New York University

I want to start out by saying that I LOVE NYU. I would never want to be at any other school. I think people have to really consider what they believe to be the pros and cons before coming to a school like NYU, being that it is different from most other universities. I was not the clear cut NYU student in high school. I was not sure if I would be able to live in the midst of one of the greatest cities in the world, be completely independent and be a part of an incredibly large undergraduate class. However, after choosing to come to NYU I have never looked back. Among an undergraduate body that totals almost 20,000 it's hard to find others who don't share a same common interest. Those people who say all they find are arrogant, close minded people are definitely not trying hard enough to find those he/shes meshes with. There will always be people you don't agree with or get along with at ANY school you go to. The people I have met at NYU are some of the most interesting, driven and genuinely friendly people I have ever met. The awesome thing about having such a large student body is that you can have several friends from tons of groups. People tend to complain about the "no campus" act. Anyone coming to NYU should know this! There is no enclosed campus! In high school I was not sure if that was my thing; now I would never want to be kept within the confines of a campus and absolutely love having New York City right outside my door. NYU is New York City and I always feel a sense of community especially around Washington Square Park. I love being independent and having the freedom to virtually take part in whatever is happening on campus or in the larger city. It's amazing the resources that NYU has. The location is prime; people spend their whole lives trying to save money to live in a place like NYC and as students we get to enjoy the benefits of being in what most would call the center of the world. What could be better!!?! Every professor that I have had has been stimulating and student oriented. The work is challenging and the professors expect a lot out of their students. I find that the kids I have met have encouraged me to be more proactive within my own life; their backgrounds are all so diverse and interesting that it makes me want to learn more and experience new things. There is sooooooooooooooooo much to get involved with at NYU it is really unbelievable. A piece of advice if choosing to come here (which I highly highly highly recommend (: ) would be to find out about local and on campus events and attend whatever seems to interest you especially within your first few months at school. The social life here is awesome- anyone who says that it isn't clearly doesn't understand that the city is beyond filled with the best nightclubs in the world, the coolest bars and lounges, the widest array of concerts that you will find anywhere and tons of cool things that you wouldn't even think of until coming to school here. Finally, I will say that it does get expensive living in NYC but there are plenty of things to do on weekends that don't require money. Yes, people do occasionally have parties in dorms and walking around with your friends can be an event within itself. If you are looking to have the absolute best college experience than come to NYU! I LOVE IT!

1st Year Female -- Class 2013

Education Quality: A+, Collaboration/Competitive: B+

I started at a Big-Ten state school replete with all the bells and whistles of "college". I HATED it! It felt like an extension of high school except I also had to live there.

Then I came to NYU and could not be happier! I get to be independent, no one checks up on me (except the once-a-semester meeting with my advisor), opportunities abound and I get to make all of my own decisions. I have never felt more free. The work load pushes me to my limits in the good way and I fall asleep every night with my brain buzzing with new ideas. On weekends I have access to the most prestigious museums in the world, Broadway, off-Broadway, bookstore like you can't believe etc etc etc. I'm happy with a handful of close friends, which I have found, so don't need big social groups anyway. Like other posters here have said: if you want a quad and a football team or "school spirit" (gag me with 200 toothpicks) and keggers go elsewhere. If you want intellectual rigor and stimulation overload and know you can handle yourself on your own, know you have what it takes to get what you want in life and don't need anyone to hold your hand but rather give you room to find your own destiny, then NYU is your only real option.

2nd Year Male -- Class 2012

Surrounding City: A+, University Resource Use/ spending: F