New York University

If you are ready to grow up early, to have the freedom to create whatever college experience you choose, to be a part of an incredible city that will go on with or without you, come to NYU.

Don't expect to just go with the flow. You will have to put yourself out there, find your friends and your niche in the city.

If you are a follower or not very confident, either plan on coming to NYU to challenge yourself to change, or find a big campus school.You have the world at your fingertips at NYU, but its up to you whether you make it happen.

3rd Year Male -- Class 2010

Faculty Accessibility: A+, Campus Maintenance: C

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+

My major is Business and Political Economy at Stern; it is new this year. The class for this program is only about 30 people, and we are to spend 3 semesters abroad together and take the same classes throughout the four years at NYU. It is a great program because we all receive individual attention and are part of an incredibly close group of students.

Some issues which I faced were the materialism of the people at NYU and in the city in general, difficulty finding people that were similar to me and the extreme liberal-mindedness of the majority of people here.

By materialism of students and NYC residents I mean one's constant obsession with brands and fashionability of one's outfit. In the end, I realized that everyone simply obsesses about their own outfits and no one cares about yours. So if you feel like your wallet cannot afford Marc Jacobs, or that you like something that you cannot find in Vogue, wear it without hesitation.

The tremendous dilemma of finding people that were like me strikes 99.9% of newly arriving students at NYU. Initially, it seems like John Sexton's (the university president's) preaching about the importance of diversity only hurts you (because "I just don't connect with ANYBODY"). However, the would be much worse at a small college where everyone is the same EXCEPT FOR YOU. Then, you really are doomed. At NYU, there are oceans of student organizations. Go to some of their meetings. Join some. And, if you are in hesitation over whether or not to join a club, don't. Find something about which you are passionate. If you decide to go to NYU, your key to success is to be independent in all respects. Believe that you can find happiness here if you search, and you will find it very soon.

1st Year Female -- Class 2013

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