New York University

Yes, NYU is highly selective. It admitted about 9.1% of applicants in the most recent cycle, drawing more than 114,000 applications and enrolling roughly 5,700 first-year students. Admission is holistic: the rigor of your high school record, your academic GPA, your application essay, recommendations, and personal qualities are all weighed as very important.

There is no hard cutoff, but enrolled first-years at NYU report an average high school GPA of about 3.81. Academic GPA and the rigor of your course load are both weighed as very important factors, so a strong, challenging transcript matters more than hitting a single number.

A 1490 is competitive: it sits just above the 25th-percentile score of 1480 for enrolled first-years, whose middle 50% scored between 1480 and 1550 on the SAT (34-35 ACT). NYU is test-optional, so a score in this range can help but is not required to be considered.

No. NYU has a flexible, effectively test-optional policy, so you can apply without SAT or ACT scores and still receive full consideration. If you do submit, the middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 1480-1550 on the SAT and 34-35 on the ACT, and standardized test scores are a considered factor in review.

Undergraduate tuition is about $65,622 a year, before required fees, food, and housing (on-campus food and housing runs roughly $24,376). About 27% of first-years receive need-based grant aid, the average first-year aid package is around $72,963, and NYU now pledges to meet 100% of demonstrated financial need for first-year students.

The visual and performing arts are NYU's single largest degree area at about 16%, reflecting programs like Tisch, followed by the social sciences (~12%), business and marketing (~12%, anchored by Stern), and computing (~10%). NYU is best known for that arts strength alongside business and the social sciences.

Yes. NYU offers binding Early Decision in two rounds, ED I and ED II, both of which commit you to enroll if admitted. NYU does not offer a non-binding Early Action plan, so the early path at NYU is a binding commitment.

Yes. NYU rates the application essay as a very important factor in its holistic review, on the same tier as your GPA, course rigor, recommendations, and personal qualities, and above standardized test scores. With admission this competitive, a specific, well-revised essay is one of the clearest ways to stand out.

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