My son loves the idea of applying to NYU but he is on the quiet side. He loves playing his guitar and going to shows. I’m concerned that an urban campus may not be right for him. I wanted to get your experiences regarding the community that can be created at a school in a city. Thank you!
@Dcasas My two daughters went to NYU for both undergrad and grad school.
Older D graduated as a Vocal Performance major with a concentration in Musical Theatre. (BM degree, Steinhardt) She is currently back at NYU pursuing her full-time MBA through Stern.
Younger D graduated with a BFA in studio art, Steinhardt, in 2016. She continued there the following year and earned her MA in art education in Summer 2017.
I think a lot of what what your experience at NYU will be is based on your major. Both of my d’s were in small, select majors so that their community was intimate within the larger institution. There are about 24 incoming MT majors and 45 or so incoming BFA studio art majors per year. Both D’s had required classes and seminars that all incoming freshmen students took. So before long, both D’s knew all the students in their grade level in the program and those ahead of them. Many of their classes were small–maybe 12 to 15 students per class beginning freshman year. There were also group shows and performances to participate in or to attend. Both D’s also formed closed relationships with the faculty in their departments.
Both D’s also were in Steinhardt’s Scholars program which became another small community. There were special seminars and trips for scholars.
D’s also took classes that allowed them to meet students beyond their majors. My Older D who graduated almost 6 years ago actually still has monthly breakfasts with students who were in an Entertainment Business class she took junior year. Several of the original breakfast club members have moved to LA and do breakfast there. They have since taken on “members” who went to Northwestern and work in entertainment.
My younger D did the FRYE Explorations community (3rd North) as a Freshman and is still best friends with several of the students she met on her floor freshman year. I would definitely recommend Explorations as it offers a community and group activities. My older D did not do FRYE but was in Weinstein as a freshman. She is still very close friends with 3 girls from her floor and their extended friend group. She was recently in Tokyo on a trip through Stern and met up with one of those girls who is currently working in Singapore.
Both my d’s became somewhat active in the Hillel in NYU as well. Neither are particularly religious, but loved the community and some of the special seminars they offered.
I would say that initially, it may be more difficult to find your community if you are in a larger major. But if your son does Explorations and is willing to join clubs/ organizations, I think he will have no problem forming friendships. People are coming to NYU from all over the world and are very eager to get involved and make friends. Plus there is a lot of networking going on in campus. Students are very eager to get to know one another and collaborate. My D met many films majors the word got out that she does stage/ special effects make-up. She was very involved in theatre in HS and was recruited to act in several student films, too.
The city itself is a real part of the NYU experience. So doing things socially does not mean attending a big party and drinking. Often it is going to movies and concerts all over the city, or hanging in small groups at the dorms and grabbing dinner.
An added bonus is that many of both D’s friends have remained in NYC post graduation. Since we are from Long Island, and the girls both live in Chelsea now, that was an added bonus.
Feel free to ask any questions you may have. What is your son’s intended major?
Thank you for your detailed reply! We are from Westchester County so it’s not too far for us too. It sounds like there are many opportunities to get involved- he would just need to find his likes/interests. I will look into the Explorations- I did not know about it. Thanks again- I feel better about him pursuing it.
@Dcasas my daughter was introverted and shy but she has blossomed at school and loves it. She’s made friends and has started to come out of her shell. Your son should be fine. There is so much to get involved with, he just has to want to put himself out there.
Thanks for these posts. DD will be an incoming freshman, and I am hoping the same for her.