New York University, or NYU, has become one of the most popular universities in the world, receiving over 120,000 applications and accepting only 7.7% of applicants for the Class of 2029. The admissions team loves finding outstanding students within that massive application pool — and they don’t only define “outstanding” as academic. But most of even the exceptional applicants to NYU don’t get in. So, what makes the difference if you’ve been put on the waitlist?
First, let’s talk numbers. Or, rather, lack thereof. NYU has not reported the number of hopeful first-year applicants offered a place on a waitlist, the number who accepted a spot, nor the number eventually admitted, in recent years. Despite this black box around the actual specifics of the waitlist size, NYU has dedicated energy to lengthy waitlist FAQ pages which suggest that, yes, they do have a pool of waitlisted students that is probably quite large.
In our experience working with driven waitlisted NYU applicants, you can get in off of the wait list. Students do it (nearly) every year. However, it isn’t a matter of sitting around and hoping that they notice you. Neither is the most flamboyant peacock the winner in this game, as annoying them and ignoring the directions that they give is actually worse than doing nothing. In this post, we’ll break down what you should be doing to get into NYU off of the waitlist, and what you should be avoiding, too.
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The NYU waitlist is not ranked, and they say that some years they admit hundreds of students off of the waitlist. In a recent year, though, they also admitted no one. Remember that “hundreds of students” may even, in reality, be an unimpressive percentage if the waitlist is extremely long, which it probably typically is. All we know from this, then, is that some people get in and some don’t.
To become part of the small group that does get into NYU off of the waitlist, there are four steps you need to follow.
Step One: Join the NYU Waitlist
When you were offered a spot on the NYU waitlist, they also gave you instructions on how to join it. If you do not “opt in” to the waitlist, they will toss your application. Not literally, as it was never printed, but you will no longer be in the running for a spot in the Class of 2030. There is a deadline for joining the waitlist, so we encourage students to respond immediately with one caveat: read Step 3 before pressing submit.
The waitlist is not binding. Whereas you will be emphasizing your passion for NYU later in this process, simply being on the waitlist doesn’t mean that you have to choose to enroll if accepted. However, being on the waitlist does put you in limbo — and you need to be okay with that. Some students don’t want to go through senior spring with things uncertain, and that is totally fine. If you want to know if you could get into NYU, though, you need to join the list.
Step Two: Pick Another College
Step two is the most uncomfortable if you really want to get into NYU, as you need to pick somewhere else to go. The reality is, even without published statistics from NYU, we are confident saying that most students on the waitlist will not get in. Most students will end up at the school they commit to now, and that is okay. Frustrating, probably, but ultimately okay. Transferring, after all, is almost always an option.
What shouldn’t be treated as an option, though, is not picking another college and putting all of you ‘eggs’ in the NYU waitlist basket. Planning on reapplying to college next year if NYU doesn’t work out isn’t just a bad idea, it’s self-sabotage. Instead, pick your favorite from the options you have and keep your transfer options open.
Step Three: Update NYU, But Be Careful
NYU is very vocal about how little they want to hear from you after you have joined the waitlist.
“You should not” they say, “submit any new letters of recommendation, writing samples, resumes, certificates, DVDs, CDs, photos, or additional information. Please do not ask anyone to write you an additional letter of recommendation or ask that anyone calls to advocate on your behalf.”
They are also clear that they “cannot evaluate any new credentials or materials at this time.” Every year, someone argues with us (most often a parent) that they just need to send NYU their kid’s full research paper or award-winning lab report, and the university will see their error and let them in. We understand the emotional pull to do something when you are stuck waiting, but spamming the university with things that they have specifically asked you not to send is, in fact, effectively saying to admissions that you do not respect them or the boundaries they have clearly set.
There is one exception, though.
“You can,” they allow, “update us on any new accomplishments and/or relay your level of interest in NYU by way of our Waitlist Response Form online.”
Ding! All you have is that one spot on the waitlist form to let them know what’s happened since you last applied. You need to use it carefully. We advise our students to make the most of this space by writing a very brief Letter of Continued Interest that reinforces that NYU is your first choice and that shares a small number of important updates, four updates at most. These could include awards and recognitions in things you’ve been working on for years, or new endeavors that have taken you outside of your comfort zone. The most important thing, though, is being succinct within the following format.
Opening: As you start the letter, remember that they are not your friend or even your colleague. Rather, they are more of an imperious boss. Write the opening with formality in mind (“Dear NYU Admissions Committee”) and start with your name, prospective major, intention to enroll if accepted, and one line thanking them for their time.
Update: This is what NYU is really here for — the update. The four or fewer things that you put here need to be fire, or at least written to evoke excitement and enthusiastic nods from admissions. If you have won awards or received recognitions recently, this may be easy. If you don’t have a pin board covered in certificates you may need to get creative (and we can help).
Closing: End the letter with one academic thing at NYU that you are particularly excited for if you were to get in and another thank you. Sign off with “Sincerely,” or “Respectfully.”
Submit this as part of your waitlist response form, then breathe deeply.
Step Four: Wait
NYU will not begin considering students on the waitlist for admission until after the May decision date for accepted first-years, and they strive to have all waitlist acceptances complete by August 1 — weeks before you would be moving onto another college campus. If that timeline sounds tight, it is. We know students who were already packing for their back-up school when they received an offer from NYU. However, if you can grit your teeth and wait patiently, it can pay off.
If NYU does offer you a spot, they will expect you to make a decision quickly. Sometimes, they only give students a couple of days to claim the seat in the class. Check your email regularly, don’t be shocked if they call, and be ready to answer should an offer arrive.
Getting into NYU off of the waitlist is possible. Email us to learn more.