Major: Pre-Med, Sociology 

Minor: Business Studies 

Email: mhk462@nyu.edu 

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Questions about Academics and COVID-19

 

What were your classes like in your first year or in your major/concentration, especially transitioning from Shen? 

Going into classes was kind of a culture shock and much more difficult than I expected. In high school, I was very used to doing well in school without having to work extremely hard (despite taking a lot of AP classes and doing well in them). Naturally, college is just a more challenging and rigorous environment and I found I had to work much harder to get the same results. Since it was my first year, I had to take a lot of intro classes for my major and the premed track, and these classes had between 300-500 kids. I found that in high school, I really liked the small classroom environment and it was daunting to be in a huge lecture hall with that many people. However, I was still able to have the small classroom environment I liked because at NYU they have these things called recitations, which is essentially where your lecture is divided into small classrooms so you can work with a TA and get individual attention. I also was able to take some classes that had 8-15 people and these classes were amazing as well because of how wellI got to know the professors despite meeting only 2-3 times a week. Also, it was strange not having homework assignments due everyday and instead having larger assignments that you had to manage on your own. Transitioning to college will be difficult academically at first, but you will quickly get the hang of things once you get used to it and establish your own routine. I have learned so much in my classes and have never had to think that critically before in my life, and it is a very rewarding experience so far (also I recommend taking interesting classes outside your major)!

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What academic experiences have stood out to you at your college in either positive or negative ways?

The opportunities at NYU are endless and the professors/advisors are very helpful and friendly. Research is extremely accessible at NYU and it is as easy as sending out an email to a faculty member whose work interests you. I am currently doing clinical research at NYU Langone Hospital, as well as pursuing my own independent research (which will ultimately become my honors thesis) on race relations and COVID/hospital care through the Honors program in the College of Arts and Sciences. Study abroad is also extremely easy at NYU, and they actually send the most students abroad in the country. I have plans to go abroad my spring semester sophomore year, and have already had the chance to go Italy my freshman year during winter break free of cost. I'm in CAS and we have a core curriculum - I've haven't taken any yet so I can't speak on it, but from what I've seen the classes look extremely interesting, but also challenging. Also, getting extra help/tutoring/office hours is very easy. I will say, however, you must be proactive at NYU. It is a humongous school with thousands of students. There are endless opportunities available, but you have to be able to find them because no one is going to do that work for you.

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How was your online learning experience at your college? What resources did your college provide you during this time?

As much as I would have liked to stay in NYC, my online learning experience was as good as it could have been. All of my professors were more flexible with deadlines, they all offered many more office hours, gave more support, and were generally very empathetic and understanding of the situation.

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What did your college do well or poorly to support students and communities when COVID-19 first hit?

NYU did a good job with providing emergency financial support to everyone who requested it. The only issue I think a lot of people had was with housing. They sent us home and locked all of our stuff in our dorms, but then only gave students 2 days to retrieve their stuff. Luckily, since I only live 3 hours away, I was able to go back and get my stuff. Many of my friends, however, live all over the country/world so it was not possible for them to get their stuff and they still do not have it yet. Also sometimes the administration is not the best at being transparent-they often send us emails with "important updates" but they do not really mean anything. Once they have the proper information though, they send it to us.

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Questions about Student Life

 

If students are interested in your major/concentration, what extracurricular activities do you recommend they do at your college?

I do a lot less clubs than I did in high school, just because I think there is less time and you should try to stick to a few clubs you are passionate about instead of doing a lot of random clubs. Since I'm premed, a lot of the extracurriculars I do are related to that (research, volunteering, being in a premed fraternity, etc.). I'm majoring in sociology and not really doing any extracurricular activities related to that besides research. I also am involved with the meditation and yoga club (which was new to me) and the Bengali student association! There are many clubs at NYU (naturally, because there are so many students), so if you go to the club fair you'll find something you're interested in! It just wasn't a priority for me at the moment.

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What are common things to do on weekends? Do students commute back home for the weekend or are there events on campus?

There is so much to do on the weekends because you are in Manhattan. Every weekend was super different for me which I loved. You can essentially do whatever you are in the mood for (exploring the city, going to museums, going to parties, just chilling with your friends, getting work done, taking day trips, etc.). There is something for everyone, whether you like social activities and going out our staying in and having a relaxing time.

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Are you involved in athletics at your college? How do you balance sports, academics, and extracurricular activities?

No. Sports are not a big deal at all here, we don't even have a football team

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Do you have a job during the school year, or is it common for students to have on-campus jobs? What is that experience like?

No but it is very common

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Extra Questions

 

What advice would you give to current Shen students when applying to your college?

Try and find out if the city is for you. Your experience at NYU and NYC will be whatever you make of it. Me and most people I know had an amazing time because we were open to exploring everything and trying new things/experiencing. I also knew people who never left their dorm room, and those people did not have as much fun. Personally I thought I would want to go to a small liberal arts school in a suburban area, but I completely fell in love with the city and cannot imagine spending my college years anywhere else.

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What makes your college special to you?

1) I have met some the most amazing people ever and 2) you are truly integrated into the NYC community. If you spent most of your life going to Shen, it is very likely that you grew up in a bubble. Going to school at NYU introduced me to people from all over the world with completely different backgrounds and situations. I have never been exposed to this much diversity in my life and it is truly one of the most special parts of NYU. I have grown passionate about communities and things I never even knew or cared about before, and being surrounded by such a bright group of people all the time has really made me more empowered and overall a better human.

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What do you wish you knew about your college when you were a senior at Shen?

The "open campus" is the best part of the campus. I was worried at first because I really thought I wanted a campus, but being truly integrated into the city made me more connected to my community. Also, it still feels like you have a campus because all of the main buildings are in the same area (surrounding Washington Square Park). Also lots of people are extremely rich and spend hundreds of dollars like it's pocket change, but there are also plenty of people who live affordably!

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Before COVID-19, what was the housing like at your college? What would you recommend to Shen seniors to find their roommates?

You can't pick your roommate freshman year, it's random. You're either blessed or not! Also there are no communal bathrooms which is amazing because everyone gets a personal bathroom that you just share with your roommate/suitemates.

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How is the financial aid situation at your college?

I think it completely depends on your situation because I personally got a lot of aid, and I know a lot of people who got everything covered, and a lot of people who also barely got anything (but they were the super rich ones).

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Is there anything else you'd like to share about your college experience that hasn't been addressed yet in this questionnaire?

GO VIOLETS

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