busy and ambitious to take any interest in you. You will make amazing friends here, if you look in the right places, but NYUers are notoriously good at sniffing out and identifying phonies. It sounds cheesy, but be as utterly yourself as you can be, and you'll find yourself far happier and far better liked. Also, don't get stuck in the Waterstreet dorms. They're a whole stinking bus ride from campus.

1st Year Female -- Class 2008

Education Quality: A+, Individual Value: D+