New York University

Wow. This school is awesome. I have to say it was a tough decision to come here. I came from a small homogeneous town in CanadaIn high school I tilted towards the shy side, and was generally passive in things I did. Many told me that New York was not the place to be for me. But don't let that deter you! The city is fun. I've grown to love it. Here is the most important part I think of NYU (or maybe any college for that matter): It will be as good, or as dissapointing as you make it. I feel that there is a wide range of "liking" of NYU. Some students stay very quiet and isolated in their room for the majority of their time. Others go out all the time (sometimes to the detriment of their grades). Basically, you have to make an effort, both to enjoy yourself socially, and succeed academically. I have (not to brag in any way of course) so far maintained a 4.0 GPA average, which is surprising to me, as my HS GPA was 3.75 or so. You have to be interested in your course work. The work here is not easy. Many students complain incessantly about the "MAP" classes, which are a set of liberal arts/writing classes that students in Stern, CAS and Steinhart have to take.

Kids here vary quite a bit. But I think it's safe to say that almost all of us love New York. I personally find the Stern kids quite nice. There is a certain stigma attached to them as being money-hungry, stuck-up, etc., but I find it generally to be not true.

With all this said, I am considering transferring to another university. But this is mostly a choice based on personal prefernce mainly because of the acadmic program, which I feel suits be better at the other school, and also because I feel that NYU lacks intellectualism and drive among students. Mind you there are many very smart kids here, but as a whole, I just don't feel it that much.In conclusion, NYU is an AWESOME school, that will change you. It is a place where you can thrive but with determination on your part. I would say that is easy to feel isolated and alone here, but again if you make an effort to make friends and do well in school, it should not be a problem at all.

1st Year Male -- Class 2008

Surrounding City: A+, Campus Aesthetics: C-

The opportunities that NYU affords its students are very impressive. This is due to the surrounding city (New York can't be matched) and amazing facilities of the school (e.g the Kimmel student center is like a palace and some the dorms are among the nicest in America). The faculty is pretty acessible for such a large school, especially if a student makes the slightest of an effort to reach the prof. NYU is moving up in prestige, its really considered one of the elite schools in the world now, and I'd say its the school of the future.

3rd Year Male -- Class 2006

Social Life: A+, Useful Schoolwork: B-

If you want are an independent individual (or striving to be) and want to live in one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world, this is the place for you. Don't come here if you are weak minded and prefer to sit around watching your school football team...we don't have one and we don't really give a damn. This is the village, where action and fun never stops rolling up to your door. The education is fantastic in most fields, although it is hard to judge with performance arts, because I'm in the position of not knowing what I really want or need from the training. The teachers are attentive in classes you chose, although the core subjects are a bitch that people tend to complain about. The students are generally nice and approachable, I woulnd not consider it a school that contains bitchy rich kids, they are usually fun people to know. This is a fast paced life style, after all NYC is known as the rat race...but guess what, this is the start of the real world. Get over it and have the best experience in your life. If you are driven and love to party it up like the grown ups do, this is where you should be!

1st Year Female -- Class 2008

Social Life: A+, Campus Maintenance: C