Published April 01, 2025
The NYU Experience in Five Defining Moments
NYU isn’t a traditional college experience—it’s a city, a mindset, and a collection of moments that shape you. Instead of summarizing my last four years in a linear way, these five moments define my time at NYU. They highlight the academic, creative, and personal growth that came with them. Ultimately, each experience built upon the last, forming a journey that was both challenging and rewarding.
Moment 1: Finding My People—Building Community at NYU
When I first arrived at NYU, I constantly heard that making friends at a city school without a traditional campus would be difficult. However, I quickly realized that at NYU, community doesn’t just happen—you build it. On my first day in my first-year residence hall, I met two of the most important people in my life: my best friend and my boyfriend of three years. That moment alone changed the course of my NYU experience.
Beyond my residence hall, NYU provided countless opportunities to form lasting connections. Through Admissions Ambassadors, I met passionate, driven students who became my closest friends. Additionally, Literacy Matters, a club dedicated to education and equity, connected me with like-minded individuals who inspire me every day. These friendships grounded me in a city that can sometimes feel overwhelming, proving that even in the busiest of places, true connection is possible.
Takeaway: NYU teaches self-reliance, but it also shows the importance of meaningful relationships
Moment 2: A Seat in the Audience—Broadway, Museums, and the Arts
One of the biggest perks of living in New York? The arts aren’t just entertainment—they’re part of your everyday life. My first Broadway show was a spur-of-the-moment decision with friends my first year. Since then, years later, I’ve seen nearly 50 shows. Museums like the Met and MoMA have become my favorite study retreats, offering both inspiration and a quiet escape from the city’s bustle. Furthermore, NYU has a box office that provides discounted student tickets, making these experiences even more accessible. These opportunities shaped my creativity and broadened my perspective. NYU’s location gave me access to an artistic education far beyond the classroom.
Takeaway: The arts weren’t just a pastime—they were a fundamental part of my NYU experience, shaping my perspective and enriching my education.
Moment 3: A World Beyond Washington Square—Studying Abroad
NYU isn’t just in New York—it’s global. Because of this, I took the opportunity to study abroad in NYU London, which pushed me outside my comfort zone in ways I never expected. I got to see London, Paris, and Madrid while also traveling across Ireland and Scotland with my best friends. I visited authors’ houses where the literature I study for my degree was created and even saw Shakespeare’s plays performed at the Globe Theatre. In contrast to my time in New York, being away for a semester gave me a deeper appreciation for the university’s reach beyond Washington Square Park. It was one of the most transformative parts of my college journey.
Takeaway: Studying away wasn’t just about academics—it reshaped my understanding of the world and my place in it.
Moment 4: The Late Nights—Writing My Honors Thesis
Choosing an honors thesis topic felt like defining my entire academic career in a single project. Initially, I was excited, but I quickly faced the reality of long research nights, self-doubt, and the pressure to create something meaningful. However, then came the breakthroughs—finding the perfect source, finally articulating my argument, or receiving encouraging feedback from my advisor. My thesis focuses on Latin American speculative fiction, a topic I am deeply passionate about, and I will soon present my research at the Undergraduate Research Conference. NYU is great about supporting research, and this experience has been one of the most rewarding of my academic career. My thesis represents the synthesis of everything I have absorbed at NYU. It showcases how the university constantly pushes me to question assumptions and expand my intellectual limits.
Takeaway: Writing my thesis wasn’t just an academic exercise—it was proof of my growth as a thinker and researcher.
Moment 5: What NYU Gave Me
As graduation approaches, I notice the small things—how the city feels different now, how my confidence has grown, and how I carry myself with more certainty. Not only did NYU prepare me academically, but it also shaped my independence, ambition, and resilience. Because of this, I feel ready for the next chapter. This institution gave me more than a degree. It gave me the ability to navigate anything—a new city, a challenging career, or the unknown future ahead.
Takeaway: NYU gave me the confidence and adaptability to take on whatever comes next.
NYU was never simply about coursework—it was about the moments that truly defined my journey. From forging lifelong friendships to immersing myself in the arts, from studying abroad to writing my honors thesis, these five experiences transformed me in ways I never anticipated. If someone were to ask, “What’s it like to go to NYU?”—this is the story I would share.
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