Question and Answers about LSP!

Colleges and Universities A-Z New York University
1

<p>Hey guys, I've been getting tons of PM's about LSP and NYU, and I'm getting asked the same questions over and over, so I figured I would post some here since I'm sure many people have these questions. I'm a Student Ambassador on campus by the way (give tours and stuff) so you can PM me with NYU/LSP questions if you like:</p>

<p>1. What is the Liberal Studies Program and Why was I put into LSP?
LSP is a 1-2 year program under the faculty of the College of Arts and Sciences. Tisch students complete it in 1 year, but most students do it for 2 years. But you can finish LSP in 3 semesters if you have AP credits and have fulfilled all the requirements, and then move on to your original choice school. About 7% of applicants are placed into LSP. The program was basically a smart way for NYU to make more money through tuition while keeping CAS's acceptance rate low. LSP is the 2nd largest Undergrad college!</p>

<p>2. Can you apply for Stern and do LSP? Can you transfer from LSP into Stern?
No, Stern applicants do NOT get put into LSP, they'll be flat-out rejected. You also cannot transfer from LSP to Stern, only into the other undergrad colleges.</p>

<p>3. Can I apply directly to LSP?
Yes you can, because LSP has ONE 4-year major, called the Global Liberal Studies, which grants a Bachelor's Degree. This is the only LSP program you can apply to - otherwise, students are placed into LSP after being rejected from the original choice. </p>

<p>4. Can I transfer into a DIFFERENT undergrad college than I originally applied for?
Yes, for example, let's say you applied for CAS and were LSP'd - you can go into Steinhardt or Gallatin or whatever instead! Get in touch with your advisor about this as soon as you change your mind, so they'll help you with what classes to take and how to do this. Once again, you can NOT transfer into Stern. </p>

<p>5. What are the requirements like? Can I take electives?
Freshman year, 3/4 classes are assigned, and everyone must fulfill these classes - Writing I and II, Cultural Foundations I and II, Social Foundations I and II. You do get 2 electives freshman year, but I strongly reccommend you get your requirements out of the way ASAP - that way you'll have more freedom Soph year. 2nd year you barely have any requirements at all.</p>

<p>6. Can I take classes in other NYU schools if I'm in LSP?
Yep, definitely! You're allowed to take classes in CAS, since LSP has the same faculty. And CAS students are also allowed to take LSP classes - I have some in my classes right now. But your choice of classes will be more limited in LSP. </p>

<p>7. Can I be pre-Med or double major and still do LSP?
Yes, of course! Double majoring might be a little more tough, since you'll have twice as many requirements and also the LSP stuff - you can do it, but it will leave less room for electives. As for pre-Meds, my pre-Med friends in LSP are taking Chem and Bio in CAS. If you applied as a pre-Med (no matter what major) your advisor will arrange for you to take these classes right away. </p>

<p>8.Can LSP students study abroad?
Yes, there are several LSP study abroad sites, Florence, Paris, London, etc. I think once you get into CAS, you have even more options for study abroad (this is simply because LSP classes aren't offered in all the campuses). </p>

<p>9.Is LSP hard? What is the minimum GPA to transfer?
Nahh LSP is pretty easy! However, it is VERY reading/writing intense, so if you don't like those, stay away! You need at LEAST a 3.0/B average to transfer into your original choice school.</p>

<p>10. Will people look down on me cause I'm in LSP? Are the LSP kids the dumb ones?
Imagine that it's your first day of college - you're new and have no friends. You're looking for fun, friendly, funny kids to hang out with - would you care what school they're in? No! People have friends across all schools - most of my friends are in CAS/LSP because those are the biggest, but my boyfriend's in Stern and I have friends across all the schools (except Social Work, because those kids are rare lol). The CAS students in my classes are no smarter than anyone else, and the LSP students in CAS classes do just fine - I just got the highest midterm grade in my CAS Econ class, and I'm like one of 2 LSP kids in that class lol. Yeah, there are jokes about LSP, but guess what, there are jokes and stereotypes about ALL the colleges here at NYU. </p>

<p>11. Do LSP students live separately?
Haha no we don't have our own colony =) Everyone lives together in dorms.</p>

<p>12. What's the best things about being in LSP?
Well, we get the same professors as the CAS students, but the classes are nice and small, so we actually get to know our professors well and have lot of one-on-one time. </p>

<p>13. What's the worst thing about being in LSP?
We have more requirements than anyone else, less freedom, and our choice of electives are more limited. </p>

<p>So I hope this helps and you can ask more questions on this thread if you like, i'll try to answer most of them...oh and you can ask questions about NYU in general as well as LSP. :)</p>

2

<p>Hi, I have a few questions. First of all, what requirements exactly do you have to fill? If you don't mind, can you post/PM the courses that you took in your freshman and sophomore years?
Also, I'm accepted to LSP and was only offered the international sites for my first year. Is it hard to come back to NYU in second year as a sophomore, not knowing the school, city, people etc when everyone else is acquainted and already have friends?
Also, I know it's possible to double major, but how realistic is it to finish two majors in 4 years without summer courses? Would that mean having no time to do anything else (social wise), and pretty much no electives?
Last question, I'm interested in the journalism program in NYU. Can you give your opinion on the program?<br>
Thanks in advance!</p>

3

<p>@moosey</p>

<p>here's the answer for your first question:</p>

<p>Program</a> Requirements</p>

4

<p>Tisch students only spend 1 year in LSP and their requirements are different. Pre-Med students don't take LSP Natural Science courses, but take Bio/Chem in CAS and have separate Calc classes</p>

<p>Freshman Requirements:Writing I and II, Cultural Foundations I and II, Social Foundations I and II - 2 electives freshman year.</p>

<p>Sophomore Year Requirements
1 Topics in Modern Culture Seminar - almost 40 seminar choices
1 Topics in Modern Society Seminar - almost 40 seminar choices</p>

<p>Additional Requirements (taken whenever you feel like it fresh/soph year)
Global Cultures Class (East Asian Studies, African Studies, South Asian Studies, Middle Eastern, Latin American, etc - pick 1)
1 Math course (several choices)
1 Natural Science course (3 choices)</p>

<p>Check out this site for specific info about the courses - NYU</a> > A & S > Curriculum (For Liberal Studies Freshmen Entering in Fall 2008) Also I've heard starting class of 2013, there is Social Foundations III and Cultural Foundations III - haha sucks for you :D</p>

<p>Most people only do the International Site for 1 semester, not the whole year. I have a friend who did 1st semester in Florence and has adjusted here just fine, made friends, and gotten used to NYC - but I personally wouldn't do the whole 1st year abroad because I think it's kind of a better idea to get to know NYU in NY first. </p>

<p>Double majoring - it'll be easier if the 2 majors you choose are related, like International Relations and Economics, for example. But 2 totally different majors like Literature and Chemistry will be harder, summer classes might be needed. Also, some majors like Engineering require a LOT of credits so double-majoring becomes impossible in 4 years without tons of summer classes. And yeah, it would restrict your electives more. Double majoring with Humanities/Social Science majors is easier because they have fewer requirements. </p>

<p>Journalism at NYU - We have a pretty strong journalism program, and all Journalism majors are REQUIRED to double major. This makes a lot of sense, as a Journalism degree by itself is often seen as useless - Many succesful journalists don't have journalism degrees - that's because getting a degree in an area you're interested in like Politics makes more sense, imo. Double majoring with Journalism + 1 major is very easy, Journalism doesn't require many credits at all.</p>

5

<p>Thanks for answering my questions!
Unfortunately, NYU did not offer me an option to study in NYU first, or only spend a semester abroad. If I accept their LSP offer, then I'm required to spend the whole first year in one of their international sites. People are all talking about the welcome week and making friends in freshmen dorms, and I'm afraid I would feel left out and alone when I come back in sophomore year and everyone already have their groups. Do you still make friends in your sophomore year? Also, is NYU clique-ish or is it more everyone hangs out with everyone?
Another question, does LSP fulfill all your liberal arts requirements, or do you have to make up for the ones that was in MAP but wasn't in LSP (eg. 2 years of foreign language)?</p>

6

<p>Aww that sucks...well I think you have to be kind of brave to spend your whole first year of college in a foreign country. I would be pretty intimidated by that as a 17 year old HS senior. But it can also be an amazing experience, you just might love it. It really depends on you - are you adventureous? adaptable? like to travel? you'll make friends there and might even learn a new language and you'll get a unique experience.</p>

<p>on the downside, it will be a bit harder to make friends as a soph, not gonna lie. But when you come back you'll meet friends in your dorm, classes, club, sports, work, or whatever. if you're a shy or quiet type it might not be the best idea. I wouldn't say we're clique-ish, but by the end of freshman year, seems like everyone has a group of friends and basically sticks with them...of course people continue to make new friends too. </p>

<p>LSP basically fills all the MAP requirements but foreign language - and you need 2 semesters, not 2 years, I think. You can also take Foreign language in LSP, so it's possible to come into CAS with everything taken care of and done with.</p>

7

<p>as a transfer ambassador who helped the LSP kids last summer, i had a few people tell me about LSP abroad.</p>

<p>while they did feel a little weird getting to know people after freshman year, you DO become very, very close with your fellow LSPers. you're not going abroad alone, you know :P. there will be other people in the same boat as you!</p>

<p>plus, people i know who went abroad with LSP are all super super close to the people who they went abroad with. study abroad is an amazing bonding experience.</p>

<p>just my two cents.</p>

8

<p>Actually the study abroad thing has never striked me as intimidating. I do love traveling (I travel almost every school break), and my best friend is going to be studying in London University (I chose London for the international site), so that part I'm actually really excited about. It's just that I'm afraid that people are "closed" after the first year and although I would have LSP friends, I really want to have friends across all schools because one of the reasons I love NYU is because of the diversity.
Also, when do students usually get internships? I don't mind doing summer classes, but I don't want it to take up my internship time.
Overall all, would you guys recommend LSP and LSP at London? Missamericanpie, are the students that you helped generally happy with the program and glad that they did it, so-so, or regretted it? Do most LSP students feel like they have made the right choice? So many people on this board seems to be putting it down, but I really love NYC and NYU, and I want to get some opinion from people who actually have experience as opposed to just people theorizing what it would be like. NYU was one of my top choices, but they kinda threw me a curveball with LSP. I was disappointed, then excited after I read the website, but now I'm nervous as I read the forums and some people seem to have a negative opinion of the program, saying it's like 2 more years of high school etc.<br>
Thank you guys for answering my questions! And sorry they're so long. I'm a little nervous about this whole thing.</p>

9

<p>well I guess London would be a good choice for you then. Yeah it's not hard to make friends across all schools if you dorm - everyone's jumbled up in dorms, chances are your roommate won't even be in LSP. </p>

<p>I know students who have internships as freshman, others who don't get them at all - it depends a lot on what you're interested in and what field you want to go into. Some internships require a lot of work so it's better to do it over the summer, others barely any work and you can do it during the school year. Since you want to be a journalist (i'm guessing) work experience will be pretty important for you. don't stress about getting an internship right away though.</p>

<p>I notice most of the people putting LSP down are High School kids whose experience with NYU seems to be limited to a 30 minute campus tour :) LSP is more limiting, but it's not much different than the MAP classes in CAS - we do Writing I and II, they do Writing the Essay I and II. They have ConWest I and II instead of Cultural/Social. They also do 1 Math and 1 Science class. They also do 1 Global Cultures class as well as a seminar....it's not like CAS is Brown University where they have no curriculum lol. LSP is definitely not as good as CAS though (in my opinion) because of less freedom. </p>

<p>Umm how to decide if it's for you? Well, wait til your other acceptance/rejection letters come in. Make a pro/con list. Pick whichever school you're a better fit for - many people are simply not good fits for NYU, and especially LSP which is more limiting.</p>

10

<p>Yes I'm going to be a journalism major, with my second major in political science. But I'm only like 75% sure that my second major is going to be political science, I may go into economics instead.
I spent most of my young adult life in big cities (1 year in an international school in Beijing, 7 years in Vancouver), and I'm definitely a city girl. I'm probably one of the most liberal person you'd ever meet. Ideally, I'd like to work in NYC/East Coast after graduation. There seems to be more opportunities for the kind of news I want to do, and people in general seems to be more open and tolerant of diversity. Things that attracted me to NYC when I went to visit: museums, art galleries, theatres, clubs (not just partying, but jazz lounge, electronica clubs etc). I love theatre (I'm doing a 2 year IB theatre program), and I'm learning to DJ and I love a wide variety of music. With that in mind, do you think NYU would be a good fit for me? What are some pros and cons that you have of NYU?</p>

11

<p>Hi! It's very possible that I'll be a LSP student next year (I only have one school I prefer to NYU) and have been looking at housing with the help of my friend who's also a freshman in LSP. She didn't know the answer to this question, but maybe you do: Can LSP students live in Goddard? I love the idea of the tight-knit community of the residential college, but since most of the streams are related to WTE, is it possible at all for me to live there?</p>

12

<p>^ This was answered in #11 - yes you can apply to live anywhere you like, but Goddard is small and it fills up fast. usually ED students get Goddard. </p>

<p>moosey - based on your description, NYU sounds perfect for you - it's very artsy and in a big diverse city, but I do reccommend you visit first...pro's and cons:</p>

<p>Pro's - NYC, diverse, large, urban, some very strong academic programs, especially Business, Arts, Theatre, Film, Econ, IR, Journalism, Math, Philosophy, and lots of work/internship opportunities. in LSP you'll get the same CAS profs but in small classes so you'll know your profs well...umm no sharing communal bathrooms with a floor lol. </p>

<p>Cons - Large (can be pro or con), no campus, very non-traditional, sometimes overwhelming going to such a big school in the biggest city in the country, not everyone's a "city" person.</p>

13

<p>heyy I'm a LSP student from London :) don't worry its pretty cool and not intimidating at all. right now actually we are kinda scared for NY, knowing that we may not be able to be in the same dorm and that NY is a big city. Leaving London after a year will be pretty hard. Im generally really satisfied with London and love it. Both the dorm and the academic centre are right in the city. Even though there are lots of upperclassman who come to study abroad for a semester, there are not many LSP students. but overall I would say that i am glad that I chose London.</p>

14

<p>Is it true that the campus for LSP students is different from the general NYU campus in Greenwich?</p>

15

<p>^ lol no of course not - the entire Undergrad school is located in Greenwich Village, and different schools share the same buildings as well. I mean, there are specific buildings for Steinhardt, Stern, and Tisch but everyone's also jumbled up in many of the bigger buildings (Waverly and Silver for example). Didn't you pm me this question earlier? haha</p>

<p>C'mon guys, use your common sense - you're not being shipped off to some lonely LSP colony! Yes, everyone's jumbled up in dorms, in classroom buildings, in classes. I have kids from Tisch, Steinhardt, and CAS in my classes.</p>

16

<p>jahnsue7, are there a lot of course selection in London? Does it have History of the Universe, Life Science etc or only Biology principle I and such? I look on the website and beside the core LSP courses, they seem not to have the other LSP electives such as science, economics I & II, creative writing etc. Also, how much do you get to interact with non-NYU kids? I know there's the ULU membership, but how often is it really used, and are British students open to interacting with international students?
Molly, I wish I have the opportunity to visit NYU, but I'm in Vancouver and I can't afford to miss school right now with 3 theatre projects and 3 orals in the next month, then the IB final exams in May. I really wish I could make it to the LSP information session, but I guess I'll just have to settle for close reading of the website and forums :). I did visit NYC and absolutely loved it, so I'm kinda thinking of NYU as NYC but in a school form lol.</p>

17

<p>I read somewhere on a previous thread that LSP limits the majors you can do...eg. International Relations.
Is this true?
If it is, does anyone know what the majors are that you simply cannot complete if you do LSP?</p>

18

<p>^ Well you can't do Business since LSP students don't go to Stern, but you can do all the majors in the other schools. Some majors like Engineering might be hard to do since they require so many credits - actually I doubt engineers can get LSP'd at all, but maybe you'll have to take summer classes or something. </p>

<p>Of course you can do IR though! IR seems to be a very popular major with LSP/CAS students. IR is an Honor's major and you apply Soph year, and there are some requirements in order to apply - but yeah I know plenty of LSP students in IR/applying for IR. I'm in the IR Society (open to all majors) and many of the IR students are in LSP.</p>

19

<p>Hey moosey, I also got put into LSP, chose London for freshman year (I was only offered the international sites), and do IB, haha. I'm also scared that I won't make friends when I come back sophomore year to NYU. But molly and missamericanpie (Jess?) have been really helpful and I think it's going to be all right. :)</p>

20

<p>Moosey, as far as I know there aren't history of the universe or life science classes here. But i took Econ I first semester and am taking Econ II now. I know some friends who are taking british politics, intro to psych, imperialism,... so there are variety of courses that you can choose as your elective, in addition to the classes that you are obligated to take like writing I-II, cultural found. I-II and social found. I-II. We dont get to interact so much in ULU but we got to know A LOT of students who live in Nido- our student housing. You see them at the cafe and there are bunch of events that you can join, so meeting with new people should not be a problem.</p>