New York University Top Questions

Definitely do the early decision to NYU --BUT-- defer when you are accepted and take your first two years at a community college and live at home. Still living with Mom will suck but as awesome as Freshman year was (at times) it was a $50,000 roller coaster ride. The friends you end up keeping from high school and the early years of college you would have been friends with / met in later classes, guaranteed. The others you could have done without. Focus more on actually doing your work instead of cutting corners. Use (high school) Senior summer to stabilize your drinking limits (**very important for all college freshman**). Do NOT get that extra credit card. Don't listen to Mom, get a part-time job; the city is expensive and Mom can't afford both our bills. Consider, just consider, joining a club. Oh yeah, and if guys even give you the slightest gay vibe, DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT date them. Don't wait until Sophomore year for an internship, go right for them, the more connections when you graduate, the better. And don't get too serious, college is fun, go out, enjoy it!

?Remember that you?re going to be a freshman all over again, but it?s a bit different this time around.? Slightly-from-the-future-Me says to slightly-from-the-past-Me. ?Be confident, but not arrogant. Arrogance earns you a beating. Remember the freshmen YOU wanted to beat up? Don?t be one of them, but I warn you that weakness doesn?t gain sympathy; college students are compassionate, but competitive. Don?t let your guard down.? Slightly-from-the-past-Me nods in understanding. ?Bad grades don't signify the end of the world, but that doesn?t mean you can let your grades fall. You?ll pay for that later.? "But have fun, enjoy yourself. College is where you meet some of the most interesting people in your entire lifetime." However, I?ll leave you with this warning" Slightly-from-the-future-Me says sternly. "Don?t eat ?all-you-can eat? in the dining halls because you feel like you should get the most out of your meal plan. You?ll regret it by the end of the semester when you can?t lose that tire around your waist."

Prepare yourself. College is going to be a lot more work than you expected, and you will make mistakes. But it is important to not get discouraged. You are going to school to learn, so don't expect to already know everything. When you encounter a problem, don't view it as a road block, but rather a detour. It is an opportunity to think on your feet and find new solutions. And most importantly, learn to collaborate. The other students at school are not your competition, but rather your support group. Listen to their ideas, and let them help you.

If i was to go back to me as a senior in highschool i would press the issue on scholarships and finding other ways to pay for school. I would let myself know that the entire financial burden of school would be on me. I would also tell myself to pick a school that i want to go to and stick with, that transferring in and out of schools can cause set backs in my education plan. I'd tell myself to make sure to make the most of the on campus facilities, events, and student activities. You never know what imformation is there that is benefical. I'd also let myself know to build better relationships with my professors in order to have references done and also possible mentors.

I was scared as a high school senior, but I don't think I was nearly as scared as I should've been. I underestimated this transition, and, as a result, was entiely overwhelmed when things started to go wrong. To be frank, I'm not happy here all the time, and I didn't expect that. I'd built this place up in my mind so much, and my high school senior self needs to be smacked in the face. I'm glad I came here, but I want my younger self to really think of our reasons for coming here, and attempt to make a more informed decision. If the result was once again NYU, then so be it. But if it was somewhere else, then I would've needed to accept that. Also, I'd avise myself to not be so afraid of the counselor. She really is very helpful. Just because the high school counselor attempted to crush all your dreams doesn't mean you shouldn't give this one a chance. You'll like her a lot once you take the leap, I promise. Don't wait so long next time.

One advice is that I should always work hard and strive to do my best because the things that I plant now will grow later. In other words whatever I do now will reflect on my future so the harder I work the better chance I have for a succesful future. Also the more relationships I form with other people the more connections in the future.

I would tell myself to look into financial aid more. I'd warn myself to figure out what I'd want to do before applying. I'd also say that it'd be alright despite the pressure and frustration I could still have fun with my real friends from home.

I would tell myself, that studying is key to success. That there will be plenty of time for social events, but it isnt the end goal of high school. Being involved and giving back is also important, not just taking up space. I would say that taking time off in between, isn't always such a good idea; it takes longer to get back and is not easy the older you get. I would suggest investigating all options of education, grants and scholarships available, prior to deciding. That it is okay not to know for sure what you want to do when it is all over, changing majors is alright, but it isn't alright to not go to college. Life doesnt just happen, you have to be active in your future.

If I Knew Then? There are so many little things I would tell myself if I could go back in time, even just one year. Firstly, I would tell myself not to apply early decision to a school I was not guaranteed to afford. Instead I would have applied early decision to Columbia as it offers full tuition to students whose parents make under 60,000 a year. Of course I was unaware of this or the fact that NYU?s financial aid was so minimal at the time. And, in that situation, if I did not get into Columbia chances are I still would have received admission to NYU, whereas now I find myself struggling to afford even the spring semester. I would congratulate myself on my academics and advise myself to keep it up, even when it seems daunting. I would also advise myself to take the ACT at least once more. I would also tell myself not to worry so much about leaving Missouri, missing my family, and making new friends, as everything gets better in time. I would tell myself, no matter what I decide, to make sure it was something I would feel proud of.

Dear Rachel (high school senior), Relax! It is all going to work out just fine. You are going to love New York, and it will become home sooner than you think. Chemitry class is going to be harder than you expect so dont let it slide! And, just because it is a quiz that doesn't mean you dont have to study for it. Also, do not be afraid to ask for help from professors, TAs, or even other students; it will help you in the long run. Be nice to those around you, especially when your stressed because they will help you make the transition from a high schooler living at home to an independent woman. Most of all though, just remember that you can do it, even when it seems hard. I am here to tell you that you not only survived, but you succeeded. Love, Rachel (second semester college freshman)