cuny optional essay

How to Apply

• Connect with School of Education Admissions
• Undergraduate Programs
• Graduate Programs
• Specialized Additional Teaching Certificate Programs
• Doctor of Education in Instructional Leadership (EdD)
• Partnership Programs
• Graduate Non-Degree Study

Financing Your Degree

• Scholarships and Opportunities
• Graduate Readmission
• Credit Transfer Policy
• Undocumented Student Support for Teacher Education Programs

Review Application Deadlines

The application deadlines for each program vary. Most programs accept applications for enrollment in the Fall and Spring semesters. Only one application is open at a time. Applicants with foreign credentials are encouraged to submit early to account for additional processing time.

Consult our Graduate Programs page for programs by developmental level or specialization, or review our alphabetical list of graduate programs

Application Deadlines for Spring 2025

• September 1 for applicants with international credentials
• October 15 for all programs

The following programs do not accept spring applications:

• Adolescent Special Education Generalist Online Cohort (MSEd)
• Adolescent Special Education Advanced Certificate
• Childhood Special Education – Learning Disabilities (Advanced Certificate)
• Computer Science Education (MSEd)
• Computer Science Education (Advanced Certificate)
• Dance Education (Advanced Certificate)
• Early Childhood Development and Learning: Diverse Children and Families (Advanced Certificate)
• Childhood STEM Education

Dance Education

• Educational Psychology
• Elementary Math Specialist
• Mathematics Development
• Mathematics and Technology
• Instructional Leadership (EdD)
• Mental Health Counseling (MSEd)
• School Counseling (MSEd)
• Science and Robotics
• Science and Technology

Application Deadlines for Fall 2025

• February 1 for applicants with international credentials
• February 1 for School Counseling and Mental Health Counseling programs
• February 15 for EdD Instructional Leadership
• March 15 for all other programs

Create Your Graduate Application Account

The application for graduate admission is entirely online. You can begin your application, save the information, and come back to it at a later date. To start your application visit Apply Yourself .

For more information including technical support visit Graduate Admissions .

Review Application Materials

Statement of purpose.

All applicants are required to upload an essay (500 words) indicating their objectives for graduate study. In your essay, address:

• why you want to pursue this specific graduate program
• which population(s) you would like to work with and why
• your relevant skills and expertise
• your potential to contribute to the field of education

Include your name and program of interest in the header of your essay.

Some programs have specific prompts for the Statement of Purpose. Check your program admission page to see if your program of interest has any specific topics that should be addressed in your essay.

Optional Supplemental Statement

The School of Education may admit applicants who do not meet the GPA requirements for admission to its programs. Reflect on your academic background and personal experiences. In 200 – 300 words, provide additional context for your undergraduate education and describe how your past experiences would inform your approach to graduate school. Discuss your potential to positively contribute to the School of Education and the counseling, teaching, or leadership profession. 

Educational History (Transcripts)

In the Educational History section of the application, you must upload transcripts for each post-secondary school you have attended, including graduate and undergraduate institutions where you earned (or will earn) a degree, studied for one semester or more, or study abroad.

Official transcripts should be mailed to the Graduate Admissions Office (Room 223 North) upon acceptance to a program.

For Applicants with Transcripts from Non-US Institutions

Applicants with transcripts from non-US institutions must submit original academic transcripts, evidence of degree conferral, and a course-by-course evaluation report. Find more information, including technical support, on the Graduate Admissions page.

Work History and Resume

List your current position and previous positions in the Work History section of the application. You are encouraged to upload your current resume with your employment history, educational history, teaching certifications, and any other relevant experience or awards.

Letters of Recommendation

Two letters of recommendation are required for all applicants. Letters of recommendation should speak to your academic ability to succeed in graduate study and to your potential in the field. You will be asked to enter the names and email addresses of two references. Letters of recommendation are submitted electronically through the application system.

Standardized Tests

Graduate record exam (gre).

The faculty of the School of Education recently voted to waive the GRE admission requirement for start terms: Spring 2024 through Fall 2025.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Exam

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Exam is only required for applicants with foreign credentials. Effective June 1, 2021, applicants with foreign credentials who also hold a prior Master’s or Doctoral degree from an English Speaking Institution are exempt from this requirement.   Admission is offered only to those students who are fully prepared in English as demonstrated in the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam. Official scores must be sent to Hunter College, Graduate Admissions Office, institutional code 2301. Applicants must meet the minimum score requirements in each section and overall listed below.

Minimum Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores for all programs

• Overall: TOEFL iBT: 90/ Paper Based Test: 575/ Computer Administered Test: 233
• Writing: TOEFL iBT Writing Section: 22/ Paper Based Test of Written English: 4.5
• Speaking: TOEFL iBT Speaking Section: 23/ Paper Based Test of Spoken English: 45

Minimum International English Language Testing System (IELTS) scores for all programs

• Overall IELTS: 6.5
• Writing: 6.5
• Speaking: 7

View additional information about the TOEFL/IELTS requirements at Hunter College .

Oral Proficiency Interview for Adolescent Spanish, Italian, French & Chinese Education Applicants

Applicants are required to earn a minimum score of Advanced Low on the Oral Proficiency Interview. Register for the OPI exam at languagetesting.com . Score reports may be uploaded to the application or submitted via email to [email protected] after applying.

Supplemental Materials

Some programs require additional exams, writing samples, or auditions.

Adolescent English

Applicants must submit a writing sample of about 10 pages (preferably an undergraduate literary criticism or analysis paper).

Applied Behavior Analysis Master’s Program

Applicants must upload an additional statement answering the following questions:

• What is Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)? Why are you interested in pursuing graduate education and training in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)? What are your long-term goals related to Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)?
• The Applied Behavior Analysis (MS) program requires two 180-hour practica. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) students must complete this requirement at a site affiliated with Hunter College. Please explain your availability to complete this program requirement.
• The Applied Behavior Analysis (MS) program also includes a capstone experience in which Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) students must complete either an experimental thesis or a clinical project. Please give an example of a clinical experience you’ve had that might inform your capstone experience.

Bilingual Education Programs

Applicants must upload a Spanish, French, or Mandarin translation of their Statement of Purpose.

Counseling Programs

Additional Essay Prompt: Consider you are a counseling student providing services at a counseling internship placement site, what type of client or client issue would be difficult for you, and why? How do you think you would cope with this situation? Please respond to these questions in 400 – 600 words.

In lieu of an in-person audition, candidates must provide a 5-15 minute video of creative work. Please include a brief written synopsis of the video, describing the context of the piece and how to identify you if there is more than one performer. Upload the video(s) to YouTube or Vimeo as a public, private, or unlisted video, and add the link(s) to your CV. Visit the Dance Application page for more information.

Music Education

An audition is required. Visit the Music Audition page for more information.

Instructional Leadership, EdD

Additional Essay Prompt: Please upload a supplemental essay of approximately 500 words describing a specific area of professional interest you want to research in your EdD program and explain how this line of inquiry fits into your professional goals.

Visual Arts Education

Upload your artwork portfolio consisting of 10 slides at hunter.slideroom.com .

Pay the Application Fee and Submit Your Application

A $75 application processing fee is required for all applications. You can pay the application fee via credit card upon submission, or via check or money order after submission.

For additional information, including technical support, visit the Graduate Admissions page.

Hunter College Seniors and Undergraduate Alumni Fee Waiver, Fall 2024

All current Hunter College Seniors and all Hunter College alumni (undergraduate) are eligible to receive an application fee waiver when applying to a graduate program for the Fall 2024 term. Here’s how to receive your application fee waiver:

• Apply Online  *click on the Create Account tab
• In the Educational History section , be sure to indicate that you received or will receive your bachelor’s degree from Hunter College
• After you have completed and reviewed your application, click the “Submit Application” button
• Do not pay the $75 application processing fee. The online graduate degree application system should bypass the payment method. If not, choose the “Pay by Check” payment option, but do not submit a payment.
• Within a few days, the Graduate Admissions Office will confirm your Hunter College graduation status, and automatically process your application fee waiver.

CUNY Application Fee Sponsorship

CUNY will sponsor the $75 application fee for candidates who apply to the following programs by June 30, 2025:

• Adolescent Mathematics Education (Grades 7-12) Master’s Degree
• Adolescent Mathematics Education (Grades 7-12) Post Master’s Advanced Certificate 
• Adolescent Mathematics Professional Certificate (Grades 7-12) Master’s Degree
• Childhood Education with a Specialization in STEM Master’s Degree
• Elementary Math Specialist Master’s Degree
• Mathematics Development Advanced Certificate
• Mathematics and Technology Advanced Certificate
• Bilingual Childhood Education Master’s Degree
• Bilingual Early Childhood Education Master’s Degree
• Bilingual Education Extension – NYS Teachers Advanced Certificate
• Bilingual Extension for Pupil Personnel Services Advanced Certificate

Applicants with Foreign Credentials

If you completed your bachelor’s degree outside the U.S. where English was not the native language, or if you completed fewer than 90 credits toward your bachelor’s degree in the U.S. you are considered an International Student. Applicants with foreign credentials who need an F-1 or J-1 Visa are currently ineligible to apply to the following programs:

• Applied Behavior Analysis, Advanced Certificate
• Applied Behavior Analysis, MS
• Visual Impairment – Rehabilitation Teaching, MSEd
• Visual Impairment – Combined Rehabilitation Teaching and Orientation and Mobility, MSEd

Related Links

Start Your Application

Connect with Admissions

Schedule an Application Support Appointment

Review an A to Z List of Graduate Programs

Admissions Information Sessions

Educational leadership admissions information session, edd instructional leadership admissions information session.

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You are here, undergraduate admission.

• Test Flight
• Transfer Credit
• Articulation Agreements
• After You Are Admitted
• Returning to CUNY SPS
• ePermit Students
• CUNY Reconnect
• Graduate Admission
• Certificate Admission
• Non-Degree Programs
• Applicants Educated Outside the U.S.

We are still accepting undergraduate degree applications for Fall 2024! We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible. You can still start in the fall, pending the availability of space and time in your desired program.

Welcome to undergraduate admissions at the CUNY School of Professional Studies (CUNY SPS). We're glad you are choosing CUNY SPS to complete your undergraduate degree and further your academic goals. 

Our undergraduate programs are designed to meet the needs of adult students who are returning to college, some after many years, to finish or transition into a bachelor’s degree program.

Before applying

Please note that while the Fall 2024 application deadline has passed, we are still accepting applications pending space availability.

Admissions Requirements*

• Applicants should have a minimum of 24 earned credits from a regionally accredited institution. Official transcripts from all previous colleges, universities, or proprietary schools you have attended since high school must be submitted, whether or not you intend to request transfer credit.
• For students who feel their prior college GPA is not reflective of their academic potential and may not meet our standard GPA requirement, CUNY SPS has an alternate performance-based application program called Jump Start .
• Jump Start Application Deadlines
• We accept a maximum of 105 Transfer Credits .
• To gain admission to CUNY SPS, students must satisfy the reading, writing, and mathematics basic skills requirements. CUNY College Readiness Requirements
• A personal essay of at least 250 words is part of the application process.
• Unless a currently enrolled CUNY student, to submit your application, you must pay a $70 non-refundable processing fee. Without payment, your application will not be sent to CUNY SPS. Veterans of the United States Military, active duty service members, and members of the National Guard or Reserves are eligible for an  application fee waiver .

*Following an initial admissions review, applicants may be asked to submit additional documentation.

How to Submit Official Transcripts

Keep in mind that your application must include an official transcript from each individual college or university you attended since graduating high school. As a courtesy we will attempt to pull your CUNY transcripts and you will be notified via email if we are unable to.

Your official transcript(s) should be sent to:  CUNY School of Professional Studies  Attn: Office of Admissions  119 West 31st Street  New York, NY 10001  We will also accept electronic transcripts submitted directly from the institution or by a company contracted by the institution through a secured system. Electronic transcripts will not be accepted as official if they are emailed from the student. Please request that your official transcript be sent electronically to  [email protected] .

For information regarding submitting transcripts from non-domestic colleges/universities, please visit Undergraduate Applicants Educated Outside the U.S.

Financial Aid 

Applicants who have not yet filed for  TAP or the  Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and plan on receiving financial aid should do so right away!

Undergraduate Degree Program Deadlines

Fall 2024 Regular Deadline Extension: Monday, July 8, 2024

Priority Decision Deadline: Monday, April 6, 2020

Completing the application by the priority deadline will guarantee notification of an admission status weeks before the Regular Decision.

Students admitted through the Priority Decision will have an early advantage to:

• Start classes with the Summer 2020 session
• Receive a transfer credit evaluation
• Meet with an academic advisor to select classes
• Have more time to sign up for a tuition payment plan
• Learn of their financial aid award (for those who submit a FAFSA and are deemed eligible for grants)

The regular deadline for Spring 2020 has passed. The CUNY SPS Office of Admissions is offering interested students the opportunity to apply online with  Direct Admission  for the Spring 2020 semester. The Direct Admission application is designed only for transfers who are seeking admission to one of our fully online bachelor’s programs or one in-person bachelor’s program (excluding our BS in Nursing program).  

Can Anyone Apply Through Direct Admission?

For the Spring 2020 semester, only prospective undergraduate transfer students who were educated within the United States can apply through this process.

If you were educated at any point outside of the U.S., your international transcripts must be evaluated by the University Application Processing Center (UAPC), and you must apply for the Fall 2020 semester through the regular  admissions application . Students interested in our RN to BS in Nursing program for Spring 2020 will also have to apply through the regular admissions application .

Important Information for all Applicants

Please be advised that while you are invited to apply for the Spring 2020 semester with the Direct Admission application, your application will only be reviewed if it is complete and pending the availability of space in the program. Applicants will be required to upload an admissions essay and submit all official transcripts directly to the Office of Admissions . Please note letters of recommendation, high school transcripts, and SAT/ACT scores are NOT required for admission to CUNY SPS.  

While we cannot guarantee that your application will be reviewed for Spring 2020, note that as a courtesy your application will automatically be forwarded for the Fall 2020 semester.

(Accelerated) Nursing programs

The decision deadline for admission to the (Accelerated) Nursing programs is Tuesday, December 3, 2019 .

• RN to BS-MS in Nursing Education (Accelerated)
• RN to BS-MS in Nursing Informatics (Accelerated)
• RN to BS-MS in Nursing Organizational Leadership (Accelerated)

The Office of Admissions can help you with any questions you have about the application process.

Next Steps to Apply

Upcoming Events

Online information session: bachelor's degree programs.

September 17, 2024

Online Information Session: Jump Start Application

September 24, 2024

Office of Admissions

Monday – Friday: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (Remote Hours)

119 West 31 st Street, Suite 217 New York, NY 10001

Phone: (646) 664-8544 Texting: (646) 517-7876 Fax: (646) 664-8724

Contact Admissions

Helpful Links

• Academic Calendar
• Tuition and Fees

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CUNY York College Requirements for Admission

What are CUNY York College's admission requirements? While there are a lot of pieces that go into a college application, you should focus on only a few critical things:

• GPA requirements
• Testing requirements, including SAT and ACT requirements
• Application requirements

In this guide we'll cover what you need to get into CUNY York College and build a strong application.

School location: Jamaica, NY

This school is also known as: CUNY York, York College (City University of New York)

Admissions Rate: 60.7%

If you want to get in, the first thing to look at is the acceptance rate. This tells you how competitive the school is and how serious their requirements are.

The acceptance rate at CUNY York College is 60.7% . For every 100 applicants, 61 are admitted.

This means the school is moderately selective . The school expects you to meet their requirements for GPA and SAT/ACT scores, but they're more flexible than other schools. If you exceed their requirements, you have an excellent chance of getting in. But if you don't, you might be one of the unlucky minority that gets a rejection letter.

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Learn more about PrepScholar Admissions to maximize your chance of getting in.

CUNY York College GPA Requirements

Many schools specify a minimum GPA requirement, but this is often just the bare minimum to submit an application without immediately getting rejected.

The GPA requirement that really matters is the GPA you need for a real chance of getting in. For this, we look at the school's average GPA for its current students.

Average GPA: 3.11

The average GPA at CUNY York College is 3.11 .

(Most schools use a weighted GPA out of 4.0, though some report an unweighted GPA. This school did not officially report its average GPA, but we've estimated it here using data from over 1,000 schools.)

With a GPA of 3.11, CUNY York College accepts below-average students . It's OK to be a B-average student, with some A's mixed in. It'd be best to avoid C's and D's, since application readers might doubt whether you can handle the stress of college academics.

If you're currently a junior or senior, your GPA is hard to change in time for college applications. If your GPA is at or below the school average of 3.11, you'll need a higher SAT or ACT score to compensate . This will help you compete effectively against other applicants who have higher GPAs than you.

SAT and ACT Requirements

Each school has different requirements for standardized testing. Only a few schools require the SAT or ACT, but many consider your scores if you choose to submit them.

CUNY York College hasn't explicitly named a policy on SAT/ACT requirements, but because it's published average SAT or ACT scores (we'll cover this next), it's likely test flexible. Typically, these schools say, "if you feel your SAT or ACT score represents you well as a student, submit them. Otherwise, don't."

Despite this policy, the truth is that most students still take the SAT or ACT, and most applicants to CUNY York College will submit their scores. If you don't submit scores, you'll have one fewer dimension to show that you're worthy of being admitted, compared to other students. We therefore recommend that you consider taking the SAT or ACT, and doing well.

CUNY York College SAT Requirements

Many schools say they have no SAT score cutoff, but the truth is that there is a hidden SAT requirement. This is based on the school's average score.

Average SAT: 970

The average SAT score composite at CUNY York College is a 970 on the 1600 SAT scale.

This score makes CUNY York College Lightly Competitive for SAT test scores.

CUNY York College SAT Score Analysis (New 1600 SAT)

The 25th percentile SAT score is 890, and the 75th percentile SAT score is 1050. In other words, a 890 on the SAT places you below average, while a 1050 will move you up to above average .

Here's the breakdown of SAT scores by section:

SAT Score Choice Policy

The Score Choice policy at your school is an important part of your testing strategy.

CUNY York College ACT Requirements

Just like for the SAT, CUNY York College likely doesn't have a hard ACT cutoff, but if you score too low, your application will get tossed in the trash.

Average ACT: 18

The average ACT score at CUNY York College is 18. This score makes CUNY York College Competitive for ACT scores.

The 25th percentile ACT score is 15, and the 75th percentile ACT score is 20.

Even though CUNY York College likely says they have no minimum ACT requirement, if you apply with a 15 or below, you'll have a harder time getting in, unless you have something else impressive in your application.

ACT Score Sending Policy

If you're taking the ACT as opposed to the SAT, you have a huge advantage in how you send scores, and this dramatically affects your testing strategy.

Here it is: when you send ACT scores to colleges, you have absolute control over which tests you send. You could take 10 tests, and only send your highest one. This is unlike the SAT, where many schools require you to send all your tests ever taken.

This means that you have more chances than you think to improve your ACT score. To try to aim for the school's ACT requirement of 18 and above, you should try to take the ACT as many times as you can. When you have the final score that you're happy with, you can then send only that score to all your schools.

ACT Superscore Policy

By and large, most colleges do not superscore the ACT. (Superscore means that the school takes your best section scores from all the test dates you submit, and then combines them into the best possible composite score). Thus, most schools will just take your highest ACT score from a single sitting.

We weren't able to find the school's exact ACT policy, which most likely means that it does not Superscore. Regardless, you can choose your single best ACT score to send in to CUNY York College, so you should prep until you reach our recommended target ACT score of 18.

Download our free guide on the top 5 strategies you must be using to improve your score. This guide was written by Harvard graduates and ACT perfect scorers. If you apply the strategies in this guide, you'll study smarter and make huge score improvements.

SAT/ACT Writing Section Requirements

Currently, only the ACT has an optional essay section that all students can take. The SAT used to also have an optional Essay section, but since June 2021, this has been discontinued unless you are taking the test as part of school-day testing in a few states. Because of this, no school requires the SAT Essay or ACT Writing section, but some schools do recommend certain students submit their results if they have them.

CUNY York College considers the SAT Essay/ACT Writing section optional and may not include it as part of their admissions consideration. You don't need to worry too much about Writing for this school, but other schools you're applying to may require it.

Final Admissions Verdict

Because this school is moderately selective, strong academic performance will almost guarantee you admission . Scoring a 1050 SAT or a 20 ACT or above will nearly guarantee you admission. Because the school admits 60.7% of all applicants, being far above average raises the admission rate for you to nearly 100%.

If you can achieve a high SAT/ACT score, the rest of your application essentially doesn't matter. You still need to meet the rest of the application requirements, and your GPA shouldn't be too far off from the school average of 3.11. But you won't need dazzling extracurriculars and breathtaking letters of recommendation to get in. You can get in based on the merits of your score alone.

But if your score is a 890 SAT or a 15 ACT and below, you have a good chance of being one of the unlucky few to be rejected.

Admissions Calculator

Here's our custom admissions calculator. Plug in your numbers to see what your chances of getting in are. Pick your test: SAT ACT

• 80-100%: Safety school: Strong chance of getting in
• 50-80%: More likely than not getting in
• 20-50%: Lower but still good chance of getting in
• 5-20%: Reach school: Unlikely to get in, but still have a shot
• 0-5%: Hard reach school: Very difficult to get in

How would your chances improve with a better score?

Take your current SAT score and add 160 points (or take your ACT score and add 4 points) to the calculator above. See how much your chances improve?

At PrepScholar, we've created the leading online SAT/ACT prep program . We guarantee an improvement of 160 SAT points or 4 ACT points on your score, or your money back.

Here's a summary of why we're so much more effective than other prep programs:

• PrepScholar customizes your prep to your strengths and weaknesses . You don't waste time working on areas you already know, so you get more results in less time.
• We guide you through your program step-by-step so that you're never confused about what you should be studying. Focus all your time learning, not worrying about what to learn.
• Our team is made of national SAT/ACT experts . PrepScholar's founders are Harvard graduates and SAT perfect scorers . You'll be studying using the strategies that actually worked for them.
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There's a lot more to PrepScholar that makes it the best SAT/ACT prep program. Click to learn more about our program , or sign up for our 5-day free trial to check out PrepScholar for yourself:

Application Requirements

Every school requires an application with the bare essentials - high school transcript and GPA, application form, and other core information. Many schools, as explained above, also require SAT and ACT scores, as well as letters of recommendation, application essays, and interviews. We'll cover the exact requirements of CUNY York College here.

Application Requirements Overview

• Common Application Not accepted
• Electronic Application Available
• Essay or Personal Statement
• Letters of Recommendation
• Interview Not required
• Application Fee $65
• Fee Waiver Available? Available
• Other Notes

Testing Requirements

• SAT or ACT Considered if submitted
• SAT Essay or ACT Writing Optional
• SAT Subject Tests
• Scores Due in Office None

Coursework Requirements

• Subject Required Years
• Foreign Language 2
• Social Studies

Deadlines and Early Admissions

• Offered? Deadline Notification
• Yes February 1 Rolling

Admissions Office Information

• Address: 94 Jamaica, NY 11451
• Phone: (718) 262-2000
• Email: [email protected]

Other Schools For You

If you're interested in CUNY York College, you'll probably be interested in these schools as well. We've divided them into 3 categories depending on how hard they are to get into, relative to CUNY York College.

Reach Schools: Harder to Get Into

These schools are have higher average SAT scores than CUNY York College. If you improve your SAT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.

Same Level: Equally Hard to Get Into

If you're competitive for CUNY York College, these schools will offer you a similar chance of admission.

Safety Schools: Easier to Get Into

If you're currently competitive for CUNY York College, you should have no problem getting into these schools. If CUNY York College is currently out of your reach, you might already be competitive for these schools.

Data on this page is sourced from Peterson's Databases © 2023 (Peterson's LLC. All rights reserved.) as well as additional publicly available sources.

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Published August 01, 2024

Announcing the 2024-2025 Common Application for NYU

Billy Sichel

Assistant Vice President of Undergraduate Admissions

It’s August 1st and that means the application at NYU has officially opened. This year, we’ve made some pretty big changes to NYU’s Common Application to simplify the process for our applicants, and to help us learn a little more about you!

When you start NYU’s member questions on the Common App, you’ll see 6 sections that you’ll need to complete. We give you a little bit of a head start by checking off the “Writing” section. This section is optional – but also new and exciting! More on that later.

The General Information Section

In the “General” section, you’ll be asked a few questions about how you want us to handle your application – Early Decision I, Early Decision II, or Regular Decision? – and which campus you want to apply to. As you (hopefully!) already know, NYU has three degree-granting campuses: in New York, Abu Dhabi, and Shanghai. Our Common App will let you apply to any combination of our campuses.

Once you make your campus selections, an additional set of questions will show up that are specific to your campus(es) of interest. Nothing too tricky here! You’ll be able to tell us about your academic area of interest for each campus, and a few other quick-and-easy questions about program eligibility, housing preferences, etc. so that we’re ready for you if you are ultimately admitted.

The Academics Section

Once you have those sections squared away, you’ll move on to the Academics section. This section will walk you through the information we’ll need you to submit outside of the Common App itself. Nothing to do here, except confirm that you’re clear on the next steps and additional requirements.

The Optional Supplemental Question

Now, the moment you’ve been waiting for: The optional, pre-checked-off Writing section. Last year, we made the decision to update our supplemental question. However, what we heard from our applicants was that people really wanted to tell us more! But the thing is…we already know why NYU is a great place to spend your 4 years, so we thought: if you want to tell us more about your passion for NYU, let’s make the question about you .

The new writing question says:

“In a world where disconnection seems to often prevail, we are looking for students who embody the qualities of bridge builders—students who can connect people, groups, and ideas to span divides, foster understanding, and promote collaboration within a dynamic, interconnected, and vibrant global academic community. We are eager to understand how your experiences have prepared you to build the bridges of the future. Please consider one or more of the following questions  in your  essay :

What personal experiences or challenges have shaped you as a bridge builder?

How have you been a bridge builder in your school, community, or personal life?

What specific actions have you taken to build bridges between diverse groups, ideas, or cultures?

How do you envision being a bridge builder during your time at our university and beyond?”

So, if it feels right for you to tell us a little more about yourself in the application, we want to know where you will turn to for inspiration, and what experiences have shaped you and resonate with you. Four years at NYU will propel you into a future you might not even be able to imagine yet, but take a minute (if you want – it really is optional!) to tell us about the ideas that have gotten you to this point, and those that might shape you into the person you’re about to become.

These are just a few of the changes we have made this year, so make sure to carefully read each question carefully before you answer them. If you ever have any questions for us about our questions, we are always here to help . We wish you the best of luck this application season, and can’t wait to learn more about you!

More from Billy:

How to Approach the Common Application

There’s no wrong way to approach the Common Application, but here’s two different strategies you might want to choose from when you apply to NYU.

Submitting a Transfer Application to NYU

Everything you need and everything you need to know about the transfer process.

Why You Should Start Your Common Application Early

There are many benefits to getting an early start on your Common Application to NYU.

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my transfer application in CUNY first says incomplete but I don’t know why. All high school transcripts and university transcripts are received. However i didn’t do the essay and recommendations but I think that’s optional for city college correct ??

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