How to get into NYU + Admission Requirements 2023 (2024)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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 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.

To complete NYU’s supplemental essay requirements, applicants must write one 250-word essay. 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

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. (250 words)

- “We’re used to people telling us there are no solutions, and then creating our own. So we did what we do best. We reached out to each other, and to our allies, and we mobilized across communities to make change, to benefit and include everyone in society.” Judith Heuman, 2022 NYU Commencement Address

- “I encourage your discomfort, that you must contribute, that you must make your voice heard. That is the essence of good citizenship." Sherilynn Ifill, 2015 NYU Commencement Address

- “If you know how to fly but you never knew how to walk, wouldn’t that be sad?” Lang Lang, 2015 NYU Honorary Degree Recipient

- "You have the right to want things and to want things to change." Sanna Marin, Former Prime Minister of Finland, 2023 NYU Commencement Address

- "It's hard to fight when the fight ain't fair.” Taylor Swift, Change, Released 2008, 2022 NYU Commencement Speaker

Share a short quote and person not on this list, and why the quote inspires you.

Before you start brainstorming, check out CEG’s guide to writing the diversity essay, which outlines two possible approaches to this question (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/or the qualities, identities, and interests that make you unique.

Note the last part of the prompt! NYU wants to know how your background and experiences will add to the diversity of the NYU community. For some guidance on how to approach this piece of the prompt, take a look at our “Why Us?” guide.

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.