REQUIREMENTS AND CAMPUS GUIDE
New York University
New York University was founded in 1831 with the mission to offer a uniquely metropolitan education to students from across the world. NYU has since solidified a vibrant reputation in finance, the arts, engineering, and even individualized study. The university’s 11 schools and colleges have shaped experts from myriad disciplines, including many famous alumni such as Lady Gaga and Adam Sandler. Although NYU gets most of its “famous” associations from the Tisch School of the Arts, whose Strasberg Institute enabled even Hollywood royalty Al Pacino and Marilyn Monroe to perfect their craft, the Stern School of Business is a Wall Street favorite for good reason, and the Gallatin School of Individualized Study is notable for allowing students to steer their own educational course. A major draw for the institution, in addition to its academic excellence, is its location in the heart of New York City, a global epicenter of finance, theater, technology, politics, and fashion, and a place many dream of calling home. Internationally renowned and growing more selective by the year, NYU is the most applied-to college on the East Coast for a reason. Read on to discover why!
REQUIREMENTS AND CAMPUS GUIDE
New York University
New York University was founded in 1831 with the mission to offer a uniquely metropolitan education to students from across the world. NYU has since solidified a vibrant reputation in finance, the arts, engineering, and even individualized study. The university’s 11 schools and colleges have shaped experts from myriad disciplines, including many famous alumni such as Lady Gaga and Adam Sandler. Although NYU gets most of its “famous” associations from the Tisch School of the Arts, whose Strasberg Institute enabled even Hollywood royalty Al Pacino and Marilyn Monroe to perfect their craft, the Stern School of Business is a Wall Street favorite for good reason, and the Gallatin School of Individualized Study is notable for allowing students to steer their own educational course. A major draw for the institution, in addition to its academic excellence, is its location in the heart of New York City, a global epicenter of finance, theater, technology, politics, and fashion, and a place many dream of calling home. Internationally renowned and growing more selective by the year, NYU is the most applied-to college on the East Coast for a reason. Read on to discover why!
REQUIREMENTS AND CAMPUS GUIDE
New York University
New York University was founded in 1831 with the mission to offer a uniquely metropolitan education to students from across the world. NYU has since solidified a vibrant reputation in finance, the arts, engineering, and even individualized study. The university’s 11 schools and colleges have shaped experts from myriad disciplines, including many famous alumni such as Lady Gaga and Adam Sandler. Although NYU gets most of its “famous” associations from the Tisch School of the Arts, whose Strasberg Institute enabled even Hollywood royalty Al Pacino and Marilyn Monroe to perfect their craft, the Stern School of Business is a Wall Street favorite for good reason, and the Gallatin School of Individualized Study is notable for allowing students to steer their own educational course. A major draw for the institution, in addition to its academic excellence, is its location in the heart of New York City, a global epicenter of finance, theater, technology, politics, and fashion, and a place many dream of calling home. Internationally renowned and growing more selective by the year, NYU is the most applied-to college on the East Coast for a reason. Read on to discover why!
School Location:
NEW YORK, NY
School Type:
PRIVATE RESEARCH UNIVERSITY
Admissions Rates:
ADMITTED: 9.41%
GENERAL INFO
SAT/ACT Scores:
Test Optional for 2024-2025
Admission Cycle
Class of 2027 Test Scores
Middle 50% SAT:
1480-1550
Middle 50% ACT: 33-35
Dates/Deadlines:
Early Decision (ED I):
November 1
Early Decision (ED II):
January 1
Regular Decision:
January 5
School Information:
Undergraduate population:
6,417
Faculty Ratio:
6:1
Interviews Considered:
Yes
NYU TIPS & GUIDE
How difficult is it to get into NYU?
NYU had an acceptance rate of 9% for the Class of 2028, making it an extremely competitive university for students seeking admission. The 2023 ED admissions cycle saw the largest applicant pool in the school’s history, with over 22,000 applicants. Furthermore, at 118,000 applicants, NYU is the most applied-to university outside of the UC system in America. The middle 50% range of combined SAT scores was 1470 to 1570, and the middle 50% range of ACT scores was 33 to 35. That doesn’t mean you can only get into NYU if your standardized test scores fall within that range; rather, you have a better shot at getting in if your SAT/ACT scores are within or above that bracket.
What is the campus like at NYU?
NYU has three degree-granting campuses in major cities around the world: New York, Abu Dhabi, and Shanghai. The main hub of the university, the New York campus, is at the heart of one of the world’s biggest metropolitan cities. The school was founded to be “in and of the city,” and many NYU students consider NYC their campus. The metropolitan campus is home to 11 schools and colleges and 13 global academic centers. Most of NYU’s buildings are scattered across downtown Manhattan, but the lively and iconic Washington Square Park is the epicenter, offering a spot to watch street performers, picnic with friends, or even study when the weather’s too nice to be cooped up in a library. The New York University Tandon School of Engineering is the only undergraduate school not in Manhattan, located in Brooklyn’s MetroTech Center, one of the largest urban university-corporate parks in the United States.
Life for NYU students differs from that of students at traditional college campuses in that 64% of undergraduates live off-campus or commute. Even though there’s no gated, student-only campus, the city serves as an extension, not a roadblock, to NYU’s community. Members of the NYU community fill the restaurants, shops, and other local businesses, bringing the neighborhood to life with intellectual energy.
As a culturally-rich city, New York has much to offer NYU students. Students have free access to a number of NYC museums (which also happen to be some of the best in the world). NYU itself has a vast gallery network across the city for students who prefer to experience art in a more intimate setting. NYU also runs three theaters where students can watch high-quality performances by their peers.
What is NYU known for?
Performing Arts and business are New York University’s hallmark offerings, and the school has a reputation as a distinctly international school that attracts students from all far and wide to its various global campuses. The institution of choice for students with aspirations in business and entertainment and even some celebrities (the Sprouse twins and the Olsen twins both famously earned degrees there), NYU has established both a legacy and impact in myriad industries. “Violet Pride” resounds impressively through the university’s collective 41 Tony Awards, 26 Academy Awards, 15 Grammy Awards and 6 Pulitzer Prizes. The notable alumni list is also extensive, as Martin Scorsese, Spike Lee, Idina Menzel, Childish Gambino, Adam Sandler, Aziz Ansari, Ilana Glazer, and Alec Baldwin all graduated as Violets.
How diverse is NYU?
The 2023 application cycle brought the most diverse undergraduate class in NYU history. The largest percentage of students represented is international at 32%, which speaks to the rich cultural diversity and global perspective of the student body. NYU’s students are 23% white, 16% Asian, 12% Hispanic/Latino, 7% race/ethnicity unknown, 6% Black, and 3% two or more races.
Forty-three percent of students identify as 53% identify as female. 72% of first year students are from out-of-state, and as of 2018, students hailed from 157 different countries, with the greatest number outside of the U.S. hailing from China, Korea, India, Canada, and the UK.
How do I apply to NYU?
The Common Application is required for students applying to any or all of NYU’s campuses (New York, Abu Dhabi, or Shanghai). Along with your Common App, students need to submit:
- Official score reports
- If students choose to submit testing, NYU’s test flexible policy allows them to submit one of the following:
- SAT
- ACT
- International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma
- Three (3) SAT Subject Test Scores
- Three (3) AP Exam scores
- Three (3) IB higher-level exam scores if not an IB Diploma candidate
- Other international examinations that show you completed (or if submitting predicted results show you will complete) your secondary education. Students can use
- NYU’s International Qualifications Tool for information about credentials they accept.
- Applicants to programs in the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development and the Tisch School of the Arts requiring an audition or portfolio are not required to submit standardized testing for consideration and doing so is entirely optional. For other programs where an audition or portfolio is optional but not required, testing is required
- A Self Reported Academic Record (SRAR).
- An audition or portfolio for specific artistic program applicants to the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development and Tisch School of the Arts.
- English language testing if you have not completed at least 3 years of study where English is the sole language of instruction at the time of application submission and English is not your native language.
- Records of all college work for which you have received academic credit.
- The Common Application Mid-Year Report with updated academic record if mid-year grades are available. This should show your first semester senior year grades.
Does NYU have a good athletic department?
Though NYU began de-emphasizing their athletic program in 1953, the Violets eventually moved all varsity athletics except fencing from Division I to Division III and has competed primarily in the NCAA Division III ever since. Though NYU has a longstanding academic rivalry with Columbia University due to their shared Manhattan location and international prestige, its athletic rivalries vary by sport. Women’s volleyball views Baruch and Stevens Tech as major competition, for instance, while Men’s basketball rivals include Emory and Rochester.
What are NYU’s core curriculum and programs?
At NYU’s many undergraduate colleges—Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, Tandon School of Engineering, Leonard N. Stern School of Business, Tisch School of the Arts, Gallatin School of Individualized Study and the College of Arts and Sciences, there are over 400 programs offered. The university also offers special programs, such as Tandon’s BS/MS program, through which students can earn their Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from NYU Tandon at a lower cost than pursuing both degrees separately. Tisch students can participate in special programs such as creating digital games in New York City or producing a documentary film in Havana.
Can I afford NYU?
The general cost of attendance, including tuition and room and board, as well as books, transportation, and personal costs is $93,184 (though these expenses vary by college). NYU does not require students to live on campus, so if you commute or live off-campus, your room and board may be lower, but your transportation costs would be higher. You should look into the cost of attendance for the specific school you are planning to attend. While most of the aid NYU awards is need-based, the university offers both need-based and merit-based scholarships. The NYU Promise ensures that students, both domestic and international, with a household income under $100K attend the institution tuition-free. Other need-based scholarships are offered on the basis of parents’ income and assets, whereas merit-based scholarships are awarded based on students’ academic achievements.
