Updated: Monday, May 19, 2025
New York University (NYU) continues to be one of the most sought-after institutions for higher education, attracting a diverse and talented pool of applicants from around the globe. This has led to increased competition for admission and lower acceptance rates. If you wish to join the student body, understanding NYU admissions statistics is an important first step.
With an overall admissions rate of just 7.70% for the class of 2029, NYU stands among the Ivy League and Ivy Plus institutions as one of the most selective universities in the U.S. The low acceptance rate is partly due to the massive volume of applications NYU receives. For the 2024-25 application cycle, for example, NYU received over 120,000 undergraduate applications — a record high. The admissions rate has been on a downward trend in recent years and is now at its lowest.
Like other highly selective institutions, NYU’s admissions process is holistic, meaning that an applicant is evaluated as a whole person and not just selected for their academic performance. The NYU undergraduate admissions committee can fill the class many times over with the number of qualified students who apply each year, so competition to get in is intense. To maximize your chances of admission, it’s important to understand the admissions statistics and the factors that influence the acceptance rate.
We already mentioned that one of the factors contributing to NYU’s low admissions rate is the volume of applications submitted each year. Prospective students are attracted to NYU because of its reputation and proximity to all the cultural and professional opportunities in New York City, as well as its global campuses in Shanghai and Abu Dhabi. However, the number of applications submitted to NYU is only one reason for the high selectivity.
NYU, like many universities, considers institutional priorities, such as maintaining a diverse and inclusive community. Like many schools, NYU also considers institutional needs during each admissions cycle — for example, a need for more secondary education majors and fewer economics majors. These factors can influence admissions decisions and, consequently, the overall acceptance rate.
The NYU holistic review process plays a central and significant role in admissions decisions. It moves beyond a purely numbers-based evaluation. Instead of solely focusing on GPA and standardized test scores, the admissions committee considers a wide array of factors to assess an applicant’s potential to contribute to and thrive within the NYU community. These factors include personal essays and supplements, extracurricular activities, and letters of recommendation, among other things.
Essentially, the admissions committee seeks to understand your story, motivations, values, and potential growth in addition to your academic achievements. While your academic record carries the most weight in the evaluation process, these additional factors are what set you apart from other applicants. Keep this in mind during the NYU application process.
You can use a college admissions calculator to get a rough estimate of your likelihood of admission, but the best way to maximize your chances is to start building a competitive profile in ninth grade. Because NYU reviews applicants holistically, it’s important to focus on several key areas beyond strong academics. The various application components should demonstrate how you fit in with NYU’s culture and values. Let’s look at both the hard and soft factors that admissions officers evaluate, along with some college application tips.
Academic excellence and rigor are given the most weight. Take the most rigorous courses available at your high school, such as honors, AP, IB, or dual enrollment classes, and maintain the highest grades you can — particularly in your areas of academic interest. NYU does not have a formal GPA requirement, but 54% of first-year students who enrolled in fall 2024 had a high school GPA between 3.75-3.99.
NYU remains test-optional for the 2026-27 application cycle; however, it’s always to your advantage to submit strong standardized test scores. Of the students in the class of 2028 who submitted test scores to NYU, the middle 50% scored 1480-1550 on the SAT and 34-35 on the ACT. If your scores are comparable, submit them.
While your academic record is the most important part of the application review, it’s the soft factors that ultimately set you apart from other applicants — after all, numerous students will have similar GPAs and test scores. The soft factors present you with the opportunity to demonstrate your fit with NYU and how you will contribute to the campus community.
Your Common App and NYU application essays are the most important of these soft factors, since they provide the most insight into your character, how you think, and what you value. Admissions officers look for authenticity, so one of our most important NYU application essay tips is to let your true voice shine through in your essays.
Other soft factors include your activities list, which should focus only on the most impactful extracurriculars related to your interests, letters of recommendation, and demonstrated interest. Students applying to specific programs at NYU may need to meet additional application requirements, such as a portfolio, audition, or interview.
NYU meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for all students. You can use the net price calculator to help you estimate how much financial aid you might receive as a full-time student. Ultimately, your NYU financial aid package may be a combination of federal, institutional, and state aid depending on your residency and eligibility. While need-based aid is awarded the most often, you may also qualify for merit-based aid.
Domestic applicants should submit the FAFSA to be considered for federal financial aid, which can be awarded in the form of grants, work-study programs, scholarships, loans, or any combination of these — international students typically do not qualify for federal aid. The FAFSA deadlines for NYU are January 10 for Early Decision applicants and February 1 for Regular Decision applicants.
All prospective students can submit a CSS Profile to be considered for institutional aid. These funds are awarded directly from NYU and not from the government. Most institutional aid is in the form of scholarships, which are based on either merit or financial need and do not need to be repaid. NYU scholarships include:
The CSS Profile is due on November 10 for Early Decision I applicants, January 10 for Early Decision II applicants, and February 1 for Regular Decision applicants.
Students who are residents of New York State, including U.S. citizens, permanent residents, eligible non-citizens, and undocumented applicants can also apply for the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), which provides up to $5,665 per year depending on income and other criteria. The deadline to apply is June 30 of the academic year in which you need the aid.
Like most colleges and universities, NYU has numerous programs and offerings to help prospective students learn more about the institution and the admissions process. If you have a serious interest in attending, it’s important to take advantage of these NYU admissions events and resources to make your application more competitive.
Students interested in NYU have numerous opportunities to attend on-campus or virtual events to learn more about academics and student life — some of these events even cater to middle school students. The best way to get a feel for the campus is to visit in person to attend a guided tour. Virtual events include general information sessions, Zoom In On sessions, and campus tours. Attending one or more of these events is a great way to demonstrate your interest in NYU, so don’t hesitate to talk to admissions staff and student ambassadors during these events.
Looking for a more immersive experience? NYU also offers high school and middle school programs in the form of weekend workshops and pre-college residential programs throughout the academic year and during the summer. While enrolling in one of these programs will not provide you with an advantage in admissions, it can help you decide if NYU is the right place for you.
If you’re looking for application guidance, take advantage of the resources offered by NYU. You can always contact the NYU admissions office if you have specific questions. Not only do student ambassadors speak to prospective students who call the admissions office, they are also available to connect through the Meet NYU social media platforms.
Once you apply, you will have access to the NYU admissions portal where you can check the status of your application, though you will submit your application materials through the Common App. Additionally, the Meet NYU website offers application tips as well as information about the undergraduate experience at NYU.
Being informed about the NYU admissions rate and application process can give you a clearer sense of direction and purpose, which ultimately increases your chances of a successful outcome — whether at NYU or another college on your best-fit list. You can set realistic expectations about your chances of admission and be more strategic about identifying a balanced list of likely, target, and reach schools that are great fits for you.
Additionally, understanding the admissions rates for Early Decision vs Regular Decision can help you decide which application round makes the most sense for you. That said, it’s important to keep in mind that you should only consider applying Early Decision if NYU is truly your top-choice school and your application is strong enough to submit without your mid-year senior grades.
Now that you know more about the admissions rate and statistics at NYU, here are some takeaways to keep in mind:
Ultimately, NYC’s increasing selectivity and decreasing admissions rate reflects broader college admissions trends. Many colleges and universities across the U.S. are seeing higher numbers of applications, while their admission rates continue to get lower year over year. The college admissions landscape has never been more competitive, so it’s critically important for students to do thorough college research so they know how they can best position themselves in their application.
Navigating the complexities of NYU admissions requirements can be daunting, but students don’t have to face it alone. All IvyWise college admissions counselors have experience in college admissions at some of the top schools in the U.S., so they know exactly how admissions officers review applications. Thanks to our proven methodology, IvyWise students are four times more likely to gain admission to NYU than the general applicant.
Students interested in going to school in New York City often prioritize two colleges: New York University (NYU) and Columbia University. Although these institutions are located in the same metropolitan area, New York City, there are several key differences between them.
IvyWise counselors Rachel and Zach share their top tips on how to brainstorm and write college application essays, and what admissions officers are looking for when they read them on the Just Admit It! college admissions podcast, giving listeners expert insight from former admissions officers.
IvyWise Expert Counselor Nat Shares Tips and Advice for What to Do Before, During, and After Information Sessions
When preparing for college visits, it’s important for families to plan ahead and register for official information sessions and campus tours. In some cases, families can overlook the information session by assuming it’s a general presentation with little impact as to whether a student will choose to apply there or not. This is a huge misconception, as the information session is a critical part of the college visit and gives families the best opportunity to get face time with the admissions office and have their questions answered by an actual admissions officer.
The college application process is stacked with buzzwords, including the often-used “holistic review” and “hook.” Right now, more and more families are trying to decipher terms like “profile building,” “applicant profile,” and “telling your story.” What do these terms mean, and how do they differ? How do you approach your applicant profile? How do you tell your story? What can families do to prepare?
