<p>So I know this isn't the wisest decision (believe me, both my parents have told me), but I applied reg decision to NYU, and I'm 16 years old.
If, hypothetically, I get accepted to NYU, is it possible for me to live there independently?</p>
<p>All I know about NYC is what I see in the movies, but I know that isn't accurate.
I've wanted to go to NYC since my freshmen year in high school, and my counselor said it was a really good school for me, but I worry about my abilities to actually live there, such as expenses, safety, mobility (I have a horrible sense of direction), etc.</p>
<p>Any info you have on NYC, specifically living at NYU, would help! Thanks.</p>
<p>Aside from the fact that I’m confused at your 16ness, if you live on campus I can’t imagine you getting lost on campus.</p>
<p>Also Manhattan is pretty easy to get around, there’s a train and bus (or 5) on every corner as well as a Starbucks.</p>
<p>I live in NYC.</p>
<p>*Expenses. Well if you are going to NYU you must be rich anyway so. Safety, just don’t be out after like IDK 10 ish, though basically soon after it gets dark which is around 4:30 now.</p>
<p>A friend and myself find it relaxing to go on walks and talk, usually at night. On some occasions we’ll start at campus, walk up to times sqaure, down the westside highway to WTC and back to campus. (It’s something like 8 miles). Sometimes we’ll get back as late as 2 or 3m. Not once have I ever felt “unsafe”, nor has my friend (and she’s female). NYU’s campus is in the village - the most expensive zip code in manhattan. </p>
<p>NYC is laid out as a grid. The only real exceptions to this are the Financial District and the West Village. But other than that, numbered avenues run north-south and number streets run east-west. E.g. 5th Ave run north-south. 8th street runs east-west.</p>
<p>“Expenses. Well if you are going to NYU you must be rich anyway so. Safety, just don’t be out after like IDK 10 ish, though basically soon after it gets dark which is around 4:30 now”
God I hate people who stereotype. You clearly know nothing about NYU. Don’t assume stereotypes when you have no real idea about the student population at NYU.</p>
<p>Living in NYC can be quite expensive, but this doesn’t mean it can’t be manageable. There are people who live off $100/mo or less. If you have a meal plan, then you can eat right on campus. The only money you would need is money for entertainment.</p>
<p>D attended a summer program at NYU at 16. She lived in Weinstein and had to get herself to classes in the Barney Building in the East Village. The kids in the program had plenty of free time. She was often with other students in her program, but also had time alone walking back and forth by herself. It was fine. We are from a suburb of NYC, so D was familiar with the city, but it is still different navigating it on your own. She caught on quickly.</p>
<p>You also have to keep in mind that millions of kids grow up in NYC. They are generally pretty self sufficient by the time they are 12. By this I mean taking subways, buses and walking all over on their own.</p>
<p>A 16 year old will not stand out in NYC as being too young to be independent.</p>
<p>I’m a senior and currently 19. And while some students may look really young, I don’t think my opinion is allowed to count. So… Ask Seniors that are older than I am lol.</p>
<p>I am going to be 16 also but my bday’s in december so i’ll be 17 by the end of december of my first year. Def. do-able. Especially if you have some friends or some family nearby.</p>
<p>Are you worried about being in such a large city at a young age without family to guide you?</p>
<p>I wouldn’t worry about that if I were you. I live 20 min from NYC (1 hour by bus) and frequently travel there on weekends. I’m 17 and I sometimes take my sister who is 15. Occasionally, she goes withe friends her age. I would say that NY isn’t really scary at all as long as you don’t stray too much. I’ve visited NYU and the campus seems pretty safe if that’s your primary concern…</p>
<p>My main concern is basically being able to function as an unusually young adult with 0 parental guidance… and of course if my parents will even let me go.</p>
<p>I had no problem at 17. I don’t see why you would at 16. It all comes down to you personally. NYU students are very independent people. As many people will tell you, being an NYU student isn’t for everyone. That said, it’s up to you to determine whether or not you’re an independent person.</p>
<p>I went to NYU’s precollege this past summer and I was only 16, you’ll do fine as long as you have a little common sense, no dark alleyways and having a buddy around always helps. Also, I’m from Nebraska, so its not like I’m used to living in a city. Also, if you get in, you should visit the school so you know what you’re getting yourself into, unless you have already.</p>
<p>Every person is different and so you have to think about your own readiness for independence, etc. </p>
<p>My daughter started NYU when she was still just 16. She entered K early and then she graduated HS after junior year. She grew up in a rural area, an opposite extreme to NYC. She managed just fine and in fact, socially is drawn to older kids than herself and always has been. She had gone away every summer for 8 summers to a camp and so had been away from home (but not in a city). Her dorm at NYU had almost as many people as her entire home town! She grew up on a dirt road where you could not walk to anything and in a town that had not even a traffic light, and surely no public transportation. She loved it all from day one and really wanted to go to NYU/Tisch and to NYC. She hasn’t left (graduated NYU in 2009) and never came home for any summers either. She has become a true NYer. She grew up about six hours away from NYC.</p>
<p>I was barely 17 when I came to school. It depends on who you are as a person. There is no magic age that determines when a person will be ready.</p>
<p>Safety will not be an issue. Manhattan is probably the safest borough and all areas around NYU are well-kept. You will look no different than the smaller or young-looking 17, 18, and 19 year old kids coming here too. No one will know your age unless you tell them.</p>
but my bday’s in december so i’ll be 17 by the end of december of my first year. Def. do-able. Especially if you have some friends or some family nearby.</p>
She loved it all from day one and really wanted to go to NYU/Tisch and to NYC. She hasn’t left (graduated NYU in 2009) and never came home for any summers either. She has become a true NYer. She grew up about six hours away from NYC.</p>