why new york university essay

Published September 23, 2024

Your Guide to the 2024-25 NYU Supplemental Essay Question

Katie Hindman

Senior Assistant Director of Admissions

The NYU supplemental essay, an optional component of the first-year Common Application application, gives you a succinct and creative opportunity to share a little bit more about who you are with the admissions committee. 

This year’s question is designed to spark the type of connections and critical thinking skills you’ll use daily as an NYU student:

“In a world where disconnection seems to often prevail, we are looking for students who embody the qualities of bridge builders—students who can connect people, groups, and ideas to span divides, foster understanding, and promote collaboration within a dynamic, interconnected, and vibrant global academic community. We are eager to understand how your experiences have prepared you to build the bridges of the future. Please consider one or more of the following  questions  in your  essay :

What personal experiences or challenges have shaped you as a bridge builder?

How have you been a bridge builder in your school, community, or personal life?

What specific actions have you taken to build bridges between diverse groups, ideas, or cultures?

How do you envision being a bridge builder during your time at our university and beyond?”

It’s true – we love a good bridge at NYU, whether it be one of the iconic physical ones connecting our global cities or one of the many metaphorical ones connecting our diverse and international student body. These connections are vital at our university. Joining NYU’s vibrant community starts with conceptualizing bridge building in your current life.

To bridge the distance (ha!) between our brand-new question and your unique answer, here are some tips and tricks for writing the NYU supplemental essay (from a real person reading it on the other side of the screen)!

HOW DO I START?

Think of the NYU supplemental question as an exercise in the types of creative thinking you will use as a college student and global citizen. Try to approach it with a sense of curiosity and excitement rather than apprehension or perfectionism.

Everyone’s writing process is distinct. Don’t judge your writing before it’s time to edit! Sometimes the best work starts out as a series of fragmented, unfinished thoughts. Writing a single sentence, jotting down word associations, taking a walk, or journaling may get ideas flowing just as well as a structured outline does.

Remember – the supplemental question is meant to be concise! When you get to the editing stage, make sure your writing is direct. We’re confident you can communicate your thoughts in 250 words or less.

WHAT SHOULD I WRITE?

Don’t limit yourself by contemplating only the grand metaphorical London or Golden Gate Bridges of your life – a subtle piece of wood laid strategically across a creek can be just as significant in its own context. Consider the big and small ways you’ve challenged yourself to unite a community around something important to you. Or, think about how you’re eager and willing to learn this essential skill at NYU. 

Regardless of where or how you grew up, and regardless of the perspective you bring with you to college, you’re guaranteed to come across a person or idea that challenges your perceptions of the world and pushes you outside your comfort zone while you’re here. NYU students enter college eager to use these experiences to hone their bridge building skills. They will then graduate with the confidence to put those skills to world-changing use. 

Use this question to show us you’re ready.

THE BOTTOM LINE…

The answers to this question will be as diverse as the students writing them! Your background is valuable, and every applicant has something worth sharing.

Remember that those of us on the other side of the application are interested in and inspired by you, rather than judgmental of what you choose to share with us. We’re grateful for the time, energy, and vulnerability you put into your application.

The admissions committee wishes you the very best of luck with your final year of high school. Keep being unique, driven, bridge-building members of your communities. We’re excited to read all about it!

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Writing the Why NYU Essay

College Essays

If you're applying to New York University, you'll need to submit both the regular Common App materials as well as the NYU supplement, which includes a short essay. At its heart, the NYU essay prompt asks you to answer a single straightforward question: why do you want to go to NYU?

In this article, we'll fully analyze the "Why NYU?" essay prompt and what successful essays need to accomplish. We'll also go over potential topics to write about and look at the essay that got me into NYU's College of Arts and Science.

First, however, we'll begin with a quick discussion of why schools ask students to write "why this school?" essays

feature image credit: Sagie /Flickr

Why NYU Essay 2024-2025 Update

NYU has discontinued the "Why NYU" for the 2024-2025 admissions cycle . That means there won't be an NYU-specific writing supplement provided as part of the Common Application process. 

However, students can submit an optional 250-word response as part of NYU's additional questions section. This response deals with students' perspectives on diversity. Here's the prompt for 2024-2025: 

In a world where disconnection seems to often prevail, we are looking for students who embody the qualities of bridge builders—students who can connect people, groups, and ideas to span divides, foster understanding, and promote collaboration within a dynamic, interconnected, and vibrant global academic community. We are eager to understand how your experiences have prepared you to build the bridges of the future. Please consider one or more of the following questions in your essay:

·      What personal experiences or challenges have shaped you as a bridge builder? ·      How have you been a bridge builder in your school, community, or personal life? ·      What specific actions have you taken to build bridges between diverse groups, ideas, or cultures? ·      How do you envision being a bridge builder during your time at our university and beyond?

What's the Point of "Why This School" Essays?

While the Common App essay gives students a chance to showcase something of who they are that might not be evident elsewhere in their application, the "why [school]?" essay allows students space to explicitly state why they are such a good match for the school.

Presumably, if you're applying to the school, your test scores, grades, course rigor and curriculum, extracurriculars, and volunteer experience all put you at least somewhat in line with other students at the school.

The "why this school?" essay is your opportunity to discuss not just why you could excel at the school, but why you are a good fit (and why you want to go there).

"Why this school" essays are also a useful way for schools to judge student interest in a school (which can indicate whether or not a student will attend if admitted). Based on students' "why this school?" essays, colleges can distinguish students who are specifically interested in attending that school from students who clearly applied just because of the school's location or ranking

Writing a strong "why [school]?" essay not only gives you another instance to showcase your writing and reasoning skills, but also tells the school that you care enough to invest time in researching what makes them special. It signifies that you have put in the time to realize whether or not you're a good fit. (And, it secondarily shows that having put in that time, you're more likely to attend if admitted than someone who just wrote some generic statements about why they want to attend college ).

For a more in-depth look at what schools hope to get out of your "Why [This School]?" essays, read this article .

Why NYU Essay Prompt, Analyzed

Here's the complete NYU supplement essay prompt for 2021:

We would like to know more about your interest in NYU. What motivated you to apply to NYU? Why you have applied or expressed interest in a particular campus, school, college, program, and or area of study? If you have applied to more than one, please also tell us why you are interested in these additional areas of study or campuses. We want to understand - Why NYU? (400 word maximum)

Besides the standard "what motivated you to apply to [school]?" question that almost every "why this school" essay asks, the NYU prompt gives you one extra nudge for what to focus on in your essay.

Specifically, NYU wants you to talk about what's drawn you to "a particular campus, school, college, program, and/or area of study?" (or, if you're drawn to more than one, why you're drawn to each campus/school/college/program/area of study).

Keep in mind that you should be discussing all of this in the context of NYU . Obviously, if you're interested in NYU because of one of their 10 undergraduate schools, then that's particular to NYU, but the same goes for their campus locations, programs, and areas of study.

For instance, if you're passionate about studying theater, you wouldn't just write that you want to attend NYU because you love theater and NYU has a theater program and is in New York, a city that has theater; that description could apply to half a dozen schools. Instead, you'd go into the details of what attracts you about specific classes and professors at Tisch, or other opportunities that are unique to NYU (ability to do certain kinds of projects, the potential for interdisciplinary collaboration, etc).

This prompt also hints at a few different directions you can go with your "Why NYU" essay:

Why have you expressed interest in a particular campus, school, college, program, or area of study? If you have applied to more than one, please also tell us why you are interested in these additional areas of study or campuses.

If you're already certain of what you want to study in college or have a " spike ", you'll want to go the "particular" route in your essay . This means mentioning specific classes, professors, programs, or how you see NYU supporting your future career/academic plans.

On the other hand, perhaps you're not at all sure what you want to study in college (AKA me in high school). In that case, you'll shape your essay more around how you believe going to NYU will allow you to explore many different avenues to find your passion .

Finally, if you already know that you want to spend time abroad during college in a place where NYU has a campus, you can emphasize your interest in continuing to receive an NYU-level academic education while living in another country .

Potential "Why NYU?" Essay Topics

Earlier, we briefly touched upon some topics that you might write about in your essay, including specific courses/teachers/programs and study abroad opportunities.

We're now going to take those broad topic categories and go into a little more depth for how to write about them in your "Why NYU?" essay.

Colleges/Programs

NYU has the following 10 undergraduate schools, colleges, and programs:

• College of Arts & Sciences
• Gallatin School of Individualized Study
• Liberal Studies
• Meyers College of Nursing
• School of Professional Studies
• Silver School of Social Work
• Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development
• Stern School of Business
• Tandon School of Engineering
• Tisch School of the Arts

Because there are so many different undergraduate programs within NYU, it's a good idea to identify which program(s) you're applying to and why in your NYU supplement essay.

Since you'll need to decide on a program before applying to NYU anyway, you might as well use the time you spend reading about each college to figure out if there are any programs within particular colleges that call out to you.

For instance, if you're interested in the intersection of different fields (like psychology and computer science, or biology and philosophy/ethics) and are self-motivated to create your own program of study, you should talk about that in your application to the Gallatin School of Individualized Study. If you've spent the last 12 years devoting all your extra time in and out of school to theatre and want to attend a conservatory with opportunities to go see live theatre, then write about that in your application to Tisch.

Courses/Professors

NYU is a world-renowned university for a reason, and it's not just because of its immense real estate holdings; it has a wide variety of courses and professors renowned in their fields. If one of the main reasons you're drawn to NYU is for its academics, then this is a good topic to get into in your supplemental essay.

Flip through the online course catalogs and read about professors in departments you're interested in. Are there any classes you really want to take (that seem particular to NYU)? Or any professors you absolutely have to study with?

You don't need to go so far as to read the professors' research or anything like that (unless you're super excited by it!), but doing even a little research into the courses and professors you'd be learning from and mentioning it in your "Why NYU?" essay will go a long way toward showing the admissions officers that you're serious enough about NYU to check out its specifics.

Extracurricular Opportunities and School Traditions

If there's an extracurricular at NYU that you've been particularly involved in during high school (or are excited to start getting involved in at college), you can write about it, as long as you're clear about why it's something unique to NYU.

In a similar vein, you can also try reading through some of the campus-wide events offered throughout the year and see if there's anything special about them that speaks to you.

NYU Essay: Topics to Avoid

The "Why NYU" essay prompt makes it pretty clear that you should focus your 400 words around a specific college/program/area of study.

What you absolutely should avoid is gushing about NYU's location (whether you're applying to the New York campus or not).

Back when I applied to NYU, the "why NYU?" essay prompt was even more blunt about not centering your essay around New York City:

"Many students decide to apply to NYU because of our New York City location. Apart from the New York City location, please tell us why you feel NYU will be a good match for you."

If New Yorkers have heard it all and seen it all before, NYU admissions officers have certainly read any and all paeans you could care to write to New York City.

It's fine to write about how being in New York gives you access to opportunities relevant to your course at NYU (e.g. you can get amazing internship opportunities for journalism and theatre there that you wouldn't be able to get anywhere else). However, you need to be clear to center your essay around the program at NYU, with the New York location (and its opportunities) being an added bonus.

Unless you have a unique take on why NYU's location is so important to you (e.g. your grandparents used to live in a building that was demolished to make way for Bobst law library and you were brought up on vengeance that has since turned to adoration), stay away from NYU's location in your explanation of why you want to go there.

Brainstorming for the Why NYU Essay

Before you start to narrow in on what angle you'll take in your "Why NYU?" essay, you should first examine your reasons for applying to NYU. By "examine," we don't just mean "list your reasons"—we mean you need to go a few levels deeper into each surface reason that occurs to you.

For example, this is the list of reasons I had for applying to NYU (roughly in order of importance):

• My test scores and grades/course rigor make it likely I'll get in
• NYU has lots of good schools and programs
• It's easy enough to get from NYU to my family, transportation-wise

On the face of it, none of these reasons are very compelling. If I'd just gone on to write my "Why NYU?" essay (or in those days, essays) with those three bullet points, I doubt I would have been accepted.

Instead, I went deeper with each reason to see if there was anything there I could mine for the NYU supplement essay.

Surface Reason 1 : My test scores and grades/course rigor make it likely I'll get in.

• One level deeper : I'm applying to NYU as a safety school, because I'm pretty sure I'll get in there, even if I don't get in anywhere else, and I'd want to go there if I got in.
• Should I write about this in my "why NYU" essay? Definitely not. No school wants to hear that it's a safety (even if it's a safety you would be fine with attending because it's still a good school).

Surface Reason 2 : NYU has lots of good schools and programs.

• One level deeper : I'm extremely undecided about what I want to study—I know that I'm interested in English (Creative Writing), Math, Neuroscience, Chinese, and Music, but I might end up deciding to study something entirely different in college. It's important to me that I go somewhere that I'll have the opportunity to explore all of my interests (and develop more), which I can do at NYU.
• Should I write about this in my "Why NYU" essay? This reason is definitely promising, although I'll need to do more research into the particular programs and courses at NYU so I can namedrop (and in the process, double-check that I'm right about being able to study all these things there!).

Surface Reason 3 : It's easy enough to get from NYU to my family, transportation-wise.

• One level deeper : My parents want there to be good transportation options for me visiting home (or them visiting me). NYU's location (New York City) definitely makes that possible (there's easy access to planes, trains, buses, rental cars, fixed-gear bikes…).
• Should I write about this in my "Why NYU" essay? Probably not. The prompt asks me about why I've expressed interest in a particular campus, school, college, program, and/or area of study, not a geographic area. Plus, it's not like there aren't plenty of other New York schools. I maybe could throw in this reason if I'm running short on things to say, but as it is, it looks like my second reason is going to be the best bet for the "Why NYU?" essay.

Why NYU Essay Sample

Below, I've created a "Why NYU?" essay example that draws verbatim from what I used in my (successful) NYU application. (The essay requirements were slightly different then, with different word counts, so I had to expand a little upon what I originally wrote.)

I feel NYU would be a good match for me because of the number and kinds of programs it has. I am very interested in a variety of subjects, and NYU seems to encompass everything. In fact, I'm applying to the College of Arts and Sciences because I can’t specify my interests any more than that at this time. I have so many things that I want to learn that I can’t imagine limiting myself before I even enter college.

Take Chinese, for example. I'm learning Mandarin now (and have been for the last five years), but I would also like to learn Cantonese. There are not many other schools that offer Cantonese classes that can boast trips into Chinatown as part of the curriculum! Furthermore, I am excited by the possibility of studying abroad at NYU Shanghai. I'd not only be able to go to China for a semester for a year and immerse myself in the language and culture, but I'd be able to do so with the continuity of being on an NYU campus, even halfway across the world.

The music theory program in the College of Arts and Sciences also really interests me. I've picked up some theory here and there, but I haven't had all that much formal training. I'm also really intrigued by NYU's early music ensemble and the chance to explore different modes and tunings. At the other end of the spectrum, while I've written a few pieces on my own and taught myself a little bit about MIDI, I have not really had a chance to experiment very much with computer/electronic composition, and would really like to use those Steinhardt facilities that would be available to me at NYU to help remedy this.

Finally, I cannot stress enough how important reading and creative writing are to me. Because of how much the two feed into one another, I'm excited by NYU's Reading Series and the potential to be able to attend organized events for interacting with other writers outside the classroom.

The opportunity to expand my Chinese language abilities beyond Mandarin (and have the chance for practical application) is what first intrigued me; the chance to explore computer music and get my hands on NYU's facilities was the next breadcrumb; but the breadth and depth of the courses for writing lure me in even more, until I can resist no further.

This essay isn't necessarily the best piece of writing I've ever done. However, it still effectively conveys my desire to attend NYU because I mention a few key reasons I want to attend NYU:

• The variety of courses available . I began by stating that I'm undecided and part of what attracts me to NYU is the opportunity to get to do lots of different things. I then go on to discuss several different examples.
• Specific NYU opportunities . I looked up various courses, events, and opportunities offered by different departments and mentioned a couple of them specifically (the Reading Studies program for creative writing, Cantonese classes, studying abroad in China).
• While I did mention a New York City thing (going into Chinatown), it was linked with something that's relatively NYU-specific (the opportunity to study Cantonese as well as Mandarin).

Tips for the Why NYU Essay

To wrap up, we've summarized our top four tips for writing the "Why NYU?" essay.

#1: Look over the descriptions of the different schools/programs. This will help you figure out both which one you want to apply to as well as what makes those schools interesting for you to apply to.

#2: Read through the course catalog and look up professors in departments you're interested in. As the NYU Admission blog states , you don't have to go overboard in stating exactly what course you want to take with what professor at what time, but you should demonstrate that you're aware of what kinds of things you will be able to do and learn while at NYU

#3: Look into whether there are any extracurricular activities or NYU traditions that particularly appeal to you--and explain why they matter specifically to you.

#4: Avoid writing odes to New York City. If there are particular opportunities you're interested in that are only available in New York (e.g. internships at the American Museum of Natural History, research into immigration history at Ellis Island) you can mention it, but don't lean too heavily on the location.

#5: Remember that while you should make it clear why you want to attend NYU with your essay, you don't need to agonize for hours over it. Ultimately, other parts of your application (including your test scores and grades/course rigor, letters of recommendation, and personal statement) are more important factors to your acceptance than your NYU supplement essay is. You just need to show that you've done at least a little research into NYU and why you want to apply there in particular.

And if along the way you find that you don't really have a super good reason that's getting you excited to apply to NYU? It might be worth reconsidering whether or not you should apply there.

What's Next?

Have a bunch more college-specific supplement essays to write? Be sure to check out our overview of the "why this college" essay .

Looking for application tips for other selective schools? Read our complete guides to the University of California system and to the Georgetown application .

Should you apply early or regular decision to college? Find out the pros and cons of early decision in this article . ( And read up on the distinctions between early decision, early action, and the different kinds of each here. )

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Laura graduated magna cum laude from Wellesley College with a BA in Music and Psychology, and earned a Master's degree in Composition from the Longy School of Music of Bard College. She scored 99 percentile scores on the SAT and GRE and loves advising students on how to excel in high school.

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How to Write the NYU Supplemental Essay: Examples + Guide 2024/2025

TABLE OF CONTENTS

What is the nyu supplemental essay prompt.

• How to write the NYU supplemental essay prompt
• How to write the MLK Scholars essay prompt

NYU only has one supplemental essay—you have the option to choose from a few different quotes (or choose your own), and share what it inspires in you, and why.

If you want to get a clearer sense of what NYU is looking for, you can explore an extensive, by-the-numbers look at its offerings, from enrollment and tuition statistics to student life and financial aid information on its Common Data Set . And for insights into how the university envisions itself and its role, and how it wants to grow and evolve, read its strategic plan . Reading through this will give you a strong idea of what NYU values—and may offer nuggets you can sprinkle into your essay.

In a world where disconnection seems to often prevail, we are looking for students who embody the qualities of bridge builders—students who can connect people, groups, and ideas to span divides, foster understanding, and promote collaboration within a dynamic, interconnected, and vibrant global academic community. We are eager to understand how your experiences have prepared you to build the bridges of the future. Please consider one or more of the following questions in your essay (word limit 250): What personal experiences or challenges have shaped you as a bridge builder? How have you been a bridge builder in your school, community, or personal life? What specific actions have you taken to build bridges between diverse groups, ideas, or cultures? How do you envision being a bridge builder during your time at our university and beyond?

MLK Scholars- Incoming first-year applicants who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement, leadership, and commitment to civic engagement and social progress are invited to apply to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholars Program at NYU (Optional): Optional: In under 250 words, please share how you have demonstrated your commitment to the legacy of Dr. King's ideals of "Beloved Community" as evidenced through academic achievement, research or service.

(Note: This question is only available to those who select "yes" to being considered for the MLK Scholars program in the "New York Campus" section of the CommonApp)

How to Write The Supplemental Essay Prompt for New York University

NYU’s single supplemental essay invites you to describe how you’ve been a bridge builder in your life—making connections between groups, cultures, or ideas. Citing “a world where disconnection seems to often prevail,” NYU signals its intention to admit individuals who can craft and lead us toward a more connected and collaborative world. 

Consider your role as bridge builder. How have you been a changemaker who has brought people or groups together, reached across divides, and shaped collaboration in your school, community, or personal life? How do you see yourself expanding on those actions in college and beyond? 

STEP ONE: DECIDE ON A TOPIC

You can go about choosing a topic for this essay in a few ways. Whichever you choose, think strategically. This is the only supplemental essay you’ll write for this highly selective school (unless you’re applying for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholars Program at NYU; see below). Beyond your academic record and activities list, consider what is most important to share about yourself that clearly and powerfully sets you apart.

Communities

One way to decide on a topic is to consider the communities you’re a part of, and how you’ve engaged within or across them in ways that “connect people, groups, and ideas” to “span divides, foster understanding, and promote collaboration.” Communities may be based on geography (like your city, or country of national origin), identity (religion, ethnicity, sexuality, etc.), circumstances, interests, groups, shared activities, and more. To brainstorm all the communities you’re a part of, check out the communities chart in our guide to “community essays” .

As you fill in the chart, actions you’ve taken within one or more of the communities you participate in may emerge as the one(s) you want to write about for NYU.

Another way to choose a topic is by considering how you, individually, will contribute to the overall diversity of the school—the “dynamic, interconnected, and vibrant global academic community” named in the prompt. What combination of identities, cultures, and life experiences are you adding to the mix? The If You Really Knew Me exercise in our guide to ”diversity essays” can help you identify those aspects of yourself and your experiences that have most put you in a position to build bridges. 

(Pro Tip: This exercise can actually help you generate the key content to include in all of your applications!)

Extracurricular Activity

Have you got a passion project or rockstar achievement that spans divides, fosters understanding, or promotes collaboration? Focusing your essay on a meaningful extracurricular activity can be a great way to flex your achievements while highlighting the skills, qualities, values and experiences you’ll bring to campus. You can read more about this approach in our guide to ”extracurricular essays” .

STEP 2: USE THE BEABIES EXERCISE TO GENERATE YOUR ESSAY CONTENT

You’ll find detail on the BEABIES Exercise + a chart you can use at that link.

But if you just want the short version, the exercise asks:

What do you actually do in that community, experience, or activity? (Tip: use active verbs like “organized” and “managed” to respond to the part of the prompt that asks what specific actions you’ve taken to build bridges between diverse groups, ideas, or cultures).

What kinds of problems have you solved (personally, locally, or globally)?

What specific impact have you had?

What have you learned (skills, qualities, values)? 

How have you applied the lessons you learned from this community, experience or activity?

Don’t skip this step. It’s important. Remember to focus on the aspects of what you did that highlight your bridge-building capabilities.

Pro Tip: Consider the “Powerwall” structure (AKA narrative or problem/solution structure)

Because NYU’s essay focuses on how you’ve been an agent of change, the Powerwall structure can shine for you here. You can find out why we call it Powerwall in our guide to ”extracurricular essays ,” but here’s the TL/DR version of how to use it:

First, lead by announcing a problem you’ve encountered in the world—personal or political, local or global.

Then, follow on with how YOU have addressed that problem through your engagement with a community, experience or activity. In this case, your approach to the problem will involve connecting people, groups, or ideas to show how you’ve been a bridge builder.

Wrap by naming the impact you had , lessons you learned , or values you gained .

Check the “extracurricular essay” guide for solid examples.

Because this is a new prompt for NYU, we don’t have an example written for the it. But here’s an example, written for a different school, that illustrates the direction to head in.

In the 1930s, 36 members of my family were lost to the Holocaust, and that fact has since led me to carry on the memory of my ancestors through tradition—preparing for my Bar Mitzvah, observing Jewish holidays, and going to synagogue for Rosh Hashana. Additionally, it has driven me to teach others about the Holocaust. At my first-year Entry, I would share my involvement within the Jewish community, and how it has led me to become a more engaged member of society.

During this past school year, I became an educator on the Student Leadership Board of the Seattle-based Holocaust Center for Humanity. Meeting biweekly, we discussed historical anti-Semitism as well as modern-day discrimination toward oppressed groups of people.

Before joining the board, I had felt disconnected from Jewish activism and lacked a community of fellow Jewish activists. My year on the board solved that. Each week, I added my ideas and learned from fellow students during group discussion. Additionally, I built an interactive website to share the story of a Holocaust survivor. 

Even though we weren’t all Jewish, this group’s drive for educating others and spreading peace brought us closer. It was a community where we could talk about serious current events, but also where we could share a laugh.

At Williams, I hope to discover that same kind of community. I’ll join the Williams College Jewish Association, where I can carry on what I loved about the Holocaust Center’s board, participating in discussions, leading service projects, and making impactful art to share stories.

Even outside that group, I’ll bring to Williams my Jewish values and enthusiasm for meeting people from different backgrounds, spreading a greater message of peace and kindness. (282 words)

— — — 

Tips + Analysis

Situate yourself within the community, identity or experience. One of the prompt’s questions to consider is, “What personal experiences or challenges have shaped you as a bridge builder?” In this example, we learn about the significance of this student’s Jewish identity, history and community as they share about their family’s experience of the Holocaust and carrying on their ancestors’ memory through traditions such as preparing for Bar Mitzvah, observing Jewish holidays, and going to synagogue for Rosh Hashana, the Jewish new year. What details can you share about your identity, culture, or experience that invite the reader into your world and form the launch point for your work as a bridge builder?

Point to that bridge. What is the bridge you built? The prompt’s second question to consider asks, “How have you been a bridge builder in your school, community, or personal life?” Here, the student joined a board of Jewish and non-Jewish members who discussed challenging issues, spread peace by educating about historic and current discrimination, and became close across their differences through these efforts. 

Clarify your role. Another question the prompt offers you to consider asks, “What specific actions have you taken to build bridges between diverse groups, ideas or cultures?” This is where you can show NYU what you’re capable of. Consider using the Epic Verb List to enumerate the specific steps you took to build the bridge. This student shared their involvement within the Jewish community, taught others about the Holocaust, joined the student leadership board of the Holocaust Center for Humanity, added ideas to the discussion, and built an interactive website for the center. Highlight the range of skills you bring to the table.

Look ahead. The prompt’s final question asks, “How do you envision being a bridge builder during your time at our university and beyond?” Is it necessary to respond to all four questions for consideration? No. But it never hurts to end an essay by looking ahead to how you’ll contribute on campus, as this student does here: They plan to carry on their work and discover the kind of community they built with the board by joining the Williams College Jewish Association. See how they named an actual organization on campus to demonstrate their genuine interest and research they’ve done about the school? Pro move.

Here’s another example essay written for another school that could work well here:

Essay Example:

Every season, my high school volleyball coaches pick an inspiring quote to label on the back of our practice shirts. My favorite? “Be a voice, not an echo.” 

After wearing braces for several years to correct a persistent jaw pain, I was elated when they were removed. However, after just a few months, my orthodontist noticed my teeth shifting to their previous position and recommended tongue therapy.  

Though reluctant at first, I gained a newfound confidence through tongue therapy. In the classroom, no longer the last to speak. On the volleyball court, effectively communicating plays and rotations. Tongue therapy allowed me to freely speak my mind. 

As my confidence soared, so did my desire to help others. Through Lion’s Heart, I once provided baby supplies to needy families in Santa Ana and noticed a long line forming for the provisions. Realizing many immigrant families were struggling with filling out the forms, I offered to translate for them. Through Chinese and Spanish translation, I not only reduced wait times, but became the voice for those who could not speak, literally.

As a selected participant for Girls Who Code, I found even more voices. Introduced to coding for the first time, I  now know more languages, including HTML and JavaScript. I now plan to help others discover their voice. Using technology-based solutions, I will develop innovations for society’s problems. Perhaps, a device that can both translate multiple languages and teach correct pronunciations. 

After all, I am a voice, not an echo.

Work a theme. This student’s essay revolves around the idea of finding one’s voice. Drawing on their personal experience of developing their voice through tongue therapy, the student built bridges by offering their voice to others. This theme of voice intertwines beautifully with that of language, one of the student’s key interests. Organizing your essay around a theme adds depth.

The details tell your story. Reading this short essay, we find out so much about this student: the ways they overcame the challenges of pain and orthodontia, their desire to serve and the specific contexts in which they do that, their Chinese and Spanish language abilities, and their involvement with coding and tech. The more specific details you can provide, the better an admissions reader can know who you are and distinguish you from other candidates.

Values speak volumes. This essay ultimately works because it shows us what matters to this student—their values of gaining confidence, using one’s voice, helping others, learning, the importance of language, empowerment, innovation, and of course, building bridges! More than anything you’ve done or thought or made, the values that steer you through life comprise your unique fingerprint, and when you share them with admissions, you rise off the page. Take a few minutes to identify your top values , and consider building your essay around them. 

And here’s another example essay written for another school that could work well here:

“Creating an environment that allows students to build lasting friendships, including those that cut across seemingly entrenched societal and political boundaries...requires candor about the inevitable tensions, as well as about the wonderful opportunities, that diversity and inclusiveness create."

The buzz spread across campus like a California wildfire. My waterpolo teammate, an international student, had been ostracized by the community in an instant. An exaggerated rumor destroyed his reputation at school, cost him his friendships, and led to his suspension. Was this fair? Was it the truth? How could I help?

For the past two years, as a member of SLAC, a student life advisory committee focusing on restorative justice, I have partnered with my school administration to build an inclusive community to prevent conflict, de-escalate disputes, and reintegrate students. To solve my teammate’s conflict, we were tasked with the responsibility of bringing resolution both on the micro and macro levels. 

First, we had to solve the issues between the immediate students at harm. I applied my training in active listening and tailored my questions so that the students could communicate more honestly, share their concerns, and help resolve their own conflict. Then, we had to address the grade-wide friction and show our community the harmful effects of spreading rumors. To do so, we hosted interactive ice breaker games, team building activities, and conversations about non-inclusive behavior. Conflict is bound to take place in communities -- cliques are natural -- but so long as we are willing to be vulnerable and learn how to communicate better, we can be a stronger community and build new relationships. 

My experience in SLAC has made me a more empathetic listener and an active participant in creating a positive community -- one where the students can feel safe, engaged, and supported. At Amherst, I am excited to participate in the First Year Experience and get involved with the Center for Restorative Practices to help build a strong 2025 class culture where we encourage reflection, mindfulness, and student engagement. 

Tips + Analysis:

Draw your reader in. This essay starts with campus buzz spreading like California wildfire. Both the descriptive language and the mystery evoked prompt the reader to lean in to find out what the author has to say. Although you can’t go too big with your intro in this 250-word essay, a short hook can help you start off strong.

Consider a problem/solution approach. This student leads with a problem: a rumor destroyed a reputation, cost friendships and ended in suspension, implicating truth and fairness. Then in the essay, they set out how they solved the problem. You can read at the link about this powerful structural tool, which we call the Powerwall approach .

Show and name your values. At the start of the second paragraph, we understand that this individual is committed to restorative justice. In your essay, lean heavy into the values that underlie your efforts. Peep this Values List to identify what’s most important to you—one of the best ways you can tell NYU about yourself.

Delineate your specific role and actions. This student describes their role on the student life advisory committee and how they used active listening and created a community-building event at their school to resolve the conflict. Detail about what you actually did highlights the skills you’ve gained and will bring to NYU. Yes, it’s ok to brag.

Relate back to NYU. In the conclusion, the writer says how they’ll extend their restorative justice work in college, by participating in the First Year experience and getting involved with the Center for Restorative Practices. How will you be a peacemaker, changemaker, global citizen, boundary breaker, creative or innovator at NYU? Don’t talk in generalities. Research the school and hone in on specific opportunities that illuminate your inspiration—academic, research opps, programs, extracurriculars, etc.—and that you plan to engage with at NYU. The research tips in our Why Us? Guide will help you dig deep for offerings that align with your values and interests.

Since 10th grade, I have been offering TED Talks on topics of self-expression and inclusivity. I have learned to turn my experience of being bullied and silenced into a determined voice to combat bullying and promote a spirit of inclusivity. In 11th grade, I created an anti-bullying organization, which teaches middle schoolers how to deal with the transition to high school.

I would like to take these conversations about the importance of safe space and inclusivity to middle schools in Providence, working with organizations such as “No Bully” and initiatives such as Be Fearless Be Kind to encourage kids to stand up for each other. 

As poetry has become the cornerstone of my personal growth and a tool for helping others,  I plan to contribute to The Round Magazine and organizations such as WORD! I would explore opportunities to bridge poetry and the visual arts by possibly collaborating with Artbeat. 

I am also interested in studying connections between poetry and the sciences, their mutual applicability, and ways science can help me write better poetry while becoming an outstanding psychiatrist. 

By working with Providence organizations such as AS220, a non-profit community arts organization in downtown, I could tap into my passion for the arts and writing. I would be a AS220 volunteer teacher and possibly introduce activities and workshops to encourage others to express themselves more fully and vulnerably.  (228 words)

Write an intentional opening sentence. You’ll notice there’s no prolonged introduction or hook for this essay. Since the word count here is pretty restrictive, opening with a sentence that 1) hints at or tells the reader exactly where this essay is going, and/or 2) opens with values, means you’re saving space for more words later. The writer here opens with an activity they’ve been doing, but emphasizes their values of self-expression and inclusivity. 

Envision yourself at the university. This plays into the “Why us?” part of the response. Through careful and thorough research, you’ll be able to identify campus organizations and programs that resonate with you, especially in terms of the ways you’ve outlined your areas of diversity. Going this extra mile shows NYU officials that you’re familiar with what the community has to offer and that you can envision yourself on campus, not just thriving but contributing. This writer names a handful of organizations and programs at Brown or in the nearby community, drawing specific connections to their interests.  

Tie in your career aspirations. This is not necessary, but if it comes up organically while writing, it’s a nice nugget of information to include—it gives some backstory and motivation to your interests, and how you can use the university’s programs to achieve that goal. By noting their dream of becoming “an outstanding psychiatrist,” this student is able to add additional context around how these experiences will combine to enhance and inform their journey after college.

Show diversity through community. This essay is a good example of the community approach mentioned above. The writer touches on varying activities and interests, expanding by sharing how those experiences would help them contribute to the Brown community in specific ways. Like this: “As poetry has become the cornerstone of my personal growth and a tool for helping others,  I plan to contribute to The Round Magazine and organizations such as WORD! I would explore opportunities to bridge poetry and the visual arts by possibly collaborating with Artbeat.”

How to Write The MLK Scholars Essay Prompt

( Note: This question is only available to those who select "yes" to being considered for the MLK Scholars program in the "New York Campus" section of the CommonApp) 

When you hear the words “community,” what comes to mind? Your school, your local area, cultural or religious connections, your orchestra section, the discord you started… ? The foundation of this prompt is the community(ies) you’re a part of and how you’ve made change within it/them. 

See the guidance on identifying your communities from the main supplemental essay above. Because there is some possible overlap in essay topics, if you’re applying for the scholars program, make sure your topic diverges from the one you chose for the main  supplemental essay. 

So think for a minute about all the different communities you participate in. They can be based on geography (like your city, or country of national origin), identity (religion, ethnicity, sexuality, etc.), circumstances, interests, groups, shared activities, and more. Check out our guide to “community essays” for more ideas and sample essays.

Choose one where you’ve had measurable impact bringing positive change to that community. Might be the Girls Who Code club you started at your school, a city-wide initiative connecting young social entrepreneurs with sponsoring organizations, a pride festival you organized, or service work with the mosque. Explain why you’ve chosen to engage in this way, answering the prompt’s inquiry about your motivation. Lay out the details of what you did—as well as the impact you had—in order to emphasize your scholarship-worthy talents, skills and accomplishments.

Here’s an essay that was written for a Boston College prompt, but that demonstrates the direction to head here (though it would need fairly big word count cuts).

In 2020, various racially motivated hate crimes such as the slew of disturbing police killings and spread of Asian hate caused me to reflect on racial injustice in America. While such injustices can take many different forms and be overt or subtle, all are equally capable of creating racial inequality. A societal issue significantly impacting minorities is educational injustice between private and public schools since students of color account for more than 75% of public-school enrollment. The pandemic exacerbated this problem as some private institutions (like my school), not impeded by a lack of financial resources or bureaucracy, could return to in-person instruction, while many public institutions stayed closed for the majority of the 2020-21 school year, their students’ educational experience less optimal as a result. The values of service instilled through my Sacred Heart education prompted me to act in response to this injustice and do my part to propagate educational equality across races in the Bay Area. My interest in tutoring began in middle school when I volunteered in my school’s peer tutoring program. In high school, I created a tutoring club, giving my peers the opportunity to help younger elementary students on financial aid with their homework. With the club being sidetracked by COVID-19, I joined 826 Valencia, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting under-resourced students in the Bay Area. This experience prompted me to transition my old club to a remote format, adapting to restrictions posed by the pandemic. I worked with my friend to rebrand the club, naming it TutorDigital, registering it as a non-profit, and designing a website, efforts which expanded our reach to include local public schools. Through our efforts, we’ve helped provide tutoring services to 32 underprivileged Bay Area students, while also identifying other opportunities to support public schools, such as donating upwards of 60 iPads and creating a book donation program.  While educational injustice is an issue that unfortunately will not be solved overnight, it’s an issue that must be aggressively addressed, now more than ever given the massive impacts from the pandemic. I look forward to continuing this work at Boston College. But for now, I gain comfort from each thank you note from a parent or good grade achieved by a student, knowing my efforts have potentially improved the academic trajectory of these children and helped to address racial injustice in America. — — —

Use the problem/solution structure. This student starts the essay by naming how racially motivated hate crimes raised their awareness of racial inequity and then identifying the specific context that concerns them, educational injustice. Once they flesh out the problem in the second paragraph, they launch into a description of the steps they took to address it. The structural approach used here can also work well in other essays you may be writing about volunteer or community service.

Be specific about your role and activities. The bulk of this essay—the third paragraph—clearly lays out this student’s actions on the issue: started a tutoring club, joined a nonprofit, rebranded the club, registered it as a non-profit, etc. Using clear, active verbs with this kind of detail helps you highlight your skills and achievements for your admissions reader.

Show your impact. Thank you notes and good grades let this student know how they might have improved their students’ academic trajectory and achieved their goal of addressing racial injustice. And offer tangible evidence when possible: 32 students, 60 iPads, book donations. What has happened because of your efforts? What outcomes can you report? Whom have you affected and how?

Looking ahead… at NYU. This author points out that there’s still much to do and that they plan to continue their work in college. You could go further by suggesting one or two specific things you plan to do on campus on your issue, building on what you’ve already done. For ideas, do a little “ Why Us? ” research and link back to the MLK, Jr. Scholarship mission: outstanding academic achievement, leadership, and commitment to civic engagement. 

NYU Essay Examples (And Why They Worked)

The following essay examples were written by authors who were admitted to New York University and are intended to provide examples of successful NYU application essays. All names have been redacted for anonymity. Please note that other CollegeAdvisor.com has shared these essays with admissions officers at NYU in order to deter potential plagiarism.

For more help with your NYU supplemental essays, check out our 2020-2021 New York University Essay Guide ! For more guidance on personal essays and the college application process in general, sign up for a monthly plan to work with an admissions coach 1-on-1.

We would like to know more about your interest in NYU. What motivated you to apply to NYU? Why have you applied or expressed interest in a particular campus, school, college, program, and or area of study? If you have applied to more than one, please also tell us why you are interested in these additional areas of study or campuses. We want to understand – Why NYU? (400 word maximum)

I always had a keen interest in numbers, probability, and finance. Early on, I could run numbers quickly: calculating sales tax, analyzing probabilities, and visualizing complex mathematical models in my head. After taking AP classes in economics and statistics, I became intrigued with the mathematical representations of economic markets and statistical models, sparking my desire to pursue a career in that field. I set my sights on becoming an actuary since risk management intrigues me and allows me to use my talents in quantitative analysis. However, few schools offer a comprehensive study in that field, which makes Stern the perfect fit for me as the curriculum combines my interests and career goals.

At Stern, I will have the privilege of studying actuarial science, while also obtaining a business degree. The ability to tailor my education with the actuarial science concentration allows me to develop skills in statistical analysis. Through the intense rigor of the concentration requirements STAT-UB 21 “Introduction to Stochastic Processes” and STAT-UB 15 “Statistical Inference and Regression Analysis,” I will be given a stepping stone into quantifying social situations while stimulating my mathematical intrigue through advanced fields like stochastic calculus. I am eager to pursue this course of study to enhance my career development.

The Bachelor of Science in Business Program excites me, as it entails a well rounded yet intensive study in core business disciplines. However, what draws me to Stern is the emphasis on gaining a global perspective, which is crucial in today’s rapidly changing world economy. Through the International Business Exchange Program, I will be able to gain a first-hand cultural experience that will mold me into a global citizen and business leader. Not only will I be taking courses in the most prestigious business schools across the globe, but I will also have new doors opened for me to network with alumni.

Why this NYU essay worked: From an ex-admissions officer

This is an extremely compelling essay. It is clear that the student’s declared interests are, in fact, in line with both the student’s background and experiences, as well as in line with what the college has to offer. These essays work best when the reader can feel the student’s conviction and enthusiasm. Admissions officers appreciate when the reader can easily see the impact the student will have on the school community. By going into detail about their passion for business, the student helps the reader clearly visualize how this passion will manifest in the classroom.

Before I began interning for the International Rescue Committee’s refugee youth acclimation program–right in the heart of the Lower East Side–I underwent weeks of training in providing trauma-informed support, reminded repeatedly that these kids have gone through more than I could possibly imagine.

When the kids did show up, however, I could barely relate the image painted for us in training to the bright, bubbly children who I was to mentor. Mahdi and I especially took to each other. He was just like any other nine-year-old kid–a fan of Roblox, pizza, basketball, funny accents, and an acute hatred for anything math-related.

Only, he wasn’t like any other kid–at least not in the eyes of the 49% of Americans who believe he has no place in this country, for no reason other than the color of his skin, his god, the status of his residency here.

There are people here who would hear his name and call him a terrorist. Kids on the playground would mock his accent rather than be amazed at how quickly he picked up basketball–a sport he’d had zero exposure to 6 months back. Adults, on both ends of the ideological spectrum, would see him as a political mascot rather than a kid, allow him to be one–he’d be forced to grow up too soon, as a result of the hatred, having his existence politicized.

To get to my internship every day, I transferred at West 4th, from the A to the M train. Once in a while, I’d take the chance to climb up and walk around Washington Square Park.

Clad in lavender shirts, NYU students were camped out in the center of the park, asking people to write out on little post-its what social justice meant to them. Fire burning in the pit of my stomach, I wrote, “Allowing Mahdi to just be a kid.”

And NYU can help me make that happen–there is groundbreaking research happening on campus regarding racial bias and inequality at CASSR that I can’t wait to contribute to. Pursuing a major of public health policy, I can take fascinating, relevant classes such as Social Policy in Modern Societies and Race and Ethnicity. What’s more, I can join student organizations–like the one handing out the post-its that day in Washington Square–and work with my peers, with NYU, with New York City as a whole, towards social justice from a health perspective, towards allowing Mahdi to just be a kid.

This essay begins with a student who is searching for answers. She has trained to help her community, applied her training to her environment, and then expands on her findings. In her volunteering endeavors, she finds her purpose. She continues with a personal story with Mahdi, and successfully brings us into her world. We are engaged. She is now frustrated because she can’t help enough, and with a bit of karma, she is approached by an NYU student, and at this moment NYU becomes her answer. She then cites why NYU is her solution, which major she will pursue, which classes she will take, and which student organizations will help to accent her goals. This essay succeeds because we see this student as community oriented and ambitious. As readers, we know that she will be a great and focused addition to the campus. This is a student with purpose, and she makes it clear that NYU will propel her to reach her goals.

These essay examples were compiled by the advising team at CollegeAdvisor.com . If you want to get help writing your NYU application essays from CollegeAdvisor.com Admissions Experts , register with CollegeAdvisor.com today.

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How to Write the “Why NYU” Essay

This article was written based on the information and opinions presented by Moriah Adeghe in a CollegeVine livestream. You can watch the full livestream for more info. 

What’s Covered:

• How Essays Set You Apart

Writing About NYU’s Campus

• Writing About NYU’s Different Colleges
• Writing About NYU’s Areas of Study

New York University (NYU) asks its applicants to reply to its “Why NYU” supplemental essay . The prompt states:

“We would like to know more about your interest in NYU. What motivated you to apply to NYU? Why have you applied or expressed interest in a particular campus, school, college, program, and/or area of study? If you have applied to more than one, please also tell us why you are interested in these additional areas of study or campuses. We want to understand—Why NYU? (400 words)”

In this article, we discuss how best to respond to this prompt and provide examples of successful essays. For more writing tips and tricks for this prompt, check out our post on how to write a stellar “why this college” essay .

How Essays Set You Apart  

The admissions officers at NYU have to filter through many applicants with similar grades, test scores, and extracurricular activities. Reading essay responses is how the admissions officers learn about your personality and see whether you would be a good fit at NYU. Developing a unique supplemental essay that showcases your personality and values will give admissions officers a chance to get to know you beyond your grades and test scores. As with many essays, the “why NYU” essay differentiates you from other applicants with the same level of qualifications . 

NYU admissions want to see that you actually care about attending their school and that you are not just applying for superficial reasons. You want to convince NYU that you are passionate about the school. The best way to do this is by submitting a highly personal and specific essay response that shows that you’ve done your research and can envision yourself as an NYU student. 

This prompt has a 400-word limit, so instead of writing 400 words about the location and prestige of NYU, you want to dive into the specifics. The length of this essay and the questions in the prompt enable you to go into extensive detail. Admissions officers don’t want to read a general description of the campus; they’re looking for your specific interest in particular areas of the campus and the program that you’re applying to. Make sure to respond in a manner that is specific to you and to NYU. A great tip to keep in mind while you’re writing is this: if you can replace NYU with Columbia or another school in your essay, you haven’t made your essay specific enough. 

There are three buckets that you can write about in your “why NYU” essay: the campus, college, and area of study. Each of these buckets can get broken down into smaller areas. For example, you can write about the New York City, Abu Dhabi, or Shanghai campus for the campus bucket. A weak response to this bucket would be saying that you wanted to attend the NYU Abu Dhabi campus because you visited the area once and want to live in the city. This is a general answer with no specific information about what you will get out of and be a part of by going to NYU. The admissions officers at NYU know exactly what makes their school unique, but they want to read this from your perspective, so be as specific as possible. 

A stronger response would be talking about how you want to study at the Shanghai campus to major in global China studies because it aligns with your interests in working in international marketing. There’s no better place to pursue this major than on a campus located in the heart of a major Chinese city. You can talk about how the Shanghai location would grant you the opportunity to see the topics discussed in the classroom firsthand.

This type of response immediately demonstrates that the student has done their research and is genuinely interested in the program that they’re writing about. This example clearly outlines their trajectory at NYU in a way that is clear to the admissions officers and shows that NYU is their first choice.

Writing About NYU’s Different Colleges 

Like many other schools, NYU is divided into several schools and colleges. The biggest one is the College of Arts and Sciences, which is a general liberal arts college, so you don’t want to spend too much of your essay talking about it. Instead, focus on your area of study or specific extracurricular interests at one of the campuses. 

However, if you are planning to apply to one of NYU’s smaller colleges, you should spend the bulk of your essay writing about the college that you chose. You want to do this because it will automatically set you apart from the other applicants. You will have more specific programs and classes to write about than applicants applying to the larger colleges.

Writing About NYU’s Areas of Study  

Within each school or college of NYU, there are multiple different programs and majors to write about. For this topic, pick the major or program that appeals to you, and write about why you want to be part of it. The unique thing about this essay is that since there is a 400-word limit, which is long for most supplemental essays, you can dive into your motivations a bit more while writing about the area of study that you want to pursue at NYU. 

By going into your background, you can connect your past experiences to your future goals at NYU. This will allow you to differentiate yourself from other applicants by showing your personality and bringing out more of your authentic self.

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

How to Write the NYU Supplemental Essay (with an Example!) [UPDATED FOR 2024-2025]

Let’s talk about how to write NYU's supplemental essay....

How do you write NYU’s supplemental essay, Lisa?  What are they asking for? I don’t know where to start!

The NYU supplemental essay for the 2024-2025 college application cycle is finally out!  And it’s a doozy!  

Considering that NYU’s supplemental essay from last year was one of the essays that I got asked about the most last year (along with the Stanford roommate essay), I’ve put together this guide to help you as you start tackling this challenging new essay.

Do I have to Write the NYU Supplemental Essay?

To be clear, the NYU supplemental essay is optional.  The essay is in the optional, pre-checked Writing section and is not a required part of the NYU application.

To drive that point home, NYU notes that the essay is for “if it feels right for you to tell us a little more about yourself in the application” and “it really is optional!.”

So no, you absolutely can submit your NYU application without ever writing the supplemental essay.  

That being said, NYU received 118,00 applications last year for its class of 2028, and its overall acceptance rate dropped to a new low of 8%.  With NYU admitting fewer than 1in every 10 applicants, most applicants are going to be doing anything they can to stand out in that enormous pile of applications, and the supplemental essay is one way to do that.

So while you don’t have to write the supplemental essay, if you’re serious about applying to NYU, I would strongly suggest thinking long and hard about it!

And here is NYU's supplemental essay prompt for 2024-2025....

The NYU supplemental essay prompt [updated for 2024-2025]

So here’s the NYU supplemental essay prompt for the 2024-2025 college application cycle:

“In a world where disconnection seems to often prevail, we are looking for students who embody the qualities of bridge builders—students who can connect people, groups, and ideas to span divides, foster understanding, and promote collaboration within a dynamic, interconnected, and vibrant global academic community. We are eager to understand how your experiences have prepared you to build the bridges of the future. 

Please consider one or more of the following questions in your essay:

What personal experiences or challenges have shaped you as a bridge builder?

How have you been a bridge builder in your school, community, or personal life?

What specific actions have you taken to build bridges between diverse groups, ideas, or cultures?

How do you envision being a bridge builder during your time at our university and beyond?”

How to Write the NYU Supplemental Essay: a Breakdown 

So where to start with this essay prompt?

Well, as all my students know, I first like to take a step back and think about what the college trying to get at with a question before trying to put together an answer.

The reason is because with NYU receiving over 100,000 applications a year at this point, if they’re asking a question, there has to be a good reason they want to read another 100,000 essays.  If NYU is asking a question like this, there’s something specific they want to know about you, something important that’s going to help them say “yes” or “no” to your application.

When writing the NYU supplemental essay, rememnber to answer the question!

College Essay Coach Pro Tip:  Unlike personal statements prompts which are open to all kinds essays, supplemental essay prompts are asking you about something specific that they want to know about you.  Supplemental essay prompts often ask you to tell the admissions committee something about your background, what you plan to do in college, or how you interact with people.

These are not theoretical questions.  They actually want to know those specific things about you, so please don’t go off on tangents.  You usually only have 150-300 words to answer the question!

Step #1 to acing any supplemental essay prompt is answering the question that the admissions committee is asking!

So what does NYU want to know here and why?

Well, this one is easy to figure out.  NYU wants to know how you interact with people who think differently than you and/or may have different beliefs, may come from different backgrounds, and/or in some cases, just flat out disagree with you.

And in particular, NYU wants to know how you have connected with  and maybe even worked together with people who are different from you in the past.  What are your experiences with people from different backgrounds?  How do you describe those experiences?  And how has your background influenced how you act in those situations?

NYU's supplemental essay question is tryiing to get a sense of what you would lbe like in a diverse university community with many points of view.

Why Is NYU Asking this Question?

The reason for this supplemental essay is also pretty obvious. 

Colleges have always been been places that students from a wide, wide range of backgrounds come together to form a learning community.  To foster a vibrant university community, it is vital that schools find students who are going to be able to connect and learn from students of different races, religions, cultures, and backgrounds.

And that’s especially true of a school like NYU which is in New York City, a diverse global city where over 200 languages are spoken and which serves as the home to a kaleidoscope of faiths .  

In particular, at a time when protests on college campuses have become a cultural flashpoint and college are just bracing for more , knowing how a student has handled being in situations with people who aren’t just like them and may disagree is an issue that can weigh heavily in a college admissions committee’s decision.

The NYU Supplemental Essay: Step #1

Okay, all that being said, where to start with the NYU essay?

In fact, in this case, NYU makes it very explicit exactly what they’re looking for: “…we are looking for students who embody the qualities of bridge builders—students who can connect people, groups, and ideas to span divides, foster understanding, and promote collaboration within a dynamic, interconnected, and vibrant global academic community.”

So above all, what you need to do in your answer to NYU is show how you are a “bridge-builder” who can “connect people, groups,” “foster understanding” and “promote collaboration” in a “vibrant academic community.”

So as you approach this question, clearly the most important thing for you to do is to show NYU that you are what they are looking for: a student who is a bridge-builder!

This is in no way a theoretical question!  Looking at NYU’s own guidance on this essay, the admissions committee wants to learn about “where you will turn to for inspiration, and what experiences have shaped you and resonate with you.”  

Over and over, NYU’s guidance states that they want to know about YOU. But how to do this 250 words or less?

The NYU supplemental essay for 2024-2025 is all about how you build bridges.

NYU is actually straightforward in their guidance for this question, giving you 4 points to consider in your answer.  Let’s take them step by step:

Personal Experiences or Challenges that Have Shaped You as a Bridge-Builder

The first element that NYU asks you to consider in your answer is: What are the p personal experiences or challenges that have shaped you as a bridge builder?

The best way to think about this part of the question is: “Well, why are you a bridge builder?  What in your background and/or experiences have made you someone who builds bridges?”

If nothing is immediately springing to mind for you, here’s some guidance on how to think about this part of the question.  Usually with “Why are you the way you are?”-type questions, the answer starts one of two ways:

Bridge-Building Has Been a Part of Your Life Since Childhood

This is something that’s always been a part of you and your life since childhood.  Think of those vet origin stories where the person was always taking care of sick cats and dogs.  It’s the same idea.

Maybe you grew up in a multicultural household or neighborhood and bringing together different groups of people was part of the fabric of your family:  As long as I can remember, my family home has been meeting place for   Or maybe you came from a place that was culturally volatile, and it informed your strong beliefs in working across cultures.  

If who you are as a bridge-builder is rooted in how you grew up, this is probably the approach you should take.  

Write 2-3 sentences about how your childhood shaped who you are as a bridge-builder.

A Specific Experience Made You Become a Bridge-Builder

The other approach is to write about a specific experience which made you become a bridge-builder.  For example, did you witness a conflict which made you realize that you wanted to build bridges across groups of people? Or perhaps you had a realization when you saw a unlikely group of people coming together to solve a major problem?

This involves about a specific moment in which you had a major realization that change d something in you.  If this is you, write 2-3 sentences about this moment inspired you to want to build bridges and connect people.

The NYU supplemental essay asks how you've built bridges in your school, community, or personal life in the past.

2.  You as a Bridge-Builder in Your School, Community, or Personal Life

The second point in NYU’s guidance is to consider how you have been a bridge-builder in your school, community or personal life.  

Okay, now that you’ve established why you are a bridge-builder, this guidance is asking you to think about your “What?”:  What are the bridges that you are building?

So think back over the connections that you build:  Who are the groups that you bring together?  How do you foster relationships between people who are not alike and who  may disagree?  What connections are so meaningful to you that you spend your time and energy building them?

This could encompass many different aspects of your life from the global and political to the very personal.  What matters is that this needs to be about you and what’s important to you.  Again, write 2-3 sentences on this.

3.  Building Bridges Between Diverse Groups

The third part of NYU’s guidance asks about what “specific actions” you have taken to “build bridges between diverse groups, ideas, or cultures.”

So now comes the nitty-gritty.  Now that you’ve established the why of your bridge-building and the what you’re building bridges for, now NYU wants to know the how :  What are the specific actions you’ve taken to build those bridges?

This is where your essay gets grounded in reality.  It’s not enough to say that building bridges is important to you, NYU wants you to talk about real steps you’ve taken to build bridges.  That doesn’t mean that if you haven’t organized and hosted peace talks for the Middle East you have nothing for this essay, but NYU clearly wants to hear about tangible steps that you’ve taken to build bridges.

That could be hosting a lunch table for students of different faiths at school or starting a gay-straight alliance for teens at your church.  Maybe you started a podcast inviting people of opposing political viewpoints to come on and have a conversation.  Or maybe it’s something as simple as building a bridge across family members who have become estranged because of differing viewpoints.

Whatever it is, jot down another 2-3No sentences about what you’ve done.

The NYU supplemental essay asks how you envision building bridges at NYU... and beyond!

4.  Your Vision of Building Bridges at NYU and for the Future

Now, unlike Part 3 which was all about the concrete steps you’ve already taken to build bridges in your community, the fourth part of NYU’s guidance is all about your vision for the future.

I often tell my students that college essays are about helping admissions officers make sense of your application.  The essays help admissions officers answer the essential questions of “Who are you?,” “Why have you done what you’ve done?”. “Where do we think you’re going in the future?”

So part of this question is to help the NYU’s admissions committee understand who you would be on their campus: How would you interact with NYU’s diverse, international community of students, faculty and staff?  How would you connect with your fellow students and help foster connections between your classmates?  Is there an issue that you would want to bring members of the NYU community together over to accomplish something greater?

And ultimately, looking out into the future, are you someone that NYU may one day point to as an example of how their alumni promote collaboration in an ever-changing and global world?  Is there something you’ve been passionate about bringing together people for?  If so, is this something you plan to continue with beyond college?  Or is there another problem that you plan to collaborate with others on to solve?

Whatever it is, jot another 2-3 sentences down on it.

The NYU Supplemental Essay: Putting It Together

If you’ve been following along on this guide, you probably have the beginnings of a draft for the NYU supplemental essay by now.  It may be more of a rough outline, but it should give you someplace to start.

What this look like when you put it all together though?

Here's an example of the NYU supplemental essay!

An Example of the NYU Supplemental Essay

Because this is a new prompt for the 2024-2025 college application season, I don’t have an actual example of a successful essay, but I’ve put together an example of what a successful essay may look like based on essays that some of my students have written for other applications:

Growing up as a preacher’s son, I thought everyone’s parents spent 12 hours a day in deep prayer.  It’s wasn’t until I started school that I realized that these marathon prayer sessions weren’t quite the norm.

I also realized that even though I loved my mom, I actually despised many of her views as a preacher. It was painful to realize how hateful my mom’s views were to marginalized people like my best friend who is openly gay.

At first, I tried to “correct” her views, but my mom remained steadfast. But over time, I realized our dialogue could not be about “right” or “wrong.” They had to be about understanding each other, and that’s how I approach every conversation now—even when viewpoints are very different. I have no desire to be “right.” Curiosity thrives in me—why do they have this viewpoint? How can I understand them? 

It was in this spirit that I co-founded my school’s first Genders and Sexualities Alliance Club with my best friend.  It’s a place where students of all genders and sexualities can come together to work to effect change and also to understand each other better.

At NYU, I can’t wait for the opportunity to be curious about everything and everyone.  I’m looking forward to continuing to promote dialogue among students from different backgrounds and with different viewpoints in in solving problems we all face like climate change.  I expect to change, understand, be understood, and to grow with my fellow classmates.

Writing the NYU Supplemental Essay: Last Thoughts

Above all, remember, the NYU admissions committee needs to be able to see you as a student at NYU and participating as a vital member of their community.  Paint that picture for them!

How would you engage with your fellow NYU students, and what of your experiences can give them some indications of what that would be like?

If you can start from there, you will be well on your way to acing this supplemental essay!

Need more help with your college essays?  

Check out my college essay coaching !  

And for additional help with your college applications, check out my college admissions consulting and college interview preparation and coaching .

Are you applying to the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn)? Check out my guide: How to Write the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) Supplemental Essays (with Examples!)

Or How to Write the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill (UNC) Supplemental Essays (with Examples!)

Check out my blogs on popular college admissions topics like:

How to Write the Perfect Hook for Your College Essay

How to Write a College Essay about Leadership (with Examples!)

9 Good Questions to Ask During Your College Interview

What Not to Write About in Your College Essay

How to Write a Medical School Interview Thank You Letter or Email

How to Write the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) Supplemental Essays (with Examples!) [UPDATED FOR 2024-2025]

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Updated: Wednesday, November 27, 2024

How to Write the NYU Supplemental Essay

NYU has long been a top choice school for many students. New York University’s application volume has now reached a new level. Last year, more than 100,000 students submitted applications, marking a new record for the college.

Consequently, it’s no surprise that gaining a seat at NYU is exceptionally competitive. To boost your admissions odds, you must ensure that each component of your application presents you in the best possible light, including your NYU supplemental essays. Read on to learn what you can do to make sure your writing sets you apart for all of the right reasons.

How to Write the Why NYU Essay

If you think you only need to worry about your personal statement, think again. Supplemental essays matter , particularly at highly competitive colleges like NYU where students are applying amidst tens of thousands other applicants.

One of the most important questions you will need to answer as part of the NYU supplemental essay process is about the college itself. Many schools include a supplemental essay question that asks the applicant why they are choosing to apply to their institution. They ask this question because they want to gauge an applicant’s level of interest in attending their university. They also hope to get to know the applicant and understand the potential impact they could have  on campus.

The “Why Us” essay topic is an opportunity to demonstrate your in-depth knowledge of the college to which you are applying. Rather than generic statements, make sure you tailor your arguments to NYU specifically by referencing classes you’re interested in taking , professors you wish to study with, and on-campus clubs that you’re eager to join . Avoid reusing or recycling this response from your other applications, even if you see a similar short essay prompt. You want to make sure each response is as school-specific as possible.

When it comes to writing a “Why Us” essay for NYU specifically, you’ll need to make sure your response stands out, especially since the college recently received 105,000 applications for first-year admissions . The more you research and tailor your answer to the college, the more compelling your response will be. Keep in mind that the best answers really break the question down into two parts: “Why are you applying to NYU?” and “What are you interested in studying at NYU?”. There are a few different ways that you can go about including both of these components in your answer.

Approach #1: The ‘3-5 Unique Opportunities’ Strategy

You can also identify 3-5 opportunities that are specific to NYU and connect each one back to your long-term career and personal goals. This approach can work well at a large school like NYU, where there are plenty of unique opportunities for students to highlight.

Approach #2: The ‘One Value’ Strategy

The third strategy for this NYU supplemental essay question is to choose one value that relates to you and to the college and to focus on it. Find a way to discuss how the college’s ethos aligns with your own values. Then, weave in specific NYU opportunities that interest you and relate to this value.

Approach #3: Mix and Match

You can also take a hybrid approach by choosing a central theme to focus on, incorporating a few reasons why NYU is the best school for you to pursue this focus. Make sure to back up your argument with specific facts and examples.

How to Stand Out in Your NYU Supplemental Essays

Pinpoint your specific interest.

Make sure you’re writing about your interests and passions. At this point in the application process, most students are aware of how important extracurriculars are for college , but it’s worth reiterating: admissions officers will affirm prospective students who have become specialists or experts in something. When it comes to talking about your passions, don’t be shy in your NYU supplement essay.

Discuss Relevant Opportunities

Admissions officers should walk away from your essay with a belief that NYU is a place you will thrive. The best way to do that is by highlighting school-specific learning and development opportunities that align with your passions and interests. Call out classes, research programs , and internships that intrigue you to make your point.

Be Comprehensive

When you’re writing the NYU supplemental essay, it’s best to go into detail. Be specific about the academic programs and opportunities at NYU that interest you and make sure you support all of your arguments with stories and examples when relevant.

Connect Those Details to Your Values

Admissions officers already know that NYU is a great college. Instead of reiterating that, aim to connect some of NYU’s key differentiators to your own values and interests. Explain what about the school excites you and articulate why you’re committed to attending. This is one of the best tips for supplemental essays that you can apply to every college you’re applying to.

Top 3 Common Mistakes When Writing the NYU Essay

When you’re writing your NYU supplement essay, avoid making the following common mistakes:

Mistake #1: Focusing on the Basics

There’s nothing wrong with mentioning the school’s location or size, but that shouldn’t be your main reason for wanting to attend NYU. There are plenty of other schools in New York City which will make that argument less impactful. Instead, focus on specific opportunities that only NYU offers.

Mistake #2: Using Inappropriate Language

Your NYU supplemental essay should be written in your own voice. Instead of trying to sound impressive or academic, just prioritize sounding like yourself. With that being said, there’s no room for curse words or other inappropriate languages in your college admissions essays.

Mistake #3: Thinking This Is a ‘Why Them’ Only Essay

The essay question might say “Why NYU?” but the admissions office is really asking “Why should we admit you?”. Keep this in mind when you formulate your response and make sure your essay highlights individual qualities that fit NYU.

Why NYU Essay Examples

Want to see what a top-tier essay looks like? Check out the following essay written by an IvyWise student who was accepted during the 2021-22 admissions cycle and is currently attending NYU:

Walking through the streets of New York City with my mother, I always enjoyed listening to her stories about her experiences at NYU. As she pointed out her favorite places to study, I could envision myself there as well, thriving in the epicenter of a dynamic global environment. I would love to join NYU’s College of Arts and Science and delve into my academic interests in sociology and law while being immersed in the energetic and spirited community of the city itself.

I have always been fascinated by how human beings interact with their surroundings and how those interactions affect social structures. The variety of classes available in the Department of Sociology is incredibly enticing. I am excited to take Sociological Theory and learn about the foundational theories that have shaped the discipline and use those theories as a lens to study modern-day society. I am particularly interested in social justice and inequality, and the unique minor in law and society perfectly aligns with this interest. Being able to take a class with Professor David Garland, an expert in the American death penalty and the differences between Western European and American prison sentences, would be especially intriguing for me. 

I would also enjoy attending the sociology workshops the department sponsors. The Crime, Law, and Deviance workshop exemplifies how NYU graduate students and faculty are at the forefront of studying the social impact of crime. Additionally, as an international student, I appreciate NYU’s wide range of study away programs. The fact that I can study abroad in Florence and continue my study of sociology and the legal system in The Politics of Organized Crime: Italian Mafia in a Comparative Perspective is especially appealing as it would also allow me to reconnect with my Italian roots.

I am looking forward to connecting with my peers socially as well. The French Club and the Italian Club will help me meet other students who perhaps share my cultural background. I can also satisfy my creative side by joining the Guitare Fingerstyle Club. Additionally, as a maths aficionado, I would enjoy attending the lectures hosted by the Mathematics Society.

NYU’s unmistakable metropolitan grounds welcome undergraduates to take advantage of all the city brings to the table. From the sociology classes on campus to the astonishing displays at the MoMA and the unique energy of the NYC streets, I’m eager to take everything in!

For another successful essay example, see the following written by an IvyWise student who was accepted to NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts:

What has always struck me as an essential aspect of NYU Tisch is its openness of mind, the way it radiates diversity and acceptance, whether in terms of education or culture. From its stylistic variety to the vibrancy of its community, NYU Tisch is rooted in difference and harmony. I consider such open-mindedness to be vital, not only to my personal development, but to the prosperity of society in a broader sense.

NYU Tisch’s undergraduate dance curriculum appeals to me as a program that values individuality, whose design encourages independence and singularity. Courses in the likes of Creative Research in Dance put the artist at the centre of their creation, which I believe is fundamental to artistic growth. Those values resonate with my creativity, my tendency towards non-conformism, and my constant desire to experiment with new visions.

In addition to this, I am captivated by the progressive spirit that NYU Tisch displays, both artistically and ideologically. It gives the impression of being set in motion by an elemental belief in the necessity of growth and renewal. I deeply relate to this belief, and strive to maintain balance between my creative and critical sides, in order to cultivate a permanent state of self-reflection.

Furthermore, I am strongly attracted to the multi-dimensional vision of dance that NYU Tisch offers. Its undergraduate program is all-encompassing, encircling physical training, theoretical studies, creative experimentation and performance. I found myself especially drawn to the Core Curriculum, Art in the World/ The World through Art, for I am fascinated by the mutual influence of art and society. Certain courses have also sparked my interest by the way they envision dance under less traditional angles, such as the studies of Acting or Music Theory and Composition.

Additionally, I have a profound admiration for the abundance of opportunities that NYU Tisch offers, not only through its prestigious program, but also through the inspiring energy of the New York scene. Every corner of the city, from the illustrious Broadway to the most obscure basements, seems loaded with talent and creativity. The hypnotizing intensity of the city calls out to my driven character, to my determination to achieve what my mind is set on, regardless of the difficulty.

I see NYU Tisch as a place that could fulfill me personally, for the architecture of its undergraduate dance program deeply resonates with my creativity, values and ambitions.

How IvyWise Can Help You with Your NYU Supplemental Application Essay?

Every student can benefit from college admissions assistance , especially if their goal is to gain admission to a school as competitive as NYU. If you’re interested in learning how to take your NYU supplement application essay to the next level, our team is here to help.

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How to Tackle the Why NYU Essay Prompt (with Examples!)

• application strategy
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• college application essays
• essay topic

Always dreamed of studying in the Big Apple at New York University? You better be able to put those dreams in words and explain why NYU is the choice for you.

New York University’s application asks students interested in studying at their university for an additional writing supplement. Specifically, the prompt questions why applicants wish to pursue their study at NYU. Here’s the exact prompt:

We would like to know more about your interest in NYU. We are particularly interested in knowing what motivated you to apply to NYU and more specifically, why you have applied or expressed interest in a particular campus, school, college, program, and/or area of study? If you have applied to more than one, please tell us why you are interested in each of the campuses, schools, colleges, or programs to which you have applied. You may be focused or undecided, or simply open to the options within NYU’s global network; regardless, we want to understand - Why NYU? (400 word maximum)

Don’t be intimidated by the essay prompt. The essay prompt is long with a lot of details and questions, and you only have 400 words to address all those points. Breathe. The essay prompt provides you with these questions and details to help you brainstorm your answer. Many of them overlap and will help you get to the core of why NYU is the best place for you to pursue your interests and studies.

Let’s break them down.

- NYU Campus: New York University offers 3 degree-granting campuses around the world. Applicants can choose to apply specifically to one of them, or rank them by preference. The 3 locations are in New York, Abu Dhabi and Shanghai.

If there is a specific campus you’re applying to, why? What made you decide to choose one over the other two locations? If you prioritized one over the others, what was the motivation behind that?

- NYU School or College: On the New York campus, NYU houses 10 schools and colleges, giving prospective students a broad range undergraduate studies they can focus on. Even if you’re undecided on what major you’d like to study, you must choose a specific school or college to apply to. Here are the options:

• College of Arts and Sciences
• Gallatin School of Individualized Study
• Liberal Studies Core Program
• Meyers College of Nursing
• School of Professional Studies
• Silver School of Social Work
• Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development
• Stern School of Business
• Tandon School of Engineering
• Tisch School of Arts

Choosing which school you want to apply to is akin to choosing which field of study you want to pursue. What experiences do you have that led you to choose your specific school? Why are you interested in your chosen field of study?

- Focused or Undecided: Are you applying with a specific major or a specific field of study? Or are you undecided? You can choose to expand further on why your interests in a major by linking in your extracurriculars and academics.

- NYU’s Global Network: If you are undecided and unsure what you want to study, why is NYU the place to go to help you discover your interests? This will give you the opportunity to dive into what you know about NYU’s student body and campus culture. And, how that aligns with the environment you want to be in.

So, how do you tie all these points together in 400 words? Find a focus. Look at the rest of your application, and think what else are you missing from your application that you really want to emphasize. If you’ve already talked about your interest in your chosen major for your personal statement, then maybe there’s something else you want to share. Whatever that focus is you want to highlight, how does it link to NYU? That’s the connection you want to show in this supplemental essay. Here are some examples:

1. Essay Example 1: Studying Sociology at NYU

Nyudotedu, New York University ‘19

“I can think of no better place to study such phenomena than in New York City and at NYU. There are good reasons why the Sociology program at NYU was ranked one of the best by sociology.com. Not only does NYU offer a solid academic foundation, it also provides a place to conduct fieldwork that not many schools can match - namely, New York City. The department also invites speakers that cover diverse topics to show how sociology is applied to different fields of study. I think the seminars offered at NYU will help me see sociology from many different perspectives. Among the seminars offered at NYU last year, I would have definitely attended “Should We Worry about inequality?” and “Cultural Durability and Social Change.” If given the chance to attend NYU, I would take advantage of such seminars and workshops to add to my classroom knowledge.”

NYU essay excerpt 1 breakdown:

In this excerpt of nyudotedu’s NYU supplemental essay, you can see how she demonstrates her interest in sociology, her knowledge of NYU’s sociology curriculum, and her intellectual curiosity. Her focus here is to further explain her chosen major and why she wants to study computer science at NYU. She not only points to NYU”s curriculum for why she wants to study sociology at NYU, but also to the school’s location—New York City. She makes it clear that there is value for her to be in both NYU and NYC to pursue her studies.

Additionally, she gives specific examples of the type of seminars she’d join, thereby showing her continued interest outside of the classroom and knowledge of what NYU offers. She doesn’t go into detail about the courses, because she doesn’t have to. The admissions officers may know and can find out what those courses entail, and judging by the course titles, it’s another subtle opportunity for them to know she is as a student and person.  

Unlock nyudotedu’s NYU profile to read her full application essays and advice!

2. Essay Example 2: Diversity at NYU

Ngozirebecca, New York University ‘19

“I’ve been in love with you for quite some time now. As a young girl, I would admire you from afar, merely a schoolgirl’s crush, staring open-mouthed at your tall, glittering building and vibrant violet banners. As I grew older, my puppy love grew to look past the superficial and I fell hard. I saw the diversity of your student body, a melting pot of talent and intellect, and the care with which you taught them. When I saw you offered cross-school minors, I realized how dedicated you were to comprehensive education, and when I learned the sheer number of student groups available for participation, I realized that you embraced every one of your student’s passions, no one was a “freak,” no one was alone. As I approach graduation and prepare to head out into the world on my own, I finally understand: We fit on another.”

NYU essay excerpt 2 breakdown: 

In this excerpt of Ngozirebecca’s “Why NYU” essay, she points out the reasons why NYU is a good fit for her, whilst being completely transparent  with her growth and thought process. She demonstrates a sense of maturity in her essay, as she explains how her love and perspective of NYU has changed as she grew up. She’s able to show off her creative writing style, and share what NYU’s academics and student body can offer her. And, most importantly, what she can offer in return.

Unlock Ngozirebecca’s NYU profile to read her full application essays and advice! 

3. Essay Example 3: “NYU is creative and determined”

ShaneNYUStern, New York University ‘19

““Are you going to eat all that?” asked another swimmer in the dining hall. “Yup, one bite at a time,” I told him. That’s how I approach things: consistently with determination and creativity. I have been swimming competitively since I was nine. For the past three years, I wake up at 3:50am and swim nine times a week. I am consistent. I am determined and fierce competitor. This past year, I found an outlet for my creativity. I competed as a member of Virginia DECA and won a state award, advancing to the international level and placing in the top 4-percent. NYU is creative and determined. It consistently produces alumni who are amount the best in their field. I hope someday to be one of them.”

NYU essay excerpt 3 breakdown: 

ShaneNYUStern to share more about himself and his characteristics in his supplemental essay. In this essay excerpt, he highlights his extracurricular achievements, varsity swimmer and DECA winner, what he learned from them, and how that ties in to his interest in studying at NYU.

Unlock ShaneNYUStern’s NYU profile to read his full application essays and advice!

————

Hope this was helpful for those of you finishing your NYU applications! Interested in reading these students’ full personal statements in addition to their full responses to the Why NYU supplemental prompt? Unlock all of them in one go with our Why NYU Package ! 

Our  premium plans  offer different levels of profile access and data insights that can help you get into your dream school. Unlock any of our  packages  or search our  undergraduate profile database  to find specific profiles that can help you make an informed choice about where to apply! We have 60,000+ successful college application files uploaded by college students. See how they got in, and how you can too!

About The Author

Frances was born in Hong Kong and received her bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University. She loves super sad drama television, cooking, and reading. Her favorite person on Earth isn’t actually a member of the AdmitSee team - it’s her dog Cooper.

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• 8. Applying to BS/MD Direct Medical Programs: Why Early Med School Admission Might be Right for You
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