Admitted Students
Regular: April 1
Rolling: After April 1
Note: This information applies to NYU Abu Dhabi and NYU Shanghai students considering a semester in New York. Students from other colleges and universities who are interested in enrolling as a visiting student at NYU's campus in New York should consider programs hosted by NYU's Office of University Programs.
Welcome to NYU New York! We’re delighted that you’ll be spending a semester or year with us and can’t wait to greet you in New York. In the meantime, this page will guide you through everything you need to get ready for your term in the U.S. We’ve mirrored the acceptance letter very closely, so please be sure to use that as a reference.
You will receive a welcome email introducing you to the NYU New York Enrollment Requirements Portal. You will then receive weekly emails from our office directing you to all upcoming deadlines, housing details, and other requirements found in the Enrollment Portal. The portal will be your main resource throughout the preparation process so make sure you check it frequently. Please peruse this website to help you prepare for your study away experience in New York!
Confirm your spot in the program
In order to confirm your intention to enroll, you must accept your offer of admission via the Application Center in Albert. Full instructions on how to accept or make any changes to your application can be found on the Application FAQs page.
All students are recommended to confirm their spot within 2 weeks of receiving notification of acceptance. Please understand that enrollment capacity is limited and if the program reaches capacity before we receive your reservation, you will be placed on a wait list.
Update NYU Home
We'll send all e-mail communication to your NYU e-mail address, so check that account regularly. In addition, make sure that your addresses and phone numbers in Albert are updated so that we're able to contact you with important information throughout the semester.
Register for classes
It is important you meet with your academic advisor to discuss course options. You can search for classes using NYU Albert, however please be aware that not all courses will be open to study away students as schools and departments may have restricted access. Pre-requisites will be strongly enforced in most cases.
If you wish to take Stern courses, you must follow the registration process for non-Stern students.
All students studying in New York will be required to complete a course intent form two weeks before the start of the semester.
Booking your flight & personal travel
All students are responsible for arranging their own transportation for their semester abroad. Students must plan to arrive on Arrival Day as indicated on the calendar.
Housing is available only for the dates of the program so if you plan to arrival early or leave late, please be aware you will be responsible for your own accommodations.
The preferred online booking tool for NYU is Egencia. Only NYU Net ID holders are eligible for direct access to Egencia. When booking through Egencia, your travel plans will be automatically registered in the registration tool. The registration tool provides up-to-the-minute information of potential threats to your safety during your travels. It also enables NYU Department of Public Safety to render aid in the event of an emergency.
NYU also has a list of preferred airlines that offer NYU students discounts.
The university will be closed for Presidents' Day on Monday, February 17. In addition, Spring Recess is scheduled for Monday, March 16 - Sunday, March 22. You may plan personal travel during this time (make sure to check immigration requirements and reach out to the Office of Global Services (OGS) with any questions).
Aside from the breaks mentioned above, please do not plan any personal trips within the program dates until after arriving and confirming your syllabi. Class attendance is expected and may vary based on the course instructor’s preference detailed in the syllabus.
Packing tips
Before you pack:
- Check the weather – January-March can be the coldest months of the year in New York, so make sure to bring warm clothing! But don’t worry, the weather begins to warm up by the end of April / early May.
- Ask your airline about luggage restrictions
Suggested Items:
- Clothing you can layer
- “Business-casual” clothing for on-campus employment.
- Dress shoes for formal events or outings
- Comfortable, sturdy shoes for walking around NYC
- Towel
- A small weekend-size bag/backpack/collapsible duffle bag
- Your favorite over-the-counter medication
- Prescribed medication: a 4-month supply (with copies of the prescription written in generic term; doctor’s note); check with your doctor NOW to make sure you can take the full supply (our Health Center can also help)
- Your NYU ID card
- Any items that you cannot live without, but nothing you couldn’t bear to lose.
- Plug adapters to change the shape of the plug. More information found here: https://www.power-plugs-sockets.com/united-states-of-america/
Pack in your carry-on:
- Your carry-on bag should include everything you’ll need for the first few days of your trip. This is also helpful if your luggage is lost or delayed.
- Copy of your travel itinerary and other important documents
- Passport (and copies of your passport)
- Copy of your debit and credit cards
- Copy of your health insurance card and information
- Copies of important phone numbers
- NYU New York Arrival cheat sheet (sent to students about two weeks before that start of the term)
- Medication (with copies of the prescription written in generic term)
- Valuables (e.g. laptop, camera)
- Favorite snacks for the plane and/or layovers. Also inform your airline of any dietary restrictions.
- Airport security can be very strict. Always check with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) if you have any questions.
Leave at home:
- Kitchen utensils, pots, or pans
- Appliances (e.g. hairdryer, flat irons, shavers). Even with a plug adaptor and converter, the higher voltage can destroy your small appliances and could potentially knock out power in entire buildings. If you’re not willing to forgo the blow dryers and flat irons for a few months, then it’s best to purchase local versions once you get abroad (voltage in New York is 110V).
- Linens (sheets, pillows, blankets) – YOU WILL NEED TO PURCHASE YOUR OWN LINENS. Linens can be purchased at the following locations:
-Bed, Bath & Beyond (620 6th Avenue and 18th St.)
-Kmart (770 Broadway and Astor Place)
-T.J. Maxx (620 6th Avenue and 18th St.)
-Marshalls (620 6th Avenue and 18th St.)
Cell phones
It is usually easier – and cheaper – to get a low-cost phone and pay-as-you-go card in New York than to use your current plan. This is a good way to communicate with your peers locally. You can still bring your smartphone and use it as a WiFi device (just be sure to cancel/turn off the data on it to avoid hefty international connection fees).
We generally do not recommend international phone plans as they may be expensive. Some mobile phone companies offer study abroad plans that allow you to keep your home number and pay lower rates. Either way, make sure to contact your mobile carrier for specific information.
Another popular option is to unlock your current smartphone before you go and replace its SIM card with one you get in New York. You would then keep your device and just pay for the minutes. Make sure your phone will not need to be decoded as this can be expensive.
During orientation, NYU New York site staff will show you where to get phones and/or local SIM cards.
First-Time Traveler Tips
We’ve heard from many students that this will be their first time traveling outside the country, traveling alone, or even their first time on a plane. We have gathered some practical advice to make your journey to NYU New York as smooth as possible!
- After you purchase your flight, check with your airline about how many bags you can check in, and the maximum weight of each bag. You don’t want to be asked to pay extra for too much luggage.
- Get luggage tags and put the NYU New York address (see right-hand column on this page) as contact information in case it is delayed. List a phone number of a close family member or friend in case the airline needs to get in touch about the delayed flight.
- Carry a small bookbag with your valuables and all essential items, including a toothbrush, medications, copies of your passport, credit/debit cards, flight confirmation, visa documents (if applicable), laptops/electronics and instructions on how to arrive to NYU New York, which will be sent before you depart. All containers with more than 3oz of liquid (shampoo, etc.) should be packed in your checked luggage.
- Exchange your local currency into 50 – 100 USD 1-2 weeks before departure. Ask your local bank if they have the currency. It’s good to have cash on hand right when you arrive (and to avoid exchanging money at the airport since the fees are high).
- Arrive 3 hours before your flight. This will give you time to check in at the airline counter (there may be long lines!), check your luggage, go through security and get to your gate with plenty of time.
- Airplanes get cold--wear warm clothes on the flight, including socks!
- If you follow a special diet (vegetarian, halal, kosher, etc.) don’t forget to inform your airline ahead of time. Also take your favorite snacks--it’s no fun to get “hangry” on the plane!
Safe NYU
Safe NYU is New York University’s free mobile campus safety app, developed by the Department of Public Safety and its Division of Emergency Preparedness and Communications.
The app provides safety and security services, customized for all of NYU’s campuses and Global Academic Centers, at the tap of an icon. The features include:
- Emergency Contacts – quick access to site specific emergency numbers
- Mobile Bluelight – simultaneously send your location and call NYU Public Safety
- Friend Walk – send your location to a friend so they can watch you as you walk to your destination
- Getting around – maps and phone numbers for local transportation options
The app also provides information on how to prepare in case of an emergency, the ability to report an incident or submit a tip via in-app forms, and links to support resources including victim assistance, the wellness exchange and the bias response line.
Safe NYU is available in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Remember to switch your location as you travel throughout NYU’s global network.
Global safety tips
Keeping you safe — and ensuring your ability to make academic progress — are top priorities for NYU. As you prepare to spend the semester away from your home campus, we wanted to share with you some tips and best practices that will help you do so.
The University continuously monitors events in cities and countries around the globe, and adjusts security precautions, as necessary, based on the local environment. Should an urgent situation arise, the University maintains an emergency notification system, which delivers alerts via text message and email.
- Register your travel with your respective embassy or consulate – both while you are at your study away location, and anywhere else your travel plans may take you.
- Make sure to have a mobile phone with you whenever you’re away from the site – and be sure to keep it charged!
- If you are planning on traveling away from your site – even if only for a night — please be sure to register your trip in NYU Traveler, and let a member of your local site staff know.
- Please be sure that your site staff has a local contact phone number for you.
- Do your homework before you travel away from your site. Check for potential travel warnings for cities and countries to which you are thinking about traveling (the US State Department website is a good place to start).
- Always be fully aware of your surroundings. Avoid at-risk areas (in many cities, this could include locations that are very popular with tourists). And if during your travels you ever find yourself in a situation in which you feel uncomfortable, trust your instincts and leave.
- Whenever possible, travel in groups. Whether you’re going out for an evening, or are planning to explore the region (or beyond), go with friends!
- If you don’t know the person entering a building right after you, make sure they have their own ID — don’t allow “piggy-backing” at entrances to NYU academic centers and residence halls.
- If you ever have a question or concern about your safety – either at your site, or while you are traveling – check with your local site staff, or call the NYU Public Safety Command Center (open 24/7) at +1.212.998.2222.
- Should you ever feel anxious or upset during your time away, or you simply want to have someone to speak to, please call the Wellness Exchange (24/7). You can always reach them at +1.212.443.9999, but many sites also have local numbers, which can be found here.
Do your research
Before going abroad it's important to do your research on your destination. New York is a vibrant city with a wide array of cultures and customs. You can start your research by looking at the site below, and we encourage you to do your own research and get to know the city!