Date: April 13, 2021
TO: Newly admitted NYU Students
FROM: NYU President Andrew Hamilton

Dear Prospective Student,

I am proud to welcome you to the NYU community.

Many of you had the opportunity to participate in our recent Home for the Weekend event for newly admitted students. By now, I hope you have arrived at the same conclusion as I did a few years ago: There is only one NYU — only one university whose global presence is so expansive; only one university that so seamlessly combines a sense of place with rigorous study, research with impact, a commitment to diversity, artistic creativity, intellectual vibrancy, and ambition in one community.

You should take great pride in earning admission to NYU: we accepted fewer than 1 in 7 applicants (though we say that more in sorrow than boastfulness — NYU wants to be known for whom we accept rather than for whom we turn away). Your acceptance is a testament to your hard work, talent, and drive. More than that, it reflects our belief that you will succeed here and contribute to our university community.

As president, I have listened to thousands of students and alums talk about their experience, and the word that comes up over and over, is that an NYU education is transformative. They talk of how coming to NYU made them feel for the first time that they were in the right place, that they learned the skills to let them accomplish what they want in life, that it was the pathway to independence and adulthood, and that NYU "made all the difference" for them.

NYU is not right for everyone, but those for whom it is the right fit quickly find exactly the kind of experiences they want out of college.

Building on this past year's successful on-campus handling of COVID-19, next fall we will fully resume in-person classes and most regular campus activities amidst an atmosphere that will remain safety-focused. And knowing that international travel may be among the last features of pre-COVID life to fully restart, we will also build in the flexibility necessary to ensure all our students can make progress towards their degrees.

Reconvening fully will make 2021-2022 a joyous and special year for NYU; as the first class to enter after the pandemic year, you will have a special place. We look forward to welcoming you here.

Wherever your interests and preferences ultimately direct you, please know that we wish you well. If, as we hope, you choose NYU for your college education, please know how proud we will be to have you as a member of our community and how much we appreciate the trust you have shown in us.

Sincerely,
Andrew Hamilton
President, NYU