Transferring to NYU: your chances, deadlines and credits
Transfer acceptance rate: 38.6%
Transfer acceptance rate
Source: Official school data report, section D, 2025-2026
For fall 2025, NYU admitted 4,128 of 10,681 transfer applicants (38.6%).
Checked November 9, 2026. Competitive, many seats
- Fall 2027 deadline
- Mar 15, 2027Source, 2026-2027
- SAT or ACT
- OptionalSource, 2026-2027
- Recommendation letters
- RequiredSource, 2026-2027
NYU transfer acceptance rate
NYU's transfer acceptance rate for fall 2025 was 38.6%. 1,549 transfer students enrolled. The first-year rate the same year was 9.1%.
Source: Official school data report, section D, 2025-2026
The Common Data Set is the official data report colleges publish each year.
Transfer and first-year applicants are different groups. Use the first-year rate as context only.
One rate covers every college and major here. Your program may be more or less competitive than this.
Our read: NYU admits into a school or college, and the school-wide count does not split by school. Stern, Tisch and Nursing have their own prerequisites and artistic reviews. The page we opened for the New York campus lists these requirements, not rates per school.
Abu Dhabi and Shanghai do not accept transfer students. This page covers the New York campus.
Source: NYU transfer applicants, undated page
What GPA do you need?
NYU's transfer page states no GPA line and does not describe what the committee weighs. It states requirements: transcripts, one recommendation (up to three accepted), proof of high school graduation, STARS and a fee.
Source: NYU transfer applicants, undated page
A GPA that matches past admits is not a cutoff, and it does not mean you are in.
What NYU looks for
Reviews are rolling. If your program has an artistic review, submit the Common App about a month early.
Source: NYU transfer applicants, undated page
Stern says apply for fall only, and also says it accepts spring external applications. Ask Stern which is current. It takes only first-year or sophomore students. Sophomore entry needs Calculus I or higher and Writing. Junior entry also needs Microeconomics, Regression and Financial Accounting. Business calculus is less competitive than traditional calculus, and AP Calculus scores of 4 or 5 are less competitive than a college calculus course.
Source: NYU additional program requirements for transfers, undated page
Tandon asks for at least precalculus. Physics is required for Applied Physics, Applied Physics and Mathematics, and Mechanical Engineering. Chemistry is required for Biomolecular Science and Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering.
Source: NYU additional program requirements for transfers, undated page
Tisch requires an artistic review for all programs. College of Arts and Science asks you to declare a major when you apply and does not consider transfers for its dual engineering and dentistry programs.
Source: NYU additional program requirements for transfers, undated page
Our read: Choose your NYU school before you apply, not after. Stern needs the prerequisite classes in hand and Tisch needs a portfolio or audition. A strong record does not carry you past a missing prerequisite.
Will your credits transfer?
NYU takes up to 64 transfer credits, and you should expect to complete at least 64 more at NYU. Steinhardt takes up to 72. Gallatin caps at 64 and Global Liberal Studies at 32.
Source: NYU transfer credits, undated page; NYU additional program requirements for transfers, undated page
Courses need a C or better, no pass/fail, a matching NYU course, and must be from the last ten years. Credit is decided after admission, and admitted students can see a preliminary range online. The admitting school makes the final decision.
Source: NYU transfer credits, undated page
NYU gives no credit for certificates, vocational training or life experience, with narrow exceptions for School of Professional Studies programs and some military credit.
Source: NYU transfer credits, undated page
Global Liberal Studies students spend junior year at an NYU global academic center. NYU says to expect at least three years at NYU to finish that degree.
Source: NYU additional program requirements for transfers, undated page
Our read: A ten year age limit rarely matters for a current student, but it does for someone returning after a gap. Check the date on any old course.
Transfer requirements
NYU requires recommendation letters. It does not require SAT or ACT scores.
Recommendation lettersRequired
One recommendation is required. It can come from a teacher, counselor, coach, supervisor, or another person in a position of authority. Up to three are accepted.
Source, 2026-2027
Report your college grades in STARS exactly as your transcript shows them. The fee is $85 and nonrefundable. Unofficial documents are enough for review, and official ones are needed only if you enroll.
Source: NYU transfer applicants, undated page
Standardized testing is currently optional. English testing is required if you have not had three years of study where English was the only language of instruction.
Source: NYU transfer applicants, undated page
The Nursing accelerated 15-month program lists seven prerequisites: Chemistry (in person), Anatomy and Physiology I and II, Nutrition, Statistics, Microbiology and a Developmental Psychology course covering birth through death. Each needs a C or better within the last ten years. The most competitive applicants have finished all seven when they apply.
Source: NYU additional program requirements for transfers, undated page
Housing is limited and is not promised.
Source: NYU transfer applicants, undated page
To apply you must have been or be a degree-seeking student at a regionally accredited US college, a nationally recognized non-US institution, or in a US non-degree program with 24 or more semester credits by enrollment.
Source: NYU transfer applicants, undated page
Transfer deadlines for fall 2027
For fall 2027 entry, the application deadline is March 15, 2027.
Source: New York University transfer information, 2026-2027
Spring is due October 15, with decisions from November to January. Summer and fall are due March 15, with decisions in May and June. The page prints no year. Financial aid has its own priority dates: March 22 for fall or summer, October 22 for spring.
Source: NYU transfer applicants, undated page; NYU financial aid for transfer applicants, undated page
Stern lists both fall only and fall and spring on the same page. Some Tisch programs are fall only. Cinema Studies and Performance Studies take spring transfers. Steinhardt's Media, Culture, and Communication, Music Business, and Music Theory and Composition are fall only. Gallatin does not take students in their first semester of college for spring.
Source: NYU additional program requirements for transfers, undated page
You may submit one application per program per term. NYU withdraws extra applications without a refund.
Source: NYU transfer applicants, undated page
- Application deadlineMarch 15, 2027Source, 2026-2027
Transfer essays and supplements
The program requirements page does not mention essays or supplements. It lists artistic requirements only for Tisch and Steinhardt and points elsewhere for details.
Source: NYU additional program requirements for transfers, undated page
Our read: NYU's own pages print no transfer essay prompt. Your written statement is the Common App transfer essay, so it has to explain why NYU and why your school within NYU. Name the school and program. Stern, Tisch and Steinhardt applicants should treat the portfolio or prerequisites as part of the case.
Grades carry most of the weight here. A vague essay can still hurt. Get a free review before you send it.
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If it does not work out
NYU says transfer students admitted to NYU are not eligible for NYU scholarships and grants, including the NYU Promise. Transfers can still use federal aid, outside scholarships and private loans.
Source: NYU financial aid for transfer applicants, undated page
Our read: Price this out before you apply. NYU has no institutional aid for transfers, and housing is not promised. Cost can decide whether an acceptance is usable.
The Community College Transfer Opportunity Program offers a scholarship and help for students at 13 New York area community colleges. You must attend one or have graduated within a year, and a faculty member or administrator must nominate you.
Source: NYU articulation agreements, undated page
- University of California, IrvineSimilar odds
- Wake Forest UniversitySimilar odds
- University of North Carolina at Chapel HillSimilar odds
- University of California, San DiegoTakes more transfers
Questions students ask
How many credits can I transfer?
Up to 64, and up to 72 at Steinhardt. You should expect to complete at least 64 more at NYU.
Source: NYU transfer credits, undated page
Do I need the SAT or ACT?
Testing is currently optional.
Source: NYU transfer applicants, undated page
Can I apply to Abu Dhabi or Shanghai?
No. They do not accept transfer students.
Source: NYU transfer applicants, undated page
Is there a deal for community college students?
Yes. CCTOP covers 13 community colleges and needs a nomination. P.O.I.S.E. is for sophomore standing STEM students at BMCC.
Source: NYU articulation agreements, undated page
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Sources
- Official school data report, 2025-2026
- NYU transfer applicants, undated page
- NYU additional program requirements for transfers, undated page
- NYU transfer credits, undated page
- NYU articulation agreements, undated page
- NYU financial aid for transfer applicants, undated page
Numbers come from official reports, read by our tools and checked. Notes were drafted with AI tools from the official pages linked beside them. A person has not reviewed this guide yet. Admission decisions belong to each college, and no one can promise one.