Candidate Weekend Agenda
February 4-8, 2026
Wednesday, February 4
Early Arrivals Day
Time |
Activity |
Location |
Details |
8am–11:59pm |
Early Arrivals |
Dusit Thani Lobby |
Student arrivals and check-in. |
12:30–2pm |
Buffet Lunch |
Urban Kitchen |
Buffet lunch at hotel. |
3–6pm |
Mangrove Walk |
Hub – Dusit Thani |
Mangrove walk; meeting point with volunteers at the Hub. |
7:30–10pm |
Buffet Dinner |
Dusit Thani Ballroom |
Buffet dinner at hotel. |
Thursday, February 5
International Arrivals Day
Time |
Activity |
Location |
Notes |
12am–11am |
International Arrivals |
Dusit Thani Lobby |
Student arrivals and check-in. |
| 8-10:30am | Breakfast at Hotel | Dusit Thani | Breakfast. |
12–2pm |
Buffet Lunch |
Dusit Thani Ballroom |
Buffet lunch at hotel. |
1:30–2pm |
Welcome and Program Overview |
Dusit Thani Ballroom |
Excursion groups to meet in the Ballroom. Excursion leaders brief candidates with site information. |
2–6pm |
City Excursions and Bus Tour |
Dusit Thani Ballroom |
Bus boarding for city excursions - Natural History Museum - Zayed National Museum |
5:30–6:30pm |
UAE Non-Abu Dhabi Resident Check In |
Dusit Thani |
All UAE residents staying at the hotel should arrive by 7pm. |
6:30–9pm |
Dinner at Hotel |
Dusit Thani Ballroom |
Dinner. |
8–8:30pm |
Group Meet and Greet |
Dusit Thani Ballroom |
Group Leader and student introductions. |
| 10pm | Lights Out | Dusit Thani |
Friday, February 6
Candidate Weekend Program Day 1
Time |
Activity |
Location |
Notes |
7:30-8am |
Bus Departures to NYU Abu Dhabi Campus |
Skydome Dusit Thani |
Bus boarding and departures from hotel to NYUAD campus. |
8-8:30am |
Check in at NYUAD Campus for Abu Dhabi Residents |
NYUAD, C2 |
Check-in for Abu Dhabi residents, building C2. |
8-8:50am |
Breakfast at NYUAD Campus |
Sexton Square |
Breakfast on campus, Sexton Square. |
9:15-11am |
University Leadership Welcome and Academic Panel |
A6-008 |
Welcome and introduction to NYUAD Candidate Weekend. Overview of mission, vision, and the student experience. |
11-11:10am |
Break |
A6 Lobby |
|
11:10am-12:30pm |
Life at NYUAD Session |
A6-008 and breakout rooms |
Student Affairs-led small group discussions on alignment with NYUAD mission and values. |
12:30-2pm |
Lunch | Prayer | Ask Me About |
Sexton Square Campus |
Buffet Lunch in Sexton Square. |
2:15-3:15pm |
Life in the UAE Session |
A6-008 |
Session on UAE cultural and legal norms led by the Office of Global Education. |
3:30pm |
Depart for Desert Excursion |
A6 Streetside |
|
5:30-8pm |
Dinner in the Desert and Special Object |
Desert | Special Object and Jebel Wadi Waha |
9pm |
Hotel Arrival |
Dusit Thani |
Check-out for Abu Dhabi residents. |
10pm |
Lights Out |
Dusit Thani |
Saturday, February 7
Candidate Weekend Program Day 2
| Time | Activity | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
7:30-8am |
Bus Departures to NYUAD Campus |
Skydome Dusit Thani |
Buses boarding and departures from hotel to NYUAD campus. |
8-8:30am |
Check in at NYUAD Campus for Abu Dhabi Residents |
NYUAD Campus, C2 |
Check-in for Abu Dhabi residents at Sexton Square, building C2. |
8-8:50am |
Breakfast at NYUAD Campus |
Sexton Square |
Breakfast on campus, Sexton Square. |
9-9:20am |
Welcome and Program Overview Day 2 |
West Forum |
|
9:30-10:15am |
Comprehension Evaluation |
C2 |
Diagnostic exercise to evaluate reading comprehension and analysis skills. |
10:15-11:30am |
Trailblazers |
A6,C2,A4,A2 |
Exploration of the rigorous liberal arts curriculum and NYUAD academic requirements. |
11:45am-1pm |
Compass Collectives |
A6,C2,A4,A2 |
Open, candid conversations with students, alumni, and faculty exploring the people, passions, and lived experience at NYUAD. |
1:15-4:15pm |
Concurrent Sessions: | ||
| Student Interviews | A5 Atrium | 2:1 interview with two faculty members to discuss interest in NYUAD, enthusiasm for the community, and alignment with institutional values. | |
| Resource Fair | Sexton Square | Fair-style engagement with representatives from various university departments and units. | |
| Candidate Photo ID | C2 Lobby | Photo session for student IDs. | |
| Food and Beverage | Sexton Square | Lunch in Sexton Square. | |
4:30-4:45pm |
Candidate Weekend Group Photo |
Sexton Square | Official group photo with the NYUAD sign at Sexton Square. |
4:45-5:15pm |
Farewells and Group Photos |
Sexton Square | Dedicated time for farewells and final photos. |
5:30-6:10pm |
Closing Remarks from the President and Vice Chancellor | A6-008 | Introduction by Vice Chancellor Fabio Piano and closing address by President Linda Mills to conclude the Candidate Weekend program. |
6:10-6:30pm |
Wrap-up and Program Dismissal |
A6-008 | Final announcements and official close of Candidate Weekend. |
6:30pm |
Check out |
C2 and Welcome Center | Check-out point at C2 reception and Welcome Center. Abu Dhabi residents, non-Abu Dhabi residents, and early departures check out |
6:30pm |
Parent Pick-Up |
Campus |
Designated time slots for parents to collect students from campus. |
6:40pm |
Hotel Bus Departures |
Campus |
Scheduled bus services departing from campus to the hotel. |
6:50pm |
Airport and Inter-Emirate Transfers. | Campus | Coordinated transport based on individual travel schedules. |
7:30-9pm |
Dinner |
Ballroom Dusit Thani |
Dinner at hotel. |
| 9pm | Lights Out | Dusit Thani |
Sunday, February 8
Departures Day
Time |
Activity |
Location |
Notes |
6:30–10:30am |
Breakfast |
Urban Kitchen |
|
Onwards |
Hotel Check-out |
Dusit Thani |
Latest check-out time is 1pm. |