Want to go to NYU? Before you start spreadin’ the news, here’s everything you need to know about how to get into NYU, and the NYU admission requirements.
From the world-renowned Tisch School of the Arts to the utterly singular Gallatin School of Individualized Study, NYU is a dream destination for creatively inclined students the world over. But that’s not all—NYU has something for everyone, with strong programs in fields as diverse as business, public health, and even dentistry. And, of course, no conversation about NYU is complete without mention of the Bobcats’ unparalleled opportunity to study, live, and work in the Big Apple. When the city is your campus, the possibilities are limitless. Internships, networking opportunities, field research, and more—NYU, an “institution without walls,” provides countless ways to engage with the hustle and bustle of one of the world’s most dynamic cities. Satellite campuses in Abu Dhabi, Shanghai, Paris, Prague, Sydney, and Buenos Aires offer students the chance to take their studies abroad for a truly global education.
A quick note on college rankings: we think they’re generally a bad way to think about where you should go to college. We talk about why rankings are bad in greater detail here, but essentially, a lot of college rankings don’t actually tell you whether you and the school would fit well together, or that the school is someplace you’ll thrive. That said, we also understand that many students/families are confused regarding and have questions about aspects of the application process, so we’ve built the post below to hopefully clarify things, so students/families can make informed decisions.
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(click to skip ahead)How hard is it to get into NYU?
It is very difficult to get accepted to NYU. The grade point average of people who get accepted to NYU is generally in the highest quarter of their class. People who successfully get into NYU also tend to have impressive extracurricular activities and college applications essays.
NYU Acceptance Rate
The NYU acceptance rate is 12.2%, making it an extremely competitive university. Acceptance rate is generally an indication of how competitive a school is, but it is also an indication of how popular a school is. To get into a school like NYU, you will need to excel in almost every major college application factor.
NYU Early Decision, Early Action, Regular Decision, and Transfer Acceptance Rate
NYU’s early decision acceptance rate is 38%. NYU’s transfer acceptance rate is 41%.
GPA Requirements to get into NYU
The recommended GPA requirements to get into NYU are between 3.5 and 4.0. You will need a very high GPA and will likely be graduating at the top half of your class in order to get into NYU. If your GPA is lower than suggested at the time you apply, you may have to perform above average on your standardized tests. If your grades aren’t as high as they could have been due to life experiences or hardship, you should consider writing about it in your additional information section.
The recommended GPA requirements to get into NYU are between 3.5 and 4.0. You will need a very high GPA and will likely be graduating at the top half of your class in order to get into NYU. If your GPA is lower than suggested at the time you apply, you may have to perform above average on your standardized tests. If your grades aren’t as high as they could have been due to life experiences or hardship, you should consider writing about it in your additional information section.
| GPA Distribution | Percent Admitted |
|---|---|
| 4.0 | 21% |
| 3.75-3.99 | 24% |
| 3.50-3.74 | 40% |
| 3.25-3.49 | 10% |
| 3.00-3.24 | 4% |
| 2.5-2.99 | 1% |
| 2.0-2.49 | 0% |
| 1.0-1.99 | 0% |
| Below 1.0 | 0% |
What GPA is required for NYU?
Applicants’ GPA when applying to NYU should ideally be between 3.5 and 4.0 to be strong candidates. Having less than this will require compensating by having outstanding extracurricular activities or a strong personal statement.
SAT Requirements to get into NYU
The recommended SAT requirements to get into NYU are a 1390 to 1510 composite score, combining the reading and writing, and math sections together. You will need a very high SAT score in order to get into NYU. If your SAT is lower than suggested at the time you apply, you may have to perform above average on your other standardized tests or have spectacular extracurricular activities to compensate. If your grades aren’t as high as they could have been due to life experiences or hardship, you should consider writing about it in your additional information section.
NYU is a “Test Optional” school, meaning it does not require standardized test scores, but will consider them if submitted. It’s up to you whether to submit your scores or not. There are a number of factors to consider as you make this decision, and you can read more about them here.
nyu Average SAT Composite Score: 1450
| SAT Score Distribution | Reading % | Math % |
|---|---|---|
| 700-800 | 58% | 78% |
| 600-699 | 38% | 20% |
| 500-599 | 4% | 5% |
| 400-499 | 0% | 0% |
| 300-399 | 0% | 0% |
| 200-299 | 0% | 0% |
What SAT score is required for NYU?
Applicants should score between 1400 and 1500 on their SAT to be strong candidates for admission to this school. Having less than this will require compensating by using a substitute ACT score or having an above-average GPA. Either an SAT or ACT score is required for application to this school.
ACT Requirements to get into NYU
The recommended ACT requirements for NYU are a 32 composite score combining all English, mathematics, reading, and science sections. You will need a very high ACT score in order to get into NYU. If your ACT is not what you’d hoped by the time you apply, you may have to make it up by getting above-average scores on the SAT and having an above-average grade point average. If your ACT wasn’t as high as you’d like because of difficulties or hardship, you should consider writing about it in your additional information section.
NYU Average ACT: 32
| ACT Score Range | Composite Score % |
|---|---|
| 30-36 | 86% |
| 24-29 | 13% |
| 18-23 | 1% |
| 12-17 | 0% |
| 6-11 | 0% |
| Below 6 | 0% |
What ACT score is required for NYU?
Applicants should score between 31 and 34 on their ACT to be strong candidates for admission to this school. Having less than this will require compensating by using a substitute SAT score or having an above-average GPA. Either an SAT or ACT score is required for application to this school.
What does NYU look for in students?
How do you know if you and NYU fit together? And how do you demonstrate to the school that you think you do?
First, take a look at NYU’s mission statement. Here’s a revealing excerpt:
[NYU’s] students, faculty and alumni feed off the stimulating power of swirling intellectual and cultural experiences by mastering academic disciplines, expressing themselves in the arts, and excelling in demanding professions.
Read between the lines and you’ll get a sense of the qualities NYU is looking for in prospective students: creativity, intellectual curiosity, cultural and ideological diversity (more on that in NYU’s supplemental essay prompt), and drive—to name just a few. Yes, having competitive grades and test scores is important. But most students who get rejected from NYU have those kinds of scores—what will help you stand out are your essays and your extracurricular activities. Hopefully, these elements of your application will demonstrate your creativity, your interest in the world around you, and the goals that you feel NYU will best help you to achieve.
Maybe you’re exactly what NYU is looking for. But is NYU a good fit for you? Consider the following questions and answer them honestly:
Do I want to go to school in NYC? Would I feel more at home on a more traditional campus?
Am I ready to take advantage of all the city has to offer?
Am I interested in the university itself, or just the city around it?
Am I willing to get involved in campus life, reach out to people and build my network? Life in the city can feel lonely and even overwhelming — community is key!
Do I have methods in place for finding calm and balance? With seemingly unlimited choice, the fast pace of life in New York, and what will surely be a heavy academic load, grounding strategies are critical.
NYU Application Deadlines
The NYU application deadline for regular decision is January 5th. NYU also provides two alternative forms of application in addition to regular decision: early decision and early decision II. The application deadlines are November 1st for EDI and January 1st for EDII. Below is a table showing the deadlines for each of the steps of the NYU admissions process.
| Notification Plan |
Application Material |
Application Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Early Decision 1 | Submit Test Scores |
Before application deadline |
| Submit Application |
11/1 |
|
| Submit Financial Aid Application |
11/15 |
|
| Admissions Decisions Released |
12/15 |
|
| Early Decision II |
Submit Test Scores |
Before application deadline |
| Submit Application |
1/1 |
|
| Submit Financial Aid Application |
1/15 |
|
| Admissions Decisions Released |
2/15 |
|
| Regular Decision |
Submit Test Scores |
Before application deadline |
| Submit Application |
1/5 |
|
| Submit Financial Aid Application (if still pending) |
2/20 |
|
| Admissions Decisions Released |
4/1 |
NYU Early Decision Policy
If you have your heart set on NYU, you may want to consider early decision. Be aware that early decision is binding—if you are admitted, you are expected to enroll. If you are not admitted through the early decision admission process, NYU will not allow you to apply for regular decision.
NYU has both Early Decision I and Early Decision II. Both options are binding, and differ only in deadlines and response dates.
So … why apply EDII?
You might choose that option if you apply early elsewhere and are not admitted, or if you simply are not ready to submit your application by November 1st. One isn’t necessarily better than the other—NYU gives EDI and EDII applications equal consideration.
NYU Supplemental Essay Prompts
NYU offers one supplemental essay of 250 words. The prompt is below and our NYU supplemental essay guide can be found here. Note that while this essay is technically optional, we strongly recommend that you use this opportunity to show parts of yourself not reflected in grades or test scores:
PROMPT #1
In a world where disconnection seems to often prevail, we are looking for students who embody the qualities of bridge builders—students who can connect people, groups, and ideas to span divides, foster understanding, and promote collaboration within a dynamic, interconnected, and vibrant global academic community. We are eager to understand how your experiences have prepared you to build the bridges of the future.
Please consider one or more of the following questions in your essay (word limit 250):
What personal experiences or challenges have shaped you as a bridge builder?
How have you been a bridge builder in your school, community, or personal life?
What specific actions have you taken to build bridges between diverse groups, ideas, or cultures?
How do you envision being a bridge builder during your time at our university and beyond?
How to get into NYU—Essay Tips
Before you start brainstorming, check out CEG’s guide to writing the diversity essay, which outlines two possible approaches to questions like this (community and identity) and includes some helpful Do’s and Don’ts.
Remember, diversity is an inclusive term that encompasses a broad spectrum of differences! Depending on how you approach this question, think hard about the many communities you belong to—there are probably more than you think—and the ways you have possibly built bridges within them.
Finally, this prompt has serious “super” essay potential. You may encounter similar questions in your other applications—rather than write several essays, consider how you can reuse and repurpose what you write here.
Harrison
Harrison is a writing coach, playwright, and college essay specialist. He strives to empower students to take ownership of the writing process and develop their voices as storytellers. He is an avid swimmer, voracious reader, crossword enthusiast, and proud uncle to the coolest girls in the world.
Top values: Curiosity | Creativity | Generosity
