Hello! I don’t know very much about NYU other than stats about their average SAT scores, so I wanted to ask what the social makeup was like (or at least what the stereotype is). Thank you so much for any feedback !
I live and work in NYC not far. The social makeup is not like other schools. Lot’s of commuter’s and no campus makes it a very unique school. Drug use is very high and I have friends with kids there that are very unhappy with the climate.
Mostly upper middle class or upper class students, American and international, as well as some NYC students who commute.
My daughter just graduated from NYU and found the culture to be nothing like HootieA commented. She lived in the NYU dorms for 3 years and moved into an apartment as a senior. None of the people she met were commuters. There is a very diverse student body. She met many people dedicated to their studies and many extracurricular activities. They were smart and interested in world events. She participated in many fundraising activities and clubs sponsored by the school. She also joined a sorority to give her more of a “regular” college experience. She does socialize but never spoke about “high” drug use (I have a younger daughter at another university and I don’t think the drug use is higher than at any other schools these days). Most of her friends were interested in creating their path towards successful careers and that was their mindset. NYU is definitely not for everyone given that there is no campus and you do have to work harder to make friends if you do not live in the dorms, however, there are plenty of opportunities to meet like minded people. You also have to want to be in an urban setting. But if you want an urban setting, there is no better place than NYC. Her classes all pushed her to take advantage of and appreciate the many cultural resources that are in NYC. Please feel free to ask me any other questions!
@jbtcat thank you so much ! I was a little hesitant because the NYU campus is definitely different from most schools, but your info really helped to assuage my concerns. (I was mostly worried about it being socially isolating to live without a campus or it secretly being a party school.) Again, thank you so much for your help; I really appreciate it!
I second what jbtcat says. As a mother with 2 daughters who attended for undergrad and grad school, it is not known as a party school. Do some students get high and drink?–certainly. But it is not out of control and I think the student body tends to be focused and smart. On-campus partying is very controlled. You do have to work harder at friendships because not everyone is conveniently located down the hall or across the quad. But both D’s are very good friends with former roommates and made many friends within their majors, clubs and dorm floors which they have maintained post graduation.
@katefjkd,I also agree with @jbtcat, my daughter is a freshman and she absolutely loves it there. She has made several friends thru two of the clubs that she’s joined and she also has friends that she grew up with attending the school who are sophomores and a junior. Please do not be discourage in applying.
You will not be able to select your roommate as a freshman. It is really random, but the school tries to room you with someone from a different region. My daughter is in a double suite with one roommate and two suite mates and they all have hit it off well.