<p>CollegeConfidential helped me out a lot when I was a high school senior so I thought I'd return the favor.</p>
<p>Soon-to-be Gallatin alumna with offers from "top law schools" (whatever that means) and a few job ideas/offers...so I'm currently weighing the options. Took classes in just about every school at NYU (minus Nursing, LSP, and GLS...but I can still probably help you out). </p>
<p>Academics, housing, student life, cost of living, NYC, whatever you got...</p>
<p>hi, I’m Sarah and I was accepted into NYU CAS. They didn’t offer me much aid, but I think I prefer them over my other main choices (UC Berkeley, UC LA, George Washington University)</p>
<p>Can you tell me about the social life there? I’m really NOT into clubbing and partying at all, is it easy to still have a social life without that?</p>
<p>I visited so I sort of saw some dorms, but I’m kind of concerned that I won’t be able to study in them because I have mild ADD and get distracted by noise. Is it possible to relax and study in the dorms, and do you know which dorms have the most intellectual/least party-loving culture?</p>
<p>Also, not sure if you’d know about this sort of stuff, but I play a cello, but not well enough to be wanting to major in it. So do you know if there are practice rooms in the dorms/storage space for instruments? Are there similar people who play for fun and can join musical groups that aren’t interested in majoring in music?</p>
<p>Can you tell me anything about class sizes and your experiences with counseling and choosing classes there? What are your favorite classes you took? </p>
<p>How would you describe the overall student culture there/ attitude towards class? I’m thinking of being a biology major, or maybe double-majoring in biology and anthropology is there a huge pre-med atmosphere there, and do you know how difficult it is to double major?</p>
<p>What did you do for fun in your spare time/ what was your favorite place to go in new york? Any close encounters with crime there? How about your experiences with public transportation?</p>
<p>Can’t really think of anything else, but replies to any of theses would be appreciated :)</p>
<p>Hey! </p>
<p>So I’m about to enter the LSP program (mostly because I wanted to go to Paris). And I had been thinking about possible choices as far as majors are concerned. One possiblity I was thinking about was Gallatin and a double major with CompSci.
I’ve wanted to work with a magazine, blog, or companies like Google, at least that’s the dream aha. I first wanted to know if those two possibilities are possible as a Gallatin major. </p>
<p>If I took comp sci, I would like to to take photography, film, and media/cultures/communications major’s classes (If it helps those classes would more be geared towards the screens and images concentration). Is it possible to be able to take classes like that since it would involve pretty major intensive classes from Steinhardt and Tisch? </p>
<p>And how, as far as you’ve experienced, have OCR and employers responded to Gallatin Majors? Would they take them as seriously as those who major in other things which are a lot more concrete and easily identifiable?</p>
<p>Tailwags (Sarah): Congrats on your acceptance.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>The social scene is what you make it. When you first get here, you will be surrounded by people who are all (for the most part) looking to make friends, explore the city, and have a good time. There is a learning curve. That is, it may take some time to find your niche. NYC is a great place to go “clubbing” and “party”…but it’s also a great place to do a ton of other things. Certainly, you will encounter plenty of people who are all about the party scene. Others, totally against it. Most, somewhere in between. Make sure to take advantage of all of the other things you can do at NYU and in NYC (shows, clubs, exploring, etc).</p></li>
<li><p>Your dorm is a place where you should be able to live comfortably. There are 11PM quiet hours on weekdays and 1PM quiet hours on weekends (and courtesy hours 24/7…which means people shouldn’t be blasting music at any time of day). With that being said, the amount of noise on your floor will depend on who ends up on your floor (and it’s totally random). Some floors are usually quiet; others, usually loud. Don’t be afraid to knock on a floormate’s door and let them know you’re trying to study or let the RA know if you’re having repeated problems. What can you control for now? (a) look into substance-free housing. While plenty of partiers do end up in substance-free housing, you may have to worry less about big parties on your floor (and you may meet people who aren’t as huge into the party scene there too…though I promise, you can people who aren’t huge into the party scene on any floor). (b) Some dorms have “thicker walls.” For this, I’d probably vote Founders, Brittany, and Goddard.</p></li>
<li><p>There are practice rooms in multiple dorms (check their respective websites). I’m not sure if there is storage space on campus (not in the dorms…except in your room). And there are PLENTY of groups for non-majors and majors alike. Check out the student orgs listing and go to Club Fest in the Fall.</p></li>
<li><p>Counseling for Gallatin and CAS is different so I don’t have any first hand experience. I’ve taken huge 500 person seminars (I’m pretty sure that was an economics class) as well as 3 person classes. Most intro classes are large so you’ll have to go through them anyway. Gallatin classes and upper-level classes tend to be (and are, for Gallatin) seminars with less than 20 people. PM if you’re looking for more specific information.</p></li>
<li><p>Again, student attitude towards school/class depends on who you’re surrounding yourself with. There are people here who don’t care as much and others who are obsessed. Of course, if a person is pursing an academic interest, there’s no reason why they shouldn’t take it seriously (at least a little bit). Double majoring is possible and plenty of people do it (I’d even venture to say most). However, as a pre-med student (if that’s what you choose to do), you may want to check your requirements. There is a huge pre-med community here that can be very competitive but also very supportive for those who decide to stick around. </p></li>
<li><p>No close encounters with crime myself (a few of my friends…but it’s few and far between). The village is extremely safe. Bike theft is probably the biggest problem around NYU lol Further, NYU offers a number of services to help you stay safe. At night, if you don’t want to walk back to your dorm, you can call safe ride (number is on the back of your NYU ID) and they’ll come and drive you home. To be honest though…most people only use safe ride when they’re tired/it’s cold outside. Public transportation is very easy to get used to. Cabs are expensive. Buses can be confusing (most NYUers stay away from them) but are AWESOME if you figure them out. SUBWAY IS EASY. Check out hopstop (google it). It will become your best friend.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>In my personal free time…I ventured around the city playing tourist, went running, went to comedy clubs, and did the bar scene. Of course, others had VERY different experiences.</p>
<p>Let me know if this helps/if you have other questions.</p>
<p>arro: Congrats on your acceptance (and enjoy Paris if you choose to attend!).</p>
<ol>
<li><p>It is not possible to complete a “gallatin major” and a “CAS major.” That is to say, there is no “double majoring” in Gallatin. You create one concentration and then can minor in something. HOWEVER, it is more than possible to work computer science into a Gallatin concentration. Plenty of people make a hard science/math a central tenant to what they’re doing (neuroscience and dance is an interesting one!). Computer science, writing, magazine/journalism, cultural theory, tech entrepreneurship… I can see your interests coming together quite nicely at Gallatin…but I’m biased.</p></li>
<li><p>Let me assure you: Gallatin concentrations are taken seriously. When I first arrived at Gallatin, I wasn’t sure if I was signing up for a BS degree and to further complicate the matter, plenty of kids with “real majors” liked to give Gallatin kids a hard time. By sophomore year, however, these feelings go away. Suddenly, everyone learns that your major means nothing. Certainly, a major in finance at Stern helps you land IB. Some of the hard sciences can help in their realm. However, the most important things are (a) having a good GPA, (b) building a resume that shows you’re a hard working person with coherent interests, and (c) BEING ABLE TO TALK ABOUT WHAT YOU LOVE TO DO AND WHAT YOU’LL CONTRIBUTE. As a Gallatin student, I’ve spent the last four years building a coherent concentration/colloquium topic/etc. When I go into interviews, people are usually really interested in hearing what I’ve been up. It’s a talking point that many undergrads don’t have.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>To the OP,</p>
<p>I posted this question on another thread but thought you might be a good person to ask as well:
“Thanks again…it’s not so much that he is worried about making friends. He is actually very social. It’s more a question about Gallatin itself. Is it a cohesive “place”? Does it have an identity to itself? Do Gallatin students join Gallatin clubs/Student Govt etc. or is there a sense of apathy when it comes to those things? Is it more of a “program” or more of a school unto itself within NYU that you feel you are a part of?”</p>
<p>Thanks!!!</p>
<p>I got accepted into CAS with a decent scholarship
but when i applied for fafsa, i applied thinking that i would dorm.
But it seems as if i no longer can.
Will my Aid change considerably because of my change in housing status?
Because without this scholarship, i probably wont be able to afford this school. </p>
<p>Please respond with any help you can offer.
Thanks.</p>
<ol>
<li>How would you describe the community here? Is it lonely? </li>
<li>Is schooling here worth the tens of thousands of debt that most of us will have?</li>
<li>Is it too expensive to study abroad, with the already high tuition, etc.?</li>
<li>Can a CAS student take classes at Tisch?
Thanks so much!</li>
</ol>
<p>I’m a junior and NYU is my dream school. I have a rare genetic disorder that compromises my health therefore I miss weeks of school at a time.
My freshman year I was in the hospital for a very long time so my gpa was only a
3.0 but now it is a 3.5 and hopefully after this year it will go to a 3.7 or 3.8.
I get mostly A’s and high B’s and I work very hard. I am the president of the ribbon club(raise money and awareness for cancer),
I am going to get an internship,
I have 100 volunteer hours, went to New Orleans to build houses that were destroyed from Hurricane Katrina.
I have work experience at a day care
1530 on SATs but I will retake them and hopefully do better.
I am in some honors and I might take 2 AP’s next year but I do not want to take very challenging courses because I do miss school a lot and it is hard to make up work. What are my chances of getting into NYU? Please respond!! Thank you</p>
<p>CallConfALUMNA: Just got accepted to Galatin and just wanted to get your general ideas on the college. Is it true that you get lowest priority when signing up for classes in other colleges? Does Galatin actually offer classes of their own or do you take all of your classes from the other colleges, i.e. CAS, Stern ,etc? Sounds like you would recommend it, what is the down side. Do employers look at you funny when you tell them that you made up your own major?</p>
<p>Appreciate your openness!</p>
<p>Drae27: Gallatin is a small school within a huge university. I’d say (and I think most people would agree) that the students who complain the most about finding an an “academic community” within their school are CAS students (never fear, CAS: they just redid how CAS orientation works last year with hopes of providing more community). While being apart of the Gallatin community (by joining Gallatin clubs/etc) is not necessary (i.e. you don’t have to do it), you will be welcomed with open arms by those in it (and they’re cool people…I’m not one of them but I know them and they’re great, promise). Gallatin students take pride in being the super-driven “weirdos” that they are. You will be asked at countless parties what you’re doing in Gallatin and the fun thing is…it’s the Gallatin students who understand. I’d say it has one of the best communities at NYU. But I’m biased so take that as you will.</p>
<p>Of course, there are plenty of Gallatin students who find home in certain departments at NYU. That’s fine too!</p>
<p>lkim41: Given that your housing situation (and thus financial situation) is changing, your financial aid may change. However, it depends on what types of grants and scholarships you’re being offered. I know this isn’t the answer you’re looking for…but I’d call up the financial aid office (as annoying as that can be) to get the full scoop. Sorry!</p>
<p>Oivimi:
<p>heyitssmia: You sound awesome…but I’m not sure what you’re chances are (I’m sure they’re great).</p>
<p>On that note, let’s keep the “what are my chances” posts out of this thread. I have no idea. No one has any idea. If you have numbers around NYU’s medians, you have a chance (and even if you don’t, you still have a chance). Create as coherent as an application as you can, and hope for the best!</p>
<p>Porsche911: Congrats on your acceptance!
<p>@CollConf
Well, that was extremely helpful and more than reassuring. It was inspiring. Thanks so much for your thoughtful and thorough answers. I will pass them along to my son. He will be visiting Gallatin and sitting in on a class next week. All of this will help him have some grounding for that visit.</p>
<p>Hi, I was wondering what kind of courses should I take in Gallatin, in order to qualify for Law School.</p>
<p>I intend to have a concentration in Computer Science with a minor in politics and finance.</p>
<p>From your experience, should I take more writing related courses in order to qualify for law school or can I just stick to what I have in mind and apply for law school since there isn’t really a criteria?</p>
Hiya,
I’m incredibly interested in attending NYU and especially Gallatin. However, I’ve heard stories about how incredibly selective Gallatin is, and many students are only admitted if they’ve risen above and beyond. (have started a business, written novels that were published and sold, traveled to dozens of countries, starred in indie movies, so on and so forth). However, I haven’t really done anything too incredible. I’m just a regular kid, and sure I have ECs and activities going on outside of school, but it really doesn’t set me apart from everyone else or make me really special in the eyes of a college. Are ordinary people likely to get into Gallatin? Or is the admissions board so selective that they only select the best of the best.