Why You Should Attend College in New York and What to Expect

It's the city that never sleeps, and one of the nexuses of world culture and commerce, which makes New York sound perfect for a college student. But there are also challenges involved in navigating school at the same time you're learning how to live in this huge, lively city. Below are a few things to consider if you're looking toward the Big Apple for your college ambitions.

Career Opportunities

One excellent reason to go to school in New York City is because of the opportunities for your career. This is particularly true if you want to work in a field such as finance, publishing, or theater that has its center in the city. Dozens of Fortune 500 companies are headquartered there as well. There are a few different ways that you can take advantage of these opportunities. 

First, it's much easier to network in person. While you might be able to make connections online from other places and travel there to search for jobs, there's really no advantage quite like being on the ground. There are networking opportunities on every campus, but not as many that give you the chance to rub shoulders with the superstars of your industry. 

You also have an advantage when it comes to internships, which can give you the opportunity to work at some of the top companies in your field while remaining local. You could even potentially do an internship during the school year. Even if you do it in the summer instead, it's much easier logistically than if you lived elsewhere and had to move to the city for a few weeks or months just to take the job.

Budgeting

One of the drawbacks of getting your education in New York is that it's one of the most expensive places in the country to live. All that access and culture comes at a price. It's not that you can't afford it, after all, many students find a way each year, but you will need to think carefully about your budget and how to manage your money. 

Your first step should be making sure that you have the necessary funding in the first place. Find out what kind of financial aid your school of choice offers. You may also be eligible for some scholarships and grants. You can search online for Going Merry scholarships for college students and other opportunities that you may be eligible for. In addition, you may be able to take out some student loans to cover other expenses.

Housing can be outrageously expensive, and you may want to plan to live on campus to save money. However, it is possible to find something affordable although you'll almost certainly need to have roommates. One advantage of living in the city that can offset some of the housing cost is that you won't need a car. In fact, it can almost be more of a liability to have one since you must maintain it and find a place to park it and you really don't need it day to day. Public transportation is excellent and convenient.

Diversity of People

One of the exciting things about living in New York is that you'll be exposed to different people from all over the world. Hundreds of different languages are spoken throughout the city. The sheer range of lifestyles, beliefs, and cultures you will encounter there is both dizzying and exhilarating. There's a reason many longtime New Yorkers who move away never stop missing the variety of cuisine available in the city. It can feel as though the world is at your doorstep. You'll also meet people from many different walks of life engaged in all kinds of interesting projects and activities, from launching startups, to making films, to setting new trends, and much more.

Cultural Opportunities

Whether you love music, film, dance, visual art, literature, theater, or fashion, you are in the right place. There are far more cultural events and activities than you could ever take advantage of. Some are the big-name places and events everyone has heard of, from the Museum of Modern Art to Broadway, to concerts at Carnegie Hall, but many of the most memorable are much smaller scale. Try dropping into tiny art galleries, open mic nights, or experimental theaters to get a look at what's being done on the fringes.

Focus

One of the biggest challenges you'll face is forcing yourself to focus on school when you are living in such an exciting place with so many distractions. While this can feel like a unique problem, it really is just a matter of scale. Students all over the world and for as long as universities have existed have coped with distractions. Set goals, know what your priorities are, and reward yourself after you've taken care of your obligations and not before.