<p>I always hear about NYU on the border between top school and not top school. Can we settle this? I realize that Tisch and Stern are top of the line schools, but is the rest of NYU not worth the price you're probably paying? Combined with a lack of a campus and school spirit?</p>
<p>Well, the lack of a campus and school spirit in my view are good things. Institutions like DePaul take pride in having an urban campus feel because there really isn’t a defined campus, just a bunch of buildings. School spirit, well, who cares…</p>
<p>School spirit can form stronger alumni connections and networks, so don’t quite discount them yet. It doesn’t necessarily have to come from ra-ra athletics, but having a cohesive sense of community can be very helpful, and productive, for students.</p>
<p>I’ve heard it doesn’t have much school spirit, as noted above. Everyone is very career oriented and businesslike, again, from reviews I’ve read about the school. So, basically, people are hard working and not just into football and parties. However, the Tisch Film School is top notch, competing hand and hand with USC’s film school and Julliard’s talent.</p>
<p>I consider NYU a school of extremes. If you want to be a filmaker, curator, or be on project runway its a worthwhile sacrifice. For anyone else wow worst college decision one could possibly make. Its terrible.</p>
<p>Academically and reputationally, NYU is excellent. This said, it is not for every body. In fact, most people would rather have a more traditional campus environment. For this reason, it is generally regarded as a less-than-ideal undergraduate experience.</p>
<p>As the parent of a student who chose – much to our suprise – NYU over all the other top school he was addmited to, I can tell you that it has been great for him and has his areas of interest. He doesn’t feel there’s no campus or community. And he’s hugely challenged and engaged by the intellect around him. </p>
<p>But can we “settle this?” Of couse not. A) what is the point? No one would argue it is not a 'top" university in the US or internationally, but there are better things to do than argue where at the top it is. And B) different students find different aspects of schools to be important. </p>
<p>All of which is making me wonder why I am replying. I guess I just could not stand to see people dismissing a place so important to my ‘top’ student so off-handedly.</p>
<p>NYU would be amazing if you have money.</p>
<p>Yeah, I agree, NYU’s biggest drawback is its hefty price-tag and need-aware admissions policy.</p>
<p>In most respects NYU is similar to some of the better public universities—similar size, similar student stats, similar large range of departments and programs. I’d say the top handful of publics have stronger faculties overall, but there are some areas where NYU is outstanding, and many areas where it’s very good. The big difference is the price tag: no one gets an in-state tuition discount at NYU, total COA is among the highest in the country, and on average NYU meets only 71% of need, which is not as good as the top publics (UVA and UNC Chapel Hill meet 100% of need, while UC Berkeley and Michigan meet on average 90% of need).</p>
<p>I’d never criticize someone for choosing NYU. Overall it’s a very strong school, and there are unique advantages to living in New York City. I think many applicants would need to worry about the cost, but for those for whom cost is not an issue, why not?</p>
<p>My very good friend attended NYU for a year. HATED IT. She transferred to UNC Chapel Hill. She unequivocally says transferring was the best decision she’s ever made in her life. NYU was bluntly awful in her experience.</p>
<p>Why not NYU? Because you actually want to go to a real college and enjoy everything amazing that comes with that.</p>
<p>What might not be right for your friend may be right for 100s of other people. Stop projecting hearsay unto others.</p>
<p>Its beyond hearsay. NYU has no campus, New York is hardly an ideal college town, and someone choosing NYU is making a huge choice to not have a real college experience. I value the absolutely amazing US college experience that is provided by almost every top 40 school. NYU is an exception to this.</p>
<p>Exactly, it’s beyond hearsay. Maybe you’re too dense to understand that you just admitted the flaws of your argument. I might consider NYU to be ideal, for the opportunities it provides (thriving in a global city). While it might not be what you value, you’re black and white criticism of the college only makes you look like an idiot.</p>
<p>
It’s possible to combine an urban campus with a relatively traditional college experience. UCLA, USC, Northwestern, and Penn are but a few examples. </p>
<p>As Alexandre noted, NYU has excellent academic programs, and there is little to criticize in terms of quality. Unlike other posters, I do not see NYU’s college experience - or lack thereof - to be of particular concern. Students who matriculate at NYU know what they’re getting into, just as students at the military academies and single-sex colleges do. </p>
<p>If I have a criticism of NYU, it’s the dubious actions the university has unabashedly taken from time to time. For example, the campus in Abu Dhabi.
As another example, the accepting of money from a figure known to buy stolen antiquities to form an archaeological institute in which she has a key role in the governing committee.
</p>
<p>And Lawrence Summers is an example of dubious activity entertained by Harvard. Every school, including NYU, has made mistakes. </p>
<p>Just like any dilemma, there is no one size fits all. Clearly admitone cannot tolerate NYU whereas another might be able to. Clearly NYU has made mistakes. I don’t see that as reason to persecute the school, however.</p>
<p>I don’t really have a stake in this, but I do know many somewhat dissatisfied NYU alums. Personally I don’t think NYU is a great or even a good college experience. You have to really want it specifically, its a polarizing place. I see way too many applicants enamored by New York and not fully understanding what they are getting into.</p>
<p>To the parent I might have offended- i did not mean to offend you or your top student kid, I’m just straddling the fence and wanted to know from CCers whether NYU should or should not be considered a top school, and whether it’s worth my time/money to apply. Opening a thread is not for arguing, but disussion.</p>
<p>I have agree that unless you’re going into Business (Stern), Tish (Arts), then it’s a lot less glamorous than it seems. Overpriced, no real campus or community, TONS of students - not an ideal way to spend 4 years. Plus, I hear the administration isn’t the best either. :P</p>
<p>NYU has great academic programs and faculty, no doubt. But it is very pricey and manhattan is very costly for those who dont have huge wallets. For me, I wanted a traditional college experience with a tight community/school spirit, which NYU or Columbia for that matter, does not really offer.</p>