What are this year's NYU college essay prompts and how should I approach them?

For the 2023-2024 application cycle, NYU's main supplemental essay prompt is the same for all applicants, regardless of which undergraduate school or college you apply to, including the College of Arts & Science:

"We are looking for peacemakers, changemakers, global citizens, boundary breakers, artists, innovators, and scholars. They’re not all the same, but they all have a similar approach: They seek out new experiences and perspectives. Tell us why NYU is the best place for you to pursue your interests. What motivates you? Why do you want to be part of the NYU community?"

You have a 250-word limit, making this a classic “Why NYU?” prompt. The university wants to hear specifically what excites you about NYU and how it connects with your goals, interests, and personal style. Do your research on the programs, unique opportunities, clubs, professors, or aspects of NYU’s community that truly interest you. Specificity is key—don’t just say, "I love NYU's location and diversity." Dive deeper: Is there an interdisciplinary course, like the Core Curriculum in the College of Arts & Science, that attracts you? Are you interested in using NYU’s global campuses for research or language study?

Tips for your essay:

- Avoid generic statements. Instead of "NYU is in New York City, so there will be lots of opportunities," try something like "I’m excited by the opportunity to study comparative literature in the city that inspired Langston Hughes—with access to NYU’s Writers in New York summer program and readings at The Lillian Vernon Creative Writers House."
- Reflect on your motivation—what specific experience or value leads you to your interests? If you want to study psychology, maybe you volunteered on a crisis hotline and found the intersection between neuroscience and emotional support fascinating.
- Show how you’ll contribute to NYU’s community. Are you passionate about community service, cultural exchange, or creative collaborations?
- Make it personal—include a brief anecdote or detail that shows how your path aligns with NYU’s mission and offerings.

As an example, one student wrote about their love of language acquisition and how they hoped to take Italian through the NYU in Florence program, and then connect that experience to the multicultural clubs on the main campus.

No matter your major, the approach is the same: demonstrate genuine knowledge of NYU, connect your interests and ambitions to opportunities that only NYU can offer, and communicate how you’ll enrich the NYU community. Good luck brainstorming!