HI-- Any current students or recent grads who can comment on what it is like to be an undergrad student at NYU? Does it really feel like a college campus or more like part of the city? Do you feel integrated into the school? Trying to get a feel for what it is like compared to being in a smaller city/college campus? thanks
I’m not a student, but have spent time at NYU. It’s a great school in many ways, but to my mind it feels more like part of the city, because there are no centralized places for the students to gather (no football stadium, no central campus area). there are however informal places that students gather. That neighborhood has a lot of students and they have plenty of student hang-outs. Washington Square attracts students in outdoor space. Generally though there really doesn’t seem to be to my mind a central place for NYU students to come together as a community. NYU nonetheless has plenty to offer as a school and because it’s in NYC. Be prepared for the price, though. It’s known for not-the-best FA.
My general feeling about NYU is that if offers much of what an excellent big flagship public offers, but no football team and no centralized campus for the students. You get the large student population, the big lecture classes and TAs – profs are excellent – but getting the one-on-one help and guidance directly from a professors is more hit or miss. A smaller school or one with an enclosed campus or one that focuses on undergraduate teaching as its specialty is more likely to give a feeling of a community and the professors may make themselves more available. Those schools may not offer the advantages of being in the heart of NYC and the amazing cultural and learning experiences offered there.
@Dustyfeathers @parent1973 NYU is what you make of it. Both my D’s attended NYU for both undergrad and grad. For undergrad, both stayed in NYU dorms for all 4 years. The fact that they met their best friends freshman year and then lived with them for 3 more years in dorms shaped their experience and made it more “college” like. Living in dorms also kept them closer to campus and more involved in clubs and EC’s. It allowed them to become part of a broader community.
As for the school itself, your experience will be shaped by your major. Both D’s were in small programs: studio art and vocal performance through Steinhardt. They ended up having small classes and about 40 or so students in their program per year. This allowed them to have close relationships with classmates and faculty. There was a lot of one to one help and guidance.
But at the same time, both D’s were able to take advantage of internships in NYC and the art and theatre world around them. So it was certainly the best of both worlds.
USkoolfish- I would like to pick your brain a bit regarding the Steinhardt Vocal Performance MT program- my son just got accepted yesterday, and I am thrilled for him, but wondering about the social like at NYU. Could you PM me please? Thanks.