NYU program reputation

[hoobers]

I am wondering what the general impression of NYU's program is. If you are applying there, can you describe why? Or if there is a specific reason you are not applying there, can you say why not? How effective and reputable is it? What is its ranking?

[slothy]

I seriously considered applying to NYU as a fall-back although I ultimately decided against it (and with the two acceptances I now have in hand I'd say it would have been a waste of time and money). NYU probably ranks somewhere between 15-25 depending on subfield (I think it's US News rank is somewhere in the teens; I'm too lazy to look it up - US News tends to be decent as an approximate guide of what tier a school falls in but very imprecise). Once you start getting down into the teens in sociology you end up at a serious disadvantage on the job market over top-15 grads; however, I suspect NYU might be as competitive as some top-10 programs because it is in a very enviable location (to a lot of, but by no means all, young adults). In my field, they had a few interesting people, but they were by no means renowned.

As a university, NYU has some serious problems with funding and caring for its grad students, and NYU horror stories probably made me a bit prejudiced against them from the beginning. Their overhead is extremely high due to their location(s) - my impression is that they spend more on security alone than a lot of R1 universities spend on their libraries (this might be an overstatement). And those busses that run all over Manhattan? They add up, as do those fancy housing facilities right on Washington Square. I wouldn't go there without an ironclad 5 year funding package, since their tuition is sky-high and they do make a good portion of their grad students pay it, even if most of the students getting stuck with these bills are in their intriguingly-themed terminal MA programs (Draper, Social Theory, ect...). They (the university) have an interesting incentive program where they match external funding you win, but to me that sounds like a sign that their students lack the guaranteed level of support enjoyed at other big private schools.

[ewurgler]

I'd agree with what slothy said, as well as major problems with taking care of it's graduate students.

An undergrad professor of mine got a PhD in American Studies at NYU, and though he got a good education, admitted issues with finishing the program, funding problems, and general lack of support.

For a graduate program, all of these things are extremely necessary, and it is TOXIC to come out of graduate school with debt.

Unless there is someone you desperately want to work with on the faculty, perhaps not the best grad program for you.

[hoobers]

((Argh! I just typed up a long response and lost it because the UI on this thing keeps on confusing me!))

Thanks for your detailed responses -- they are quite informative! However, I think you're mistaken about funding for the PhD program there: NYU funds all of its PhD students in all departments with the same McCracken fellowship, which has a base of about $22k (some people get more) for five years, and a sixth year is nearly guaranteed. You're right about their MA programs being cash cows (especially Draper!!), but I think their PhD students are well-funded.

[slothy]

I should have made clear that I was sharing my general impressions of NYU; I really don't know anyone in the sociology department, so I really can't say anything definitive about the program. It's just my understanding that they have more toxic programs than most of their peer institutions.

[ewurgler]

I mean by funding and support mainly things other than stipend--like travel stipends, etc. That is an important part of "support."

I've heard that they create a very competitive environment and don't ever reign it in when it should be.

Also, never really heard anyone rave about. If their own alumni don't have very good things to say, that is a bad sign.

[neutiquamerro]

i haven't heard anyone badmouth or shrug off nyu's sociology department. in fact, i've heard it praised in regards to the study of sex/gender, culture, social movements, and cities. it's slightly qualitative-leaning, in a very expensive city, and a bit young (faculty-wise), but it seems to be a very solid program. i actually can't wait to hear back from nyu.

[neutiquamerro]

also, don't forget that nyu's top-notch in philosophy, law, the arts/performance, african-american studies, etc., any of which can be helpful depending on your interests.

and that's the thing; like any program, it comes down to fit. if you're interested in areas in which nyu is strong, you should consider it. schools are smart and well-researched enough to hire based off of the ph.d.'s specializations. it's a matter of "Wisconsin's one of the best schools for Marxist sociology, and the applicant worked with and got glowing references from famous Marxist Professors x, y, and z!," not a matter of "Wow, he went to Stanford. His ethnographic work must be great, even though the department eschews qualitative work and doesn't support him, his work, or his application here." those are just examples (and relatively bad ones at that), but i'm sure you get my point. : p

[BodyStudiesPhD]

Its a great program with many important scholars. Not to mention, the director of the Graduate program, Eric Klinenberg is a bit of a wonder boy.

PhD's are fully funded. Period.

And as for the comment regarding ending graduate school with student loan debt as being "TOXIC," while it isn't ideal (is debt ever?), it is in no way uncommon - lets not be hyperbolic here. (You obviously don't have student loan debt from your undergrad.)

Also, don't pour all of your weight into U.S. News - its not a very honest system.

I should mention, I did my undergrad at NYU and I'm an employee of the University.