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To current NYU students: my son will be attending NYU in the fall in the music technology program. I would appreciate any advice on some of the pitfalls to avoid with things like registering for classes, dorm life etc. Also what are some of the best music clubs to belong to.

By Anotherdad (Anotherdad) on Thursday, May 15, 2003 - 10:51 am: Edit

NYU is a great place to jump into the music scene. First, there will be an amazing number of freshman bands forming and looking for gigs. Have your son advertise and look, find a group with some talent, and hopefully hook up with someone who as some business sense. There are also many venues (Knitting Factory and others) where great music by top groups can be routinely found. The music scene is one of the reasons why people want to go to NYU.

By Coolmom (Coolmom) on Thursday, May 15, 2003 - 04:31 pm: Edit

Dear Anotherdad, My son is thrilled to be going to NYU because of all the opportunities for people in music. When we went to the information sessions and heard about current students who were already involved in broadway shows, that music teachers from Julliard also teach at NYU etc. my son was sold. I was hoping that someone could give us advice on things freshmen should avoid doing and what they need to know to help the transition into college go smoothly

By Anotherdad (Anotherdad) on Thursday, May 15, 2003 - 05:44 pm: Edit

Sorry Coolmom, but I don't have any specifics I can provide. I could only pass along what I observed about the music scene when my kid went there. Make the right choices and there are great opportunities. The big thing is keep the head on straight and look before you leap. It seems to me that by sophomore year the kids know their way around and are really pretty darn safe and sane in the big city -- it is the freshmen and freshwomen who lose perspective on the academics and the personal situations. But despite the possibility of some accelerated learning experiences, I think that NYU is a great school, and the environment cannot be duplicated (in part because of the music). Congratulations to him.

By Coolmom (Coolmom) on Thursday, May 15, 2003 - 09:38 pm: Edit

Dear Anotherdad Thank You. I am very proud of him. Having visited NYU three times with him I was surprised at how safe we felt. The security at the dorms we visted was unbelievable. We were told that security has been stepped up quite
alot since 9/11. I also heard that NYU is being used as head quarters for homeland security in New York. Is this true?

By Anotherdad (Anotherdad) on Friday, May 16, 2003 - 10:40 am: Edit

Coolmom,
Thanks for reminding me -- NYU is starting some sort of a center for education in emergency planning programs. I had promised to track down some information on it. I should do so now.
AD

By Optimystic (Optimystic) on Thursday, June 19, 2003 - 02:27 pm: Edit

Coolmom,

My daughter's piano instructor just called me twice this morning to try to assist us in selecting the best fit instructor for my daughter at NYU. He tells me that from talking to an NYU Ph.D. grad in music that in additiion to tuition, it is customary for the students to pay an additional $30 (rate is negotiable depending on the instructor) for each and every private lesson the students receive. I was also told that the students take their lessons in the private apartments of the instructors. I wasn't aware of this customary procedure. Also, since you visited NYU several times, can you elaborate on the quantity and quality of the pianos? Did you notice if the amount of pianos seemed sufficient? Did you or your child get an opportunity to speak with any of the professors first hand? I'm also trying to find out which professors actually enjoy teaching and engaging the students. I'm trying to find out fact from fiction. Being that the Ph.D. graduated about 9 years ago, I don't know if this is still true. Could someone please let me know more?
Thanks!