New York University

NYU is a place that one has a lot of potential to thrive and succeed - as long as they are independent, outgoing, resourceful, and do NOT need babysitting. Going to NYU means being exposed to the magnanimity of NYC as a whole, but also the brilliance of faculty and fellow students from around the world. If you are not competitive and self-driven, NYU is not for you. If you are looking for an easy college experience, NYU is the wrong place. NYU will thrust you into the real world, and only the fittest can survive. NYU is what you make it - they provide the best resources and opportunities, its up to you to use them

1st Year Male -- Class 2015

Education Quality: A+, Individual Value: C+

NYU HAS BASICALLY NO CAMPUS
I cannot stress this enough. The nature of this school is ENORMOUSLY different from most universities.

Now this isn't necessarily a bad thing, but you have to recognize it. NYU is not about school spirit and community, there are only a few lackluster attempts at that (which I am convinced are to keep the Business and Med students from fleeing, as they are there for the program itself, not the location.) The location: downtown Manhattan. There is a lot of stuff to do, which can be exactly the problem. NYU is a school for people who want to take classes at a top university, and live and be free to do their own thing in a great city. Honestly in that sense it is akin to a commuter school (also having 40% commuters helps encourage that feeling.)

That's the reality of the school, that is what it is all about. For a lot of people it is, and NYU is a perfect fit for them. I will say for me it is not, and I plan on transferring after this year. I found out that I really didn't have a huge interest in being in the city, which basically means NYU is a needlessly expensive school lacking a desirable social environment for me. MAKE SURE YOU WANT TO BE IN THE CITY. It cannot be overemphasized, I know a good number of people who gripe about this because it is not a good fit for them. But I also know many people who love it; my advice is if you don't really have a clue, don't risk it...if you find out later you are, you can transfer here (or go to grad school here.)For people who want to apply to one of the programs that is exceptionally strong here (pre-meds and Sternies in particular): one of my roommates is in Stern but he and his Stern friends complain a lot about the lack of regular school things...it is a trade-off to get a good education, so this is probably a very tough decision. If you do go here you will find kindred spirits in other members of your program, so you will not be alone but it is still I think a little lacking. This is just what I have gleaned from spending time around Stern students (pre-med I think is a pretty similar situation, though I don't really know any too well.) Either way it's a tough decision and I wish you luck with it...

1st Year Male -- Class 2007

Surrounding City: A+, Extracurricular Activities: C-

NYU is a unique type of school for a certain type of student. This school is not for the weak hearted or people who need to feel sheltered. This school gives you real world competition and those whom cannot handle it get weeded out early and quickly. If you need to live on a campus and have your hand held, then DO NOT go here. However, if you're hardheaded, motivated, honest and hungry, then this place could be your ticket to lifelong success and there may prove to be no better school for you. Also, if you want to experience the real world and have a leg up on others when you enter your respective field in the real world, this place will provide you with that. NYU is absolutely excellent if you perform well because you will be able to find well paying jobs in the city through its connections as well as your hustle. New York is the best place for hustling bustling people because employers reward confident and ambitious go-getters. After graduating and entering the investment banking field, I realized that I was much better prepared and confident to take on the business lifestyle and I attribute this to my NYU experience. Many of my friends who went to schools with campuses and football games are experiencing extreme difficulty finding jobs and many are not exposed enough to survive in the rough and tumble lifestyle of New York City's corporate sector. NYU prepares you best for professions due to not only your academic preparation, but also your street smarts and savviness that you develop (Which count for more than you would believe in the business world) during your time there.

Male -- Class 2000