The admission process is designed to review the overall potential of applicants in order to determine which students will succeed in their studies. Read more about our admissions criteria under Masters Programs, Doctoral Programs, and Non-degree & Certificate Programs. [up]
1. Nonrefundable Application Fee (submitted online or send check)
2. Application, Resume, Personal Statement, Professional Biography (submitted online)
3. Transcripts (All Official Undergraduate and Graduate transcripts should be requested by applicant to be sent directly to Wagner)
4. Two letters of recommendation from a Professional or Academic Source (Can be submitted online or sent directly to Wagner. Family members and Co-workers are examples of inappropriate recommendations)
5. Test Scores (if applicable)
Masters level and non-degree applicants are strongly encouraged to submit GRE scores, but they are not required. PhD applicants must submit GRE scores. Standardized test scores are strongly recommended for applicants who have performed at or below the suggested minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average, for applicants who may have not taken or performed poorly in previous quantitative courses, for applicants with no prior background in social science or other relevant courses, or for applicants who have been away from academic study for ten years or more. Applicants should review the general admission criteria and determine whether their application would be strengthened by the addition of test scores. Our ETS institution code is 2507. [up]
While work experience is looked upon favorably in the admissions process, it is not a requirement for admission. Professional experience derived from full- and part-time employment as well as internships will enhance an application. An overwhelming majority of Wagner students have two or more years of professional experience. Prospective students with little work experience will find that the Wagner School's clinical opportunities (e.g. internships, externships, health immersion course, capstones, etc.) will greatly expand their opportunities to develop contacts in their professional field of interest, build their resumes and expand their marketability for the final job search upon graduation.
Those applicants who bring less than two years of full-time professional experience that is relevant to their proposed field of study are required to complete a minimum of 280 hours of degree-program relevant internship or experience while at Wagner before enrollment in Capstone. Read more about the professional experience under Professional Experience Requirement. [up]
Application fees are payable by either check or money order. Credit card payments are accepted only when using the online application. Checks may be made payable to New York University. [up]
Yes, the application fee can be waived for individuals who demonstrate need. In order to seek an application fee waiver, you must submit a letter from your undergraduate office of financial aid stating sufficient justification for the waiver.
Applicants who are currently engaged as full-time volunteers with no other sources of income must submit documentation from the appropriate organization.
Application fees are non-refundable- no exceptions. [up]
Letters of recommendation should be written by people who know you well and who have been responsible for evaluating your academic or professional work. Professors and workplace supervisors are both appropriate. [up]
It is preferred that recommenders fill out the forms that are supplied. If your undergraduate institution provides a recommendation service, it is not necessary to have these forms completed.
Applicants and their recommenders are encouraged to use the online application and recommendations. [up]
Decisions are rendered in roughly six to twelve weeks after the application completion date depending on the time of year. The Admissions Committee begins reviewing fall applications in October of the prior year. Spring application review begins in September of the prior fall. Decisions will always be made in time for an incoming student to begin in the semester of application as long as their application was complete by the appropriate deadline. Please see the Notification Timetable for details. [up]
NYU Wagner does not conduct interviews with applicants unless the admissions committee requires it. We do encourage all prospective applicants to visit the school at some point in their application process, though, and offer a comprehensive program to facilitate these visits. Read more about visiting Wagner. [up]
Because NYU Wagner takes a holistic approach to application review, valuing both academic and professional preparation as well as a demonstrated commitment to public service, individuals with a lower GPA should not be discouraged from applying, particularly if they have significant professional experience. However, it is incumbent on all applicants to demonstrate that they can handle the coursework in a rigorous graduate program, so we encourage those applicants with weaker undergraduate records to take the GRE. In addition, it can be helpful to complete one or two relevant graduate level courses at another institution prior to applying. [up]
No minimum score is required. The admissions committee is looking for applicants who demonstrate that they can handle graduate level coursework and who will excel in the professional world of public service. Applicants can show evidence of their academic abilities through their undergraduate record, any relevant graduate level courses they've taken, and the GRE. [up]
Deferrals are granted only in rare instances. To seek a deferral, send a letter indicating your reason and your intended semester of enrollment to the Assistant Dean for Enrollment & Student Services. In those few cases when a deferral is granted, a $500 deposit is required. [up]
Yes, applicants may reapply if there is a significant change in their profile, such as gaining several years of relevant experience or successful completion of graduate level coursework in a relevant field. [up]
No. Because of the high volume of applications Wagner receives, the committee is unable to provide feedback to applicants who have been declined admission. [up]
In particularly competitive admissions cycles, some applicants are placed on a waiting list. Their application will be reviewed again as the semester to which they are applying gets closer and a final decision will be made. Wagner does not priority rank its waitlist, so it is not possible to inquire as to the likelihood of being accepted once you are waitlisted. [up]
Yes, any additional materials sent to the admissions office will be included in your application file. [up]
There are no unique application forms for international students to complete, however, to allow enough time for visa processing, etc., international students should submit their application and supporting materials by the scholarship consideration deadline for the semester in which they wish to enroll. In addition, international students applying to the masters programs should submit official TOEFL and TWE scores if their undergraduate education was in a language other than English. [up]
The list below provides general information on the degrees/credentials from non-U.S. schools which make you eligible for admission to the Wagner School. In determining your eligibility, use the general rule of four years of university level education. To avoid any delay in the review of your application, it is very important to carefully review the information under "How do I submit official transcript information from a non-U.S. school?"
When reviewing your credentials we will need to know 1) the courses you completed; 2) the grades/evaluations you received for those classes; 3) that you were awarded your degree. This means that you should submit original official transcripts (with courses and grades noted) which also indicate your degree conferral. If your transcripts do not indicate the awarding of your degree, you should submit a copy of your diploma along with your official transcripts.
If your institution does not issue transcripts as defined above, you must submit a letter, in a sealed envelope, from the institution stating its policy.
If you cannot obtain transcripts directly from the institution and you possess an original transcript, you may submit copies which have been certified by an appropriate embassy or consulate in the institution's country. To ensure the validity of the institution's transcripts, you should follow these steps:
You are required to submit both the official transcript and its English translation. If the institution you attend does not provide an English translation with the official transcript, you must obtain a certified English translation before submitting your application. Following these steps will ensure the validity of your transcript:
Applicants whose native language is not English and who have not received a Bachelor's Degree in an English-speaking institution must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and the Test of Written English (TWE). All international students applying to the Ph.D. program whose previous education was conducted in a country where English is not the native language must submit TOEFL and TWE scores. When registering for the exam, you should ask Educational Testing Service, the administrator of TOEFL, to send your score directly to the Wagner School using our institution code of 2507 (no department code is needed) TOEFL scores must be less than 2 years old in order for it to be considered valid.
You may obtain test registration information by contacting:
TOEFL Educational Testing Service
P.O. Box 6151
Princeton, NJ 08541-6151
(609) 771-7100, (800) 468-6335,toefl@ets.org
In place of the TOEFL, you may take the English Language Diagnostic Test from NYU's American Language Institute. You may obtain more information by contacting:
The American Language Institute
New York University
48 Cooper Square
New York, NY 10003
(212) 998-7040, ali@nyu.edu [up]
International students are eligible for scholarship consideration. Most of our international students are self-funded or receive financial support from their government and/or employer. We encourage you to investigate foundation and government sources for funding and to visit the NYU Financial Aid Office web site devoted specifically to international students. [up]
Admitted students will receive, with their acceptance letter, an Application for Certificate of Eligibility (AFCOE). The completed AFCOE along with financial support information should be submitted to the Office for International Students and Scholars (OISS) who will then process the appropriate documents for securing a visa. NYU's OISS can be contacted at Office for International Students and Scholars, 561 La Guardia Place, New York, NY 10012-1402; Phone: (212) 998-4720; Fax (212) 995-4115; intl.students.scholars@nyu.edu. [up]
