New York University

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

NYU is great and fosters a sense of community despite being a very large, public, non-communal sector of the city. The workload is challenging, but not too challenging in my experience (though, of course I've had my fair share of tough classes, my experiences have only exceeded my breakpointing when I was taking about 20 credits, which is certainly not recommended. I'm just a little crazy.) The class sizes are reasonable, including lectures (my science lecture is only comprised of about 20-25 students), and the teachers all know your name and encourage you to participate in class.

1st Year Female -- Class 2014

Education Quality: A+, Campus Aesthetics: B-

I just finished up my first year at nyu and i absolutley LOVE it. I would never dream of going anywhere else. Granted, as many others have said, this school is not for everyone. Dont even bother applying to nyu if you have a small town mentality or dream of sprawling quads and football games.

Thats exactly what makes nyu so great--its different atmosphere and totally atypical college experience. Who needs a patch of grass and a stupid quad to have fun?!? I dont know what anyone is talking about when they say there isnt a social life here--there is SO much to do its mind bottling. While most college kids are sitting in their dorms "partying" or sitting around a dirty frat house with a keg, us NYU-ers are hitting the bars, clubs, pubs, hookah lounges, everything! We DO also have house/dorm parties on occasion though, and there are a few frats that throw pretty sick parties. NYC has EVERYTHING imaginable. Anyone who claims theres no social life here isnt trying, period. You just have to be outgoing and look for things to do! obvoiusly if you sit around your room and mope all day you'll have a crappy social life.

There is so much diversity here, its so refreshing. No one here is a carbon copy of the next, everyone is completley unique. You just have to find your niche and with 17,000 undergrads you're bound to find it.

Of coarse there are a fair share of obnoxious trust fund, filthy rich people but they're easy to ignore.In terms of the academics? they're great! I've never learned so much or enjoyed so many of my classes although the requirements can get annoying. NYU has fabulous professors and a degree from NYU can and will get you far in the job market. Not to mention you will have an EXTREME advantage on others when you graduate due to the amazing oppertunities nyc offers.

1st Year Female -- Class 2011

Social Life: A+, Faculty Accessibility: B