essays required for nyu

NYU Supplemental Essays 2023-24

Nyu supplemental essays.

New York University, also known as NYU , is in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of Manhattan. NYU is not only one of the best universities in New York but one of the world’s most elite schools. With the NYU acceptance rate at 13%, NYU is highly competitive , meaning you need a stellar NYU essay when applying. Finely crafted NYU supplemental essays will almost certainly make or break your admissions hopes for NYU.

Are you wondering how to get into NYU? NYU considers various components of your college application; you should understand how these requirements are evaluated. Most students know about high school transcripts and letters of recommendation, but have you thought about the NYU supplemental essays? NYU supplemental essays are designed to gather additional information that the admissions committee is most interested in. In this guide, we will cover NYU supplemental essays, NYU essay prompts, and NYU admission requirements.

New York University Essay: Quick Facts

Nyu essay: quick facts.

• NYU Acceptance Rate: 13%
• Early Decision I: November 1
• Early Decision II: January 1
• Regular Decision: January 5
• The New York University application is hosted exclusively on the Common App.
• The Common App allows students to submit supporting documents on the Common App. Review a list of supporting documents here .
• You can also submit your documents directly to the NYU admissions office. 
• After you submit your application on the Common App, you can check the status of your application on the NYU Admissions website . 
• 1 required Common App personal essay. 
• 1 optional NYU supplemental essay. 
• New York University Essay Tip: In addition to the Common App personal essay, NYU has one optional NYU essay. While this essay is optional, this is your chance to give the admissions committee more evidence of your writing skills and who you are.

Please note that essay requirements are subject to change each admissions cycle, and portions of this article may have been written before the final publication of the most recent guidelines. For the most up-to-date information on essay requirements, check the university’s admissions website. 

Does NYU have supplemental essays?

The NYU admission requirements include one optional supplemental NYU essay. But don’t be fooled by the “optional” label. Even though this NYU essay is not required, completing the optional NYU essay can be beneficial to your holistic application review. Essayless applications aren’t penalized, but you are missing out on a valuable opportunity to add additional context to your application. NYU supplemental essays are highly recommended for any student serious about getting into NYU.

To understand how the admissions committee reviews optional NYU supplemental essays, it is important to understand holistic application reviews . A holistic application review considers the metrics, attributes, and experiences of applicants in its admissions decisions. Holistic review does not assign numeric weights to your transcript, essay, or letters of recommendation. Instead, this approach looks at the collective story between all your application materials.

Holistic reviews understand that you’re much more than your GPA and your SAT scores. Admissions committees are interested in what makes you unique. One of the best platforms to showcase your unique experiences and point of view is your NYU supplemental essays. You can tell the admissions committee who you are and what you value in your own words.

What happened to the Why NYU essay?

Essay guides from years past go in-depth about the “why NYU” essay, but not this year. In fact, changes to the NYU essay prompts are common, as with many universities. Each year, admissions offices make updates to their admissions applications based on their goals. For instance, NYU—like many other schools—continues to be test-optional this year, so don’t fret if you don’t have standardized test scores .

This year the “why NYU” essay was removed, and another NYU essay was added. The essays for each application cycle are announced on August 1 st . This gives you plenty of time to read through the NYU essay prompts and prepare your NYU essay. Preparation and research are essential! Having a solid understanding of why you are interested in a college allows you to prepare a more intentional application.

Even though the “why NYU” essay is no longer one of the required NYU supplemental essays, don’t discount it. There are still some important takeaways from the “why NYU” essay that you can apply to other NYU supplemental essays. Writing a strong “why school” essay requires you to do your research and explore exactly why you would be a good fit for that institution.

Being able to articulate why you are a good fit in your NYU supplemental essays is critical. To set yourself up for success, make sure you thoroughly research NYU and why you want to attend. Later, we will discuss how to incorporate the same approach used in the “why NYU” essay into your other NYU supplemental essays. 

NYU Common App Essay

The Common Application is one of the largest college application platforms. There are thousands of colleges that use the Common App, including New York University. The Common App allows students to apply for multiple institutions using the same platform. The New York University essay portion is separate and discussed further down.

One of the application components that is common to all colleges on the platform is the Common App personal essay .  Also called the personal statement, this essay will go to NYU and any other colleges on your Common App portal. The Common App personal essay must be a minimum of 250 words and a maximum of 650 words. All applicants using the Common App write according to the same requirements. 

The Common App instructs students to choose one of the personal essay prompts below. These prompts allow you to write about yourself, your personality, and your values through thought-provoking topics. The prompts usually change slightly year-to-year, but the intention behind them is the same.

The personal essay prompts are very broad which gives applicants the opportunity to discuss anything they are interested in. There is no “best” prompt to choose. You should choose the prompt that most resonates with you and shows off your writing skills. There is even an option to submit an original piece of writing on any topic you choose. However, while the prompts ask about experiences or topics, you should ultimately reveal something of yourself in your essay.

2023-2024 Common App Personal Essay Prompts

Here are the Common App prompts for this application cycle:

Common App Essay Prompts

Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. if this sounds like you, then please share your story., the lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. how did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience, reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. what prompted your thinking what was the outcome, reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. how has this gratitude affected or motivated you, discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others., describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. why does it captivate you what or who do you turn to when you want to learn more, share an essay on any topic of your choice. it can be one you’ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design..

After choosing a Common App prompt, you should carve out several weeks to review and revise your essay. Since this is the only required essay,  you should view it as a critical piece of your college application. After all, New York University and all of the other colleges you apply to will be reading your personal essay.

Many students spend all their energy on trying to come up with a unique topic . Remember that what’s most important is not what you say but how you say it and what you reveal about yourself. What makes your essay unique is your unique point of view. You should channel the words, details, and stories that feel most authentic to you. This is how you stand out . 

Other articles cover this year’s Common App essay in more depth—our main focus is the NYU essay. Keep reading to learn more about the NYU supplemental essays. 

NYU Supplemental Essay

Although there is no longer a “why NYU” Essay, students may answer another supplemental New York University essay. While this New York University essay is optional, answering it can show your interest in NYU and bolster your application.

Considering the 13% NYU acceptance rate, a successful NYU supplemental essay may decide if you get into NYU . Supplemental essay prompts are designed for the admissions committee to learn additional details about the applicant. Choosing to answer an optional essay is just another opportunity to put your best self forward for the committee.

Check out the optional NYU essay prompts below. Then, we’ll discuss how to go about choosing the best NYU essay prompt for you.

NYU Essay Prompt for 2023–2024

We are looking for peacemakers, changemakers, global citizens, boundary breakers, creatives, and innovators – choose one quote from the following and let us know why it inspires you, or share a short quote and person not on our list who inspires you, and include why., 1. “we’re used to people telling us there are no solutions, and then creating our own. so we did what we do best. we reached out to each other, and to our allies, and we mobilized across communities to make change, to benefit and include everyone in society.” judith heuman, 2022 nyu commencement address, 2. “i encourage your discomfort, that you must contribute, that you must make your voice heard. that is the essence of good citizenship.” sherilynn ifill, 2015 nyu commencement address, 3. “if you know how to fly but you never knew how to walk, wouldn’t that be sad” lang lang, 2015 nyu honorary degree recipient, 4. “you have the right to want things and to want things to change.” sanna marin, former prime minister of finland, 2023 nyu commencement address, 5. “it’s hard to fight when the fight ain’t fair.” taylor swift, change, released 2008, 2022 nyu commencement speaker, applicants may also share a short quote and person not on this list, and why the quote inspires them. of course, they may also choose not to answer the question at all., choosing a quote for your nyu supplemental essay.

The optional NYU essay gives students several quotes to choose from. With so many options, you are probably wondering what quote you should choose. Let’s think about how to approach this prompt and the quotes it gives you.

First, identify the quotes that most resonate with you—choosing several is fine. You can consider how each quote relates to your background and life experiences. You may even find some commonalities between you and the person quoted. No matter what draws you to a specific quote, it is critical that you find a quote that best suits you. While no quote is bad, there are undoubtedly some quotes that will feel more relatable to you than others. 

As an exercise, you can choose your top two quotes and brainstorm NYU supplemental essays about them. This includes making an outline, adding details you’d like to incorporate, and deciding on the structure of your NYU essay. Don’t forget about incorporating why you would be a good fit for NYU. This can be done explicitly or subtly by drawing parallels between your personal values and the institution’s values. 

Like the Common App personal essay, if you don’t love any of the quotes, you can always choose your own. If you go this route, consider the quotes provided as inspiration. Each of these quotes encourages you to think critically and explore your thoughts and beliefs beyond the surface. The NYU admissions team chose these quotes for a reason. They can be great clues to the type of information that NYU is hoping to gather through the NYU supplemental essays. 

How long should the NYU supplemental essays be?

The NYU supplemental essays have a maximum word count of 250 words. Typically, that results in two to three paragraphs. There is no minimum word count for the NYU supplemental essays. Students should focus on addressing the prompt in its entirety instead of focusing solely on how long the essay should be. If you’ve said everything you wanted to and haven’t hit the word limit, don’t sweat it. There are great 100-word NYU supplemental essays and other NYU supplemental essays that use the entire word limit. No matter how long your NYU supplemental essays are, you should feel confident that you addressed the prompt fully.

What does NYU admissions look for in essays?

Are you wondering how to get into NYU with a strong essay? NYU supplemental essays continue to be an important part of your admissions application. A strong NYU essay allows the admissions committee to envision you on the campus of NYU. To best answer your NYU essay prompts, applicants should have a strong understanding of NYU’s mission and values.

NYU’s history is steeped in innovation and trailblazing. NYU alumni are often change agents and pacesetters in their respective fields. NYU also values global education—many NYU alumni go on to contribute to the global community in their discipline. If you read through past and present NYU essay prompts, you will see evidence of these values.

#1: Can you contribute to NYU?

The first thing NYU is looking for is you! The admissions committee uses the Common App essay and NYU supplemental essays to get to know you as a person. They are interested in your interests, motivations, experiences, and unique point of view. Your NYU supplemental essays are your chance to be your most authentic self.

Even though this prompt is not a “why school” essay, you should be finding parallels between NYU’s and your own personal values. Writing about your passions and motivations should answer the question “Why NYU?” for the admissions committee. Ultimately this allows them to see you on their campus making contributions in the classroom and beyond. 

#2: Did you answer the prompt?

Second, you should always be sure that you are answering the NYU essay prompts in their entirety. The reader should walk away feeling as though you fully understood the NYU essay prompts and presented an organized and structured response. Thorough planning, drafting, and revising can make sure your essays are logically sound and comprehensible.

Don’t discount style in conveying your answer to the prompt. One of the best ways to get your message across is by adding in detailed descriptions and anecdotes. Your essay should feel inviting and authentic. Sometimes describing the sound, smell, and feel of a moment can help invite the reader into your world. 

#3: Does your NYU essay highlight you ?

Finally, your NYU essay is less about testing your spelling and grammar and more about producing a compelling narrative. Many high school students are overly concerned with impressing the admissions committee with large words and complicated concepts. While the quality of your writing, grammar, and spelling are important, these elements are seen as a baseline.

Certainly, the admissions committee is looking for writing that is at the college level. But more than that, your perspective, tone, and language should be authentically yours. You should focus on communicating your unique viewpoint and values by answering this prompt. This is what will truly set you apart.

What is the application deadline for NYU?

NYU has three deadlines to choose from: Early Decision I, Early Decision II, and Regular Decision. The NYU application deadline for Early Decision I is November 1 st and the NYU application deadline for Early Decision II is January 1 st . The final NYU application deadline, Regular Decision,  is January 5 th . There are pros and cons to each NYU application deadline, so it is important to find out which NYU deadline is best for you.

Regular Decision

First of all, Regular Decision is the typical deadline for college applications. Most students apply through Regular Decision, meaning more time to prepare but a much larger applicant pool. 

Obviously, having more time can be a great asset if you need to work on your essays more. Furthermore, some applicants may benefit from their first-semester senior grades being available at the time of their application review. These students may also have additional time to retake standardized tests.

On the other hand, the larger applicant pool in Regular Decision means a lower chance of admittance. Another downside of applying for Regular Decision is you won’t receive your admissions decision until April 1 st . This leaves students with limited time to decide where they will enroll in the fall. 

Early Decision at NYU

The Early Decision I and Early Decision II plans are binding admissions offers. Should a student be admitted during either Early Decision round, they are expected to enroll at NYU. The ED I deadline is very early in the senior year. However, these students benefit by finding out their admissions decision on December 15 th .

Students aiming for ED I should be prepared to begin working on their application and NYU supplemental essays on August 1 st . ED I applicants should also note that the committee will only see what senior year courses they are registered for and not their final grades. If your grades weren’t great through junior year, ED I may not be for you.

The Early Decision II application deadline is later than Early Decision I. Many ED II applicants applied to other selective schools early but were not admitted. Like Regular Decision, ED II’s later deadline gives applicants more time to revise NYU supplemental essays or take tests. ED II applicants are notified of their admissions decision on February 15 th .

How to choose your application strategy

Both early rounds have smaller applicant pools than Regular Decision, which may be a plus. At the same time, early applicants typically have very strong NYU supplemental essays, so it’s a more competitive environment. Nevertheless, early admission rounds often have higher acceptance rates than Regular Decision. Furthermore, there is the fact that these are binding—you must be certain you want to attend NYU. If a binding application is not the right plan for you, you can of course apply Regular Decision.

No matter what application plan you choose, the importance of your NYU supplemental essays remains the same. Starting your NYU essay early is critical to having enough time to properly review and revise your work. You should also work in enough time to let a trusted teacher or college advisor review your essay and share feedback. 

For more insight into what NYU is looking for in its students, check out this video below from NYU Admissions:

More NYU Essay Resources from CollegeAdvisor

CollegeAdvisor is here to help you learn more about NYU admission requirements and how to get into NYU.  As you are preparing to write your NYU supplemental essays, review this guide of example NYU supplemental essays and why they worked. While these essays answer old NYU essay prompts, they may provide inspiration for other college essays.

NYU supplemental essays are just one component of your New York University application. In addition to guides about how to get into NYU, CollegeAdvisor also hosts weekly webinars like this NYU panel webinar . We also have a wealth of Common App resources, covering everything from extracurriculars to recommendation letters .

NYU Supplemental Essays – Takeaways

Are you still wondering how to get into NYU?

Here are some NYU essay takeaways to help you write strong NYU supplemental essays. 

• NYU requires the Common App essay and has one optional supplemental essay. Serious applicants should complete the optional NYU essay.
• Even though the “why NYU” essay is no longer on the application, strategies for approaching that essay still apply. You should always incorporate why you are interested in the school in your NYU supplemental essays.
• The Common App personal essay is just as important as your NYU supplemental essay, especially because it goes to every school on your final college list ! 
• Both the Common App personal essay and the optional NYU supplemental essay have a maximum word count. You don’t have to reach that maximum word count, but you must answer the prompt in a thorough and structured way. 
• There are no bad quotes to choose for your NYU supplemental essay, but some may better fit you than others. 
• If the Common App essay prompts or NYU supplemental essay quotes don’t appeal to you, come up with your own. Just make sure you are sharing the same type of insight that the given prompts are requesting. 
• Pay close attention to the application deadlines to make sure you have ample time to write your NYU supplemental essays.
• Focus less on trying to impress the admissions committee and more on being your authentic self in your essay. 

We know that the low NYU acceptance rate can be intimidating—highly selective schools are daunting in the college application process. But we’re here to help, with articles and webinars and even one-on-one advising. Take advantage of all the resources on CollegeAdvisor.com to help you put your best foot forward.

This essay guide was written by Chelsea Holley. Looking for more admissions support? Click here to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. During your meeting, our team will discuss your profile and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how CollegeAdvisor.com can support you in the college application process.

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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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How to Write the NYU Supplemental Essay 2024–2025

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New York University (NYU) boasts almost two hundreds years of history, three campuses around the world, and a nearly $6 billion endowment . NYU’s esteemed alumni include many famous actors and musicians, including Idina Menzel, Adam Sandler, and Donald Glover. Their alumni also include many well-known CEOs, such as Tom Freston (MTV Networks), Daniel Schulman (PayPal), and Cathy Minehan (Federal Reserve Bank of Boston). Hoping to become a Bobcat ? Let’s dive into the NYU supplemental essay.

New York University’s 2024-2025 Prompt

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, we’ll review your essay.

Receive edits in as little as 24 hours

General Tips

The NYU admissions team has only set one prompt for applicants this year. The essay must be 250 words or fewer , and in your response, you can answer multiple of the questions posed, or just one. Students do not need to write an essay response for this prompt in order to apply to NYU. Although the NYU supplemental essay is optional, we still recommend that you at least attempt to write the essay. If none of your drafts are working, or you’re too strapped for time to compose a thoughtful essay response, then you don’t have to write one.

That said, this essay provides applicants with just one more opportunity to share who they are as a person with the NYU admissions team. This is a good thing: the more you can share, the more chances you have to stand out from the crowd. Standing out from a crowd of 118,000 applicants is challenging, but your NYU supplemental essay gives you the opportunity to do so.

Write about your unique, individual experiences. Use specific, concrete (as opposed to abstract) details. Get personal where you can and vulnerable when you feel comfortable. All of these writing techniques will help your essay feel more vivid to the reader. And a vivid essay is a memorable one.

NYU Supplemental 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..

This is the opening paragraph of the NYU supplemental essay, minus the line introducing the questions the prompt proceeds to pose. In this paragraph, the NYU admissions team sets the stage for the prompt. From this paragraph, it’s clear that NYU is looking for independent thinkers who value collaboration and diversity.

Think about the times in high school when you’ve collaborated. Who did you collaborate with, and why? What were your dynamics as a group/team/partners both before and after the collaboration? In other words, how did the experience of collaborating change your relationship dynamics ? If you can identify the answer to that last question, then you’re well on your way to answering this prompt effectively.

Now, let’s break down the questions the prompt proceeds to pose. Remember, you can respond to one or more of these questions.

This question calls for a narrative response. In other words, tell a story of a time when you were challenged to build a bridge. Describe the people or events that influenced the way collaborate with others. You can build a whole essay off of this answer, or you can start an essay with this story and move onto one or more of the other questions posed by this prompt.

It might be helpful to start your brainstorming process for this essay by considering how you would answer this particular questioned, even though it’s posed second. That’s because regardless of which questions you choose to answer in this essay, your real bridge building experiences will form the basis of this essay.

Consider the phrase “bridge builder” expansively. Maybe you built connections between two classmates who didn’t get along. Maybe you founded a non-profit that improved relations between different socioeconomic groups in your city. Or maybe you’ve worked to connect older generations to younger generations by coding a chatbot that teaches senior citizens how to use technology.

However you have built bridges in your life, identify one or two of those occasions/experiences to focus on in this essay. Then, free-write about these experiences before you broach the rest of the essay. This exercise will force you to narrativize your bridge building experience, which will ultimately benefit your essay-writing process overall.

Building off of the last question, you’ll need to get specific when answering this question. If you like, you can make a list of the actions you took. You can even write up a timeline of those actions if that is helpful to you. Think of this listing process as akin to writing a list of job responsibilities on a resume, except that you can get even more specific here. Once you have this list, work off of it (staying specific) while drafting your essay.

This question asks you to look toward your aspirational future at NYU. Like the last question, your response will benefit from specificity. Consider the specific programs, groups of people, organizations, initiatives, and so on that will be relevant to your bridge building intentions. Who do you want to build bridges between? Why do you want to build those bridges? What will be the impact of building those bridges? And, most importantly, how will you build those bridges? If you’re able to answer all of these questions, then you’ve got all the tools to nailing this essay response.

If you need help polishing up your NYU supplemental essay, check out our College Essay Review service. You can receive detailed feedback from Ivy League consultants in as little as 24 hours.

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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. 

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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NYU Supplemental Essays 2024-25 — Prompt and Advice

August 23, 2024

In the 2023-24 admissions cycle, NYU received nearly 120,000 applications. That was a record-breaking figure for the university, as was the all-time low acceptance rate of 8%. To put these numbers in proper context, consider for a moment that in 1991, NYU had an acceptance rate of 65%. At the start of the Obama presidency, NYU still only received 37,000 total applications. These numbers lead us to the topic of this blog, the NYU supplemental essay.

(Want to learn more about How to Get Into NYU? Visit our blog entitled:  How to Get Into NYU  for all of the most recent admissions data as well as tips for gaining acceptance.)

Clearly, standing out as an applicant to NYU was a heck of a lot easier a generation or even a mere decade ago. For the Class of 2027, the median SAT score for an admitted applicant was 1540, meaning that even a standardized test score in the 99th percentile won’t do much to separate you from the hordes of equally credentialed applicants.

Although it only has one prompt, NYU’s essay still affords applicants an opportunity to illustrate what makes them uniquely qualified for admission. Below is NYU’s supplemental essay for the 2024-25 admissions cycle. We then follow with College Transitions’ advice on how to craft a winning composition.

2024-2025 NYU Supplemental Essay

This is a new prompt for the 2024-25 admissions cycle. It’s optional, but we highly encourage anyone who would like to be a serious contender (which, if you’re taking the time to apply, hopefully you are) to answer it.

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 (250 words):

·   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?

NYU Supplemental Essay (Continued)

This prompt—and its questions—are focused yet open-ended, offering you the power to decide what aspect of being a bridge builder—past, present, and/or future—you would like to address. As such, take a look at the guiding questions and note which ones resonate with you. Does the term “bridge builder” remind you of an experience you’ve had, a challenge you’ve overcome, or a belief you hold? Perhaps it calls to mind an aspect of your background or perspective. Or, it could speak to a particular social or political cause that you’ve advocated for, a group discussion you’ve contributed to, or a club you founded. Alternatively, in college, what do you want to do ? What type of change do you want to affect? How so?

The strongest responses will look to the future while also incorporating past personal experiences or influences. For example, perhaps, earlier this year, you went out of your comfort zone to speak up at a school board meeting about your school district’s book ban policy, ultimately meeting & agreeing to continue working with a group of fellow students who also opposed the policy. Finally, you can then incorporate how you plan to seek out specific related experiences or resources at NYU.

How important is the NYU supplemental essay?

NYU deems four elements as “very important” in evaluating a candidate. These are: the rigor of your secondary school record, class rank, GPA, standardized test scores, and talent/ability. The NYU supplemental essay is considered to be “important” alongside letters of recommendation, extracurricular activities, and character/personal qualities.

Want personalized assistance?

In conclusion, if you are interested in working with one of College Transitions’ experienced and knowledgeable essay coaches as you craft your NYU essay, we encourage you to  get a quote  today.

Looking for more writing resources? Consider checking out the following:

• Common App Essay Prompts
• 10 Instructive Common App Essay Examples
• College Application Essay Topics to Avoid
• How to Quickly Format Your Common App Essay
• Should I Complete Optional College Essays?
• How to Brainstorm a College Essay
• 25 Inspiring College Essay Topics
• “Why This College?” Essay Examples
• How to Write the Community Essay
• College Essay

Dave Bergman

Dave has over a decade of professional experience that includes work as a teacher, high school administrator, college professor, and independent educational consultant. He is a co-author of the books The Enlightened College Applicant (Rowman & Littlefield, 2016) and Colleges Worth Your Money (Rowman & Littlefield, 2020).

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Command Education Guide

How to write the new york university essays, updated for 2024-2025, question 1 .

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?

Explanation:

In college, you will meet people from all walks of life, and many will have cultural backgrounds, beliefs, values and ethics that differ from your own. Gaining exposure to those who are different from you is one of the best ways to learn about other parts of the world and grow as an individual. As a “global institution,” NYU admits students from all of the world to their main campus, aiming to create a learning environment that exposes students to international perspectives and strongly encourages students to become global citizens of the world through study abroad programming.

When reading the prompt, notice that the first three questions all point you in the same direction: can you provide a tangible example of a time when you built a bridge across differences or write about a life experience that makes you a bridge builder? Perhaps you were raised in a bicultural household, have lived in more than one country, or have discovered another culture through the process of learning a new language. Maybe you organized a club or event at your school or within your community aimed at bringing people together despite their many differences.

No matter the experience that makes you a “bridge builder,” be sure to begin your essay by writing about it with specificity and eloquence. First, identify the difference you bridge, then explain how you went about bridging said difference and end with self-reflection indicating the ways in which this event or experience allowed you and others to learn from each other. Use this as an opportunity to demonstrate your openness and curiosity about other people, places, and cultures. Your goal should be to demonstrate how your values align with those of NYU.

The second part of your essay should indicate the ways in which you hope to continue your “bridge building” endeavors as a member of the NYU community. Is there a specific club you would like to join or an event you would like to attend or even host once on campus? You could also write about a specific research or study abroad experience that would enhance your understanding of other people, ideas, or culture and enable you to foster bridge-building of your own on campus.

“Where are the cleaning supplies?”

I paused. “What do you mean?

“For clean up block… at the end of the day.”

Clean up block was one of the first Japanese traditions Akira shared with me when we first met. I’ve since learned that teachers make house calls to students’ houses, and that many Japanese individuals refrain from public displays of affection. These discoveries spawned further questions: Did students in other countries clean up after themselves too? How did they greet their friends? Elders?

Akira’s arrival into my life triggered a curiosity about other peoples and places, and their values and traditions. Most importantly, it led me to found my school’s Dinner Party Club. One Friday evening a month, students from my school meet in our school kitchen to try our hand at cooking a traditional meal and watch a classic movie from a new country. If one of our members has ties to the country, they lead the charge, choosing the recipe and the film, and sharing more about their culture over dinner.

When my school asked me to be Akira’s peer mentor when she moved to our district, I assumed I’d make a new friend, but I did not anticipate the extent to which this new friendship would broaden my understanding of the world. At NYU, I look forward to building bridges between other cultures and peoples in informal “Dinner Parties,” and learning about international relations bridges (or lack thereof) in the classroom, both in NYC and abroad.

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