There’s No Place Like Home: NYU’s First-Year Residence Halls

Find Your People

At NYU’s first-year residence halls, everyone is in the same boat. You’re all starting an exciting new chapter. With this in mind, it’s the perfect place to begin building your community. From group events and communal meals to elevator conversations and study sessions, you’ll create friendships that grow throughout your time in college and last far beyond.

“My favorite part about living in Brittany Hall has been meeting new people and building friendships with students from so many different places and backgrounds,” says Aissatou Dia. Aissatou is from Brooklyn and studies nursing at the NYU Meyers College of Nursing. “It’s really nice to walk into the hallway, common spaces, or dining hall and run into people you know. Living here makes it easy to meet someone new almost every day, and those small interactions really help create a sense of connection and community.”

The Big Apple Is Your Backyard

There’s no shortage of entertainment in New York City—you just have to know where to find it. Luckily, your resident assistant (RA) knows a thing or two. NYU first-year residence hall RAs curate free weekly events that get students out and about.

“You get to do so many unique things in the city that you probably would never know about,” says D’Andre South, who lives in Rubin Hall. He’s from Peekskill, New York, and is majoring in Data Science at the College of Arts and Science. “A few weeks ago, they took a group of us to Koreatown to take a salsa dancing class. It was really different but really fun. Every other week we’re trying something new. We tried oxtail sandwiches in Dumbo, ate pasta in Little Italy, and tried a new chai spot in Chinatown that turned out to be one of my favorite places to study.”

Celina Jina, a Finance major at NYU Stern School of Business, had a similar experience. “The Residential College at the Paulson Center hosts exciting events almost every week,” she shared in her recent Meet NYU story about living at Paulson. “They’ve done everything from a Sonny Angel scavenger hunt to Brooklyn Botanic Garden trips.”

Location, Location, Location

New York City’s urban campus is a major draw, but it also means each of its seven first-year residence halls in Manhattan is located on a different block and in a different neighborhood. Getting to know these areas can make a big impact when it comes to ranking the halls you’d like to live in.

“Rubin Hall was my first choice because it is the closest to my classes,” says Sophia Klima. Sophia is from Toronto and is majoring in Real Estate at the School of Professional Studies (SPS). “It’s only two blocks away from the SPS building, making it a very convenient option, especially for morning classes. When I first visited NYU during Weekend on the Square, I walked to multiple NYU first-year residence halls. Rubin was the best option for me. Plus, it had so many amenities so close by. The bank, grocery stores, pharmacies, cafes, and dining halls are all so accessible.”

Advice from First-Year Students

What’s one thing current first-year students want you to keep in mind when it comes to living at NYU? We asked them!

“My advice for making the most of your residence hall is don’t stay in your room! Go to all the Welcome Week events, go to the RA events. You’ll meet a lot of amazing people, explore New York City, and have a ton of fun doing so.” —D’Andre South, Rubin Hall

“[Whether] taking the elevator up to your dorm, meeting your classmates in the dining hall, or spending time with your floormates, each split-second interaction is an opportunity to learn more about their unique stories and deepen your own understanding of the world.” —Celina Jina, Paulson Center

“My advice? Keep your door open when you can and be open to meeting new people. Living in a residence hall is a great opportunity to build friendships and get involved in the community. Taking small steps to connect with others can really make the experience even better.” —Aissatou Dia, Brittany Hall

“I would advise students to do lots of detailed research on where the majority of their NYU classes will be held before selecting a residence hall. But, if you enjoy a strong sense of community and a convenient location close to Washington Square, Rubin Hall is a great fit. The lobby, which used to be an old hotel lobby, also gives the building a rustic Fifth Avenue feel. It’s especially welcoming.” —Sophia Klima, Rubin Hall