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What is it like to attend NYU?
NYU is one of those rare universities where the line between fiction and reality often blurs. Its alumni list includes not only real-world icons like Lady Gaga, Donald Glover, Jack Dorsey, Maggie Rogers, and Amal Clooney, but also fictional characters such as Dan Humphrey from Gossip Girl, Christine from Lady Bird, and Lara Jean Covey from To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before.
Graduates of NYU go on to succeed in a wide range of fields—from the arts and entrepreneurship to activism and academia. This same diversity and ambition is reflected in its student body. NYU attracts independent, driven individuals who are passionate about their goals. You’ll be surrounded by equally motivated peers and supported by faculty who are deeply invested in your academic and personal growth.
The university comprises ten undergraduate schools, including the College of Arts & Science, Gallatin School of Individualized Study, Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, Stern School of Business, Tandon School of Engineering, and Tisch School of the Arts.
Although NYU doesn’t offer the traditional college campus experience — you won’t find a football stadium or weekend tailgates — it more than makes up for it with a vibrant student life. With over 300 student clubs, from the Breakdance Club to the Saxophone Orchestra, there are plenty of ways to connect and engage.
NYU is integrated into the fabric of New York City itself. With no traditional campus boundaries, the university embraces its urban environment — or as NYU puts it, “the city is your campus.” This means students can experience all that NYC has to offer: catch a Yankees game, attend a Broadway show, shop in SoHo, or explore centuries of history in world-renowned museums. For NYU students, the possibilities truly are limitless.
NYU Acceptance Rate for the Class of 2028: 2023–2025 Admissions Overview
| Admission Cycle | Number of applicants | Number admitted | Acceptance rate |
| All Applicants | 118,000 | 9,440 | 8% |
New York University Acceptance Rate History
| Year | Number of applicants | Number admitted | Acceptance rate |
| 2023-2024 (Class of 2028) | 118,000 | 9,440 | 8% |
| 2022-2023 (Class of 2027) | 113,578 | 10,693 | 9.4% |
| 2021-2022 (Class of 2026) | 100,662 | 12,539 | 12.5% |
| 2020-2021 (Class of 2025) | 95,517 | 12,380 | 13% |
| 2019-2020 (Class of 2024) | 80,210 | 16,918 | 21.1% |
NYU Class of 2028 Middle 50% score range of admitted students (25th and 75th percentiles)*
| SAT Composite | 1480-1520 |
| SAT Math | 760-780 |
| SAT ERW | 720-750 |
| ACT Composite | 33-34 |
What does this mean?
The middle 50% score range represents the SAT scores of students who fall between the 25th and 75th percentiles of admitted applicants. In simpler terms, if you lined up 100 admitted students based on their SAT scores from lowest to highest, this range would reflect the scores of students ranked 25th to 75th — the middle half of the group.
What is NYU Looking For?
NYU’s admissions website provides a detailed guide for first-year applicants, although it doesn’t give an exact formula for what they’re seeking. Instead, they emphasize several key factors in their evaluation process:
- Academic achievements
- Personal background
- Academic qualifications
- Extracurricular involvement
- Work experience
- Letters of recommendation
- Personal essays
- Life experiences
Through your essays, academic record, recommendation letters, and extracurricular activities, you have the opportunity to showcase your unique perspective and what you’ll bring to the NYU community.
Other colleges you may be interested in:
| College Name | Number of applicants (Class of 2028) | Number admitted (Class of 2028) | Acceptance rate (Class of 2028) |
| Columbia University | 60,248 | 2,319 | 3.9% |
| Yale University | 57,465 | 2,146 | 3.7% |
| Barnard College | 11,836 | 1,045 | 8.8% |