What's Next? The College Group at the Met

College students jumping for joy in The American Wing. Photograph by Evan Lee

«Are you getting ready for your first year of college? My freshman year of college was a whirlwind, but I'll never forget getting dressed up with my friends to go to West Egg on the East Side: A (Great) Gatsby Party in The New American Wing, where all I needed was my student ID to attend an after-hours private viewing of The American Wing.»

The Met after hours, filled with college students. Photograph by Evan Lee

Two years later, I heard about the giant bash, An Oasis at the Met, which celebrated the reopening of my favorite space: the New Galleries for the Art of the Arab Lands, Turkey, Iran, Central Asia, and Later South Asia. My professor shared the invitation with our class and said it would be the perfect break from studying for midterms.

College students posing in gallery 371. Photograph by Cornelius Martin

It wasn't until my final year of college that I applied to join the College Group at the Met (CGM), the group of local college students who planned, produced, and ran these events and numerous others celebrating special exhibitions and permanent galleries. All of the events were free with a student ID, or with Museum admission, and created just for us.

College students creating personalized punk bracelets. Photograph by Don Pollard

When I was selected for the committee, I met my fellow CGM members—students from across the city who were studying everything from politics to biology. Some were freshmen, some seniors, and all of them loved the Met as much as I did. We brainstormed craft ideas, created activities, and got together to promote the events we planned. I am now lucky enough to supervise this committee and help plan the events that inspired me as a college student in New York City.

College students having fun at a College Group at the Met event. Photograph by Andrew Bisdale

If you're a recent high school graduate getting ready for your first semester of college, like us on Facebook to keep up with our events and see what we recommend viewing at the Museum. Interested in joining the College Group at the Met? All college students are welcome and encouraged to apply!