New York University

Yes, NYU is a big school, but don't believe those naysayers who say they can't find a community. All NYU freshman live in NYU dorms, so it's easy to make friends, and even when students spread out to other dorms and apartments, they can still easily stay in touch. Lots of people live in walking distance and there is great public transportation in NYC. Students tend to hang out in the same off-campus places, so it's easy to meet up and to meet new people.

Students may have to navigate the bureaucracy at NYU, but if you land a good advisor freshman year, you're set!

And the students here are definitely NOT snooty. They are interesting people, academic and varied, from all walks of life and all incomes. There is a great variety of students, from theater people to economists to journalists to businesspeople to scientists. The variety is wonderful.You may not have a campus but you do have a great community, a great city, the vibrancy of Washington Square Park - and lifelong friends.

4th Year Female -- Class 1974

Education Quality: A+, Useful Schoolwork: F

I am not usually one to take the time to write reviews, but the extreme criticism of NYU by past and present students prompted me to come to my alma maters' defense. Although I can completely admit (as many other reviews on here state as well) that NYU is not for everyone, I was thrilled with my personal undergraduate experience. Yes, NYU is expensive. Yes, there isn't a quad or football games or a sheltered community feel. These are obvious qualities of a school that is based in the biggest, most competitive city in the country. Naturally if you come here expecting a state school experience, you will be disappointed.

For all the reviews that claim NYU is lacking "humanity"- What I found couldn't have been further than the truth. NYU is not "traditional college". No one holds your hand or walks you to your first day of class. New York City (and the real world for that matter) is a competitive, cut-throat place. NYU is only "uncaring" in the sense that you are immersed instantly in a student pool of the best and the brightest. You either sink or swim. This isn't "heartless" but rather realistic. Also, I have personally never experienced a MORE compassionate and involved group of professors and students (I went to Syracuse my freshman year and have a basis for comparison). The teachers I encountered had a very open minded and inclusive approach- they genuinely wanted to hear your input, discuss, and challenge you personally. I still keep in contact with many of my professors, all forces in their respective fields. These are a smart, dynamic group of instructors- good TEACHERS and also amazing thinkers. I can't count the number of times I have picked up a book or essay post graduation only to find it written or researched by a former NYU professor. Additionally, I rarely had a class larger than 30 people ( granted I was not in the more populated majors).The bottom line is that NYU is not an easy school. Things aren't handed to you here, but then again, things aren't handed to you in life either. I much prefer having to have fought for recognition, friends, community- it makes me a more well adjusted adult compared to my state school/traditional campus peer group, who upon graduation are stunned to find out that relationships are more complicated then greek life, and 5 page term papers do not replace hands on experience. Everyone who complains on this forum simply wasn't able to cut it. That is perfectly fine, but it shouldn't be made a fault of the school's that they were not able to prosper amidst the competition. NYU is certainly too expensive, but personally I found my education to be worth every penny.

Alumnus Male -- Class 2000