Finding my place between NYU’s Washington Square and Brooklyn Campuses

When people think about NYU, they usually picture the sunny Washington Square Park arch, street performers, and the buzz of Manhattan. Although that has been a big part of my college life, what many people don’t realize is that NYU also has a second, very different campus just across the river, in Brooklyn.

I’m a double major in Computer Science at NYU Tandon and Economics at CAS, which means my college experience is split between the Washington Square (WSP) and Brooklyn campuses. Instead of feeling divided, though, it’s honestly felt like getting the best of both worlds.

A Convenient 15-Minute Commute 

One of the biggest surprises when I started at NYU was how easy it is to move between the two campuses. On most days, I just hop on the subway near Washington Square, and about 15 minutes later, I’m in Downtown Brooklyn! NYU also has free shuttle buses running across the two campuses, but I personally prefer the subway.

That short commute has shaped my routine in a good way. I might start my morning in Manhattan, grabbing coffee near class, head to Brooklyn for an afternoon lab, and end the day back in the Village, meeting friends or going to a club event. It feels less like switching campuses and more like moving between two neighborhoods of the same university.

Manhattan: Community, Energy, and Endless Opportunities

My CAS classes and many of my extracurriculars are based around Washington Square. There’s a certain academic energy here that’s very discussion-driven, for example, smaller seminars, debates about economic policy, professors connecting theory to what’s happening in the world right now.

Outside class, the main campus is where a lot of the broader NYU community lives. Clubs, events, guest speakers, networking sessions, and career fairs; there’s always something happening. It’s also where I’ve found on-campus jobs and met students from every major imaginable.

Being surrounded by Manhattan also means opportunities don’t stop at the classroom. Internships, research talks, industry panels, they’re often just a short walk or subway ride away.

Brooklyn: Engineering, Innovation, and Hands-On Learning

Not to say Tandon doesn’t have all of that, but the campus has a completely different vibe. The Brooklyn campus feels like an engineering hub: modern labs, maker spaces, robotics equipment, and collaborative project rooms.

My CS classes here are much more hands-on and build-focused. Instead of only learning concepts, we’re constantly applying them, building systems, working in teams, and testing ideas. It’s very much an engineering mindset: learn it, build it, improve it.

The campus itself also has a tight-knit feel. Because it’s smaller and more specialized, you run into the same classmates in labs, project meetings, and study spaces. It creates a strong sense of community among students working on similar technical paths.

Two Academic Worlds, One Education

Studying Economics at CAS and Computer Science at Tandon has shown me how different academic cultures can complement each other.

CAS courses tend to be more theoretical and discussion-based. You’re analyzing models, debating policy, and thinking about big-picture systems. Tandon courses are more applied and engineering-focused: you’re building, coding, and solving concrete problems.

Moving between them has shaped how I think. I might leave an economics lecture thinking about markets and incentives, then head to a CS lab and think about how technology actually implements those systems. Together, they give me both conceptual understanding and technical ability.

Living Between Two Sides of NYU

What I’ve come to love most is that I don’t feel like I belong to just one campus, but rather both.

I get the social energy and breadth of the Manhattan campus, plus the technical depth and innovation environment of Brooklyn. I’ve met friends, mentors, and collaborators in both places, and my daily routine naturally connects them.

For prospective students considering NYU (especially those interested in multiple fields), having access to two distinct campuses is a huge advantage. You’re not limited to one academic atmosphere or one type of student experience.

You get both.

And sometimes, all it takes to move between them is a 15-minute subway ride!