Admission Requirements for Graduate Programs at New York University

New York University follows a competitive application process. Each graduate school, college, and its specific departments and programs at New York University determine its own application requirements. However, there are some application requirements that remain common across programs and departments including letters of recommendation, personal statements, transcripts and degrees, application fees, and English proficiency test results (for international students). 

Some additional requirements include entrance exams, interviews, a portfolio, and a resume. The most common exam is the GRE (Graduate Record Examination), but the GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test), LSAT (Law School Admission Test), and MCAT (Medical College Admissions Test) are also important considerations. Application deadlines depend on a number of factors, including the program, its duration, and if a student is planning to pursue it on a full-time or part-time basis. 

What GRE/GMAT scores do applicants commonly need to be competitive for admission to NYU's Graduate programs?

NYU has not set any average GRE/GMAT scores. Also, NYU has is no minimum GRE score requirement. For instance, all applicants for admission to the JD program are required to take either the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) or the GRE. Scores for both exams are valid for five years. NYU Law requires applicants to report all valid LSAT and GRE scores that they have received.

Similarly for pursuing MBA programs at Stern Business School, there are no minimum standardized test score requirements. In addition to the GMAT and GRE, NYU Stern also accepts the Executive Assessment Test (EA), MCAT, LSAT, and DAT.

The graduate programs that require GRE scores for admission are:

• Civil Engineering, Ph.D.
• Urban Systems, PhD
• Transportation Systems, Ph.D.

Do certain master's programs at NYU have exemptions for the GRE and GMAT?

Yes, NYU offers many graduate programs for which applicants don’t need to submit GRE or GMAT scores. New York University Stern School of Business does not require Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Exam (GRE) test scores for its Executive MBA program. Likewise, for admission to NYU Wagner’s master's programs, GRE or GMAT scores are recommended but are not compulsory to be submitted.  

The graduate programs that have made GRE scores optional for admission are:

• Applied Urban Science and Informatics, MS (On Campus)
• Applied Urban Science and Informatics, Certificate (Online)
• Bioinformatics, MS (Online)
• Biotechnology and Entrepreneurship, MS (On Campus)
• Cybersecurity, MS (Online and On Campus)
• Mathematical Sciences, MS (On Campus)
• Transportation Systems, MS (On Campus)

What impact does a lower GPA have on the admission process for NYU's Master's programs?

NYU’s colleges and schools rely on GPAs. The average GPA for getting into any NYU college or center is above 3.5. For instance, NYU’s School of Arts and Sciences requires a GPA of 3.5, however, they don't specify it as a set minimum. It's important that you meet their GPA requirements to get through the first round of consideration. A low GPA can prove to be a major obstacle considering the low acceptance rate and selective nature of the graduate admission process. 

How competitive is the admission process at NYU for international students?

NYU maintains a low acceptance rate and therefore it is a tough university to get into. However, the student body at NYU comprises students from more than 130 countries. NYU reviews applications in the specific context of each student’s national or regional curriculum. International applicants must also focus on getting good scores on English proficiency tests to get into NYU. 

Are interviews a mandatory part of the admission process for NYU's Master's or joint-degree programs?

Some graduate programs at NYU require applicants to sit for in-person interviews. For getting admission to the MBA program offered by NYU Stern School, interviews are conducted. Interviews are by invitation only and are an important part of the application process. One must interview to be admitted to NYU Stern’s Full-time MBA, Tech MBA, or Fashion and Luxury MBA.