How does NYU Abu Dhabi decide which students to admit?
Admission to NYU Abu Dhabi is highly selective. Students are admitted based on academic excellence, extracurricular activities, and demonstrated interest in global citizenship, service, and leadership.
Are there minimum standardized test scores (for example, SAT, ACT, TOEFL, IELTS) required for admission?
No, NYU Abu Dhabi does not utilize numerical cut-offs when we evaluate applications for admission. However, you should also know that admission to NYU Abu Dhabi is very competitive. As a general rule, applicants with the strongest academic programs, the highest grades, and the highest test scores are those most likely to be offered admission. For more information regarding standardized tests, please see NYU Abu Dhabi's official testing policy.
Which standardized test scores do I need to submit for my application?
NYU Abu Dhabi encourages students to present their best case for consideration for admission. We welcome you to marshal evidence of admissibility by providing official results of any nationally — or internationally — recognized standardized test that you have completed. While your test scores are an important part of your application and provide us with a better sense of your preparedness to succeed at NYU Abu Dhabi (including your English language proficiency), they are not the only factor on which your admission decision will be based. Please see our testing policy for complete details on the standardized test scores we will accept to complete your application.
Is the TOEFL required for consideration for admission to NYU Abu Dhabi?
English is the language of instruction at NYU Abu Dhabi. While NYUAD does not currently require an English language proficiency test (TOEFL or IELTS, etc.), we strongly encourage students to take an English language proficiency test and submit their scores; excellent English language skills are critical to success at NYU Abu Dhabi (equivalent to a level of at least 650 points on the TOEFL PBT, 100 on the TOEFL iBT, or 7 on the IELTS) and we will seek multiple indicators of English proficiency in our review of your application. Please see NYUAD's official testing policy for more information.
Are national exams valid to fulfill the testing requirement?
National exams are often sufficient to satisfy our standardized test requirement. Applicants may submit results for a nationally accredited exam that is considered to signify the completion of secondary education in their home country or region and is administered independently of the student's school.
Is the fact that I am a non-native English speaker taken into account when evaluating my SAT or ACT scores?
Since English is the language of instruction at NYU Abu Dhabi, proficiency in English is an essential requirement for admission. We value applications from qualified students who are non-native English speakers, and if you do not feel that SAT or ACT scores would accurately reflect your academic accomplishments, we encourage you to submit alternative scores that meet our testing requirements.
Will NYU Abu Dhabi consider my International Baccalaureate (IB) scores?
Yes, the International Baccalaureate Diploma (predicted result followed by official verification) will satisfy NYU Abu Dhabi's standardized test requirement. NYU Abu Dhabi will make an admission decision using a student's predicted IB scores, although if a student's final test results vary greatly from the predicted results, NYU Abu Dhabi reserves the right to withdraw the offer of admission.
What's most important in the admissions decision?
NYUAD looks at the student's entire application: grades, test scores, extracurricular work, recommendations, and all information shared as part of the application. There is no single most important element to the application.
Does NYU Abu Dhabi take into consideration the difficulty of a particular curriculum or different secondary school grading policies when making admissions decisions?
Yes. We encourage students to take the most challenging curriculum available to them, because when we evaluate your record, we consider the rigor of the program you've completed.
Is admission open to all?
Yes. Admission is "need blind," and students are chosen based on their academic potential and qualifications according to the same standards, including non-discrimination standards, that govern admission to NYU's campus in New York. Neither a student's economic background nor his or her nationality influences our admission decision.
How important are letters of recommendation?
Letters of recommendation are extremely important. They give the admissions committee a more complete picture of the student's performance both inside and outside of the classroom from the point of view of a professional who knows them well. We consider these letters within the overall context of a student's application, and we may contact the counselors or teachers who write them if we have questions about a student's performance.
Does NYU Abu Dhabi accept the Common Application?
Yes, NYU Abu Dhabi requires the Common Application. In addition to the Common Application, applicants to NYU Abu Dhabi must also submit the NYU Supplement to the Common Application. An application to NYU Abu Dhabi will not be considered complete until we have received BOTH pieces of the application. If you complete the online version of the Common Application, you must submit the online version of the NYU supplement (available on the Common Application website). Likewise, if you complete the paper application, you must complete the paper version of the NYU Supplement that can be downloaded from our website.
Can I apply online?
Yes, we strongly encourage you to apply online, if possible, using the Common Application.
Can I apply to NYU Abu Dhabi and NYU New York at the same time?
Applicants who are interested in applying both to NYU Abu Dhabi and NYU New York can indicate their preferences on the NYU Supplement to the Common Application.
How important are deadlines?
Deadlines are extremely important. We cannot guarantee that we will read applications submitted after the deadline date, even if only one piece of the application is missing. Therefore, we highly recommend submitting your application and all supporting documents as early as possible. If you foresee a delay in submitting any of your supporting documents, please contact the NYU Abu Dhabi Admissions office to discuss your particular situation. Knowing the deadlines, you should plan the dates for your standardized tests accordingly and give your recommenders plenty of time to complete their letters of recommendation.
Should I schedule an interview?
Not all applicants will have the opportunity to participate in an admissions interview. As part of the admissions process, select applicants will be invited to meet with members of the admissions committee during a Candidate Weekend, which will take place in Abu Dhabi. All eligible candidates will be contacted by NYU Abu Dhabi to arrange for this visit. Whenever possible, we encourage all applicants to visit the NYU Abu Dhabi campus or attend an information session in their city or region.
Are there any other requirements I should know about?
In addition to your application, all candidates are required to have a valid passport. If candidates are chosen to participate in a Candidate Weekend, they will need to be able to travel to Abu Dhabi. While NYU Abu Dhabi will cover the costs of this travel and assist with the visa process for all admitted or invited students, candidates must ensure that they have a valid passport for travel.
When will I hear if I have been admitted?
Applicants to NYU Abu Dhabi who apply for Early Decision I will receive an admissions decision by mid-December; those applying Early Decision II will receive a decision by mid-February; and those who apply Regular Decision will be notified on or about April 1st.
What if I am not admitted? Can I reapply?
Students are free to reapply if they are not admitted. However, we make our admissions decisions based on a thorough analysis of each student's application and credentials, and we urge students to reapply only if there has been a meaningful change in their qualifications for NYU Abu Dhabi.
Do you accept transfer applicants?
At this time, we are not accepting transfer applications. All students must enter in the fall as first year students.
Am I able to change my campus location to NYU New York? What about my financial support package?
NYU is fully committed to the well being of our students during their time at NYU Abu Dhabi, and we will do everything we can to make sure a student's experience is both academically and socially fulfilling. However, should a student decide it's not the right campus for him or her, an application for a change of campus to NYU New York will be given consideration.
If a request for change of campus to NYU New York is approved, the NYUNY Financial Aid office will evaluate a student's financial circumstances in the context of financial aid packages offered in New York. As a general rule, NYU New York offers less financial aid than NYU Abu Dhabi, and students should be aware of this reality should transferring to New York become a consideration.
Do you accept applicants who already hold a Bachelor of Arts or Science degree?
In alignment with overall NYU policy, students who already hold Bachelor's degrees are not eligible for admission, since NYU does not issue second Bachelor's degrees.
What is NYU Abu Dhabi tuition, and what opportunities are there for financial assistance?
Our aim is to attract the best possible students regardless of financial circumstances. If you are admitted, our priority is to work with you and your family to make it possible for you to attend. NYU Abu Dhabi's Office of Financial Support will tailor our generous financial assistance programs to your individual needs. Financial Support will ensure that the cost of attendance does not require you or your family to take on debt to support the cost of your education at NYU Abu Dhabi. Your family's finances should not affect your decision to select NYU Abu Dhabi even if you are considering low- or no-cost public education alternatives or are the recipient of generous financial assistance from another institution. In addition, financial support from NYU Abu Dhabi will apply not only to the cost of attendance, but also to many activities and opportunities available to NYU Abu Dhabi students.
Do you hold any Open House or Information Session programs?
Yes. We hold open houses and information sessions all over the world. Please check our list of regional events regularly to see if we will be hosting an open house in your city or region.
From where will students come, and how many?
For detailed information regarding the NYU Abu Dhabi Class of 2014, please our Snapshots of the Class of 2014. We will be adding information about members of the Class of 2015 soon.
How can I find out more about academics and campus life at NYU Abu Dhabi?
Please explore NYU Abu Dhabi Academic Programs and check out our blog to learn more about student activities and events in and around Abu Dhabi.
