New York University

I grew up in NYC and attended NYU as if it was some local commuter school. It was about 20 minutes away from my house by foot. Yes, it seems almost surreal that I am one of the few poor local inner city kids who got a chance to go to a highly rated college, especially an expensive and well known institution such as NYU. I came to the school paying a meager tuition of $10,000 per year without room and board. The rest was taken care by a scholarship and some grants I received. This was in the mid to late 90's and NYU sure has changed since then. Not much in terms of the education and culture, but the buildings/infrastructure and faces have changed over the years. The tuition has skyrocketed and what hasn't these days if I may ask. People today are paying more because the school provides more. I didn't have WiFi internet access around campus and all the small luxuries when I was there. The few pet peeves I have with the school are that it is somewhat unfriendly to its students. It is managed like a large corporation and the students are like numbers, where they are easily replaceable at will. The other is the Bobst library, which is outdated and too small/cramped for a university such as NYU. They really need to do something about the Bobst in terms of keep up with the times. In terms of my experience, I would describe it as OK. It could have been better, but definately not worse. I often felt left out because I was stacked against with the more outspoken students with superior upbringing. They were either White or Upper crust Asian whose parents had money and education. I came from a humble working class background and was the first to attend college. But that didn't stop me from getting the things I wanted in life. I made friends, even study aboard and have kept in touch with 2 professors who are still teaching in the university. Today, I have re-entered the university as a part time continuing education student with a totally different outlook. I feel much more confident with the school, and see it as a powerful institution more than anything else. Being older, I can now appreciate NYU with its diverse resources that can be "exploited" when one graduates. It is probably the only school where its alumni can reconnect or utilize it to the fullest. This is the real beauty/return of the school. I can buy books from the computer store and professional bookstore needed for my job. I can go to the Bobst library and attend some of the classes for free to kill time. Now what school has a computer store? Many of you will not realize it until you get a little older. My advice is to trust your instincts, live life to the fullest and never give up. NYU is for go-getters and it has the resources (this includes all the people and fellow students) for you to reach your goals!

Alumnus Male -- Class 2000