What an NYU Admissions Officer Wants from Applicants | New York University

On today’s episode, we chat with Lydia Mason, a Former Admissions Reader at and graduate of NYU. Lydia and I discuss the type of students NYU looks for and how applicants can set themselves apart. Lydia reveals the many mistakes and misconceptions admissions officers encounter during the application process.
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[@ccarrick]

NYU has actually eliminated the "Why NYU?" essay this year. It has been replaced with an optional question in which applicants are invited to discuss their personal identity, and how they will uniquely contribute to the NYU community.

[@Ingeniusprep]

Thanks for the update, Chris! We actually recorded this episode before the announcement, so I'll add that Lydia's advice is great for other schools' "Why School" essay. For NYU's new question, we definitely recommend answering even though it's optional. When formulating an answer, remember that these sort of diversity questions don't just correspond to fixed identities like race, ethnicity, or religion but can aspect of your identity that sets you apart from most of your classmates. For example, I (InGenius Prep's Social Media Manager), wrote my personal statement about being a vegetarian.

[@EduardoAndrade-z2x]

Thanks for the video, very interesting and really helpful for my application process. Keep going with your videos and THANKS!!!

[@angeliquewu8318]

Just got admitted ED2 to NYU Stern 4 days ago.
I'm pretty sure my essays were what got me in, because my stats are really below average for a Chinese American (3.80 unweighted GPA, very few business related ECs). I did have a pretty major leadership EC, volunteering EC, and my SAT was good (1550), but I feel like compared to a lot of other applicants, I was below average.
Not really sure why they let me in lmao, but I'll do my best to survive.

[@jmoney222]

What EC did u have?

[@angeliquewu8318]

@@jmoney222 My main EC was Shaolin Kungfu as a sport, social service, and leadership position.
I'm half wondering if they let me in because I was so weird.

[@raymondgao9891]

what awards did you submit to them?

[@angeliquewu8318]

@@raymondgao9891 Just some writing awards I think. I don't think kungfu awards count, since the awards section specifically is for academic awards.

[@raymondgao9891]

oh ok@@angeliquewu8318

[@parkerburgio]

Wonderful video :)

[@chickenahh8350]

I am currently a highschool student getting ready to graduate this year, i did some research and i was wondering if a paralegal certification through only the CLS program and having a year or more of work experience working as a paralegal can higher a applicants chances at getting into a Ivy League law school. Thank you

[@Ingeniusprep]

Hello! It's hard to quantify the effect of these types of activities because while they're very relevant, they're also fairly common among applicants. During your gap year or during your undergraduate, I would focus more on developing and pursuing your interests so that when you apply to law schools, you have a niche you can focus on in your application such as environmental law or immigration. Your LSAT score and GPA are of course also very important.

[@chickenahh8350]

@@Ingeniusprep Thank you so much, this is very helpful! would doing charity work, writing books in Braille and teaching sign language count although its not law related?

[@Ingeniusprep]

@@chickenahh8350 Sure! This could be a great activity if you're passionate about supporting those with disabilities!

[@chickenahh8350]

@@Ingeniusprep Thank you so much, this was very helpful. I appreciate your time