<p>Shades_Children, </p>
<p>I want to be an engineer and I was wondering if you could clarify how exactly I would earn my degree at NYU. I want to earn a biomedical engineering degree through NYU but I’m really confused by the polytechnic merger. </p>
<p>I also wanted to know how easily I could change my major from engineering to economics if I wanted to.</p>
<p>Just a different perspective here from a mom with a different sort of student. My own son was (is) very bright (800s in both SATs without ever studying for test; took it once, was done; ditto for APs), and perhaps because of this, was not used to working at all. The few times he was really challenged in high school - not intellectually; with work load - he just folded (once he had to skip a year in French because of scheduling conflicts, and simply could/would not do the work, and got a C—but, being him, got a 97 on the final).
He applied to NYU and he (and I) thought he would LOVE it. He loves New York, he’s smart, and he thought he would be excited by meeting other smart people, being challenged (he thought he’d mature once in college), and so on.
Unsurprisingly - in retrospect - when he got into NYU (major scholarship), he was completely unable to handle the work load–he had no coping skills at all. Also - more surprising to us - he was unable to handle the independence. As the above person says, NYU is NOT a nurturing kind of place; the resources are definitely there (and they’re great) but they do NOT throw them on your lap.
He completely folded. He got a 3.0 GPA first semester, and it was this ‘high’ only because he’s smart. Then he gradually became unable to get to class, until by the fall of his sophomore year, he was failing, with a major nervous breakdown (to use the old fashioned term.) He is now on medical leave of absence (very generously and kindly helped out by NYU).
Now looking back, I’m no longer convinced NYU was the right school for him (or he for it). He is just not mature enough. And I want to stress that he a very interesting, smart, talented kid whom EVERYONE thought would THRIVE at NYU. When I say ‘he was not mature enough,’ you are probably thinking, “Oh, but I am.” Believe me, do not take this lightly. It takes a VERY mature person to handle living in New York with all the distractions, living on a meagre budget (remember, he’s on major scholarship) and coping with handling true challenge for the first time. Also, I forgot to add that he has a problem with classes that are challenging only in workload, but are easy conceptually; he tends to lose respect for it and fade out. At NYU, you are surrounded by very wealthy people (which I define as anyone able to write a $50,000 check each year with no loan). If you are not wealthy yourself, this can be very dispiriting, more than you think. New York gets very cold and gloomy, classes are spread out, there is no campus, there are all sorts of really cool distractions that you can’t pay for but others can, easily, there are a LOT of drugs (ALOT–coke especially; beware!), and so forth.<br>
Obviously, your experience will depend on you and your own personal make-up. Many people are less impacted by massive drug use among peers, bitter cold, tons of temptations, independence for the first time, no nurturing support, etc–they are driven, mature and know what they want. But others are not so blessed. KNOW THYSELF.</p>
<p>Thank you so much for sharing your story hoveringmom. Prayers and best wishes for your son. </p>
<p>As an alumna and a current NYU parent, I think you’ve given very wise advice. I am astonished at the sheer numbers applying to NYU, many of whom have never set foot on the campus.</p>
<p>hoveringmom, thank you for your story. As an NYU parent, I’m always aware and wondering if my D is truly okay at NYU. She tells me everything is fine, but in the back of my head I still think it can be an overwhelming place and I don’t think she would tell me otherwise, because she would feel she is failing herself and her parents. She is very social and I hope she is REALLY ok. I keep asking and checking in with her.</p>
<p>Thanks for your words of support, very much. They mean a lot to me.</p>
<p>hoveringmom:</p>
<p>I’m sorry to hear about your son. I hope he’s doing better now.</p>
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<p>Completely unsurprising, to me - I didn’t really learn how to study until college, and it showed in my grades the first two years. (Actually, I’m still learning how to study, even now!) Things came easily to me in high school. Being intelligent was enough to compensate in just about all deficiencies in study skills and time management. Not so in college!</p>
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<p>Kids, if you won’t listen to me, maybe you’ll believe hoveringmom! This is what I’ve been trying to say for the last 4 years on this forum.</p>
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<p>Again, wise words.</p>
<p>londonb:</p>
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</p>
<p>I’m kind of astonished, too. I applied for NYU with no idea of the trendiness of the school, and to be honest, even as an alum it still baffles me.</p>
<p>I also cannot understand the people who decide to attend without having ever been on the campus.</p>
<p>milkandsugar:</p>
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</p>
<p>I think you’re taking the right approach. I’m sure your daughter feels better knowing that you care about how she’s doing.</p>
<p>I applied to NYU Steinhardt this year for studio art. I am actually interested in the possibility of doing film at Tisch, but I had no film experience or a film portfolio so I didn’t apply to Tisch. I had an art portfolio with tons of drawings, and I applied to many art schools which require this, so I applied to Steinhardt considering studio art is what I know/what I’m good at. I read on the website (after the deadline and after my app was sent in, of course) that you can apply to Tisch with drawings… so now I’m thinking I made the wrong choice in which school to apply to. </p>
<p>However, would it still be possible for me to take classes at Tisch freshman year? I want to try out film before I decide that’s what I want to do, obviously. I know it’s hard to transfer into Tisch but would taking classes in Tisch help me as a transfer? Or, would it be better (and easier) for me to transfer into Gallatin to pursue both studio art and film? I am really interested in animating, so I’m trying to figure out exactly which school at NYU would be the right one.</p>
<p>anyaneedstoknow:</p>
<p>I realized I missed your post.</p>
<p>Honestly, I have no idea about engineering, even before the merger. I’m sorry I can’t help you with that.</p>
<p>cherrycrush021:</p>
<p>Unfortunately, I don’t know anything about studio arts and film. I strongly advise you to speak with academic advisors in Steinhardt and/or Tisch before you make a decision because there may be some squirrelly rules about who can take what classes when.</p>
<p>sorry if this was asked already but … </p>
<p>is there any particular reason why NYU no longer offers LSP to Stern applicants? just wondering</p>
<p>oh and if you can –
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/new-york-university/658034-chances-nyu-stern-hopeful.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/new-york-university/658034-chances-nyu-stern-hopeful.html</a></p>
<p>Hi,</p>
<p>Really quick question. I was actually thinking of applying to NYU for biochem, and I was wondering, exactly how many hours do you spend doing hw/studying a week? And how much does it increase if you are in the honors track? (actually, is there a distinct advantage of the honors track, especially during med school applications?)</p>
<p>I’m probably going to have to get a job in order to afford NYU, so I want to know how many hours a person can usually spend working/studying.</p>
<p>Sorry if I repeated any questions. And thanks in advance!</p>