How do you approach writing the NYU college essays?

The "Why NYU?" essay is definitely a crucial part of the application, and you’re right to want it to be specific and personal, rather than generic. NYU admissions officers read thousands of essays where students mention loving New York City, wanting diversity, or just generally being excited about city life, so to stand out, you need to dig deeper than those surface-level reasons.

One of the best ways to start is by researching the school, the department you're interested in, and specific opportunities available only at NYU. For example, if you're applying to the Tisch School of the Arts, talk about specific courses, professors, or Tisch-exclusive programs that excite you—and connect them directly to your personal interests or past experiences. Maybe you’re drawn to NYU Stern—identify unique classes, clubs, or research projects, and tie them to a real story from your academic life. The goal is to demonstrate how NYU offers something that you can’t find anywhere else, and how you plan to use those resources to reach your goals.

It’s also important to weave in the ways the city itself will support your academic or personal growth, but with detail. Instead of saying "I love New York because it’s diverse and full of opportunities," you could say something like, "NYU’s location, steps away from tech startups and creative firms in SoHo, would let me pursue internships directly related to my interest in digital marketing, just like I did this past year creating social media content for a local business in my town."

Reflect on what you want out of college and what you want to do in the future. Then, illustrate how NYU is the exact place to help you get there. For example, a successful essay once described a student’s experience organizing a film festival in their community and how NYU’s Fusion Film Festival would let them grow those skills—connecting their personal story to a real opportunity NYU offers.

Before you write, try mapping out the overlap between what NYU provides and what you need or hope for. Avoid clichés and focus on a few very specific things that genuinely fit your interests. Mentioning a particular professor you want to work with, a class that doesn’t exist elsewhere, or a club you’d want to start or join can all work well. Ultimately, the most memorable essays read like they could only have been written about NYU—and only by you.