POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE OF NEW YORK UNIVERSITY
A YEAR IN
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YOU WILL:
LEARN AT NYU-POLY. GROW IN BROOKLYN.
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Dear Student, In 1854, when the Polytechnic school first opened its doors in Brooklyn, no one could have imagined the impact the small institution and New York City’s largest borough would have on one another. The Institute and Brooklyn grew side by side, shaping the lives and destinies of many of its residents. To this day, technology and engineering are still situated at the heart of downtown Brooklyn at NYU-Poly. As you are shaped by our school’s culture of invention, innovation and entrepreneurship (i2e), you will be inspired, ignited and energized by the surrounding community of Brooklyn. Brooklyn is a microcosm of the world. You can find whatever suits your interest here and discover new ones along the way. Brooklyn’s architecture and vast infrastructure still boast some of mankind’s greatest technological marvels, such as the Brooklyn Bridge, which in its day was the world’s largest suspension bridge. It’s also home to Prospect Park, the masterpiece of famed architects Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, which features the nation’s first urban Audubon Center. Brooklyn is also considered a cultural epicenter of theaters and music halls that provide eye-opening entertainment, while its diverse restaurants allow you to sample cuisines from around the world. You can venture to the book fair in the fall, celebrate Chinese New Year in winter or watch the Japanese cherry blossoms bloom in spring, and if you are here for one of our research programs during the summer, you may want to take a special trip to Coney Island. Here is a recreational guide to Brooklyn, NYU-Poly’s home. It is filled with personal recommendations that we hope you will find enjoyable and inspirational throughout the seasons.
Joy Colelli Dean of Undergraduate Admissions
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AUTUMN IN BROOKLYN Brooklyn Book Festival Prospect Park Halloween Walk DUMB O Arts Festival Brooklyn Academy of Music: Next Wave Festival Brooklyn Eats Annual Tasting Event Five Guys Burger Grimaldi’s Pizzeria
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NYU-POLY FALL EVENTS SEPTEMBER NYU Fall C areer Fair NYU Technology Venture C ompetition NYU-Poly Engineering and Technology Fall C areer Fair NYU Stern New Venture and Social Venture C ompetition NYU-Poly Fall C areer Fair
OCTOBER Poly’s Got Talent NYU-Poly Homecoming
NOVEMBER C SAW CyberSecurity C ompetition NYU Entrepreneurs Festival NYU-Poly Pre-Holiday G amefest Poly Brawl
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BROOKLYN BOOK FESTIVAL In addition to the extensive science, engineering and management texts that will feed your mind in our Bern Dibner Library, you can nd ction and other reading for your soul at the Brooklyn Book Festival. This free, public event lines Brooklyn Borough Hall Plaza, not far from campus. The event boasts New York’s brightest literary authors and a wide range of book vendors. There are themed readings, panel discussions, book signings and events on literacy. www.visitbrooklyn.org Brooklyn Borough Hall 209 Joralemon Street Subway Access: 2
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to Borough Hall R to Court Street A C
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Photo credit: Niko Vermeer
to Jay Street–Borough Hall
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PROSPECT PARK: HALLOWEEN WALK New York is never more beautiful than in the fall. Join your fellow NYU-Poly classmates on a trip to take in the colorful foliage along Prospect Park Lake or take part in the legendary Halloween Walk. Use your innovative mind to create a memorable Halloween costume that will outshine every New Yorker in one of Brooklyn’s most beloved celebrations—Halloween day. Search for the event at: www.prospectpark.org Begin at Prospect Park Southwest and 16th Street Subway Access: F
Photo credit: Dan Mambo
to 15th Street–Prospect Park
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DUMBO ARTS FESTIVAL Just blocks from the NYU-Poly campus, this free arts event presents interactive art on the streets of Brooklyn. With more than 200,000 attending each year, this festival is the nation’s largest urban forum for experimental art. The festival is an opportunity for young artists to use any medium imaginable to create temporary projects on any site, completely transforming the neighborhood of DUMBO into a palpable platform for self-expression. It’s a mainstay for all NYU-Poly digital media students. www.dumboartsfestival.com DUMBO Arts Center 111 Front Street Subway Access: F to York Street
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Photo credit: alq666
FACT: Download the DUMBO Arts Festival application on your iPhone to get an interactive map of project locations during this groundbreaking festival.
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BROOKLYN ACADEMY OF MUSIC: NEXT WAVE FESTIVAL The Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) is one of the leading New York-based performing arts centers. With presentations of both modern and classical representations of opera, cinema, dance and theater, it is the consummate ne art experience. NYU-Poly students favor the Next Wave Festival, beginning in October, which presents the fall’s most stunning performances and artist talkbacks. www.bam.org 30 Lafayette Avenue (718) 636-4100 Subway Access: 2
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to Atlantic Avenue D N R M to Pacific Street FACT: In 1858, in order to bring cultural life to Brooklyn, NYU-Poly (then Polytechnic Institute) President John H. Raymond hosted the rst meeting for the formation of the Brooklyn Academy of Music. The rst performances were held at the Institute’s chapel. By 1871, after construction was complete, graduation exercises were held at the Academy.
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BROOKLYN EATS ANNUAL TASTING EVENT Once home to one of the largest ship manufacturing facilities in the country, the Brooklyn Navy Yard is now home to “Brooklyn Eats,” one of the city’s largest food tasting events. With over 1,000 restaurants in Brooklyn alone, there’s no telling the array of foods and libations that will be offered each year. www.brooklyneatsonline.com 482-711 Washington Avenue Subway Access: G to Clinton–Washington Avenue
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FIVE GUYS BURGERS Located right on campus, Five Guys Burgers and Fries® is a great place to grab a burger and milkshake after class. Get inventive with their wide range of burgers and toppings. Give them the blueprint, they will build it. www. veguys.com 2 MetroTech Center 138 Montague Street (718) 852-9380 Subway Access: R M to Court Street/Borough Hall
GRIMALDI’S PIZZERIA Don’t let the long line outside deter you —this pizza is well worth the wait. Established in 1905, Grimaldi’s has kept students coming back for its tasty pizza for more than 100 years. Famous for its under-thebridge locale and coal- red brick oven, it’s the best reason to wait on line in town. www.grimaldisnyc.com 1 Front Street (718) 858-4300 Subway Access: 2
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to Henry–Clark Street A
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to High Street FOOD 9
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WINTER IN BROOKLYN Chinese New Year C elebration Ice Skating in Prospect Park Target® First Saturdays at Brooklyn Museum of Art Music Hall of Williamsburg Brooklyn Bagels* Brooklyn Restaurant Week* Junior’s Cheesecake
*Multiple Locations
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NYU-POLY WINTER EVENTS DECEMBER Jurassic Park returns to NYU-Poly Midnight Breakfast Study-a-Thon
JANUARY Inno/Vention C ompetition
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CHINESE NEW YEAR CELEBRATION The Brooklyn Chinese American Association hosts its annual New Year’s Celebration each year on 8th Avenue in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. Commonly known as “Lunar New Year” in this hamlet, expect to see Lion Dancers parading down the street during the day and beautiful lanterns lit at night. www.bca.net Subway Access: R to 45th Street D M to 9th Avenue
ICE SKATING IN PROSPECT PARK In early November, the Prospect Park Association opens up Wollman Rink, located in the center of the park, for NYU-Poly students (and polar bears) who enjoy the crisp air and a great time with friends. The rink closes in mid-March. www.prospectpark.org/ice_skating Subway Access: B
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to Prospect Park Station F to 15th Street–Prospect Park
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TARGET FIRST SATURDAYS AT THE BROOKLYN MUSEUM At the Brooklyn Museum’s Target® First Saturdays, NYU-Poly students enjoy free arts programming the rst Saturday of each month from 5 to 11 p.m. Some of Target® First Saturday programs require tickets; lines often form 30 minutes before ticket distribution at the Visitor Center located in the Rubin Lobby, so get there early. www.brooklynmuseum.org 200 Eastern Parkway (718) 638-5000 Subway Access: 2
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to Eastern Parkway–Brooklyn Museum FACT: Guy C. Wiggins, class of 1899, a renowned American Impressionist painter, became the youngest artist ever to have a painting accepted in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s permanent collection. Fellow alumnus William S. Conrow also went on to become a famous painter. Both have works in the permanent collection of the Brooklyn Museum.
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MUSIC HALL OF WILLIAMSBURG Housing more electronic, independent and cult artists than most city venues, the Music Hall of Williamsburg is home to some of Brooklyn’s most popular bands such as TV on the Radio and Grizzly Bear. Whether watching from the rafters or sitting in the lounge downstairs with friends, you will have a great time in this space. Must be 18 or older to enter. www.musichallofwilliamsburg.com 66 North 6th Street (718) 486-5400 Subway Access: L to Bedford Avenue FACT: Many of the electronic instruments used since the 1980s, from synthesizers to DJ scratch pads, have been studied at NYU-Poly to create digital re-creations for cell phones and other mobile multimedia devices. FACT: NYU-Poly professor Luke Dubois is one of the authors of Max/MSP digital music and video processing software. FACT: Former N ew York City mayor and alumnus Seth Low commissioned architect Gustav Lindenthal to nish the Williamsburg Bridge and the Manhattan Bridge, continuing to connect Brooklyn to Manhattan. This solidi ed Brooklyn’s consolidation with the greater N ew York City area, which happened only ve years earlier.
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BROOKLYN BAGELS If there is one food group speci c to New Yorkers it’s bagels. Brooklyn boasts some of the best bagels in the country. The mineral-rich tap water found in New York is the secret to the perfection of the dough used to make pizza and bagels. Businesses from around the country order and use New York City tap water, hoping its special properties will make their pizza and bagel dough just as special. Here are some of our recommendations: Bagelsmith www.bagelsmith.com 189 Bedford Avenue (718) 218-7414 We recommend: An “everything” bagel toasted with bacon and scallion cream cheese. Subway Access: L to Bedford Avenue Bergen Bagels www.bergenbagel.com 473 Bergen Street (718) 789-7600 We recommend: Smokey sable spread on pumpernickel. Subway Access: 2
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to Bergen Street Terrace Bagels 224 Prospect Park West (718) 768-3943 We recommend: Before 11 a.m. breakfast specials and the tofu cream cheese. Subway Access: F to 15th Street–Prospect Park FOOD 15
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BROOKLYN RESTAURANT WEEK In March, over 150 restaurants all over Brooklyn participate in Dine-In Brooklyn. For a xed price, hovering around $20 for lunch and $25 for dinner, NYU-Poly students can visit select restaurants and sample their menus. www.visitbrooklyn.org Offered by: Brooklyn Tourism 209 Joralemon Street (718) 802-3846
JUNIOR’S CHEESECAKE Recently celebrating its 62nd year in Brooklyn, Junior’s offers the best cheesecake in New York. We recommend the Chargrilled Steak Burger for lunch with Raspberry Swirl Cheesecake for dessert. Yum! www.juniorscheesecake.com 386 Flatbush Avenue Extension (718) 852-5257 Subway Access: 2
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to Nevins Street G to Fulton Street D M N R to Pacific Street
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WORDS 17
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SPRING IN BROOKLYN Brooklyn Bridge and the Promenade Brooklyn Botanic G arden: Sakura Matsuri Montague Street Beacon’s Closet St. Ann’s Warehouse
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NYU-POLY SPRING EVENTS MARCH Music Freedom Day NYU-Poly Spring C areer Fair Scholars’ Dinner
APRIL Best of Brooklyn C areer Fair POLY PRIDE WEEK! Annual Biomedical Engineering Research Project Placement Fair
MAY Poly NYU Independent Film Festival IEEE Innovation Day Toast Alumni Weekend C ommencement
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BROOKLYN BRIDGE AND THE PROMENADE There is no better way to take in the beginning of spring than with a refreshing walk across the historic Brooklyn Bridge. Completed in 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge stretches over 6,000 feet from downtown Brooklyn to lower Manhattan. This bridge is not just a part of Brooklyn’s history, but that of NYU-Poly’s. Alumnus James Wood developed the machinery to fabricate the steel cables that keep the bridge standing, making the Brooklyn Bridge the rst suspension bridge in America. These same cables changed the skylines of every major city and eventually made cable-lift elevators possible. Before you walk across to Manhattan, stroll on the Promenade or take in the view on one of the benches as Woody Allen and Diane Keaton did in the lm Manhattan. Near the Promenade you can also nd restaurants, shops and the beautiful cobblestone streets of Brooklyn Heights. Subway Access: A
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to Columbia Heights at Middagh Street FACT: In 1973, Polytechnic’s alumni magazine was renamed Cable, representing the importance of the bridge not only to N ew York City, but also to NYU-Poly. FACT: Each of the four main steel cables that suspend the bridge is comprised of 19 strands containing a total of 5,434 steel wires. More than 14,400 miles of steel wire connect these suspension cables to the bridge oor.
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BROOKLYN BOTANIC GARDEN: SAKURA MATSURI The rst weekend of May brings the celebration of Japanese Culture with the Sakura Matsuri, or “rite of spring,” at the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens. Enjoy contemporary and traditional Japanese music and dance, taiko drumming, ikebana ower-arranging, Japanese DJs, presentations on the art of manga, tea ceremonies and workshops for all ages. www.bbg.org 1000 Washington Avenue (718) 623-7200 Subway Access: 2
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to Eastern Parkway-Brooklyn Museum B Q to Prospect Park 4
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to Franklin Avenue S to Prospect Park Station FACT: In 1911, as NYU-Poly (then Polytechnic Institute) divided into two separate learning institutions: the college and the preparatory school, the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens was erected and became the scienti c feat of the time. Polytechnic Institute’s rst newspaper, The Reporter, also printed its rst issue during that year.
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MONTAGUE STREET The best shopping nearby is on Montague Street, with retail shops, hair salons, the oh-so-important Starbucks, commercial restaurants, cheap eats and the Brooklyn Toy Museum. Subway Access: 2
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to Borough Hall Station FACT: The original Polytechnic Institute was born during the movement of the business quarter of Brooklyn in the 1850s to what is now known as the Borough Hall district. Montague Street, once corn fields, was one of the first streets to be carved out for the district and housed many of the affluent students who entered the Institute’s halls, graduated and went on to shape N ew York and the nation.
BEACON’S CLOSET In an effort to stay green, it’s important to recycle. Check out this staple vintage store for second-hand designer fashions and accessories at shockingly low prices. It also buys any clothing you’re willing to sell for store credit or retail value. www.beaconscloset.com 88 N. 11th Street, Williamsburg (718) 486-0816 Also in Park Slope and Manhattan Subway Access: L to Bedford Avenue 2
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to Bergen Street
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ST. ANN’S WAREHOUSE A modern theater xture in New York is St. Ann’s Warehouse. With its rectangular thrust stage, it throws a wrench into the theater machine simply with its architecture and use of space. With three shows a season, featured artists have included Stew, the Wooster Group (a must-see!) and the National Theater of Scotland. The space is also open off-season for artistic ventures and concerts, such as BKLYN Designs. 38 Water Street (718) 254-8779 Subway Access: F to York Street 2
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to Clark Street FACT: NYU-Poly is not the only institution in Brooklyn in which experimentation takes place. In 2004, founding Artistic Director Susan Feldman and St. Ann’s Warehouse were awarded the Ross Wetzsteon Award for the development of new work and for “inviting artists to treat their cavernous DUMBO space as both an inspiring laboratory and a sleek venue where its super-informed audience charges the atmosphere with hip vitality.”
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SUMMER IN BROOKLYN C oney Island Jacob Riis Park Brooklyn Bridge Park and Pier 1 Many NYU-Poly students spend their summers in Brooklyn. Not only is summer an exciting time to enjoy sunny days at the park or dine outside, but it is also an ideal time for our students to take advantage of research opportunities. Our Undergraduate Summer Research Program offers students the opportunity to perform paid-research with a faculty mentor for 10 weeks from June thru August. The program is supplemented with faculty-run seminars, the publication of abstracts and the presentation of student work at New Student Convocation in September. We want you to spend your summer enriching both your academic experience and relationship with Brooklyn. To find out more information about our Undergraduate Summer Research Program, visit our website at www.poly.edu.
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NYU-POLY SUMMER EVENTS JULY BAM’s R&B Festival at MetroTech High School Summer Programs: Innovative C onceptual Engineering Design NYS Cyber C amp
AUGUST New Student Orientation
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Coney Island is the quintessential summer hangout in Brooklyn. Its shores once served as a summer resort during the late 19th century. To this day, millions still ock here during the summer for swimming, amusements and funky gift shops. Coney Island’s landmark ride, the Parachute Jump, known as “Brooklyn’s Eiffel Tower,” was built for the 1939 World’s Fair and was an architectural marvel for its time. When visiting Coney Island, you need to get the full experience. We highly recommend pulling out all the stops. Check out the following attractions: Nathan’s Hot Dogs, the New York Aquarium and the Siren Music Festival.
Photo credit: Gene Han
CONEY ISLAND
Subway Access: D F N Q to Stillwell Avenue, Coney Island F Q to West 8th Street, NY Aquarium
JACOB RIIS PARK Hop on the bus down Flatbush Avenue to Riis Park in Rockaway, where you can play paddle tennis or Pitch and Putt golf. Whatever you love to do at the beach you can do on the shores of the Atlantic. Check out the iconic Art Deco bath house, or the rocky jetties—a signature of the south shore beaches of Long Island. Subway/Bus Access: A
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Photo credit: Retrofresh!
to Rockaway Park transfer to the Q35 or Q22
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BROOKLYN BRIDGE PARK AND PIER 1 Offering spectacular views of downtown Manhattan and the New York Harbor, the Brooklyn Bridge Park attracts thousands of visitors each year. NYU-Poly students use the park to picnic, ride bikes, daydream and even rent kayaks during the summer months. Pier 1, the rst of six remodeled piers in Brooklyn to be reopened as parks, features great views of New York Harbor and the Brooklyn Bridge. The pier boasts over 500 varieties of ora, concessions, a runner’s path and water gardens. The “Granite Prospect,” steps built from granite salvaged from the Roosevelt Island Bridge reconstruction, is an exciting feature and a symbol of Brooklyn’s commitment to build with the environment in mind. Thurman Street and Old Fulton, south of the Brooklyn Bridge Subway Access: A
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to High Street F to York Street FACT: The Pier 1 Park is partially self-sustaining; tanks that store rainwater supply 70% of Pier 1’s yearly irrigation needs. FACT: The Brooklyn N avy Yards ran along the East River shoreline of downtown Brooklyn. The desire for advanced naval technologies and the emerging merchant businesses provided a chance for NYU-Poly (then the Polytechnic Institute) to make a contribution. Edward R . Knowles, class of 1870, developed searchlights for the N avy, while Henry C. Goldmark, class of 1874, went on to design lock machinery for the Panama Canal.
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OH, AND OF COURSE...
THERE’S THE OTHER BOROUGH
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NEW YORK UNIVERSITY AND WASHINGTON SQUARE PARK Manhattan and New York University have afforded great opportunities for NYU-Poly students. Students are able to take liberal arts courses at the New York University Washington Square campus located in the heart of Greenwich Village in Manhattan. Students are also able to use the many New York University libraries throughout Manhattan, including the Bobst Library. The libraries of New York University hold collections totaling more than four million volumes, almost ve million microforms, 500,000 government documents and a wide range of electronic resources. Located at: 70 Washington Square South New York, NY 10012 (212) 998-2500 Take the Jay Street A train to Washington Square. Should you decide to visit the Washington Square campus, take a walk through the historic park or walk along Washington Square North and check out the 19th century brownstones. For something to eat, check out MacDougal Street. Walk south, starting from Washington Square South.
There are thousands of things to do in Manhattan; the list grows every day. We suggest you check out some of these highlights: C helsea Piers Sports and Entertainment C omplex See a Broadway show in Times Square Shopping in SoHo C entral Park Metropolitan Museum of Art Museum of Natural History Museum of Modern Art Movies at the Angelika Film C enter A symphony, opera or ballet performance at Lincoln C enter The Strand Bookstore in Union Square Ride the ferry to Staten Island Visit the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island C heck out basketball, hockey games, or concerts at Madison Square G arden Take a Circle Line Tour from South Street Seaport around the island of Manhattan WORDS 29
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Polytechnic Institute of New York University Six MetroTech C enter Brooklyn, NY 11201 Of ce of Undergraduate Admissions Tel: 1-800-P OLYTE C H www.poly.edu/admissions uadmit@poly.edu
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