A Place to Find Yourself

Introduction
NYU attracts the curious. That was me all throughout junior high and high school. I was a curious student with solid academics and a need to know more. I was always pushing myself to do more than the average student, even more than I ever though was possible! I went to high school in Arkansas, a place where students usually choose state colleges (even colleges in our hometown!) after high school. I wanted more. I had always dreamed about being in the Big Apple. And I think that is precisely how people make it to NYU. The Princeton Review has rated NYU the #1 Dream School for quite a while. I didn't know that until I was already a student at NYU, but it makes total sense now. I had always dreamed of being a student at NYU without even visiting. I couldn't afford to visit NYC to take a college tour, so I applied early decision on a whim during the first semester of my high school junior year. I only applied to one other college, the best state college in Arkansas, as my backup. Deep inside, though, I was hoping I wouldn't have to use my backup. I was always destined for higher places. Luckily, my little stunt of hope paid off, and I was accepted. My dream started to manifest itself with the "large packet" -- my acceptance letter. (Everyone always dreads the small letters...) Before opening it, I started screaming. I then proceeded to rip off the top, shuffle through the brochure, and call my mom to share the good news.

Jumping back to dreaming though, I must mention that NYU is not a school for the weak-minded. You must be open to change and creative. The atmosphere is highly competitive and always changing. Those who need stability, constant understanding, and roots, may not be build for the City, which is NYU's campus. Living in the city that doesn't sleep is hard enough, and some students aren't cut out for the independence that going to NYU entails. The campus is definitely not your traditional campus. Our classrooms are spread across Washington Square Park, with multiple buildings and residence halls. We have no entrance gate or grassy knolls, but what we do have is even better: NYC. It's a tough place to live, but in experiencing college life in such an impersonal and bustling city, students are really able to find themselves. Like they say, if you can make it here, you can make it anywhere.

My biggest piece of advise is to dream. Do what you feel is right for you, and don't let your others influence your decision. The majority of my high school friends stayed in Arkansas. No one applied to NYU with me. My financial adviser in high school encouraged me to choose a college that was more affordable. My grandparents urged me to move to Ohio with them, and stay away from New York, where "gang bangers and thugs" live.

Following my heart, I made the best decision I've made to date: choosing NYU.

Campus Life and Social Life
NYU has almost every club one could wish to join. We have an tons of volunteer organizations, a few religious groups, lots of specific interest clubs, and even a Milk and Cookies club, where people gather to eat cookies and drink milk. Seriously, it's pretty crazy to think of all of the options! I'm a part of many clubs. I take most pride in being a part of China Care NYU, however, which I helped found in 2005 with four friends. We raise money for disabled Chinese orphans to receive surgeries, be adopted, and find foster homes in China. Being a part of a club can really help the adjustment period between being a high school student and becoming a college student. Finding people who cared about the same issues as I did is what really helped me find my niche at NYU.

As for the party scene, hands down -- we win! We're in New York City, for crying out loud! This city is mad! Jazz, Europop, techno, Arabic -- whatever you want, you can find it. On a typical weekend, I make it to at least two parties. Usually, students do not have classes on Fridays. So, the weekend, essentially, begins on Thursday night. My friends and I like to do a variety of things on the weekends -- museums, concerts, hookah lounges, clubs, parks, trips outside the city... the possibilities are nearly endless! Academics
One of the deciding points for choosing NYU Stern School of Business, for me, was the top-notch academics. The professors are all leading researchers or authorities in their fields, and most departments are also top in their studies. Stern is most known for the finance department, but the International Business department is also very notable. The Tisch School for the Arts is also very well-known in theater and film. The College of School and Arts offers a variety of majors, as well. I feel that NYU sets many standards for academics. Academics are what make a college, and I stand firmly when behind the academic programs at NYU.

Student Body
The student body is very diverse. I just can't stress it enough! This school allowed me to break out of my shell and find myself. I came to NYU as a conservative Arkansas, and I will leave as an open-minded world citizen. NYU allows students to explore the truths of their inner-makings. With such a diverse student population, you are forced to ask yourself, "Who am I?" almost on a regular basis. This is a great exercise for someone like me who had always been taught to blend in and do what was "right", but who also always wanted to break free of the constraints of social guidelines. NYU gave me the opportunity to think for myself and to overcome the societal pressures to fit in. I learn more about myself and others around me every day by being open to change and learning. If I wouldn't have come to NYU, I'm not sure this would have been possible.

In Closing...
NYU will change your life!