Spinoff: grad school life in NYC (theater, schools, universities)

[loratliff]

So, I'm curious: I read the thread on college life in NYC and am wondering where grad school life in NYC may differ.

I'm thinking that, unlike undergrad, a significant portion of students won't be from NY, therefore people won't have their set cliques of friends? Additionally, grad school students won't be living on campus, so will have people spread out across the boroughs affect social life?

Just thinking about options for next year, and wondering how difficult it would be for a fairly social, friendly Texan to find a new group of friends in the city.

[StinaTado]

I think a lot of it depends on the school and the program. I'm starting my MFA in theater in September and the other people in my program and I have already found each other on Facebook and are having our first dept social next week for those of us already in the city. Theater kids are notoriously outgoing, so I'm guessing that's a huge part of it. The big universities in the city also have grad student housing, which a friend of mine lived in while doing her grad work, and that promoted a lot of interaction among students.

The important thing to remember is that a lot of your free time will be spent working on stuff for school, which means you will spend most of your time with the other people in your program. If you mesh well with them, you're golden. If you don't, it will be a lot harder. I'd also check out clubs and things on campus, maybe look for people who share outside interests. If you're outgoing, it will help a lot because you can make the first move to meet people.

[loratliff]

Thanks!

Theater are kids are definitely insanely outgoing, but I'll be doing a Masters in Journalism, which also requires a certain comfort level around strange people - most j-school kids I've known are pretty friendly by nature as well, so I'm sure it will be similar.

I also have a dog, and he's been an awesome outlet for meeting people. I think that will probably (hopefully) be the case in NYC too.

[latikeriii]

As a former Texan, its not very easy to make friends right off the bat but you definitely will. However, as a grad student, it will be difficult to even have time to hang out especially if you have a job. I graduated from UT-Austin and there is a huge chapter here with thousands of Texas Alumni. I suggest you go to some of the Texas Exes events(if or even if you are not an Alumnus) and you can meet people that way. We have a lot of smaller Texas schools that attend UT's events too. Even the Aggies have a chapter here and co-sponsors events with the Texas Exes. They're very receptive to ALL Texans, not just UT Alumni. Where did you go for your undergrad?

[loratliff]

That's great to hear. I have a few family members who are UTers, so I'd definitely feel welcome. I went to SMU for undergrad and I think they have an alum chapter up there as well.

[Coney]

Grad school is a whole other ball of wax. It is grown-up school. Most students will find friends from their program who are at the same point, eg. first year, second year, etc. Some classes may require group projects and that forces social interaction. Even if you are 22 and just graduated from college, you will find people of all ages in your classes, including 30+year old people with children. I mingled with people of all ages because we helped each other out with the schoolwork. Most fraternizing is going to revolve around the work and assignments and membership in school professional organizations, rather than going to a campus concert or football game.