<p>Hi, I got accepted into NYU as a Junior Transfer after attending UMass Amherst for 2 years (and living in massachusetts all my life) and would really love if you could answer any/some/all of the questions below! Thanks!</p>
<ol>
<li><p>How’s the dining commons food? I’ve heard mixed reviews, but mostly that students almost always go out to eat. Are there convenient/healthy alternatives if the dining commons are not that good?</p></li>
<li><p>How’s the social life compared to what people would call a generic college experience? Do people go out to party/club a lot more? I honestly like to spend time and make friends in the dorms, enjoying downtime since I bet the city will be overwhelming at times. I do like the option of going out, but don’t do it too often (usually because I’m busy)</p></li>
<li><p>Do the events/resources/venues in the city make up for the lack of a “campus feel” or “campus life”? I do hope there are ways at making friends because, as a transfer student, I feel like it might be hard for me to make friends if everyone just goes out into the city and does their own thing. Maybe I’ll meet other transfers/freshmen who are also new!</p></li>
<li><p>How hard is it to become an RA? Is it overwhelming work to be an RA in a city school? I want to save money by becoming one!</p></li>
<li><p>How are the state of student organizations on campus? Is student government very active? I took a pretty big role in student government, and I’m sure it’d be a great way to get familiarized with things at NYU if I had a hand in organizing student life!</p></li>
<li><p>What dorms should I look to live in? I haven’t completed my housing application, but can you describe some of the dorm buildings & what I should know about them?</p></li>
<li><p>How “open” is the community? I know this is different based on different people, but (on average) do NYU students close their doors a lot? I would really love a warm environment and, as I said, I know this is a very different depending on people, but I’d like to hear what you think.</p></li>
<li><p>Is there anything else you think I should know?</p></li>
</ol>
<ol>
<li><p>Dining food quality depends on which ones you’re talking about. Certain places I’d stay away from (Rubin, Downstein for lunch/dinner, 3rd North). Other places like Palladium, Upstein, Kimmel, and Hayden are better. The food at Palladium and Kimmel is made on the spot, so usually it’s better. Dining food can get old after a while, so a lot of kids go out to cheap places close to campus. There’s tons of alternatives. It’s NYC. </p></li>
<li><p>Social life is far different. You’re probably used to big campus frat parties, but here those don’t exist. Bars and clubs are where people try to take it if they’re into that scene. Kids hang out in the dorms a lot as well, especially if they aren’t into going out. Everything is up to you. There’s tons of social groups here. Some party, some just chill in the dorms, others walk and hang out, some study, some go to concerts, karaoke, restaurants, etc… It’s easy to stay away from partying and clubbing here. </p></li>
<li><p>The city is at your feet. It’s not really a campus because there’s no sense of community. Making friends as a transfer isn’t exclusive because after all there’s 20,000 undergraduates here. Most people don’t know each other. It can be hard at times to find a constant group of friends, but the best place to start as a transfer would be your dorm hall or clubs/organizations. It makes NYU feel a lot smaller when you can find kids you can consistently get to know. </p></li>
<li><p>Being an RA is based a lot on motivation. You have to apply early and there is competition. I hear they get free meal plans and dorming, but there is a tradeoff. Being an RA can restrict your social life since they’re hanging around their respective dorms most of the time. RA’s typically become friends with each other for obvious reasons. It can be overwhelming since the position entails a lot of responsibility and the potential to have to be a real d-i-c-k if you decide to break up a dorm party for drinking.</p></li>
<li><p>After elections I never heard about student governments again. I got one or two e-mails from them the entire year (generic bs). Student organizations and clubs aren’t too big, but it’s easy to find them. There are club fairs every semester. It can be a good way to find kids who share similar interests and be friends with. </p></li>
<li><p>Personally, I think Gramercy, Palladium, and Greenwich aren’t too bad. Although Gramercy and Greenwich are far to walk (~20 min away). Shuttle buses would be the way to go. Idk what options you have left, but I’m not too big a fan of Lafayette and Carlyle. Lafayette isn’t worth the distance and it’s in Chinatown. Carlyle has a weird room structure. </p></li>
<li><p>It’s not a school known for community. Many people have their own groups and do their own thing. Frats, sororities, student clubs, and organizations are more likely to have friendlier kids. Surprisingly, a lot of kids here don’t really get out of their dorms much and are anti-social. They tend to be less open. Hopefully you didn’t come here to bond and get community because that’s the complete opposite of what this school is about. </p></li>
<li><p>Don’t worry so much about the social aspect. Being yourself sort of solves that problem, although it may take a while as a transfer to gel. It’s a school with ups and downs, but it’s so unique.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>How difficult is it to maintain a high GPA? (CAS Econ)</p>
<p>Hey, just wondering, is it true that NYU Stern only sees Critical Writing and Maths for the SAT and disregard writing? Unless you get over 750 and you get certain exemption?</p>
<p>@zackattack341</p>
<p>Freshman year a lot of GPA is based a lot on the professors you get b/c you’re doing MAP requirements. Econ classes are more fair in that regard. Acing the Econ courses is really contingent on putting in the time. There’s a lot of distractions being in NYC and all, so sometimes it’s just as simple as <em>actually</em> studying. </p>
<p>@JasonLoh</p>
<p>All of NYU only looks at CR+M. Writing is only important for Stern b/c a 750+ gets you out of Writing the Essay and into Commerce and Culture.</p>
<p>@JasonLoh
If you’re ■■■■■■■■ and dont do work? very hard
if you do your work and study? very easy</p>
<p>@jackhammer25</p>
<p>Ahah thanks. That is kind of a huge relieve for me. 
Writing have always been not my forte, but i will still do my best to get 750! Although that may seems like an impossible dream for me, it is like a 150-200 points push…</p>
<p>@woppthack</p>
<p>What?..</p>
<p>Now just wondering. Will a 800 maths and a 700 critical reading(CR+M =1500) but a 550 writing be a competitive sat score? (CR+M+W = 2050)</p>
<p>What is Goddard like?</p>
<p>its a residential application only first year dorm
its supposed to be a closer community but you guys only do stuff together a few times a month other than idk</p>
<p>@JasonLoh</p>
<p>1500 is a great score. They’ll forgive the writing especially for internationals. </p>
<p>@zackattack341</p>
<p>Woopthack said it, but the community aspect of Goddard is overrated.</p>
<p>Does the NYU campus have wifi?</p>
<p>All NYU academic buildings have pretty fast wifi. You log into it using your Net ID and password. I’m pretty sure by next year all dorms will have wifi as well.</p>
<p>There is wifi but it’s iffy at times. Some dorms don’t have it or have poor wifi connection. Even Bobst has average wifi connection. The wifi would disconnect on higher floors often.</p>
<p>How many required courses should you take in the first semester of Freshman Year? Currently, there is a compulsory seminar worth 4 credits. That leaves me with another three 4 credit classes I can take. Now how many of those should be of my own choice (economics, politics etc) and how many should be things like writing the essay and texts and ideas?</p>
<p>Pack as many of the requirements in early as you can. Not only do you meet more people your year (since most do), but it gets them out of he way so you have increased scheduling flexibility later.</p>
<p>^agreed. I did something similar. I took a 4 credit seminar and then took 3 required classes. Even second semester I still took only one class related to my major and the rest were requirements. The only MAP class kids typically leave till later is Expressive Culture. </p>
<p>Getting the requirements done freshman year gives you a lot more flexibility sophomore year and on. You only have to worry about major and minor requirements at that point. I know kids who leave requirements for junior/senior year, but they just do it because they hate the classes. Wouldn’t recommend doing this.</p>
<p>I am seriously obsessed with NYU, like I have been dying to go there since I was in 7th grade. My grades are typically really good (usually all A’s, or really high B’s). My GPA is usually at least a 3.8, but my 10th grade year I made terrible grades (like C’s and even one F that I am doing credit redemption on) because I worked my butt of to try and balance being on the school dance team, music practice, my job, being a competition dancer from my studio, AND my schooling all at once - physically impossible now I realize; will this affect my chances of getting in? I mean, I will not be doing nearly all that for my next two years in school, so my grades will be back up to high A’s, and I take my SATs and ACTs next year. If I score highly on those, plus my GPA and all other requirements are met, would my grades from my 10th grade year affect my chances of getting in? I want to go to Steinhardt for music technology.</p>
<p>After you submitted your housing application, about when did you hear back with your permanent dorm and roomate?</p>