NYU travel question

[lotank]

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Sorry, I hate making a thread so specific to myself, but hopefully others benefit from this too...

I live in SoCal and am flying out to interview at NYU in a couple weeks. Adding hotel and airfares, it would cost $500-$600 for the trip, except for one flight option. The cheapest option would cost $300 bucks, but arrives at JFK at 5:07 AM, day of the interview (interview is at 8 AM). It's a direct flight, so I wouldn't be as worried about delays.

I've never been to New York before and know nothing about the area, though I'm usually pretty good at finding my way around new places.

Is this trying to cut it too close, or should I be ok? I figure if all else fails, I could grab a taxi both ways, and still save a couple hundred. Anyone from NY have any hints on the easiest way to get to NYU from JFK? I'm on the MTA trip planner page and it seems pretty simple by bus/train.

Any tips or opinions are welcome. I've got several interviews scheduled, so I'm trying to keep the process affordable, if possible.

 

[KitKat09]

few hours of delay due to poor weather will ruin your entire trip... hmm...
I guess it depends how much of loss you would consider it...

 

[Kneecoal]

ugh, i don't think that's worth it. there was just a thread a few days ago from someone trying to get out of new york to detroit and planes weren't even LEAVING, and his interview was the next morning. trying to plan for a flight that gets in a few hours before an 8am interview is risky not only because of possible delays, but if you're coming from a direct flight from SoCal, that's like going to an interview after pulling an all nighter, or at least not a good night's sleep. not only that, but JFK isn't in the city. it's in queens (same-ish deal with laguardia). god forbid your plane gets in even a little bit later, and you could be stuck in the disgusting and infamous long island rush hour traffic of everyone trying to get into the city for work, even though it's still a bit on the earlier side. on top of that, although i don't know what the fares are exactly, but the trip is closer to a half hour, maybe more. so, i'm going to go with no. and don't not go because it might cost a little more. just think of the "if" of that being the only school you actually got accepted to. and don't forget to look on all of those other great little underground travel/airfare websites!

 

[Predent68]

I would seriously consider getting there at least one day early. I don't know how much you really want to get in NYU but you might regret it by blowing off an interview because of poor planning or lack of sleep or flight cancellation.

Besides, NYC is a great place to visit. Don't you want to know how you will spend the next four years of your life in this city (if you are enrolling there). Anyway, I would say southwest offers some cheap tickets and more convenient travel option.

To give you a better glimpse, I stayed at a hotel near JFK for my NYU Interview because it was cheap and I thought the drive was going to be short (~20 minutes based on google map). But no!!!!, it took me one hour and half to get to NYU. The good thing was I left at 6 am otherwise, it would have been a bad impression to the admissions. Anyway, hope you consider again with your plan and good luck with your interview.

 

[T Time]

yeah that is cutting it too close. the taxi ride from the airport into the city can take you up to 40 minutes depending on the traffic, and like others have said you don't know if there will be flight delays. NYC is a great city to explore in, sure it's a lot of money but it was definitely fun and worth it. I think the dental school is on 24th and 2nd (someone correct me if I'm wrong!). Good luck and definitely remember to try out Chicken and rice on 53rd and 6th!

 

[snuppy01]

1

 

[nartnad]

Hey i had my interview last week, and i wouldnt recommend flying the day of....its just too risky. Fly the day before (check priceline...I got it for about $220 round trip). I stayed at "Hotel 17", a few blocks away ($120), walkable distance to the interview. Get there early, interviews are first come first serve in the morning...not that it matters that much. Getting there from the airport is easy. Take the airtrain (from the airport) to the subway system. Just ask the info booth when you get to the airport. I got from JFK to manhattan for 7 bucks. On the way back, I took a bus from grand central station to jfk for 15 bucks (easier)