When deciding between universities in the US there are many varying factors that you may have to consider. For me, the biggest deciding factor after academic alignment was the lifestyle I would have during college. As I made the decision that small towns and campus universities weren’t meant for me, NYU stood out as one that allows a college experience with full freedom of having a city life. With its 11 schools embedded throughout the city of New York, NYU also showed an opportunity to travel to its campuses within several cities across the world. The appeal of living in a big city with much to explore didn’t let me doubt my choice of NYU for one minute.
However, something a lot of students don’t realize is that if you are applying to Tandon School of Engineering, you will end up further from the heart of the city than you would expect. Did you know that NYU Tandon is not in Manhattan? I for sure was not aware of this until after I was offered a place to study here. Me included, it is almost shocking the number of people that were unaware of the location of Tandon until the very day of move-in. Once I got accepted, of course, the first step was to go online and try to find any and every piece of information that was available on Google, Youtube, Instagram, and even Reddit. I don’t know about my peers but I definitely struggled to find details that provided more than what was given on the school website, which was mostly on academic programs, courses, and statistics. Nothing to be found about the social life or the ambiance of the school, whether or not Brooklyn would be the right choice, what the dorm life would be like, and so on. Anything that was elaborated on under these subtitles was about the Main Campus, targeted at Stern, Tisch, and CAS kids. My lack of resources contributing to my decision to attend this school of the university is what motivated me to write this blog. By reflecting upon my first semester and my current position here, I will do my best to communicate all that I have observed. Academics, extracurriculars, social life, and work life, and not only how I balanced these but how the school is supporting and guiding me to do so.
Addressing what seems to be the biggest question mark in all applicants’, and even current students’ heads: Does being in Brooklyn matter or make a difference? I would argue yes, unfortunately, against what everyone would like to believe. However this yes does not automatically mean that the Main campus schools are better than Tandon and Brooklyn. experience is just slightly altered. Brooklyn, when compared to Manhattan, seems to have a slower pace and less of the advertised “New York City”s popping lifestyle. Nevertheless, it is a good area to live in if you are looking for more stability and a chiller vibe. Firstly location wise it is obvious that the Main campus has easier and faster access to Manhattan and the quote on quote Main area of New York City. There is a wider variety of school buildings, including lecture halls, classrooms, dining halls, and dorms. However, Tandon students still have permission and access to use everything that is in Brooklyn, you are still close enough to the heart of the city and the main campus of NYU which is better known by everyone. New York City in general is a place where the metro lines run through the whole city and can get you to almost every corner that you would want to reach. Especially between Tandon and Washington Square Campus, there are multiple lines that allow you to travel back and forth whenever, with less than half an hour travel duration. In most cases, going by car anywhere is far worse than taking the metro as the NY traffic is unbearable. It’s more likely that you will cycle, walk, or ride the metro a lot faster than driving or being driven.
You still get the city university experience, only combined with the experience of a campus university. You have the power and choice to decide whether to study “on a campus” or “in a city” which is not a choice that the Main campus students are presented with really.
Studying at Tandon, specifically, requires the skill of maintaining a balance between social and academic life if you are a student looking to both have THE college experience and be successful after graduation. Similar to many other universities in the US, once you enter your college life you will be left alone with your abilities to explore, plan, and execute whatever it may be that you want to be involved in, both socially and academically. Although location wise you are further from the ongoings in the main campus of NYU, if you desire to be more involved with the activities of those other schools you are welcome to, as long as you put in a bit of effort. Tandon has similar social activities to that of the main campus but less in the amount of options I would say. There is still Greek life and parties if you are looking for those groups, however, Tandon’s clubs are more academically inclined compared, at least in my experience. That does not mean you cannot find academics on the main campus, as some schools also offer very rigorous clubs to students who are interested in particular areas of study. You are free to join any frat or club and social activity in and out of school on both campuses. That being said, when you are a STEM student at Tandon, academic responsibilities besides social doings arise. I would rethink Tandon studies and science if you aren’t prepared to spend a large portion of your days holed up in Dibner, an empty room in Jay 370 (if you’re lucky), or at Bobst where you’re offered a change of location in exchange for a quick metro ride.
If you are a student looking to be involved in some more hands-on work rather than just regular university courses, Tandon has many opportunities up for offer. Starting with the well-advertised MakerSpace, you can find anything from 3D printers to laser cutters and sewing machines suited for individual projects. Otherwise, there are VIP (virtually integrated projects) teams and Professor research laboratories you can always apply to be a part of.
Another difference would be that there is a tighter community of people that study and work at Tandon. In an exact juxtaposition of what is said about NYU’s main campus, that ‘you can see an entirely new set of people every time you step out of your classes’, in Tandon it is quite unexpected to bump into many unfamiliar faces after a year. This arguably makes it a lot easier to make friends and stick with familiar groups of people which in my case provided stability and helped keep a social and academic balance in my lifestyle in New York. This doesn’t mean that I don’t still meet a handful of new people all the time. For me though, the stress of the academic rigorousness of Tandon is softened by the familiarity of my surroundings.
Still, whenever I have free time I take the opportunity to go up to Manhattan to join Main campus events and clubs, alone or with friends. And if I’m not at a Wash Square event, I am having dinner at a new restaurant, or wandering around Central Park or Soho. No place is unreachable, even if you live in Brooklyn, so honestly, reaching the correct answer to the question of differences between the main campus and Tandon is in your hands. After a year in the city studying and socializing, you will be able to figure out which part of New York appeals to your lifestyle. What I can assure you is that you will find an area that speaks to your desires from the many of the city and academics, clubs, and activities whether in Tandon or on main campus.
Regardless, Tandon may not be everything you expect, but that for sure comes with some pleasant surprises as well throughout your 4 years. As long as you strive to work and are ready to explore and be involved, you will be greeted with many chances and opportunities.