"a million years ago, in different times, i was taught during NYU freshman orientation how to fend off an attacker by folding a newspaper four times and hitting him in the eye with the corner..."

ahahah that is really funny.

my advice for girls is to carry perfume around. you end up smelling like shit after walking around in the city or after sitting in the subways. and you can use it to spray it into some creep's eyes instead of pepper spray.

No, really, what's a metrotard?

gwinny,

nyu is not an overpriced community college. it is a diabolical real-estate venture cleverly disguised as an institution of learning.

that said. i think your advice was the best. if you're going to spend heaps of cash, get yourself a real education.

Here's a big tip i forgot to give:

Don't go to Misshapes under any circumstances. Whatever anyone tells you isn't true.. it is not fun.

I've been to New York a few times and visited all the boroughs and I've found New Yorkers to be on average nice and helpful people. There's always some shady individuals but when aren't there. You don't have to act like a New Yorker just don't act like a stereotypical tourist.

Thanks #39, for this:

"Gladly accept logistical advice about NYC, but reject any kind of suggestion as to how to "act" in order to fit in with a crowd. Be your self. We have more than enough try-hards already."

It's clear from most of these posts that most self-described 'new yorkers' probably need to lighten up and stop waging the battle to be the 'most real'. you're the real deal, we get it.

a million years ago, in different times, i was taught during NYU freshman orientation how to fend off an attacker by folding a newspaper four times and hitting him in the eye with the corner...

"Don’t order bottled water."

Wow, way to stay objective and on topic NYTimes. What has happened to my favorite paper...

advice: get the fuck out of my city

I went to NYU and really wished I got into Columbia.

Actually, if I had to do it over again, I would probably have gone to school in Boston or DC and then came to NYU for grad school. NYU is a big time rip off - from the food, to the dorms, to the simple quality of education. A lot of really smart academics come to NYU because it's basically a vacation for them. Free awesome apartments in NYC, lots of perks, huge pay, etc. NYU grad schools, such as medicine, law and business are where the school really shines. The undergrad experience feels disingenuous and there's no cohesive community AT ALL. I feel like it's a lot of marketing and PR, but little substance. The only exception to this is the Gallatin School. Everyone from there seems to have had a great experience since it was such a small program (however, most of them are unemployed).

I was disappointed with my education, but being the first person from my family to ever attend college, I really didn't know any better.

NYU hasn't really changed in 20 years - it typically attracts the B average students with acceptable SATs, who were probably too awkward to be admitted to the more prestigious schools.

Do refer to the subway lines as IND, IRT, and BMT.

In addition to the great advice by bittysoda, Matthews, #33, #34, #36, and everyone who said "walk faster, damn it!" I have a few pearls of wisdom to offer:

- Don't be afraid to try new foods from places that look a little bit strange. A little adventure is good for the soul.

- Don't ever whine about how there's nothing to do here. There's always something, as long as you are willing to look. The good news is that in a city such as this, you won't have to look hard.

- Take advantage of EVERY student discount you can get. There are many, and they're all good. Any discount is good. This place is expensive.

-And, for the love of God, don't sing songs from Rent dressed in your pajamas while walking around the streets that surround campus. If you're going to be a cliche, try to aim for a smaller one.

Hey #35, if you are implying I am bitter for not having gone there, nothing could be further from the truth.

I actually went to NYU for grad school (after having gone to a much more challenging and reasonably-priced undergraduate school) -- and was appalled at the lack of intellect and the basic laziness of the undergrads (not to mention in one of my two grad programs as well) who seemed to be in NYC solely to party.

At the time, NYU was $24K and has gone up from there -- how is that NOT overpriced??

Sorry, but I definitely know what I'm talking about.

"Metrotard"?

Gladly accept logistical advice about NYC, but reject any kind of suggestion as to how to "act" in order to fit in with a crowd. Be your self. We have more than enough try-hards already.

Enjoy the city and your experience here.

1) Consider going to a less expensive school, especially if you went into debt and/or are draining your parent's savings (especially if they took out one of the adjustable-rate subprime mortgages you've been reading about.

2) Don't wear sweatpants with your school or greek letters on your butt. It just looks stupid.

3) Ignore #28 - muffintops rock!

4) Ignore #29 - Chipotle's was majority-owned by McDonald's before they were recently spun off. Very bad karma. And there's better places for a burrito - Xie's Mexican & Asian on 6th and 13th, f'instance (right across the street from a Chipotle's!)

banjoandro,

"every ten meters"??????

we caught ya. the taking of pelham, one, two, three.

- and if you decide to stay, good luck with the financial aid office: they will screw you over every chance they get.

Again, if you're going to NYU, please heed the above advice. My friends who went to SVA have a hell of a lot more in savings than I do (over 10 years after graduation).

When I came to NYU in '94, they didn't have space for me in the dorms. I had 3 days to find a roommate situation, and I'm really grateful it worked out that way!

Also, before I moved here my dad gave me a copy of Joseph Mitchell's "Up in the Old Hotel." It was fun going to the various locations covered in the stories.

Ugh. NYU is not a "severely overpriced community college." Someone's obviously bitter.