New York University

If you want to live in an environment that will make subsequent trips to the outer boros seem like a trip to rural kansas, then NYU (and Manhattan) is the place for you. I grew up in the NJ suburbs and have spent summers in Queens, but Manhattan is another world for sure. "The City" is a cold, dark, extremely hectic place. It is a "Concrete jungle" that is equivocable to an urban hell. I always felt like a commuter there as well. Worst of all, there were weeks at a time when the tall buildings would block the sunlight. Within one semester, I had totally sunken into a lonely, angry world and had lost interest in academics, which is totally not me. I lost many friends throughout who just could not stand the lifestyle any longer and transferred. The streets of NY are just so cold and gloomy. I went there for a political, somewhat avant-garde Greenwich village student body but found mostly CEO's kids with $50 a day weed habits. I could go on for hours here, but all in all, I found NYU to be a demoralizing, traumatizing experience that I have often regretted. Of course, I had plenty of good times and great moments there as well. Most of the great times were spent during a semester abroad, where I met many incredible lifelong friends. Definitely spend at least 1 semester abroad, and one year would be even better. Just because you love the city or live in an outer boro, don't think that living in Manhattan will be the same. Being a broke student in Manhattan is a very dificult experience. I lived real close to Wall street and the yuppy greed is everywhere, laughing at you, even haunting you. YOu will not find much sympathy for most social movements here, because it is one of the purest exampls of the commercialization of academia in this country. Professors tend to be distant and arrogant, although I had some that changed my life. If I had it to do over again, I think I would have went to a state school like Rutgers, Umass or whatever, saved my money, and had a high 3 GPA. Academically, there are much better places to study. Seriously reconsider your decision.

Alumnus Male -- Class 2000

I transfered to NYU after being thrown out of Tulane, and I found it perfect for me. I lived off campus (as almost everyone did) on the lower east side. The neighborhood was 1/2 my education, and NYU the other 1/2. I loved the anonimity -- you paid your money & took your courses --that was it. There was no grade inflation, & I had (chose)excellent professors: Sidney Hook & William Barrett for Philosophy, M.L. Rosenthal for poetry, Leon Edel on Henry James, Richard Harrier for Shakespeare...The school lacked the cache it now enjoys, but it still provided an excellent education to anyone interested enough & mature enough to pursue it...

Alumnus Male -- Class 2000