NYIT Manhattan - As Tight as a School Can Be
Written: Nov 16 '02 (Updated Nov 17 '02)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Good location in Manhattan, Good Computer Graphics department
Cons: Expensive, Very few labs, Not many facilities, and the dorm SUCKS
The Bottom Line: It's expensive, and it's quite packed here in Manhattan, but the faculty is good and the location is even better.
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| cerberus435's Full Review: New York Institute of Technology |
Wow. I did not know that you can actually post reviews on schools here. Anyway, as a junior at NYIT, I'll post my $0.02 about my school.
STATISTICS
New York Institute of Technology (NYIT)
CEEB Code: 2561
Campuses: 3 (Old Westbury, Central Islip, Manhattan)
Tuition: ~ $7,500 / semester
Male/Female Ratio: 60 percent Male
Enrollment: ~ 8,700 (about 2,000 in Manhattan)
Average SAT: 1100
Freshmen Acceptance Rate: 75 percent
Freshmen Retention Rate: 67 percent
Distinctions: #1 in Nation for Diversity, CG Animation Labs pioneered at Old Westbury Campus in late 70's.
Employment Rate: 84 percent of graduates receive offers.
OVERVIEW
New York Institute of Technology (started in 1955) is an arts and sciences school. It has three campuses: two in Long Island (the main campus at Old Westbury and a smaller one at Central Islip) and one in Manhattan (1855 Broadway).
I did two years at New Jersey City University before I transferred to NYIT, so this past September is my first semester here.
Since I've only gone to the Manhattan campus, I'll rate it differently from my fellow alums here, who have gone to the Long Island campuses, because it is a totally different experience.
Why did I transfer from NJCU? It reaks there. I hated 80% of my professors. They were either unfair to me (for stupid and oafish reasons that I can't mention) or did not challenge me at all. I had three great teachers there and got along with my fellow tutors, but I just hated the entire experience.
I transferred to New York to go somewhere more challenging and reputable. So does NYIT-M fit my bill? Read on and see for yourself.
ENVIRONMENT
NYIT-M is located between 60th & 61st and Broadway. The campus is currently made up of four buildings. The Main Building (MB) is a big, 12-story complex that makes up the meat of the campus. The Student Building is a 3-story study hall and lounge, right next to the MB. Information Hall (IH) is another area for classrooms and holds the registrar, bursar and such. There is a YMCA west of the whole campus that is free for NYIT students.
All-in-all, the campus is very small. There are probably less than 100 rooms that could be occupied. Because of this, all of us here really reach out and (inadvertantly) touch others. It is that packed.
Lots of people here complain that the facility is too small, and that the Old Westbury is a much better campus. Well, what can they expect with a campus located in a tight part of Manhattan? Besides, counsellors advise us to visit the myriad museums and theaters in the area, so we can take in as much of the city.
I personally spend lots of time outside the campus. I indulge in the Lincoln Center, studying at Central Park (which is right in front of the school), and eating at all kinds of ethnic food stores. All these places are an easy walking distance from the campus. Indeed, the whole place is very small, but the busy, artsy environment puts me at ease. Lots of kids here don't like it, but you have to walk outside the campus to really appreciate it.
However, the school is expanding to include a couple of nearby buildings. They should be available by Spring 2003.
LABS AND FACILITIES
This is a major source of complaint from everyone who attends NYIT-M. There are only eight computer labs in the entire campus, each housing between 15-30 computers. Consider that there are ~ 1,000 people at the campus at one time. Even if only 25% need to use a computer, there would not be enough. Besides, some classes need these computer labs, so even fewer computers are available for work.
However, I think the kids themselves create this problem by using the labs for unproductive reasons. Some of these people take up lab space, surfing for crap on the Net and (believe it or not) looking up PORN.
That is such a waste of good computers. Many of us end up waiting out in the hallways to use a computer. Even without this problem, this place is sorely lacking in computer labs.
Me, I got so fed up with it that I bought my own laptop. The admin needs to do something about this.
EDUCATION AND COSTS
I take a mix of major and general studies classes and, I must say, NYIT-M has some good professors. I like 4 out of my 5 professors so far (the one I don't like is a disgruntled snob who offers little insight, has minimal disregard for our work, and has a quirky grading policy.)
Most of my professors here are on the side of the students. They question the administration like we do and treat us as individuals, and not like numbers. My current teachers have valuable experience in their profession and they know how to make do with the limited resources the school offers us.
I mentioned at the top that this school has a good Computer Graphics department. It's been widely known that the animation that spawned the likes of Pixar and ILM started in this school. As an aspiring CG artist, I was really intrigued by this. Even more so that my advisor got me started quickly on my Major courses (in my old school, I was still doing general studies garbage!) My verdict so far? I'm quite impressed! Already, I got my feet thoroughly wet on four industry-standard programs (Photoshop 7, Illustrator 10, Quark4, and Max 4.2) and I have some pieces worthy of being in my portfolio.
Student services, however, is a different story. The financial aid people are picky on who to offer scholarships. I have a higher GPA than most of my friends, but I did not get any grants. What gives? The $7500/semester tuition is just too darn high. For the limited amount of services offered to us, they should either decrease the tuition or provide more assistance.
These "suits" should realize how financially tight it can be to attend here. Me, I spend $100 alone on transportation ($80 a month for an unlimited monthly bus pas, and $20 for the MTA.) $4 a day on food. Nearly a thousand a year for books and supplies. All in all, you may end up spending $20,000 a year to cover all of your BASIC needs. If you choose to dorm at the somewhat inconvenient Brooklyn Heights apartment, add an extra $8,000 a year. But who wants to dorm there? that place is decrepid!
Indeed, it really is a struggle between the students/professors and the administration. They can't expect to retain students and faculty if they choose not to expand and meet our needs.
CONCLUSION
Well, even though I'm technically a Junior, I really don't have much of a conclusion to draw upon. It is my first semester here, but I'm happy.
Even though the facilities are small and lacking, and the admin can be a pain in the bleep to deal with, this place really brought out the best in me. NYIT-M is far more challenging than any place I've ever attended (and I've attended a very tough technical-academic high school and spent one year as an officer candidate, so I have a good idea of what "challenge" is.)
Who knows? I might end up loving it or hating it. Most of the people I know who love this school are the adventurous types (those who travel frequently outside the campus and appreciate the excellent location.) If you're that kind of person and are willing to pay the costs, then you might want to give NYIT-M a try.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
cerberus435
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Location: Flush
Reviews written: 53
Trusted by: 7 members
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Cake or Death?
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