questions: double majoring, philosophy, college life

Colleges and Universities A-Z New York University
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<p>in the past few weeks i've only recently discovered NYU as a school i really might love to go to. i have no clue how i overlooked it, especially considering i want a place in a big city, with an artsy student body, diversity in culture and interest, forward-thinking (and liberal) people, students passionate about their studies, and enough resources and academic freedom for me to explore multiple fields.</p>

<p>math and science are mos def my fortes, but my interests go WAY beyond that. i don't see myself having only one major... i hope to double in one lib/arts and one math/sci. some people call me a human calculator (oh god... ) and others say there's no way i'm not majoring in philosophy. i write pretty much every day in my journal and am quite the contemplative, reflective, and profound thinker.</p>

<p>having said that, i don't know if anyone else knows about this, but NYU's undergraduate philosophy department was rated #1 in the nation here:
<a href="http://www.philosophicalgourmet.com/overall.htm%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.philosophicalgourmet.com/overall.htm&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>being a philosophy fan this REALLY looks attractive... but then there's the more important issue of the actual university itself.</p>

<p>Basically what I'm worried about is what life in a big city is really like. I live in Orlando, Fl, which is a sort-of exciting place, and not too exciting if you live here. I just can't wait to graduate from high school (I'm a senior now) and get outa here, away from the south. and by far away, not just geographically, but culturally and from a lifestyle point of view too. NYC just seems oozing with things to do, so many jazz concerts at Birdland, so many cool shops to explore, and most of all, so many people to interact with.</p>

<p>but i guess what i'm wondering is... is there too much to do? if i want privacy, is it obtainable? my dad tells me that nyu is in a bad part of NYC (which i know not to be true), and that the city is just too crazy and loud, too urban. although i love the idea of a sprawling, energetic atmosphere, i certainly appreciate moments of tranquility. is this concept foreign to NYU students, or could i still have a balanced life in this respect?</p>

<p>thanks!!!!!</p>

<p>-Will</p>

<p>for some more insight, here are the other schools on my list: Brown, Columbia, Penn, Georgetown. And some stats: 34 ACT (30 reading, 32 writing, 36 math/sci), 3.92 UW, jazz trombone, etc.</p>

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<p>in terms of double-majoring and such, you might want to check out gallatin if you want to combine different areas, its got lots of academic freedom and lets you put together all sorts of things to make your own major. sorry, 'concentration'.</p>

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<p>I'm a lot like you, I wanted to get away from the South for reasons more than the geography and climate. First time I went to NYC (a few years ago) I was in love. I think, if financially possible, you should try to visit the city, especially Greenwhich Village, if you can. Doing that would probably answer a lot of your questions, because I don't think anyone on this board is going to be able to tell you whether or not you're going to like the city. Personally, I'm able to find "tranquility" in the city. I love the constant motion going on outside and the hum of the streets at night is even comforting to me and when I've spent nights there it's even helped me sleep better. That's just me, though.</p>

<p>I find perfect balance in NYC, but you'll never really know how it will affect you unless you go there yourself.</p>

<p>Good luck with your senior year...senioritis is helllll...haha</p>

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<p>Tell your family that NYU is in the safest precinct in the city. When I was a prospective student, my mum and I asked a police officer in Times Square if the Village/NYU area was safe. She said that it definitely was, quoted us the aforesaid statistic, and noted that Times Square still had trouble with hookers.</p>

<p>If the city were as overstimulating as your father believes it to be, we'd all be hyperactive and migraine-prone. Seriously, it is nowhere as crazy as the movies say it is. That being said, it gets pretty crowded. If you're crowd-phobic, this school isn't for you.</p>

<p>All in all, NYU's a great school for mature people. You've got to be able to deal with a lot of things without freaking out. Good luck with your application. :D</p>

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<p>I'm a current student at NYU, and honestly, you sound like you would absolutely love it here. I just finished my first year here, and I found it to be all of the above things you listed as aspects of NYU and the city that you'd expect.. "a big city, with an artsy student body, diversity in culture and interest, forward-thinking (and liberal) people, students passionate about their studies, and enough resources and academic freedom for me to explore multiple fields"
It's true that NYU has an amazing philosophy department (My friend is majoring in it, and he loves all his classes and professors), so if philosophy is your major of choice, you won't be disappointed. </p>

<p>As for having privacy and moments of tranquility in a big, fast-paced city, it's actually very easily obtainable. For one thing, NYU is one of the few schools that give all of their dorming students private bathrooms per room as opposed to hall-wide communal bathrooms. Additionally, by living in the city, you're able to exericise a lot of independence. In terms of general personality, New Yorkers kind of have this unspoken agreement to simply coexist. You can walk down the street or hang out in Central Park/Washington Square Park and be surrounded by people but still feel as though you have privacy. If you can't tell, i LOVE living in the city!</p>

<p>Safety is almost a nonissue. NYU is located in the village, and whereas all of manhattan is very safe, NYU's area is especially safe. People have misconceptions about how dangerous New York is through the media, but in reality, New York City is one of the safest cities in the country. I have, on numerous occasions, taken walks to the Hudson river very late and night, and I feel completely safe.</p>

<p>Anyway, I hope I was helpful and didn't sound too preachy =) Good luck with your college search and selection!</p>

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<p>hey i live in orlando too :)</p>