New York University

NYU was my top choice, mainly because of the location and because it offered an undergraduate journalism major, while Columbia didn't. NYU's journalism program has a great reputation (as does the entire school) but I didn't find it particularly rigorous, having attended journalism workshops with college instructors while I was in high school. Based on that, I think the education I got at NYU was just as good (or just as mediocre) as I would have gotten at a less expensive school. NYU has a stellar reputation, but many of the kids I met were total idiots. I don't know how they got in. Maybe all the drugs slowly eroded their minds, or maybe they just acted like morons to impress people. How to deal with an overabundance of idiots? Seek out people you enjoy being with, because I'm sure dimwitted kids roam campuses everywhere. Based on the reputation and probably the glossy brochures, I had such high hopes for NYU - but I was miserable in my first year, faced with the classic triad of freshman horror - a bad roommate, unappealing core-curriculum classes, and the reality of finding yourself in an environment where you don't know anyone and nobody seems to care about the fact you exist. But after I ditched my evil roommate and moved to the luxurious Water Street dorm sophomore year, things were definitely looking up. I found in my time at NYU that the location tends to be the reason people go there. The actual education is fine, but nothing special, and it's true that a lot of the students there are rich, spoiled assholes. Nevertheless, I did find a bunch of good friends there and ended up graduating with two majors and a high GPA. I also found an awesome job that pays relatively well (for journalism) at a large daily newspaper, but all the networking and internships to get me that job were my own work, and not something that NYU helped me find. I really feel that I could have gotten the internships just as easily if I had gone to Kansas State or somesuch. If I had to do it over again, I'm not sure if I would still choose NYU. My gut tells me no; that I would have been happier at a smaller college where more attention is paid to students. But living in New York City during your formative years is also an amazing, valuable experience, and unfortunately New York City doesn't offer a small, supportive college nestled in Greenwich Village. It offers NYU - take it or leave it. I decided to take it, mostly because I didn't want to go through the hassle of transfering, and I didn't really hate it THAT much. Please keep in mind, though, that NYU is truly not for everyone. If you are a super-driven person who manages well completely on your own, give NYU a shot. If you grew up in a very supportive environment with a close-knit family, a group of good, close friends and high school teachers you considered friends, like I did, then going from that environment to the tough reality of NYU may be too drastic. I have a friend who left after one year because she was unhappy there (I met her after I graduated); a person from my high school who went to NYU a few years before I did transfered to a more traditional college - there's no shame in transferring or even dropping out if you're in a situation where you're not happy. But it's better to avoid that situation in the first place, so do your homework about NYU and any other college you're thinking about. I was so blinded by the beauty of New York and the thrills that awaited that I didn't check out the school thoroughly enough before I accepted the invitation to attend.

Alumnus Male -- Class 2000

Okay, so I'm not quite as bitter as the other people who have posted here, but I still transferred out of NYU nonetheless. I didn't hate my time at NYU persay, but it would be a long-shot to say that I enjoyed it or had fun.

I really do think NYU is a perfect, wonderful place for some people but as almost everyone on this website has said, its is truly truly not for everyone. Before you come to NYU have a serious introspective look on what kind of person you are, what you want to get out of your education, and what kind of college experience you want to have.

People who absolutely love NYU fit into a few categories. They LOVE nyc and urban living, hate everything about the typical college experience (frats, quads, sports, nature, etc), are in Stern/Tisch, want to get ahead with internships and other opportunities presented in nyc, are extremely outgoing and can make friends in the often isolating & hostile social environment, are incredibly, incredibly independent, usually like fashion, and don't mind jumping into a social scene that is entirely motivated by money (clubs, bars, hookah, etc takes major cash people...kids on average probably spend over $130/weekend).

I personally, did not fit into any of those categories. I was never totally excited about the city nor was I completely set on NYU. It was never my dream school, but I don't regret going there. It helped me find out what kind of person I was, which was not obviously, a city-loving one. NYC and NYU requires a very certain type of person to thrive there (seen above), and unfortunately, that wasn't me. I think that the other comments are perhaps too negative. NYU is an amazing, fabulous, unparalleled haven for urban-loving students and I encourage all people who think that they fit into that category to apply and not be discouraged by the negative comments. You will do fine there IF you know you belong, and are determined to thrive.

2nd Year Female -- Class 2011

Surrounding City: A, Individual Value: F

First off, before I get into any negativity, I love NYU. I really do. I moved here from California knowing no one - so had I decided to sulk in my homesickness, this school would have been very lonely, indeed. We're all big kids now, no one is going to hold your hand and make sure that you're doing okay. YOU have to make effort. It is a bit of a downside and you will feel lost at first, but it's nothing that a little socializing can't fix. Secondly, I like to party and have fun on the weekends. So does just about everyone else here, the only problem is that parties in New York City are not the same as parties in a college town. They cost money and it all adds up quickly, unfortunately. Many nights I would get dressed up, ready to go to fun rooftop parties only to find they were a bust. Also, if you have your heart set on a campus with tons of school spirit and big sports and a nice traditional campus... this school may not be for you. There is no school spirit and there is no traditional campus BUT NYU still kicks ass. My biggest piece of advice is to get ready for serious competition. Remember how in high school there were those kids who weren't the brightest? Yeah, at NYU those kids don't exist. Everyone is talented and everyone is smart and if you're competitive academically, it can be SO intimidating. I've spent so much time doubting my intelligence and my ability to match up to the kids here...don't do that. If you get in, there's a reason. You can do it and you're just as good as anyone else.

1st Year Female -- Class 2017

Campus Aesthetics: A+, Useful Schoolwork: B