Selection Process

NYU Abu Dhabi draws students of all backgrounds from around the world to create a uniquely diverse and dynamic student body.

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, November 10, 2015:

Students relax and socialize as they catch up with other students around the NYU Abu Dhabi campus on Saadiyat Island.

(Photo / Silvia Razgova - Philip Cheung)

Step 1:

Complete Your Application

Admission to NYU Abu Dhabi is highly selective. We’re looking for the following on your Common Application:

academic excellence
sustained and meaningful extracurricular involvement
strong and supportive letters of recommendation
commitment to supporting a global, interconnected community through service and leadership

Step 2:

Candidate Weekend

Candidate Weekend is the second and final step of the NYU Abu Dhabi selection process. Participation in Candidate Weekend is by invitation only and is offered to the most competitive applicants who have demonstrated the strongest fit for our campus and community.

Application Timeline

The best advice we can offer is: plan ahead! The application process is time-consuming and we ask for a great deal of information (in order to better evaluate your candidacy). Do not save anything until the last minute, and make sure you are in contact with those who will be submitting application materials on your behalf.

Speak with your high school counselor about applying to universities. Visit websites, attend information sessions, and learn more about your university options.
Look into testing dates if you plan to take the SAT, ACT, or other exams that are only offered at certain times. Familiarize yourself with NYU Abu Dhabi’s flexible testing policy.

Talk to your teachers and counselor about writing recommendation forms for you and request that your school submits your official transcripts.
Create your Common Application account (you can also do this over the summer and it will transfer your information once the application period opens).
Pay attention to deadlines! Decide whether you want to apply Early Decision I (EDI), Early Decision II (EDII), or Regular Decision (RD). Visit the NYU Admissions blog for advice about applying Early Decision.
Submit your application!

Due to NYU Abu Dhabi’s Candidate Weekend process, our review happens on an accelerated timeline. Applicants cannot be invited to participate in Candidate Weekend without a complete review of their application and credentials, therefore we recommend submitting your Common Application before your chosen notification plan deadline. This will ensure that your full application and associated credentials will be received and reviewed in keeping with our processing timelines.

Depending on whether you have applied EDI, EDII, or RD, you will be notified of our admissions decision by mid-December, the end of February, or April 1, respectively. If you will be receiving financial aid, this award will be presented to you along with your admissions decision.
If you have been chosen to participate in Candidate Weekend, you will be notified via the email you provided in your Common Application.