Student Body

There is no "typical" NYU student. NYU is not a cookie-cutter place—that’s one of the best parts of a large university.

You’d be an individual among many individuals here; your friends wouldn’t be just like you. There are so many choices here about what to do that no two students make exactly the same selections. Some students come together in groups; others go their own ways. They go to films or lectures or classical concerts—or all three. They organize events. They help shape University policy, go to trendy parties, publish magazines, work behind the scenes, and serve the community. At NYU, you could be a leader or you could be a joiner—your experience here takes on the shape of the life you want.

NYU is diverse, with students coming here from all 50 states and over 130 countries. Our location in a global city might make you think that NYU is as diverse as New York City. Truth is, the NYU student body resembles the nationwide demographic of college-age people, not the population of New York City. NYU has a continued commitment to increase the diversity of its campus environment—it’s a work in progress.

Some traits NYU students share?  Energy. Focus. Creativity. A desire to excel and face challenges in all aspects of your life—intellectually, professionally, and personally. Our goal is to enable you to become an independent and creative thinker with the versatility, resourcefulness, and social awareness necessary to thrive in a dynamic environment. In short, we expect you to challenge yourself by taking advantage of all NYU has to offer.  

Students Connect, Communities Form

As different as they are, NYU students connect with others in many different ways. In their individual schools and in their departments, they develop close relationships with advisers, mentors, and faculty members. In their residence halls, in student clubs, and at on- and off-campus events, they interact with their classmates and with the Greenwich Village community. In their internships and work experiences, they network with the professional communities of New York City. All of these bonds—intellectual, personal, and professional—are the essence of their experience at NYU.

Focusing on Wellness

In between class and study times, NYU students participate in the day-to-day excitement, culture, and opportunity that New York City offers. In the city, you'll have so many choices and the chance to participate in all sorts of "only in New York" experiences, including some of the world's best theatre, dance, music, film, libraries, museums, galleries, shopping, and more. Managing your time (balancing your work schedule with your "play" time while staying on top of your school work, and finding time to sleep!) can be challenging at times.

NYU has a vast array of resources and student support networks, all designed to help you feel comfortable with the sometimes overwhelming number of opportunities you'll find here. Our premiere health and wellness services, award-winning living and learning programs, our Student Resource Center, and dedicated administrative staff work together to ensure that when students have a need or question, assistance is never far away. We even have an entire service that specializes in answering questions about NYU and New York City!