Familiar Place, New Beginnings: A Student’s Excitement for College at NYU
Alexander X. is CollegeBound! He is a senior at Manhattan Early College School for Advertising (MECA), a partner school of Student Leadership Network’s CollegeBound Initiative. A thoughtful student who volunteers at a local nonprofit settlement house, Alex has wanted to attend New York University from a young age. He shared with us how he made this dream into a reality.
Photo above: Alex, on lower left in the NYU shirt, and his fellow seniors at MECA Decision Day, celebrating the college choices and postsecondary pathways of the Class of 2025
Early Exposure to College and Career Opportunities
Q: You attend a public high school, Manhattan Early College School for Advertising (MECA), which is known for its access to college courses and its focus on advertising. Did that influence your journey to college?
Funny enough, I actually don’t want to go into advertising. What I value about MECA is that I learn a skill set that I can always fall back on. There are certifications in things like social media and data analysis. We can also earn dual enrollment credits through classes at the local community college. I’ve also dedicated several summers working in city government and volunteering at a community organization. These are all things that make me better prepared for college.
After applying to several colleges and reviewing acceptance offers, I’m happy to announce that I will be attending NYU!
Q: Congratulations on your college decision! What were some deciding factors in choosing NYU?
Throughout my college application journey, NYU stood out as the most realistic and enduring. Since childhood, I have always aspired to attend NYU, sparked by its violet hues, towering buildings, and its notable NYC spirit. While I romanticized NYU when I was young, I found out that it was also an affordable option, in addition to its close proximity to my home.
Academics are one of the experiences of going to college, and NYU does not disappoint in this area. I’m striving to become a data scientist, and I saw the countless resources and expert professionals the school has to offer me. This can provide me with the necessary experience and expertise for a plethora of job opportunities.
Lastly, due to NYU’s location, I can hopefully still pursue my time in the Hamilton-Madison House community center, where I’ve worked with programs for the elderly and at their farmers market initiatives. The most memorable moments were the time spent translating, playing ping pong, working in the planning committee, and helping out at the food pantry. In short, I love what I do at my community center, and I would like to continue to mentor, serve, and stay rooted in the place that shaped me.
Making College Affordable
Q: Many students are surprised or disheartened when they first see the price tag of college tuition and other expenses on college websites. How did you navigate the cost of attending college at NYU?
NYU encourages first-year students to live on campus, so initially I was shocked when I saw that tuition and dorming were estimated at over $90,000 per year. That doesn’t even include textbooks and other expenses. But I felt prepared working with my college counselor, Ms. Diaz, to understand and apply for different state and federal financial aid programs and scholarships. After looking at various financial aid packages, NYU was where my expenses were all covered, due to my family meeting the criteria for the NYU Promise program. It has offered my family the most affordable option, making the decision much easier.
I am really excited to live in a dorm, to finally have a sense of independence and freedom. I am eager to connect with and meet the amazing faculty, professors, and students at NYU.
Q: What are you looking forward to about your next steps?
I am really excited to live in a dorm, to finally have a sense of independence and freedom. I am eager to connect with and meet the amazing faculty, professors, and students at NYU. I am also really looking forward to the perks of being an NYU student, like discounts at local restaurants!
