Marymount Manhattan College

Date: Sep 20 2010
Major: Perfomance Arts (This Major's Salary over time)
Hm. I feel that every individual who goes to MMC will have a completely different experience and outlook. The fact is, yes, many students transfer out after one or two semesters. But it's difficult to determine if the reason for that is due to a hatred for MMC or an inability to survive in NYC. If you don't like NYC, you won't like Marymount.

I love the fact that you are left to your own devices much of the time. I don't think I could survive at a school that had a huge Greek life or where students are basically coddled by the administration. (Marymount does not have a Greek life, btw). If you decide to dorm, then you have a meal plan (so you won't starve) and a place to live in NYC. The rest is up to you. If you aren't ready to be almost completely independent, this is not the school for you. You have to go beyond the parameters of school to enjoy yourself. Get involved outside of MMC- meet people by joining a gym, going to bars or going to church/temple/etc. For me, the reason I enjoy MMC is because I have built up a network of friends both at Marymount and outside it. If you want your entire life to be at school and on campus, don't go to Marymount.

There is nothing "typical" about college life at MMC. Living in New York is EXPENSIVE and draining. But it can also be wildly exciting. As Sarah Jessica Parker once said, "They say life's what happens when you're busy making other plans. But sometimes in New York, life is what happens when you're waiting for a table".

As for classes, you get a mix of good and bad. Classes for my major (Theater) are GREAT- the professors are knowledgeable and accomplished in their fields. One of the best classes I've ever taken was a Psych course at MMC. My Math teacher was inept. My writ teacher provided a unique learning experience by having us meditate on a regular basis (and we would then go to Central Park for class). One of my writ classes felt like a boring high school class. So you get a mix, but overall I'm pleased with the professors and classes are reasonably challenging.

A majority of the students here are theater/dance/communications majors. This is a great school to perfect your craft as a performer; there are many successful alumni in the acting field (Jenna Ushkowitz, from Glee, recently graduated from MMC and there are several actors on Broadway who went to MMC).

And I feel that you cannot really generalize the people who go to MMC any more than you can generalize the people who live in the USA. I've made an eclectic group of friends here. I've met people who are wildly liberal and I've met people who are extremely conservative. A lot of people are from the tri-state area; but I've also met a high number of international students.

All in all, I'm glad I came to MMC. I sometimes wonder what it's like on a "normal" college campus, where people root for their team at football games and where there are crazy frat parties, but I feel that I'm better suited to a life in NYC. Oh, and you will probably want a fake ID if you come here.