How will you spend your Thanksgiving break?
Each year, the Princeton Review releases its annual list of college rankings, providing information on the good, the bad and the downright ugly of each university.
In the 2010-11 edition, NYU was ranked considerably high in a number of categories, earning its place as one of the best Northeastern colleges. Marc Wais, vice president for student affairs at NYU, said the university deserved this honor in large part because of the resources it provides its students.
"NYU [is one of the best Northeastern colleges] because of the unique opportunities afforded to students, such as a world class education with talented peers and faculty," Wais said. "They are immersed in a world-class city as part of the first-ever global networked university, with campuses on five different continents."
NYU was also ranked third on the Princeton Review's list of most LGBT-friendly campuses and fourth for best college town, with New York City as the backdrop for students' scholarly endeavors.
Despite NYU's positive ratings, the Princeton Review gave the university several low rankings as well. Among them, NYU was ranked 20th for having unpopular or nonexistent intramural sports, eighth worst financial aid program, fifth for long lines and red tape, and 16th for the least happy students.
Wais credited tuition cost with the unhappiness of many NYU students.
"I believe the possible frustration with the high cost of attending NYU, coupled with the inability to meet the full financial need of many of our students, has a lot to do with it," he said.
CAS senior Lay Acharya agreed.
"It's incredibly expensive to go here," Acharya said. "I'm sure everyone's unhappy because they can't sleep after having nightmares about debt collectors."
Acharya also cited a lack of connectivity between students as a reason for not being completely happy with the college experience.
"I remember being so disappointed when I applied here that there was no football team," she said. "It's not because of football itself, but it would have been a fantastic way to bond with your fellow students and create a huge air of school spirit."
SCPS student Aran Sadda had a different take on the ranking.
"I think students sometimes feel unhappy here because there's very little guidance from the university," he said. "There is so much pressure to be an individual and to be open, but no one has actually said what to do next. It really weighs on you."
Wais said the university is trying to alleviate the financial situation that plagues nearly all NYU students.
"We are trying our best to minimize future increases to tuition and fees while also attempting to raise as much money as we can for financial aid."
