New York University

I'm somewhat ambivalent about NYU. I'm not really sure what to make of it. On the one hand, I'm attending a top notch university and have AMAZING opportunities in NYC. I currently have an amazing job and an internship, which makes me love being in a city--I already feel like I have an edge on everyone else.

HOWEVER, I'm not sure if the abundance of opportunity in NYC makes up for the lack of a campus and absolutely horrendous social life. Don't get me wrong, people party..a LOT (a lot a lot). By "bad social life" I don't mean we're one of those schools were everyone sits inside and studies. Now I love a good party but the problem is that everyone goes off and parties in their own individual cliques. There are no "NYU" parties--everyone goes off to different clubs and stays with their clique the night. There are a few bars that are frequented by NYU-ers but they are mainly frat/sorority functions so they get lame (ie Still, La Zarza, etc..NYUers know what I'm talking about). I long to feel like I'm in an actual community.

Also the people here drive me insane. I have the BEST group of friends ever, but I can't branch out at all because everyone else is so damn clique-y and snobby. DO NOT COME HERE IF YOU AREN'T WEALTHY. This school is horrendously expensive and social life is determined by your economic wealth. ie all the rich kids go to the expensive clubs, and the less well off kids are stuck w nothing to do. My parents are middle class, and I have to support myself. I'm going broke going out all of the time and trying to keep up with my friends.

All in all, NYU has been an...... interesting experience. Not what I expected at all. However, the opportunities that are here might ultimately end up keeping me here--they are simply too good to pass up.

1st Year Female -- Class 2012

Surrounding City: A+, Individual Value: F

NYU is exactly what people describe it as: a university within the city. If you are looking for the typical collegiate experience, do not come here. There is no campus and little to no school spirit at all.

Social:
People are generally pretty friendly and will make polite conversation, but it is difficult to stay in contact with them. NYU takes away the 4 "buffer years" that are associated with college where everyone parties with each other all of the time. Instead, NYU thrusts you immediately into being an adult who has to work extremely hard to get together a group of people for a simple Saturday night hangout. Once people at NYU form their cliques, its very hard to become a part of them, so choose your friends wisely.

Academics:
If you are coming here, I highly advise you to decide what you plan to study. If you are either undecided or planning to major in a traditional major, do not come here. The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) is a waste of time and money. There are a lot of required classes for any major in CAS that do not relate in any way to the majors. The MAP requirements tend to be stupid and very easy to b.s. It is easy to manipulate your way into getting a good grade in the class, so if you care about more than just the letter and want to actually learn, I would not advise coming here. That being said, if you are in Tisch, Stern, or Steinherdt, the city makes a great "second classroom". However for those in Gallatin, it is often difficult to take classes at the other colleges, though that is the foundation of individualized study. Most classes are only open to those that are in a specific major, and will not allow a student from Gallatin in.All in all, the city is great if you know what you want. There is a lot of competition at NYU, even in the friendship department. If you are looking for a typical college experience, again, DO NOT GO HERE! Also, it would be unwise for you to attend if you are planning to go to CAS or Gallatin, as they are just wastes of time and it is difficult to take classes that truly interest you. Think twice about coming here and read all of the reviews. Chances are, you can save your money and get a valuable education elsewhere.

1st Year Female -- Class 2012

Surrounding City: A+, Education Quality: F

I'm a honors track Phil / Politics double major in my junior year. To sum up my points, if you like strong academics, this is a good school, but it comes at a cost. Read on to find out more.

Support and services: NYU wastes its money on stupid, frivolous things. They just built an entire building near WSP for catholic students and "spiritual life", meanwhile, the administration hardly helps anyone with financial need. Something that is really important to know is that IF THEY GIVE YOU A SCHOLARSHIP THAT IS MERIT BASED YOUR FRESHMAN YEAR, IT WILL BE CUT COMPLETELY FOR SOPHOMORE YEAR. I lost a 15,000 dollar scholarship even though my GPA was a 3.85, and I know many other students who had scholarships, excelled academically, and lost their merit scholarship. I know nobody who came on scholarship (other than presidential scholars) that kept theirs after freshman year. That NYU cuts merit aid no matter how the student performs and doesn't care is disgraceful. Need based is even worse, as I can attest from what they've tried to do to my girlfriend's tuition. If you need to take out a lot of debt to come to NYU, I really suggest that you don't.

Academics: As a double major in Phil / Poli sci, I can say that if you want to take advantage of the resources available to you, you can get an absolutely tremendous education. The ranking that USnews gives NYU isn't based purely on academics, it's also based on things like freshman retention rate, which is awful for reasons listed below. However, the Philosophy Dept is the best in the world, and the politics department is #17. The range of majors and minors here is astounding, and there is something for almost anyone. In other words, you will be getting a high quality education here, should you choose to be motivated and take advantage of the education. If you choose to apply yourself, you should know that the other kids who also apply themselves can be extremely competitive, so don't expect hugs and kisses.

Social life: Let's be frank, NYU is only for a few, certain types of people, and if you *aren't* that type of person, you will be friendless.

A large majority of NYU's student population is wealthy and bratty. They complain incessantly, judge others mercilessly, and are overall fairly close minded, though they all profess to be "real" and "open minded". By and large, the most socially successful people at NYU are those who talk about themselves, a lot. People at NYU love to talk about all of their experiences, or play themselves up to be the Messiah (or the second coming of Christ, if you're Christian), while mutually ignoring the others who are doing the same.

NYU forces you to be an extrovert, and if you aren't an extrovert or you're somewhat shy, NYU isn't the place for you. Your friends and, by extension, social life, will be determined solely by the people you meet on the floor you live on your freshman year. If you don't make any friends on your floor, or you only make 1 or 2, your social life is doomed. I know many people who complain very frequently about the terrible quality of their social life, because they weren't absorbed into a group at the beginning of freshman year. People are not at all interested in making friends in their classes. It's no wonder NYU ranks high on one of the loneliest universities, and has an awful freshman retention rate.

Finally, NYU might be good academically, but few students are actually academically motivated, and few have any sense of intellectual "geekiness" that accompanies the relatively high quality of the education at the school. If you consider yourself to be geeky or nerdy in any way, I would suggest Columbia or a more heady school.

3rd Year Male -- Class 2013

Education Quality: A+, Social Life: F