JBW

Jonathan B. Williams, Associate Vice President for Undergraduate Admissions

We want to share some important news: NYU will continue to follow a test-optional admissions process for the 2023-2024 admissions cycle. 

This decision both reflects our initial support of those students whose educations were disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as our enduring belief that access to and performance in standardized testing are not the sole markers of an individual’s academic accomplishments, and not always necessary to understand a student’s academic potential.

Over the past three years, since we first offered a test-optional process, we have learned quite a bit about what this means for our applicants:

  • Students opt both ways. We have continued to see many applicants submit test scores, particularly when it enhances or completes the picture of their academic performance. We have also seen many successful applicants who have gone on to thrive as NYU students without submitting a standardized test score.
  • Our decade of flexible testing prepared us for this. NYU was on the forefront of flexible testing policies long before we implemented a test-optional policy, and our admissions process is adept at identifying top quality students even in the absence of SAT and ACT scores.
  • Test-optional policies have helped to remove barriers to access for a wide range of students who may not have traditionally seen themselves as viable candidates for admission to NYU. As a result, we see an increasingly diverse candidate pool on every level, which in turn, has enriched our community, both in the classroom and across our campuses.

Please know that there are two areas where testing is not optional: If you are in a non-US curriculum that requires a school leaving or University entrance exam to complete your degree, you will be required to submit this as part of your proof of graduation requirement. Additionally, if your primary language of instruction is not in English, you will need to provide an English Language exam.

As always, we are committed to supporting students through the college application process, and in pursuit of their academic aspirations.