Personal Narrative: My Interest In NYU

In the summer of 2017, I had visited Wilkes-Barre, Arcadia University, Temple University. Wilkes-Barre and Temple had the urban atmosphere that I craved for college. Living in York, where there is farm down the street from my house, I needed to experience fast pace, never sleeping aspect of the city. With this in mind, it disappointed me how much neither Temple nor Wilkes awed me. I could see myself going there, but I could also see myself not. Another impediment was that it is only one hour away from my parents.

In trying to find my footing in NYU, I tried to conquer one thing at a time. The first obstacle was to make it to NYU in one piece. As a commuter, all my thoughts were consumed of getting lost in the subway system. My biggest fear was taking the wrong train and not getting

I joined a program called SOCAPA (School Of Creative And Performing Arts) in hopes of becoming more independent and meeting other artistic teenagers like me. Almost every morning the actors took a morning subway to Manhattan where we’d take all kinds of acting classes at 440 Studios on Lafayette St. Every subway ride made me feel like I was an everyday NYC commuter in my twenties who took subway rides on the regular. We fended for ourselves-figured out our own meals, went grocery shopping, organized our dorms, and abided by a 10:30 curfew. Living in dorms made me feel like a college student. I met dozens of people that I never dreamed of meeting before. A melting pot of creativity and different cultures filled each square of the NYU Polytechnic University Campus. I came across photographers, actors, filmmakers, dancers, and singers. The diversity was outstanding-I was the only American in my dorm of girls from France, Panama, and the Dominican

It might be difficult to persuade you that my affinity for New York University grew out of a teenage love affair, especially one that wasn’t even my own and furthermore, one that began ten years before I was even born, but that’s exactly how fate planted this seed as the relationship of young Tywanna and Dwayne Williams blossomed from their frequent dates at the Waverly Place diner; commencing my path to the school. Tywanna and Dwayne eventually fell in love, got married, had three children and raised a family whose morals and values were built upon individuality, passion, and diligence. Their goal was always to provide us with opportunities and expose us to as much as we could, even if it meant a short ride over the Williamsburg bridge to

NYU also provides a learning form that is not strictly lecture style. I don’t want all my learning to take place in a classroom. NYU uses new and innovative ways to teach students, and takes learning into real life environments. I know I learn best by doing, experimenting, and in “hands on”

I stand under the Washington Square Park arch onlooking the fountain as I watch my mother lean backward in attempts to fit both me and the arch in a photo. It was a chilly spring day, one of those where the sun was out but you still needed a light jacket to keep warm. Cars zoomed by. Groups of students Looking around, this untraditional campus was my first impression of what college is like. I imagined how the park would look in the fall with the leaves each a different shade of red and yellow; revealing their last burst of beauty before falling on the ground to make a satisfying crunch underneath my feet. It has been 5 years since my first visit but the treasures of NYU remain timeless.

This may sound cliche and ordinary, but it is one hundred percent true; as a young boy, one of my biggest dreams has always been to attend NYU. NYU is in the heart and soul of New York, Manhattan, where the culture is different and environment is uniquely filled with: intellectual, cultural, and unbelievable first time experiences. Growing up, I have lived in one of the most indistinguishable neighborhoods in one of the most diverse boroughs in New York; Flushing, Queens, home of the bizarre and unusual. Although I have lived in New York my entire life, I have never actually experienced the city life. I have always been a suburban type of kid, and I believe it is finally time for a change. It is time to experience the ethnic diversity that

Despite the fact that the alarm is blaring at an earlier time than usual, I couldn’t be anymore ecstatic. I’d forgotten what it’s like to wake up in the City that never sleeps. Quickly getting dressed and running out the door, I look over my schedule. Still in disbelief that I’m actually here, and the fact that the city is my campus still amazes me. I make it through the hustle and bustle of the city streets that only New York can provide. I run into some girls that I recognized from orientation who seem to be lost, I point them in the right direction of the D train. Already knowing the Subway and street systems definitely helps me out and makes me happy to know I can help fellow students as well. New York City was my playground as a child,

I have been to the area that NYU is around and I really enjoy the atmosphere. The busy atmosphere near a city gives me a vibe that there is always something to do with endless possibilities so it will never get boring.

Stepping onto Columbia’s campus on 116th Street was like walking into an architectural version of myself. The air smelled of intellectual curiosity and ambition. The sound of a nearby feminism debate greeted my ears. A monumental library engraved with the names of history’s greatest philosophers and authors enticed my vision. From this moment, I knew Columbia University was where I wanted to be.

As a child raised in a foreign country, arriving to the US eight years ago, I frantically searched for something familiar. The familiarity that I looked for wasn’t what I found. It was individuals of different ethnicities, skin tones, religions, and ideologies that i found me. The trinkets they gave me – random words and phrases in their languages forgotten and retaught, insights into their worlds and cultures, and tasty delicacies- allowed me a new perspective, an open mind, and much clearer lens to peak through. The student body of NYU is undeniably one of the most diverse. While on a visit, walking between so many different individuals felt like traveling the world in the span of a few minutes. With such versatility of people and knowledge,

This past summer, I participated in a three week photography pre-college program in Manhattan. Although I had been to New York once before, living on my own and seeing the city from the perspective of a college student has strengthened my belief that New York is where I belong. During this program, I was able

“Great cities are engines of creativity, and New York University takes its name and spirit from one of the busiest, most diverse and dynamic cities of all.”

New York University is a school that amazes me in every aspect. With its WRITE QUALITIES. Nonetheless, the location of the school is what takes my breath away—New York City. To me, the city is a mystifying place left to be explored by its many inhabitants; a place of discovery, wonder, excitement, confusion, and opportunities. Diversity is a huge part of NYU as its student body contains numerous international students and people of color. The chance to learn about different cultures and ideas inspires me as the diversity doesn’t stop at the school’s buildings. It continues into every borough of the city and would allow me to connect with unique people and their backgrounds.

I’ve lived in New York since I was six years old, same street, same apartment. I‘ve grown to love this city so much that I don’t want to leave, which is one reason why I was drawn to NYU. New York is my home and I want to make NYU my home too.