NYU Admissions 2024-2025

New York University recently released their Common Data Set for 2024-2025, offering valuable insights into what it takes to be admitted to this highly selective institution. Let's examine the data to understand who gets into NYU and what factors matter most in their admissions process.

NYU's Remarkable Selectivity

NYU's admissions statistics reveal an increasingly competitive landscape:

• Total applicants: 110,807

• Admitted students: 10,232

• Enrolled students: 5,666

• Acceptance rate: Approximately 9.2%

With fewer than 1 in 10 applicants receiving an offer, NYU has become one of the most selective universities in the country. This represents a significant shift from just a decade ago when NYU's acceptance rate was over 30%.

Academic Profile of Admitted Students

The academic credentials of NYU's Class of 2029 are impressive:

Test Scores

• SAT Composite (middle 50%): 1480-1550

• SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 720-760

• SAT Math: 760-800 (note that the 75th percentile is 800, the maximum score)

• ACT Composite: 34-35

It's worth noting that only 28% of enrolled students submitted SAT scores and just 10% submitted ACT scores, as NYU maintained a test-optional policy for this admissions cycle.

GPA and Class Performance

• Average high school GPA: 3.81

• 99% of first-time, first-year students submitted high school GPA

• 18% had a perfect 4.0 GPA

• 76% had a GPA of 3.75 or higher

• 94% had a GPA of 3.5 or higher

These statistics demonstrate that virtually all NYU admits have excellent high school academic performance.

Interesting Demographic Information

NYU's first-year class shows considerable diversity:

• International students: 25.3% (1,430 students)

• Hispanic/Latino: 9.8% (552 students)

• Black or African American: 4.2% (237 students)

• White: 23.4% (1,317 students)

• Asian: 26.8% (1,511 students)

• Two or more races: 5.2% (293 students)

• American Indian/Alaska Native: 0.1% (8 students)

• Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: <0.1% (1 student)

• Race/ethnicity unknown: 5.2% (292 students)

With over a quarter of the class coming from outside the United States, NYU continues to be one of the most internationally diverse universities in America.

What Matters Most in NYU Admissions

NYU's Common Data Set provides valuable information about what factors weigh most heavily in their admissions decisions:

"Very Important" Factors

• Rigor of secondary school record

• Academic GPA

• Application Essay

• Recommendation(s)

"Important" Factors

• Interview

• Extracurricular activities

• Talent/ability

• Character/personal qualities

• First generation status

• Volunteer work

• Work experience

"Considered" Factors

• Class rank

• Standardized test scores

• Alumni/ae relations

• Geographical residence

• State residency

• Level of applicant's interest

"Not Considered" Factors

• Religious affiliation/commitment

What These Ratings Mean for Applicants

NYU's ratings reveal their holistic approach to admissions:

• Academics remain foundational: The rigor of your curriculum and GPA are "very important" - you need to challenge yourself with the most demanding courses available to you and perform excellently.

• Essays and recommendations matter tremendously: Both are rated as "very important," suggesting that NYU values the qualitative aspects of your application as much as the numbers.

• Character and personal qualities are significant: While listed as "important" rather than "very important," this underscores NYU's interest in who you are beyond your academic achievements.

• Extracurricular distinction matters: "Talent/ability" and "extracurricular activities" being rated as "important" suggests that NYU values significant achievement or contribution in your activities.

• Test scores are only "considered": Even though admitted students have outstanding scores, NYU rates standardized tests as less important than many other factors, consistent with their test-optional policy.

• First-generation status is "important": This indicates NYU's commitment to increasing access for students who would be the first in their families to attend college.

Notable Observations

Several other details from the Common Data Set stand out:

• Retention rate: 96% of first-year students return for their sophomore year, indicating extremely high student satisfaction.

• Student-to-faculty ratio: 8:1, offering students exceptional access to faculty.

• Early Decision: NYU offers Early Decision, with applications due November 1 (ED I) and January 1 (ED II).

• Housing: 82% of first-year students live in college-owned housing, though this drops to 38% for all undergraduates, reflecting NYU's urban setting where many upperclassmen move to off-campus apartments.

• Class sizes: While NYU is a large university with nearly 30,000 undergraduates, 59% of classes have fewer than 20 students.

• International focus: NYU has one of the highest percentages of international students among US universities and maintains a strong study abroad program.

What This Means for Future Applicants

For students aspiring to NYU, these numbers highlight the importance of:

• Academic excellence: Taking the most challenging courses available and excelling in them.

• Authentic engagement: Developing genuine interests and making meaningful contributions.

• Character development: Demonstrating positive personal qualities through your actions and impact.

• Powerful writing: Crafting essays that reveal your authentic voice and perspective.

• Strong recommendations: Building relationships with teachers who can speak to your intellectual curiosity and classroom contributions.

Remember that while these statistics provide insight into NYU's admissions process, they don't tell the full story of what makes a successful applicant. NYU seeks students who will contribute to their community in diverse and meaningful ways, not just those with perfect numbers.

Need help applying to NYU for the 2025-2026 admissions cycle? If so, contact an admissions expert at Cosmic College Consulting today.