<p>I second dealing with a reputable broker. You know you won’t get ripped off, and legalities are assured. Some say the fee for no-fee apts is rolled into the rent, such that the bottom line is a wash. Our D used brokers twice with great results, including East Village and Brooklyn; both were from craigslist.</p>
<p>^ That’s actually really interesting. It’s definitely not covered in my real estate classes so I guess I’ll learn more about no-fee apartments and how they work through my broker.</p>
<p>Evolving: I know what you mean about things being different with my own daughter than they were for me. I went to school on a scholarship and government grants, along with some loans. My parent gave me what they could, but after my sophomore year (when my brother also was in college) I paid whatever the balance was myself by working two jobs each summer and doing a work study job during the school year. Sigh… Those were the days! We feel fortunate to be able to pay for our daughter’s education–we just wish it was at a more reasonable cost. Our daughter is also extremely happy at NYU and also feels like it is the right place for her, so as they say in the Mastercard commercials: Happiness? Priceless!! :)</p>
<p>My parents had no clue about anything related to my college days, because they refused to help fund my education. They tried to bribe me with a new car and all-expenses paid if I stayed home and went to a major U in Houston. If I chose to go away, I was on my own. So I went car-less and I got enough academic scholarship money to fund three years…and graduated in three years. They gave me $5 a week “spending money” that had to include Sunday dinner when the dining hall was closed. Obviously I worked PT throughout my college years. I did not even know there were loans available. My how things have changed.</p>
<p>Writestuff54: I wonder if our kids realize how hard we had things by comparison! Hopefully they appreciate the opportunities they are being given, particularly by being supported both emotionally and financially. When I read how your parents tried to influence where you went to school, it brought back memories of how my own mother tried to make me feel guilty for leaving home: “We raised you, and this is the thanks we get!” when I expressed the desire to go to an out of state college (which I did in spite of intense pressure not to do so). Let’s hope our support for our kids pays off and they end up emotionally strong and gainfully employed shortly after graduation :)</p>
<p>Wow, industrious and independent parents of NYU students “coming out of the woodworks.” Hmmm, I think that this sampling of parents show how achieving and hardworking NYU college parents are. If I do say so myself. :)</p>
<p>My mom let me know she had contributed around $1000 towards my 12 years of education after high school (4 years college, 8, yes, EIGHT, years of graduate school due to work on my dissertation and many hours working in “low paid” jobs in hospitals and private practices to support myself while finishing up degree requirements). Though the $1000 barely covered my living expense (keep in mind it was 12 years of higher education), especially looking at today’s numbers, I was grateful because that was what my parents could afford. 
Also, I chose to go clear across the other side of the country to pursue my grad studies in CA., so I guess my independent streak resulted in more expenses (could have studied in NYC and lived at home). But the independent skills learned were invaluable!</p>
<p>I came out of all those years with $27,000 in loans. LOL, my friends worried about my ability to pay off the student loans. Actually loan re-payment was a cinch and seemed to be paid off in a relatively short time. These days, that amount seems to be a real bargain! (Basically free ride for Barnard College; grad school was all on my own.)</p>
<p>Wow, we were living in another “age.” Good to reminisce together.</p>
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<p>I’m afraid you’ve been suckered by NYU 
Living in an apartment is way cheaper than on campus! I got an apartment junior year (I’m a senior now). It’s a 20 minute walk from Washington Square in the East Village, and it’s $800/month (5 people in 4 bedrooms)</p>
<p>The average upperclassmen dorm costs $7k/semester and a semester is slightly less than 4 months long. So you’re paying roughly $1750/month to share a room. If she lived in a 3 or 4 bedroom apartment with friends, she would have her own room and still pay less than it costs to share one in a dorm!</p>
<p>However, Palladium is one of the best dorms on campus; it has a dining hall, gym, cheap laundry downstairs, and is on union square. So it comes with privileges she wouldn’t get in an apartment. I guess it’s a trade-off.</p>
<p>Our DD shared an apartment 1/2 mile from NYU/Broadway, three in a two-bedroom (one in the separable living room). With utilities the cost was about the same, but they all liked it much better than Third North where they met, mainly because they each had nearly twice as much space and it was quiet.</p>
<p>The dorms provide some services which must be paid for.</p>