Life at NYU (MSIS) – Guide for Incoming Students 2025 - Brutally Honest

1. How is your overall experience at NYU and the MSIS degree?

It's good. Professors really care and want you to get the most out of their courses. You get excellent global exposure too. But the real learning depends on how seriously you take it.

2. How is education different from India?

Honestly, it doesn't matter where you study if you're not serious. If you're gonna be on your phone, use GPT for your assignments, and bunk classes, no university can save you.
Yes, many professors here are world-class and passionate, but unless you make the most of it, education is the same everywhere.

3. How to choose subjects?

• You could spend 5 years at NYU and still not cover all the courses.
• Choose what you are genuinely interested in and pick good professors, professors matter a lot.
• Pro Tip: It's always helpful to take a course with friends, assignments, projects, and just life become easier.

4. Any recommended subjects?

• Each program has mandatory core courses. Beyond that, choose based on your interest.
• Personally, I loved Stern courses, smaller class sizes, diverse classmates, interactive sessions.
• Two of my favorite courses:
  • Marketing - COR1-GB - 2310 (Prof. Greenwald - super interactive, engaging case studies and intersting project work)
  • Operations Management- COR1-GB - 2314 (Prof. Riccio teaches it brilliantly, humor, business games like the beer game, totally worth it).

5. Is NYU education tougher than other universities?

• Courant courses are very technical and definitely a step up from what most of us did in bachelor's.
• It's hard because it should be, technical concepts need real focus and extra effort.
• But that's how you grow.

6. Is the campus safe?

• Most of the time, yes, NYU campus and areas around it are safe, and NYU Campus Safety is pretty active.
• But let's be real, this is New York. Drug problems, racism, homelessness, all exist.
• Crimes are more about violence or stealing, so both guys and girls need to stay alert.

7. Safety Tips:

• Don't roam alone at night, always stay in a group especially when you're new.
• Share your live location with friends/roommates when you go out.
• Give your parents your roommate/friend's number for emergencies.
• Keep your mobile data always ON, it's the only way people can contact you via WhatsApp.
• Subways are sketchy at night, stay alert, sit in coaches where the conductor is.
• Mind your business, avoid arguments, don't engage if someone harasses you, walk away.
• If you ever get mugged: Hand it over. Walk away. Life > Wallet.
• Summary: Be alert, be smart, and mind your own business.
  It's not a horror show here, but better to stay sharp.

8. Getting an On-Campus Job:

• Best chances: Build personal connections → Talk to Professors → Apply through Handshake.
• Reality: Less than 10% people land a campus job in their first semester.
• Slightly better chances in second semester, but be mentally prepared to stay unemployed for up to a year.

9. Internship Search:

• Big companies start hiring from October to January, peak hiring till first week of April.
• You MUST apply like crazy, and when I say crazy, I mean apply to 200–300 companies.
• Use Resume scorers, Wasserman Center reviews, peer reviews, get your resume damn near perfect.
• Start resume prep the moment you land. Connections, coffee chats (virtual + in-person), all of it matters.

10. Where to Stay (Off-Campus Housing Tips):

If studying in Manhattan (Courant/GSAS Campus):

• Affordable: Journal Square (big Indian community, Indian groceries nearby)
• Mid-range: Grove St, Newport
• Expensive but amazing: Hoboken (good crowd, close to waterfront, skyline views)
• Brooklyn: Only if you find a safe, close place, else too much travel time for Manhattan campus.

If studying in Brooklyn Campus:

• DO NOT stay in Jersey City, you'll pay double fare (PATH + Subway).
• Stay somewhere safe in Brooklyn.

Cost of Rent (2025 Rates):

• Private room: $800–$1200 depending on area
• Manhattan close-to-campus rent: $2000+.

Commute Options:

• PATH Train (Jersey to NYC): $3/trip, fast, reliable.
• NYC Subway (MTA): $2.90/trip, infinite switches until you exit.
• NYU Shuttle: Free, connects Manhattan and Brooklyn campuses, but not useful for off-campus stays.

11. Does the University Help You Get a Job?

• Short Answer: No.
• Career fairs? Mostly companies show up for PR, not to hire.
• YOU are 100% responsible for finding your job.
• NYU's brand name helps open doors, but no one hands you a job. Prepare to fight your way through.

12. Class Dynamics:

• You choose classes individually (first-come, first-served).
• Class strength: 30–40 students usually; rarely above 60.
• Every course = different classmates, very dynamic.

13. Work Authorization:

• CPT: You can work internships during your study. 2 semesters max, unpaid/paid both allowed.
• OPT: 1 year after graduation to work full-time (no minimum salary requirement).
• STEM OPT Extension: 2 extra years after your 1st OPT year, but you must have a paid job.

14. Is NYU Worth It? Should You Come Here?

• Let's be honest: NYU Courant is extremely expensive.
• The job market in 2025 is NOT great.
• Are you mentally prepared to go back home without a job without recovering your NYU investment?
• If yes, then go for it.
• NYU is a big brand, and the education is world-class, but there are NO guarantees.
• Ask yourself: What's your risk appetite? How much are you willing to pay for the brand name?
• Also consider:
  H-1B visas are fixed in number, but the number of applicants keeps increasing every year.
  For at least the next 4 years, U.S. immigration policies are not trending in favor of immigrants.
  The global economy is sliding towards a recession, meaning fewer jobs everywhere, not just in the U.S.
• College name helps, but the hustle is 100% on you.