NYU (short for New York University) is a private university in New York City’s financial district, with satellite campuses in Abu Dhabi and Shanghai. NYU’s 17 schools provide over 230 areas of study and 2,700 courses, ensuring that there is something for everyone.
While NYU isn’t impossible to get into, it has become increasingly restrictive in recent years.
This means you’ll have to put extra effort into your application, particularly the supplemental essay “Why NYU?”
Only one supplementary essay is required at NYU—a conventional “Why us?” essay. The trap here is a standard response to a standard prompt. Because this type of request can elicit identical responses from applicants, the guide below will show you how to leverage NYU’s “Why us?” prompt to set yourself apart.
Before Writing:
NYU admissions officers want to see that you’ve done your research on what they have to offer and that you’ve considered whether or not you’d be a good fit.
On its Common Data Set, you may explore a thorough, by-the-numbers look at NYU’s offerings, from enrollment and tuition figures to student life and financial aid information, to get a better idea of what NYU is looking for. Read the university’s strategic plan for further information on how it sees itself and its mission, as well as how it wishes to grow and change. Reading this will give you a good overview of what NYU values and may provide you with some ideas for your essay. A complete list of NYU’s academic programmes, schools and colleges, and other academic offerings can be found under the Academics category. Make certain to click through to your desired school and major. This information will greatly assist you in answering the question “Why NYU?”
A decent rule of thumb for “Why This College” essays is to include multiple names (in capital letters) of specific university programmes. For example, you might state that you’re interested in the Tisch School of the Arts, for example. You should also go a level beyond and explain why you’re enthused about their internship chances and animation training.
Note that if you haven’t done your homework, you won’t be able to tell if you’re a good fit.
The NYU essay prompt:
The exact prompt given by NYU is as follows:
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)
This is a common “Why us?” prompt, but you should think of it as a “Why us?”—as in, you and the school, and why you’d be a fantastic fit together—rather than just “why them.” Thinking about the essay as though you’re helping the school understand why your profile and its offerings are ideal for one other and how you’d probably make a valuable addition to the school.
Breakdown of prompt:
Because this question has numerous sections, you must understand and respond to the complete question in your 400-word response.
“We would like to know more about your interest in NYU”
Why do you want to go to New York University? You had thousands of different school options, and you chose NYU as one of them, why?
“We are particularly interested in knowing what motivated you to apply to NYU and more specifically, why you have applied or expressed interest in a particular campus, school, college, programme, and/or area of study.”
Let’s divide it into two sections.
“We’re particularly curious about what prompted you to apply to NYU…”
Translation: We’d like to learn more about you as a person. What about you makes you think NYU is a good fit for you? Are you a good fit for New York University? If so, please explain why.
“We are particularly interested in knowing….why you have applied or expressed interest in a particular campus, school, college, programme and/or area of study.”
Why are you interested in what you’re interested in, and why did you apply to the institution that offers the degree you want?
For example, tell them why you’re interested in acting and why you’re applying to the Tisch School of the Arts if you’re interested in acting.
“If you have applied to more than one, please tell us why you are interested in each of the campuses, schools, colleges or programmes to which you have
Translation: Please explain why you have several interests and wish to pursue more than one major or degree. This will help us make sense of your choices.
If you wish to study Acting (Tisch School of the Arts) and Computer Engineering (Tandon School of Engineering), for example, they want to know how your interests fit together and why you want to pursue both.
“You may be focused or undecided, or simply open to the options within NYU’s global network; regardless, we want to understand – Why NYU?”
Translation: You are aware that NYU has a worldwide network, correct? Please explain why you wish to attend our school.
Things to keep in mind
- Don’t claim that NYU is the “best” school for you. The admissions officers understand that perfection is hard to achieve.
- Instead, choose five aspects of NYU that appeal to you (departments, professors, activities, on-campus groups). Choosing authentic names and titles requires you to do your homework and stay focused.
- Your essay on “Why NYU?” should not be a replica of your Common App essay. Take advantage of this opportunity to align NYU with your personal values and characteristics.
- Make certain that your essay is unique to your school. This means thorough investigation and a thorough examination of the school’s webpage.
- Make certain you never mention your desire to attend school in New York City. There are dozens of universities to choose from.
Add the Rostrum touch to your essay:
Supplementary essays are a crucial component of your application, and writing them without any guidance can be extremely difficult. Rostrum Education is here with a team of highly qualified college counsellors to help you every step along the way towards writing your application. Each of our students receives Personalized Essay Assistance, which includes everything from brainstorming essay ideas to fine-tuning the essay. We assist you in presenting yourself and your experiences in a way which appeals to the admissions committee. To learn more, contact us for a free consultation.
