New York University (NYU) is unlike most major universities, as it doesn’t have a well-defined central campus. Instead, it occupies Washington Square and a few other corners of Greenwich Village in the heart of New York City. Today, it is the largest private university in the US, with 50,000 students enrolled.

NYU opened in 1831 without any denominational affiliation – a rare feat in those days. It has grown into an authority on liberal arts education and operates 17 major colleges through its central campus. Esteemed students and faculty members at NYU are repeatedly recognized and awarded for their achievements. 

Student Life
NYU hosts a vibrant campus, and students have a unique opportunity to blend the traditional university experience with a cosmopolitan edge that most universities can’t offer. Most of the facilities are on the Washington Square Campus in the midst of Greenwich Village. Students live here in residence halls as well as “off-campus” in neighboring boroughs.  

Students can choose from over 350 organizations and clubs to join. Relatively few NYU students join fraternities or sororities, but there are many other ways to meet and connect with fellow students. The nightlife here in central New York City is top-notch, with countless community events scheduled year-round.

Diversity
Diversity is a cornerstone of the New York University experience. Fewer than half of the students are New-Yorkers. Roughly 6 percent are from overseas, with many more American minorities reflecting the multiculturalism of the city at large. 

NYU encourages communication between disciplines as a mode of fostering diversity dialogue. Multicultural programs and diversity training are also hosted by the Center for Multicultural Education and Programs on a regular basis. International students are also provided with resources to help them adjust to American culture and life in New York City.  

Academic Programs and Resources
NYU operates several world-class programs. Several on-site academic departments are ranked first in the US. These include the finance, Italian, theater, mathematics AND philosophy departments. The latter goes a step farther and outperforms every university philosophy program in the English-speaking world.  

The emphasis at NYU is on liberal arts. In all, there are 11 undergraduate programs, and students enjoy classroom sizes that are smaller than those of public universities, though still larger than at smaller private universities in the Ivy League. Excellent resources are available on campus, including the Elmer Holmes Bobst Library, which is one of the largest of its kind in the US.  

Faculty & Staff
As the largest private university in the US, NYU has the necessary resources to attract some of the world’s most highly regarded professors. The university employs nearly 7,000 faculty members, or roughly one for every 12 students. This means students have no problem getting support or help with specific issues. 

Richard Bonneau is a lauded assistant professor at NYU. Even in his early 30s, he generated great press for the university’s Center for Genomics. Other notable faculty members are Deborah Willis, Scott Hightower and Sam Pollard, all of whom work closely with different sectors of the arts and humanities. 

Safety, Health & Wellness
Safety is a concern for anyone based in a metropolis like New York City. At NYU, a security guard checks ID badges at the entrance to residence halls. SafeRide vans connect various NYU facilities during late hours.

NYU also offers students a health insurance policy which they can opt out of if they have their own plan. The Student Health Center offers free or reduced-cost medical care to all full-time students, but major medical issues will be referred to an off-campus facility. 

Students can also call the Wellness Exchange’s 24-hour hotline, which offers advice and resources for students struggling with emotional-health problems or personal crises related to drugs, abuse or anxiety. 

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