Graduating senior here, will answer questions

Colleges and Universities New York University
#1

<p>Hi, all. I made a thread like this about a year ago, but I thought I'd start a new one.</p>

<p>I'll introduce myself with some quick facts. I'm a chemistry major in the CAS Class of 2007. I'm in the Honors track for my major, and I'm doing research to write a Senior Honors Thesis. I took the MCAT in April 2006, and I'm currently in the process of applying to medical schools for entry in the fall of this year. I entered NYU in 2003 as a Presidential Honors Scholar with a significant merit scholarship. This is my fourth year as a Peer Educator. I studied abroad in London in Fall 2004. I've lived in Weinstein, Lafayette, and Palladium. I'm an out-of-state student.</p>

<p>I'm willing to answer any and all questions about my NYU experience with the exceptions of chances for admission and "what's it like living in this dorm that's not Weinstein, Lafayette, or Palladium." On those two subjects, I don't believe I'm qualified to provide information beyond generalities like, "Higher test scores never hurt!" or "There are no bad NYU dorms."</p>

<p>So if you've got questions, feel free to ask! I'll do my best to give a good response.</p>

#2

<p>Was it hard getting around NY at first? How long did it take you before you were used to it? Should I stay in NY a month before school actually starts?</p>

#3

<p>Does the lack of a concrete campus (e.g. Columbia's campus) affect life as a freshman? Does it make it harder to make friends? Get around (see above)? Stuff like that.</p>

#4

<p>Throwing my 2c in here since I'm a graduating senior too, but in Stern.</p>

<p>iceprincess: No, it's super easy. Once you figure out that streets increase in number going north, and avenues increase in number going west, you've got the basics down already. Subways take a little while, but nothing that requires any extra effort. Just come when everyone else comes :D</p>

<p>sidjenks: I don't really think so, but I've never had a real campus, so I can't really compare. I mean, I don't think a lawn would've made me any friends, and if you're in a traditional-style dorm, the setup's the same as any other college (at least, UMich, since I have visited those dorms before) and you'll be forced to go to the dining hall, etc, etc. If you try, you'll make friends, easy. Everyone else will be just as desperate to make friends!</p>

<p>I think it's equally easy to get around - possibly more, since all the buildings are clustered fairly close together. Nothing like the sprawling campuses I've seen (I'm thinking Ohio State, where I've gotten lost in on many a Science Olympiad trip).</p>

#5

<p>youkosiren's right on the money, but I'll add my input, too.</p>

<p>iceprincess: Staying in NY for a month before school is expensive and overkill. If you were smart enough to figure out how to apply to NYU, there's no reason you can't figure out how to read a subway map. In Freshman Orientation you should receive information on how to navigate NYC. In other words, just chill. :)</p>

<p>sidjenks:</p>

<p>People blame the lack of a campus for a so-called lack of community. There's a lot of community out there, and it's not going to come crawling to you, begging for your attention. It's your responsibility to get out there and make friends.</p>

<p>As for getting around, I don't really think the lack of campus has an effect. This doesn't hold true for majors that require studio, but in general, it doesn't take longer than 15 minutes to get from class to class. Often, it takes much less time. If you're talking about navigating the city, see my response to iceprincess.</p>

#6

<p>hey, i have a question about the grading system..</p>

<p>Is it tough, like CAS economics major for example...</p>

<p>Are people really competitive, or are they helpful and cooperative?</p>

<p>Also, Does NYU tend to practice grade deflation or inflation? what's the average GPA of freshmen at NYU CAS?</p>

<p>And also, is it hard to transfer from CAS economics to Stern? What are the requirements? thanks!!!!!!!!</p>

#7

<p>jae6forever:</p>

<p>Your questions come up over and over again, so for a more complete response, you ought to search the forum.</p>

<p>Grading's not tough here. You should definitely be able to get a 3.0 GPA, and with a little work, a 3.5. To get 3.7, you'll have to do some work, and 3.9+ requires a significant amount of effort. In general, grading's quite fair.</p>

<p>Competitiveness depends on the person. In general, people like to help each other - sort of the "rising tide lifts all boats" sort of thing, I guess. You'll get one or two people who aren't interested in helping at all, though.</p>

<p>Grade deflation or inflation... I never understand what those terms mean. I certainly feel like I deserved all the grades I've gotten. No idea what the average freshman GPA is. I'm guessing it's around a 3.5, give or take a few tenths of a point.</p>

<p>Transfer requirements can be found on the NYU website. Look those up yourself. As for difficulty, it's not easy, but it certainly can be done. Read up on your deadlines and such and make sure you turn everything in early.</p>

#8

<p>shades
How difficult is moving in day? I cringe at the thought of driving into NY city, but I can't think of any way to get everything there without driving in. Is there more than one move in day or does everybody arrive the same day? Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!</p>

#9

<p>I'm a freshman so I'll add a little bit...
Personally lack of community was really hard for me...I came from a very large high school with a lot of community. Yeah you can go out and join clubs and stuff but overall there isn't much community...you kind of have to make it yourself. That was the major thing I was battling with first semester.
I've never really had trouble making friends but here I found it harder. It's nice if you live in a dorm that's social. I lived in Uhall and the rumors are true, unless you really put an effort in it's not social at all.
Personally it seems like you're independent in the city and just going to classes.
But that's just one point of view.</p>

#10

<p>What is the student vibe? are there a lot of preppies? (im from a prep school)
Do most people have groups of friends, one or two close friends, or are most people on their own for the most part?</p>

#11

<p>you mentioned that you were applying to med schools and you are a chemistry major. I was planning on majoring in biology then on to med school.. does NYU have good premed programs?</p>

#12

<p><em>lol</em> Lots of people all at once, huh? Okay, here we go.</p>

<p>ps1mom: I'll be honest, driving into NYC wasn't the best cartrip I've ever had, but well, it's inevitable. Try and get there as early as possible. Consider breaking luggage up in smaller pieces that can be easily carried up stairs in the event that the elevators are totally jammed or that your room is on the 2-4 floors. I believe there's only one move-in day, but I could be wrong. Ask NYU Housing about that.</p>

<p>morningstar23: I hope you're finding things to be okay. I think it's important to realize that you don't necessary find best friends right away, so it takes a little time. What's important is to keep working at it, join clubs, do things you find interesting, etc.</p>

<p>coffeetoffee646: What do you mean by "preppy"? Popped collars and Adidas shoes? Regardless, it's kinda of hard to sum up "most people." Some people have one or two close friends, some people have lots of friends, and some people are loners. There's no data that shows the average student's average number of friends.</p>

<p>deferred111: Bah, biology. Everyone and their mom's a bio major. :P Go chemistry! For the classes of 2005 and 2006, we had the CAS valedictorian, and this year we've got a Rhodes scholar! Bio can't beat that. :D Anyway, cheerleading for my department aside, NYU's pre-med classes and pre-med advising is pretty good. Though I guess I'll feel better when I know where I'm going. :)</p>

#13

<p>hm shades, i guess since you got in with a merit scholarship you probably had less to worry about the financial side of NYU
but if anyone else can answer too, how much, from the $50,000 cost, did you have to spend to attend NYU?
i'm debating between NYU and USC, and i really reeeeeally would rather go to NYU for the fact like someone said it's like you're independent, just going to classes (i'd totally love taht)
but $ is a big barrier between me and NYU. i'm guessing loans and some scholarships can work, but still it's a lot of money.
what did you guys do?</p>

#14

<p>what do you guys recommend to do to make friends and meet people? how do you join clubs and what else is there to do to meet people and make friends? I know theres many things to do but What did you guys usually do for fun on friday and the weekends</p>

#15

<p>Do you know any commuters? If so, to what extent does not living on campus make things more difficult in terms of socializing and academic performance?</p>

<p>Thanks for volunteering yourself to answer all of our questions!</p>

#16

<p>papercuts: Money isn't really a problem for me because my parents are (relatively) well-off and I got a big merit scholarship. That being said, without my scholarship NYU would've been absolutely out of the question. I know that there are people taking out 100% of the cost in loans to attend. I don't know about the wisdom of that, but that's how devoted some people are. Some people have work-study, and other people work part-time doing various jobs. Some people combine multiple sources of funding - scholarships, work-study, loans, etc. I honestly can't give you more concrete ideas because I don't work for the Office of Financial Aid nor do I know your financial particulars.</p>

<p>2pacalypse: You join clubs by getting their info, going to their meetings, and following whatever procedures they have for joining. Good ways to meet people are going to class, study/homework sessions, volunteer work, and other activities. As for fun, it depends on your idea of fun. If you like restaurants and clubbing, you're in luck. If you like band shows and browsing record stores, you're in luck. If you like bookstores and poetry readings... you're in luck. Honestly, if you can't find something to do (even if it's not expensive), you're not looking hard enough. There's a TON of stuff to do.</p>

<p>QNYergrl: I do know some commuters, and they do have more difficulty "feeling connected" to the NYU community. Commuting probably has an effect on their ability to attend study sessions or professors' office hours, so that might affect their academic performance. As for socializing, NYU tries really hard to provide commuter-specific info and activities, but I don't know about their efficacy. If you're gonna commute, you're just going to have to be a little more on top of things since you have a significant physical distance separating you from the school.</p>

#17

<p>1psmom: My parents & I were in NYC the day before move-in day and Rubin staff let us move in right away. It made things 100x easier than waiting in line the next day (the line for the elevators was so long, I ended up walking up 12 flights of stairs with my flat of bottled water). I wouldn't rely on it though, since it's completely possible they'll turn you away.</p>

<p>2pacalypse: Go to the club fair the first week or two and start going to things that look interesting. That, and just being friendly with people from orientation & your classes, will make it so much easier to make friends.</p>

<p>QNYergrl: I actually know a few commuters. It does make hanging out a little more difficult, since people can't call you up on a whim and expect you to leg it down for a dinner in 5 minutes, but if you make yourself available, I don't think it should be hard in terms of socializing. I've also never heard my friends complain too much about being academically affected; however, you might live much farther away.</p>

#18

<p>I'm currently a freshman here - Do either of you know of any CAS economics majors getting job offers investment banking?</p>

#19

<p>Whats the social life like? Do alot of people drink? Is NYU real tough on drinking, wha about NYC cops?</p>

#20

<p>Are any of you familiar with the Sports Management program, or know anyone who is in it?</p>