<p>Every time I go on u-n-i-g-o or c-o-l-l-e-g-e p-r-o-w-l-e-r I am confronted with many stories of people who said NYU lacks community, that it is hard to find friends, that they have no friends, etc. Even NYU's own website says "this is not the school for everyone". </p>
<p>I understand that there isn't a campus, but I find it hard to believe that everyone is so much of an "individual" that there literally isn't a way to integrate yourself into some sort of community. </p>
<p>Can someone please tell me a friendship story?</p>
<p>I took an intensive french class this semester, (12 kids total). Soon into the semester, we were all friends on facebook and now many of us regularly hang-out. The difficulty at NYU is that most people aren’t social in their dorms usually. (This probably has two causes: (1) NYU is in New York, so students don’t spend much time in their dorms. They typically prefer to get out and do things in the city. (2) Upperclassmen dorms are all suite style. So by default, this means less socialization). At NYU, you’ll usually have to make friends in your classes because of this. It’s really not as difficult as some people make it seem. </p>
<p>However, NYU isn’t by any means a state/big ten/etc. school. There is no real “frat scene”, since the frats are small. There also aren’t really dorm parties, since the RA’s will quickly shut those down. Most of the partying is done outside, in the actual city - bars, clubs, etc. So if you’re looking for the “traditional” party/big frat/social school that might come from a state/big ten, you WILL NOT find it here.</p>
<p>CollegeGuru,</p>
<p>Start with the thread about Project Outreach and its blog that I just put up.</p>
<p>My S has many different friendship groups he interacts with. He has befriended kindred spirits who love music and he started working and socializing with students from various schools and planned majors at NYU. He has friends who reflect all the talents of schools and depts. like Tisch (photography and art design), Clive Davis Dept. of Recorded Music, CAS Economics (business), CAS (Social Sciences and Humanities; Pre-Med). S is making music and doing gigs (with music management/business thrown in). The students all have a lot of fun, challenges as they put together shows and events.</p>
<p>S also met up with a group of students with diverse talents and interests who will room together in a large 6 person suite at NYU Sophomore year. They will be cooking, shopping for each other (this involves members from another suite in the same dorm, Coral Towers). They have also offered each other support the past academic year. To the point that they were trying to support, counsel and encourage one friend who was struggling with class attendance and school work. They made a point of reminding him to attend classes (calling him up) and exhorting him to keep up with his school work. The rest of the students are serious about their school work and make sure to attend and participate in classes. Really a nice friendship group. Some of the group members planned a spring trip together out of the country. They have been good friends and support to each other. A beautiful thing to see even to a spectator (like myself).</p>
<p>My freshman year at NYU has been of the defining experiences of my life. It passed by so fast. I’ve met so many caring, talented, exceptional people, and I’m so grateful that my life has been touched by them. As someone who had trouble making close friends in high school I didn’t have high hopes in terms of community coming in, but I made more good friends in the past year then I’ve made all my life. One advice I offer to anyone worried about community is to apply to Goddard Residence Hall. Another is to be open and friendly, and to see the best in everyone. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there, there’s nothing to lose, and what you gain might surprise you.</p>
<p>Thanks for the stories! It’s good hearing accounts of NYU NOT being the anti-social meca that everyone makes it out to be.</p>