<p>I have a D who graduated NYU and one who is currently there. In no way would I describe any of their friends as pretentious or stuck up. I am not saying this in defense of the student body, because I am sure there are students who may be described like that, but it has not at all been my family’s experience. As a matter of fact to my surprise, my D’s seem to think that we are “wealthier” than the majority of their friends. We live in a nearby suburb of NYC, are doing Ok financially, but in no way consider ourselves rich with our standard issue split level house in our (upper) middle class neighborhood.</p>
<p>For one thing both D’s were in talent based programs and many of the students accepted receive talent-based scholarships. Both the vocal performance program that older D graduated from and the studio art major D is currently in, are small programs and everyone knows one another. (I would imagine that creative writing would be similar.) So within a large university, you are part of a small community of students, alumni and faculty which extends into one’s circle of friends.</p>
<p>Additionally, both D’s made friends through the scholars program, another small group within NYU. Younger D (who is both an artist and musical theatre kid) decided to do special interest housing freshman year that involved theatre. The group had a floor in a great dorm and were extremely close knit. I would say those 30 something students are still a network of friends and D is living with 3 of the girls as she goes into her junior year. The group had a mix of theatre and film majors and a sprinkling of everything else (business, psychology, neuroscience, art and English majors). Some were performers, some just appreciated the arts, but they formed a strong bond. Many also formed a creative network. D has starred in a number of student films written and produced by her film major friends. They in turn have collaborated on some performance art pieces that D has worked on and have helped with sound and video for some of her art installations.</p>
<p>So my advice is to visit the school and contact the departments you are most interested in, Many depts. have tours and special open houses. You can certainly bring up your concerns about community, social life, etc along with questions about academics. </p>
<p>I would just not discount any school based on stereotypes if they seem to offer a program that you are interested in.</p>