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Get in touch: +1-800-991-0126
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Are you considering studying at NYU? Here’s your definitive guide to getting in. We’ll discuss New York University requirements and what you can do to help your application shine.
Since it was established in 1831, New York University (NYU) continues to be one of the best non-Ivy League colleges in the US. NYU has a QS ranking of #38 globally, and Forbes recently honored 19 NYU alumni in their “30 under 30” list across different industries.
With this level of prestige in mind, it’s no wonder NYU attracts thousands of eager and competitive applicants annually. This article will cover everything you need to know about getting into NYU and its admission requirements. We’ll walk you through the process so you can confidently navigate your NYU application.
NYU evaluates candidates based on their academic qualifications and personal experience. To create a strong application, you should demonstrate intellectual abilities through your GPA and SAT/ACT. You should also write compelling essays, participate in relevant extracurriculars, and gain lots of work experience.
Here’s some more info on how NYU evaluates applications from their Common Data Set:
NYU has marked the following categories as “Very Important” in their evaluations: rigor of high school record, class rank, academic GPA, and standardized test scores. This shows that applicants to NYU need to demonstrate academic excellence and the ability to thrive in rigorous academic settings.
NYU has also marked applicant talent/ability as “Very Important”. If you can demonstrate particular talents that are unique and relevant to NYU, you may get an edge over other applicants. These talents should also ideally relate to your intended field of study.
Other important factors include your application essay, recommendation letters, extracurricular activities, and character/personal qualities.
New York University’s acceptance rate is 8%. Despite its large student population, NYU is selective in its admissions. Recent class data shows that NYU received over 120,000 applications, a 13% increase from the previous year.
Three undergraduate schools accepted less than 10% of applicants:
NYU has made it clear that diversity is a priority for the school. NYU understands that there is no one profile for an ideal applicant. The incoming undergraduate class of 2023 is the most diverse in history. According to NYU, no single ethnic group constitutes more than 22% of the class population.
Source: NYU
For more info on NYU’s acceptance rate trends, here’s a table outlining the acceptance rates from the past few years:
The NYU early decision acceptance rate is estimated to be around 18%. While this is a higher rate than the overall acceptance rate, it is still very competitive.
Given the institution's prestige, you may wonder, " How challenging is it to gain admission to NYU?” Considering only 8% of a pool of over 100,000 applicants secured a spot at this institution, getting an offer letter will undoubtedly be difficult.
Prospective students must submit meticulously crafted and distinct applications to maximize their chances of being accepted.
The yield rate for NYU is 54.39%. This means that NYU accepts over half of the students who apply every year.
Take our interactive quiz below to find out how likely you are to get into NYU.
To put together the best application possible, it can be helpful to know the average stats of recent incoming classes. That way, you can know what benchmarks to aim for. Here are some admission stats from the most recent NYU class.
A 3.7 unweighted GPA is typical for most admitted first-years at NYU. This means you should try to get straight As in all your high school classes!
While there’s no set GPA requirement, most admitted NYU students ranked in the top 10% of their graduating class.
Successful candidates at NYU had an average SAT score of 1520, with the middle 50% ranging from 1470 to 1570. The average SAT reading and writing scores ranged from 720 to 770, and math scores ranged from 750 to 800.
NYU is test-optional and doesn’t set a minimum SAT score requirement. However, if your SAT score is at the higher end of these ranges, we recommend submitting it to strengthen your application and demonstrate your academic prowess.
If you choose to submit SAT scores, you can submit your highest result if you took the test more than once.
New York University’s average ACT score is 34, and the middle 50% range of scores from admitted students is 33 to 35. Similarly to the SAT, the ACT is not required, but if you have a high score, you should submit it for a stronger overall application.
You can submit multiple tests for the ACT, and NYU will create a “superscore” from the highest scores of each section of all the tests you submit. This superscore isn’t an option for the SATs.
Getting into New York University is no easy feat! Students are expected to have SAT scores around 1520 or higher or ACT scores around 34. NYU hopefuls should also have high GPAs, around 3.7 or above, and take advanced courses to demonstrate their academic potential.
Preparation and planning are critical in the application process. Applicants must know what’s expected from them; test scores, extracurricular activities, etc. Remember that NYU technically has three degree-granting campuses. You’ll need to review all their offerings to decide which is the best for you.
Furthermore, the New York campus has 11 schools and colleges. The school/college you apply to depends on your area of study. It would be best to prepare for extra steps required in the application process for your specific school. However, every undergraduate applicant will need first to submit a general application.
Here’s what you’ll need to include:
You should also include extracurricular achievements and work experience. While there aren’t specific NYU extracurricular activities applicants are expected to have, pursuing valuable extracurriculars will strengthen your application. NYU appreciates well-rounded individuals who have actively engaged in activities beyond the classroom.
Having these supplemental activities on your NYU application won’t necessarily make up for low grades, but they can differentiate your profile and help you stand out!
NYU requires one letter of recommendation which can be sent by a teacher or a professor. NYU also accepts up to three letters of recommendation, so the more the merrier.
When gathering your mentors, think strategically about who the best person is to recommend you. Forget about titles; go for the individuals who have worked personally with you and can add to your narrative.
When applying to NYU, make sure you have a good amount of quality extracurriculars to show them. NYU doesn’t care about elite titles or how complex an extracurricular is. They want to see how your participation contributes to your narrative.
A good extracurricular is anything that establishes initiative, entertainment, and leadership. A night out with your friends might not be a good option, but the leader of a sports team definitely is.
Depending on the school/college you’re applying to, you may also need to submit supporting documentation. For example, the Tisch School of Arts requires applicants to submit an artistic portfolio or audition.
Here are some additional program requirements you should be mindful of at NYU:
Source: Tandon School of Engineering, Stern School of Business, Steinhardt School of Culture, Education & Human Development, and Tisch School of Arts
You’ll need to stay aware of college application deadlines so that you don’t miss any important requirements. Here are some significant dates that you should keep track of when applying to NYU:
The Regular Decision deadline at NYU is January 5. All Regular Decision applicants will receive their admission notification by April 1. Note that the cutoff time for applications is 11:59 pm in your local time.
Early Decision I applicants at NYU should submit their applications by November 1 and will receive their admissions decision by December 15. However, if you’re applying for Early Decision II, you’ll need to submit by January 1 to get a decision by February 15.
Wondering how to make the most of your NYU application? Read on for expert tips to get in!
Early Decision applicants at any college often enjoy higher acceptance rates than their Regular Decision peers, although other factors may explain these data trends. However, you should consider applying through NYU’s early decision program if:
NYU is pretty tight-lipped about its early decision acceptance rate, but data trends indicate it’s likely substantially higher than regular decisions. Although many regular decision applicants are admitted each cycle, applying through early decision can show your passion and interest in NYU. Don’t forget about this option!
The chances are that most applicants won’t be invited to interview, meaning you have one shot to “speak” to the admissions committee. Your personal statement is crucial to your success in all college applications, but your supplemental essay is where you can get school-specific.
Although the NYU essay is only 250 words, strive to make each count. Before writing, spend ample time brainstorming your story and considering all angles of your experiences and background.
Unfortunately, not all high school resources are created equal. Maybe you’ve been struggling to speak to a guidance counselor or feel you just need a little bit more support as you navigate this new and exciting process. This wouldn’t be unusual since the average counselor-to-student ratio in NYC high schools alone is 1:215.
One surefire way to boost your chances of admission is to partner with a talented NYU admissions consultant. These experts can provide a fresh perspective on your application, help you strategically position yourself as the best candidate possible, and more!
NYU admires students who show passion and dedication beyond just academics. While grades matter, your involvement outside the classroom also counts.
Explore activities that genuinely interest you and where you can make a meaningful impact. Whether you volunteer, join clubs, play sports, pursue artistic endeavors, or take on leadership roles, demonstrate your commitment and the positive difference you make.
NYU values diversity and individuality. Use your essays as a platform to reveal your authentic self and what sets you apart from other applicants.
Go beyond surface-level statements and share personal anecdotes, reflections, and insights that provide a genuine glimpse into your character, experiences, and aspirations. Write in a way that reflects your personality and showcases your unique perspective on the world.
Writing a standout application requires feedback and revision. Once you've written your essays, seek input from teachers, mentors, or peers who can offer valuable perspectives.
Be open to constructive criticism and use it to refine your essays further. Pay attention to clarity, coherence, grammar, and punctuation to ensure your writing is polished and error-free. Taking the time to edit and refine your work demonstrates your commitment to presenting your best self.
Managing the college application process can be overwhelming, so staying organized is crucial. Create a timeline or checklist to keep track of important dates and requirements.
Set realistic goals and set aside time for each task to avoid last-minute stress. Utilize digital tools or planners to stay on top of deadlines and reminders. Meeting deadlines consistently demonstrates your reliability and respect for the application process, which can positively influence how your application is viewed.
Applicants to NYU must submit two college admission essays in the general application. The first is your personal statement, which you’ll submit to every school you apply to. The other is an NYU-specific essay.
This is NYU’s most recent essay prompt, although this may change depending on the application cycle:
We are looking for peacemakers, changemakers, global citizens, boundary breakers, creatives and innovators—choose one quote from the following and let us know why it inspires you; or share a short quote and person not on our list who inspires you, and include why.
You have a 250-word limit to answer this prompt.
Take a look at this example NYU essay to get an idea of how to write your own.
“Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.”
In her cramped kitchen, Titi Nana cracked the egg in the center of the pan, the cheeriness of the bright yellow yolk contrasting the harshness of the caldero. In a flourish, she jerked the bottle of alcohol in her hand, flames erupting from the griddle. She instructed me: "Wipe it all off," gesturing to dust off my shoulders and arms into the inferno. I laughed nervously as I removed the maldad [evil] from my body, one brush at a time. I left Titi's apartment that day confused about how our family's practice of Santería [witchcraft] fit in with my outward embrace of my heritage. I felt as if the parts of my Latina identity I claimed openly -- dancing salsa to Celia Cruz or enjoying lechón y arroz con habichuelas en Navidad -- were contradicted by my skepticism towards Titi's rituals. My experience with Santería wasn't new, as proven by my mother's kitchen altar lit dimly by prayer candles and adorned with evil eyes, statues of San Miguel, and offerings to Elegua; however, I'd never before witnessed such a tangible demonstration of my family's ritualistic beliefs. Although it surrounded me, I refused to believe in the effects of Santería... so I shunned it entirely. Moving to a predominantly white boarding school and away from the rituals my family had passed down, I avoided addressing the distance I had wedged between myself and my background. I pushed away all things Latina as my fear of failing to honor my Puerto Rican heritage intensified. This distance only grew as my classmates jokingly commented on my inability to speak Spanish and my whitepassing complexion, further tearing away bits of my Latinidad with each snide remark. In an effort to build myself back up, I began to practice the small bits of Santería that I comprehended: lighting candles for good luck, placing a chalice of water by my bedside to absorb all maldad, and saying my prayers to San Miguel and my guardian angels each day. To my disbelief, the comments that attacked my Latinidad, or lack thereof, faded along with the aching feeling that I had failed to represent my heritage. As I embraced the rituals that I initially renounced, I finally realized the power in Titi's practices. In all of her cleansing and prayer rituals, she was protecting me and our family, opening the doors for us to achieve our goals and overcome the negativity that once held us back. In realizing the potential of Santería, I shifted my practices to actively protecting myself and others against adversity and employed Santería as a solution for the injustice I witnessed in my community. Santería once served as my scapegoat; I blamed the discomfort I felt towards black magic for the imposter syndrome festering inside me. Until I embraced Santería, it only served as a reminder that I wasn't Latina enough in the eyes of my peers. Now, I understand that while intangible, ethereal, even, the magic of Santería is real; it's the strength of my belief in myself, in my culture, and in my commitment to protect others.
Still curious about how to get into NYU? Explore our answers to common frequently asked questions below!
NYU seeks students who embody global understanding, diversity, and a wide range of perspectives. To stand out, focus on competitive test scores and GPAs, community spirit, and cultural/global understanding. Consider working with a college admissions counselor to help you maximize your chances.
While there's no GPA cutoff, the average GPA of admitted students is 3.7. A higher GPA can make you more competitive, but you can offset a lower GPA with strong test scores, extracurriculars, and essays.
NYU excels in performing arts and business programs.
No, NYU is not an Ivy League school.
Interviews are not typically required at NYU, except for certain programs/schools like NYU's Opportunity Programs.
Yes, NYU is test-optional, but you can still submit high scores if you want them considered.
Yes, NYU allows double majors and cross-school minors in another NYU undergraduate school.
NYU received a record-breaking 120,000 applicants for first-year undergraduate admissions in the most recent cycle.
Yes, NYU superscores ACT scores, considering your highest scores.
NYU’s tuition costs $62,796 a year.
While possible, a 3.5 GPA may require supplementing your application with high SAT/ACT scores, compelling essays, and strong recommendations, as the average incoming GPA is 3.7.
NYU is one of the largest and highest-ranked universities in the world. NYU is quite competitive, although it regularly admits many driven and capable students.
To ensure you’re one of them, it’s critical to stand out in your application. According to NYU, “admissions officers personally review every application.” Applicants should focus on showcasing their passion and individuality in their applications and making a lasting impression on the admissions committee. Good luck!
