Student Services
Orientation
Orientation for the entering class begins the last week in January. New students meet staff and become familiar with the Garden’s philosophies and facilities. Orientation and special group projects with Horticulture continue weekly throughout February and March to prepare students for their horticulture rotations. A Student Manual detailing student services and school policies will be provided.
Student E-Mail and Computer Access
Each student is assigned a personal e-mail address. Computers are available 24 hours a day in the Student Room.
Food
Students enjoy a 15% discount at both Cafes. The Garden Cafe serves hot and cold dishes, including sandwiches, salads, soups, a daily hot entree, and vegetarian options as well as snacks and beverages. The Leon Levy Visitor Center Cafe serves sandwiches, salads, pastries, snacks, and beverages. Both are open Tuesdays through Sundays. There are several moderately priced diners, cafes, and pizza parlors within walking distance of the Garden. Vending machines are located on the first floor in the Pratt building, Room P102.
Garden Shop
Students enjoy a 20% discount at Shop in the Garden, which stocks a wide range of horticultural and botanical books, plants, gardening equipment, and gifts.
School Facilities
School academic facilities are housed in the Watson and Library buildings. The School has 13 classrooms for meetings and classes. The Student Room is available for meal breaks, studying, drafting, and computer use. Horticulture training is carried out in locations throughout the Garden’s 250-acre campus.
Campus Security
The New York Botanical Garden is committed to providing a safe, secure, and pleasant environment for students, staff, and visitors. The Garden is protected by licensed security personnel who patrol the 250 acres of the Garden, enforcing rules and regulations, and aiding students and staff in a variety of emergencies. The School submits an annual Security Report to the U.S. Department of Education as is required from Title IV schools; it can be found here
Housing
Housing, although not provided, is available in the Bronx and lower Westchester County within a convenient distance from the Garden. Out-of-town and international students should make a concerted effort to secure housing prior to arriving in New York.
Post-Graduation Job Placement
Available jobs are posted on the “Job Listings” bulletin board in the Watson Building. In addition, the School provides placement assistance on an informal basis. The School cannot promise or guarantee employment. However, in recent years nearly 100% of graduates have been employed in the field of horticulture.
Notable Alumni
Visit http://www.nybg.org/edu/soph/featured-alumni.php to see what some School Alumni are currently doing. If you would like to ask a question of a specific graduate, e-mail the Director, cmy@nybg.org, who will then forward it to the respective person.