The Questions I Was Afraid to Ask About NYU: An FAQ

One of the most common things I heard about NYU before arriving here is the notion that there’s “no campus”. I nervously imagined trying to find random buildings across NYC on my first day, not having support or seeing any classmates. However, I found that this wasn’t the reality at all. Most people I know at NYU actually say that our area does have a strong campus feel.

While our campus isn’t traditional, I certainly feel like we have one. Almost all of our academic buildings and many first year residence halls are centered around Washington Square Park. We call this area our “Academic Superblock”. You can also find most administrative resources in this area, like the Student Health Center and StudentLink Center.

When you’re in this area, it truly does feel like you’re on a college campus. Especially during peak class times, almost everyone I pass by here seems to be an NYU student. I’m constantly running into classmates and people I know. Most buildings in this radius of a few blocks are NYU buildings. You’ll see plenty of campus safety officers and purple flags.

Washington Square Park serves as an unofficial “quad” for many students. On warm days, tons of students are always outside enjoying the weather, playing sports, and hanging out with friends. Even many of the businesses in the area are marketed towards college students, often offering NYU discounts. Because of this, I honestly feel like our little pocket of Greenwich Village has a classic college town feel with a big city twist. I’ve visited a few other universities, and while our campus is certainly the most unique I’ve seen, I don’t feel like I’m missing anything in comparison.

I definitely shared this concern coming from the small city of Indianapolis. I knew I was a more of a city person and always loved New York when I visited, but the idea of moving here alone at 18 years old was still quite daunting. I didn’t know anyone or really anything about the city, and I wasn’t sure if I’d find my way.

It’s true that the city school experience isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s not something to be afraid of. While New York is a huge city, with over a million residents in Manhattan alone, it has so many different neighborhoods that make it feel small. Each neighborhood has so much to offer that you never really have to leave. However, I definitely recommend getting out of your comfort zone and seeing all the unique features of NYC’s variety of neighborhoods.

Living in Lipton Hall my first year, I quickly became comfortable with the Greenwich Village, West Village, and SoHo areas. I honestly didn’t leave the campus area much during my first year because everything I needed was right here. I wanted to become comfortable in my home base before trying to learn everything about the city. I started expanding my horizons to new neighborhoods as I advanced in my academic career.

I now live off campus in Chinatown, and with so much conveniently located nearby, I sometimes forget that I’m in the biggest city in the US. I see the same neighbors every day and go to the same deli each morning. I’m super comfortable getting around without maps and have so many spots that I love, not just in my neighborhood but all around the city. My favorite restaurant is in Glen Oaks, a small neighborhood in Eastern Queens. My favorite park is Inwood Hill, which is located in upper Manhattan near the Bronx. I love that I’ve been able to find these gems while exploring new areas and building my mental map of the city. I definitely feel at home after almost four years of living here.

NYU also really helps to facilitate students getting comfortable with NYC. I won’t lie and say that it wasn’t a huge transition. The first few weeks, I was excited but definitely a bit overwhelmed as well. However, NYU does amazing programming through Welcome Week, where students can go to events around the city that fit their interests. Resident Assistants in your residence hall will also hold free events to explore new places with others who are in the same boat as you. NYU also does a great job of educating students about safety and tips for getting around the city.

This was probably my biggest fear when considering NYU. I’m a pretty introverted person and have never had the easiest time making friends. Because of that, the idea of meeting my people on a nontraditional campus with a huge student body seemed impossible. However, I quickly learned that my fear was unwarranted.

Rest assured that if you put yourself out there, you’ll find it quite easy to make friends. Especially during NYU Welcome and your first semester, everyone is experiencing the same fears. Most people come in knowing no one and are super eager to find community. Everyone is super open and will start conversations literally anywhere.

The community here is actually one of my favorite things about NYU. Like NYC has tons of different neighborhoods that make it feel small, NYU has so many microcommunities that it feels much smaller than it is. Since we have so many students, you can be any type of person you want to, and you’ll find people that appreciate you.

My first friends were through my first year residence hall, which is a pretty common experience. I met them on move-in day and am still friends with some to this day. Since then, I’ve found my people in the most unexpected ways. Many people share that experience, too. One of the most fun things about college is being able to find community where you least expect it. I’ve found myself being part of communities that I didn’t even know existed in high school.

Many people make friends through ResLife, clubs, sports, class, Greek life, or even just being in the right place at the right time. I literally met one of my best friends on the subway heading to a first year welcome event. NYU Welcome also really helps with this, as you can attend events that align with your interests and meet similar people.