<p>Hey Parents !
Im a fairly conservative teenager who's looking into going to Notre Dame as a first choice, but if I don't get in, I'd be more than happy to go to NYU for a variety of reasons. However, what keeps me from fully embracing NYU as a school for me is the "liberal" slant people keep on talking about, as in the liberal professors, liberal student body, liberal neighborhood, etc. Im particularly concerned about professors who will be harsh graders if they find out that you're conservative, or professors that will give bad grades if you stand up for your beliefs in class. Have any of your children that have gone to NYU experienced this sort of thing? If so, how did they deal with it? How rampant was it? Did they find people with similar beliefs? Thanks to everyones input!</p>
<p>I am not sure what conservative or liberal beliefs you are concerned about. Are these political or religious? Perhaps it doesn't matter, except for the fact that you want to be around people with similar beliefs.</p>
<p>It appears that, at the age of 17 or 18, you have formed some stong opinions. You are looking for people with similar beliefs and anticipate that you will need to "stand up for your beliefs in class." I would suggest that you avoid any classes with political, social, or religious content. You may find that if you take any classes with that type of content, you will be expected to learn and understand different theories and perspectives. If that is not your intention and your views are fixed, then I do suspect you can expect some harsh grades.</p>
<p>NYU is located in the an area of great diversity. Many people like that diversity and want to learn and are stimulated by it. I suspect you will have some difficulty tolerating the level of diversity at NYU and it is not a good choice for you.</p>
<p>When I attended the B- school (now called Stern back in the 80's) most of the students were more conservative or focused on business. Politics though was rarely discussed ,only business... Are you majoring in business? I can't speak for the other schools of NYU.</p>
<p>Aside from that my S had the same concern and avoided a school (LAC) that offered him merit aid because they were too far left. He is at a state U and has had a few problems with far left leaning professors. I have told him to listen with an open mind to what they have to say. He agreed, but dislikes that he has had to re-write papers or change his opinion (especially in class discussions) because the professor always disagrees with him. One prof called him to a special meeting and told him to change his views in a paper. As it was "all wrong, and where did he learn such conservative views?" He rewrote the paper from the prof's point of view and garnered a B+..go figure- a shame, but it happens.</p>
<p>Most of academia IMHO leans left. It is a fact of life. If one is a conservative it is a plus to hear another point of view,not if it affects your grades however.....it is tough, but he is learning academic survival skills. You will also if you haven't already from high school.</p>
<p>Red - One good piece of advice on college selection is to choose a school that will help make you into the individual you want to be four years after high school. By this standard NYU may be the best, or worst, choice for you. It really depends on who you'd like to become.</p>