Apply for Admission

Ready for an experience unlike any other?

Your first step is to apply. NYU accepts applications through the Common Application for all three degree-granting campuses in New York, Abu Dhabi, or Shanghai. 

In addition to your application, there is a  non-refundable application fee of USD 80. Students who are unable to pay the application fee can request a fee waiver.

 

Deadlines

Applying to NYU Abu Dhabi

 

Before You Apply

Be sure to have the following on hand before you begin your application:

  1. School Contact: Contact information for the counselor or other school representative who will complete your Common Application School Report and submit your official secondary school transcript.
  2. Letter of Recommendation: Contact information for a teacher, counselor, or any other individual who will complete this letter of recommendation that speaks to your accomplishments and aspirations.
  3. Application Fee: Nonrefundable USD 80 application fee. Students who are unable to pay the application fee can request a fee waiver.
  4. Campus of Interest: Be prepared to indicate campus of interest: When applying to NYU through the Common Application, you will be asked to choose your primary campus of interest (Abu Dhabi, New York City, or Shanghai). While we assume Abu Dhabi will be your primary campus of interest, you have the option of indicating up to two alternate campuses of interest. Ultimately, applicants will only receive one admissions decision from NYU.
 

Step 1: Complete Your Common Application

Watch this helpful video below to learn about the process and deadlines.

 

Step 2: Submit Your Supporting Materials

Common Application School Report and Transcripts.

Your counselor or other school representative will complete your Common Application School Report, where they are able to submit your high school transcript(s).

The school report includes everything that comes from your high school or college counselor, including your academic records, predicted testing results, counselor recommendation, school profile, and mid-year report.

Academic records would include transcripts, which are a record of your academic accomplishments, including every course you took, when you took each course, and the grades you received and how to submit them

NYUAD will accept official or unofficial transcripts and test scores for the purposes of the application review process.

Letter of Recommendation

NYU only requires one letter of recommendation, and it is not required that it be from a teacher or counselor. The letter should be substantive and speak to your potential in a college setting, and we realize that limiting who can submit the letter of recommendation presents an obstacle to some students. Of course, teacher and counselor recommendations are still welcome, but if another person in your life can better speak to your accomplishments and aspirations, you are welcome to submit a letter from them instead. Once you have identified a recommender, please provide their email address in the Common Application. They will be sent an invite message to fill out the necessary letter online. While digital submission via the Common Application is preferred, they may submit any documents in hard copy by mail if necessary.

It’s a good idea to also follow up with the person recommending you and confirm all required materials have been submitted on your behalf.

Self Reported Academic Record

Please read about the SRAR requirement at NYU.

Timing

The school officials you identify do not need to wait for you to submit your application before they submit supporting materials, but universities will not be able to access their forms until you have submitted your application.

 

Step 3: Standardized Testing

NYU has extended the test-optional policy for the 2023-2024 cycle. Students who elect to submit testing as part of their application to NYU Abu Dhabi, should review our Standard Testing Requirements here and submit official score reports or predicted scores.

Note: Test scores must come from an official source to be processed. Use your name exactly as it appears on your passport or birth certificate on your application and supporting documents.

English Language Testing
All NYU students must have a strong command of the English language to be successful in a fast-paced, rigorous academic environment. If English is not your native language, we recommend you submit results from an English language testing exam.

See full list of accepted English language proficiency exams

 

Step 4: Optional Essay

This year’s optional writing section asks “We are looking for peacemakers, changemakers, global citizens, boundary breakers, creatives, and innovators. Choose one quote from the following and let us know why it inspires you; or share a short quote and person not on our list who inspires you, and include why.”

The question is truly optional. So, if you want to take the opportunity to tell us a little more about yourself in the application, this question will give you a chance to tell us where you will turn for inspiration, and what experiences have shaped you.

 

Sending Documents

To be considered official, all documents (including academic transcripts) require an original signature of the registrar or other designated school official, or the institution's seal. If a document isn't in English, then a translation should be provided (a school official or a translation agency accredited in your country can issue the translation). All official testing should come from the relevant examination board or testing agency.

Note: Transcripts and test scores must come from an official source to be processed. Use your name exactly as it appears on your passport or birth certificate on your application and supporting documents.

New York University
Office of Undergraduate Admissions

383 Lafayette Street
New York, NY 10003
USA

or via email to admissions.docs@nyu.edu