New York University is a private research university located in New York City, and is one of the largest private colleges in the US, with almost 30,000 undergraduates. NYU also receives a ton of admissions applications and has an acceptance rate of 16.2%. Known for the Tisch School of the Arts, NYU boasts alumni such as Martin Scorsese and author of The Hunger Games Suzanne Collins -- but also Jack Dorsey, the creator of Twitter, and Jonas Salk, the inventor of the polio vaccine.
NYU is also famous for not having a traditional campus, with the bulk of their classes taking place in buildings around Washington Square Park -- as well as two other degree-granting campuses in Abu Dhabi and Shanghai.
The NYU supplement is one question, and it is the classic “why this school?” essay. We have cracked the code on how to best approach this essay, and have covered it before. But this year we have some updated tips to help you craft the best essay possible, so let’s get started.
Why NYU?
We would like to know more about your interest in NYU. What motivated you to apply to NYU? Why have you applied or expressed interest in a particular campus, school, college, program, and or area of study? If you have applied to more than one, please also tell us why you are interested in these additional areas of study or campuses. We want to understand - Why NYU? (400 word maximum)
Right off the bat, you’re going to want to decide on a major. If you’re undecided, don’t worry. They’re not going to whip out your application when you register for classes. But you do have to pick a major to write about. Go ahead and research the various colleges at NYU and which program you’re interested in, then we will get started on your “origin story.”
The Origin Study
If you want to study Entrepreneurship at the Stern College of Business at NYU, maybe you used to set up lemonade stands in your neighborhood and recruit the other kids to work as your employees. Maybe you want to study Politics at CAS because you love the thrill of knocking on doors and getting out the vote. Whatever it is, make sure to tell a story about what drove you to decide on this major, and weave in details that make us feel like we’re really there. This paragraph should end on you declaring your major, while the intro sets the scene.
The Major
Here’s where we get into the research. Once you’ve decided on your major, head over to NYU’s course catalog, which can be found on the websites of each individual college. Your second paragraph is going to be all about academics. You’re going to want to choose an upper-level class that interests you, as well as a professor you’d like to research with, and maybe weave in other details about NYU’s abundant study abroad programs. Don’t pick POL-UA 100, Political Theory, as every college in the world offers an intro to Political Science class. You want to find a class only NYU can offer, so if international politics is your jam, maybe you want to take POL-UA 545, Politics and Society in Iran, and study with Professor Arang Keshavarzian who focuses on Middle Eastern regimes. Maybe you want to head to the NYU DC global campus to take POL-UA 9994, Identities in American Politics in the 21st Century. Whatever it is, weave NYU’s incredible offerings into your story about what you want to achieve while you’re there.
The Extracurriculars
NYU offers a ton of clubs, has a ton of organizations, and a lot of activities for you to choose from for your third paragraph. Like before, head on over to the NYU website to learn about other things you’d want to explore while you’re there. Are you interested in joining one of their famous improv troupes? Why? What about their radio station? Are you interested in the Aviation club? Pick 2-3 extracurriculars you want to join, and write about why NYU is the only place you can do them at.
Why NYC
For your fourth paragraph, you’re going to tell them what about NYU draws you in the most. Is having the city as your campus important? Is access to Broadway shows and comedy clubs something you crave? What about Manhattan or The Village are you most excited about? Talk about how the setting of your college experience is important to you, and pick a few local spots that you can’t wait to try.
Wrap It Up
For your final paragraph, and your shortest, you’re going to want to bring everything you talked about above together. You’re passionate about your major, you’re passionate about their club offerings, you’re passionate about the city -- so tie this all together and you’ve got your essay. Make sure to proofread, edit for clarity, and make sure to stay at that word limit.
The admissions process is scary, and if you find yourself struggling with your application and essays, feel free to reach out to TKG here for help.