Study at NYU (New York University)
A campus in the heart of Manhattan
Based in one of the most globalized cities in the world, New York University (NYU) was founded in 1831 and now has campuses in Abu Dhabi and Shanghai in addition to a host of other centers across the globe. NYU was founded by Albert Gallatin, the Secretary of the Treasury in the cabinets of the 2nd and 3rd presidents of the US, James Madison and Thomas Jefferson, also the first president of NYU. Needless to say, its history is quite literally linked to the “Founding Fathers” of the United States.
Arguably reflecting the city’s reputation for diversity and acceptance, NYU has the particularity of having been non-denominational from the start – contrary to all other top American colleges at the time of their creation
New York University (NYU) in a few words
NYU now boasts over 26,000 undergraduate students and nearly as many graduates and in 2014, attracted more international students than any other American university, according to figures published in the “Open Doors” study by the Institute of International Education (IIE). In light of its growth and increasing popularity, the university has become more and more selective in part due to a nearly 100% increase in applications between 2007 and 2017. That year, NYU accepted 27% of its applicants. In 2017, that figure dropped to 19%.
The University has extremely strong ties with the city of New York, seen both in its use of its torch logo – like the Statue of Liberty – and also its location in central New York within the neighborhood Greenwich Village and more specifically, Washington Square. This area has for many years been known as a hub of cultural activity in New York was at one time home to historical figures as diverse as NYU chemistry Professor, creator of the telegraph and namesake of Morse code, Samuel Morse and abstract expressionist Jackson Pollock and cradle of the modern LGBT movement.
Academics
With more than 230 areas of study, NYU offers something for everyone. Its top ranked programs are social sciences (8th by the Academic Ranking of World Universities, 15th by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings,and 16th by the QS World University Rankings); psychology (11th by the QS World University Ranking).
Globally, NYU is ranked 18th in the Center for World University Rankings, 17th in International Colleges and Universities, 29th in the Academic Ranking of World Universities, 27th in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, and 46th in the QS World University Rankings.
Campus Life
NYU is an open, urban campus, but students still claim the area around Washington Square as their own. Washington Square provides an outdoor space for students to meet and relax or study, as many university buildings like the Silver Center, home to the Faculty of Arts & Sciences, are concentrated around this area. The university also provides numerous student-only spaces like the 24 hour Bobst Library, the Kimmel Center for University Life or the NYU Global Center for Academic and Spiritual Life also on the square.
A range of activities are offered including competitive and intramural sports, fraternities and sororities known as “Greek life” on American campuses. As of 2014, about 13% of NYU students were members of these clubs.
Notable alumni include entertainment industry figures like Martin Scorsese, Adam Sandler and Dakota Fanning (class of 2018); business people such as the owner of Barnes & Noble books, Leonard Riggio and the founder of Ben & Jerry’s, Ben Cohen; authors including Suzanne Collins, author of The Hunger Games and politicians including Bill de Blasio, the current mayor of New York City.
How do I apply?
To apply to NYU, you will need to use the Common Application, a centralized platform through which you can apply to most American colleges and universities. You will need to fill in information about your family – including the occupation of your parents -, provide your transcript or high school grades, submit 1 teacher reference letter, submit one “school report”, draft a résumé or CV, send official test scores (SAT, SAT Subject Test scores, ACT and English language test scores), declare a major or intended area of study, describe your extracurricular activities and as with most highly selective colleges complete the essay questions on the Common App as well as answer additional essay questions specific to NYU. The NYU current question is “Why NYU?”. According to NYU, this is one of the most important parts of your application.
You must submit all your materials before the appropriate deadline. If you are sure that NYU is your first choice, then you may want to apply for Early Decision, which may increase your chances for admission. Early Decision 1 materials must be submitted by November 1st. NYU also offers Early Decision 2, which is due on the same day as Regular Decision, January 1st.
The Candidate
Your admission application for New York University (NYU) must comprise the following elements :
- Your results from the SAT and from the Subject Test
- Your results from the TOEFL, IELTS Academic or the PTE Academic Test
- Your candidate file and the NYU Supplement
- Your NYU Financial Aid Application
- School Report, Guidance Counselor Letter and Transcript
- Teacher Evaluation Form 1
- Teacher Evaluation Form 2
When do you have to start preparing for NYU?
Taking into account the numerous specific requirements for American universities like taking exams; consistently participating in extra-curricular activities including clubs, music, sports, and side projects; and the numerous essays to write, we recommend that students begin start to think about their path to Stanford as soon as they begin high school. The application itself is typically completed during the fall semester of students’ last year in high school.
What is the profile of the students at NYU?
A few more facts and figures: The freshman (1st year) class entering in 2015-216 was made of 5,917 students, representing 49 states and 91 countries, with 19% as non-US citizens. Typically, most freshmen applicants have a typical unweighted, high school GPA of 3.5/A (90–95%) and are in the top 10% of their high school graduating class. For the freshman class of 2018-2019, the average SAT score for accepted students was 1460/1600 and between 32/36 on the ACT. The student-to-faculty ratio at the New York campus is 10:1
For graduate programs, as of 2016, the average MCAT score of students at the School of Medicine is 36/45, average GMAT score of graduate students at the School of Business is 710/800, average GRE quant score of graduate students at the School of Engineering is 169.3/170, and average LSAT score of students at the School of Law is 171/180.
Affording NYU
In order to be eligible for financial aid as an international student, you must apply every year using your personalized CSS Profile.
The deadlines to submit your financial aid application are as follows: Early Decision 1, November 15th; Early Decision 2, January 15th; Regular Decision, February 15th.
The University claims that the average student financial aid award is ,000 for the first year. Tuition (without Room & Board) is about ,000 per year in 2018.
Are you ready to study at NYU?
We’re here to help you
Study at Columbia University
A prestigious Ivy League school in the heart of New York
In 1754, an institution of higher learning was chartered by royal decree in the colonial city of New York. It would become Columbia University in the City of New York, one of the top universities in the United States and indeed in the world. In 2017 Columbia’s undergraduate acceptance rate was 5.5%, which made it the third most selective college in the United States and the second most selective in the Ivy League. It is currently ranked 16th by QS World University Ranking 2018, 2nd among U.S. colleges and 2nd among Ivy League schools for 2017 by Wall Street Journal and Times Higher Education.
Columbia University in a few words
In 2017, its student population was 32,429 (8,868 students in undergraduate programs and 23,561 in postgraduate programs), with 42% of the student population identifying themselves as a minority and 28% born outside of the United States.
Since its creation, Columbia University has educated American and world leaders, beginning with Alexander Hamilton – class of 1777-, later to become the primary economic advisor to George Washington, the first American President. The University is well-acquainted with success as just this year, In addition, Professor Joachim Frank shared the Nobel Prize in chemistry. The University itself awards the famed Pulitzer Prize each year in twenty-one categories for excellence in newspaper journalism, literary achievements and musical composition. This year, the University also graduated a diverse group of 16,000 students from more than 100 different countries.
Campus
Despite its location in busy Manhattan, the 32 acre (13 hectare) campus of Columbia University is gated, and therefore provides the best of both worlds within the Morningside Heights neighborhood on the border of Upper West Side and Harlem.
Among the most-loved places to spend time on campus, the “Low Steps”, the nickname for the staircase leading up to Low Memorial Library, probably take the prize. The building is also one of many buildings National Historic Landmark sites at Columbia. Built in 1895 by then University President Seth Low as Columbia’s central library, it would later be replaced by the Butler Library, the university’s largest single library with over 2 million volumes. Philosophy Hall also bears the historical honor as the site of the invention of FM radio with WKCR, the radio station run by Columbia students.
Almost two dozen undergraduate dormitories (purpose-built or converted) are located on campus or in Morningside Heights. As a consequence, undergraduate students are guaranteed on-campus housing during their studies.
Academic matters
There is a long-standing tradition of newspaper publication and media broadcasting at Columbia. Of note, the Columbia Daily Spectator is America’s second-oldest newspaper written entirely by students, and The Columbia Review has the honor of being the nation’s oldest college literary magazine. Its Columbia Television (CTV) is also the second-oldest student television station in the nation.
Columbia University is an inclusive community with 42% self-identifying as a minority. Additionally, the Columbia Queer Alliance is the oldest gay student organization in the world, founded as the Student Homophile League in 1967. As proof of their political engagement, Columbia’s students participated in the student protests of 1968 over two issues related to perceived racial aggression (the building of a gym in neighboring Harlem) and the university’s membership in a weapons research think-tank controlled by the Pentagon. The students protests were successful on both counts.
Academics
Research has an important place at Columbia and the University prides itself in the fact that even undergraduate students participate in this endeavor. Indeed, the University can claim major accomplishments in many areas including biological and biomedical sciences. The school was site where the uranium atom was split, and where the laser was invented. Columbia was also the first American university to confer MD degrees for medical studies beginning in 1767. Engineering is yet another area in which Columbia shines. The university is a top supplier of young engineering entrepreneurs for New York City, and over the past 20 years, graduates of Columbia established over 100 technology companies.
In addition computer and information sciences and support services, visual and performing arts and social sciences are all popular academic programs. In social sciences, the School of International and Public Affairs has drawn upon the resources of the faculties of political science, economics, and history since its inception 1946. Today its most notable academic is the internationally celebrated expert University Professor Joseph Stiglitz, winner of the Nobel Prize in Economics in 2001 and named by the magazine Time as one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2011.
The university is organized into twenty schools, including undergraduate as well as graduate schools and Barnard College, an all-female institution. Graduates of Barnard are issued diplomas authorized by both Columbia University and Barnard College. The university also has several affiliates outside of the US, called Columbia Global Centers in Beijing, Amman, Paris, Mumbai, Istanbul, Nairobi, Rio de Janeiro and Santiago de Chile. Each is intended “to promote and facilitate international collaborations, new research projects, academic programming and study abroad, enhancing Columbia’s historical commitment to global scholarship” (https://globalcenters.columbia.edu).
How do I apply?
According to Columbia, about 10% of the Class of 2017 were educated abroad, representing over 30 countries. As the University says, “We also value the fact that international applicants, regardless of citizenship, have much to offer from their backgrounds and experiences as global citizens” (https://barnard.edu/admissions/internationalstudents). In addition to the requirements listed below for Columbia University, applicants may also chose to participate in an optional interview with an alumnus/a of the University.
To apply to Columbia, you will need to use the Common Application, a centralized platform through which you can apply to most American colleges and universities. You will need to fill in information about your family – including the occupation of your parents -, provide your transcript or high school grades, submit 2 teacher recommendation letters, submit one “school report”, draft a résumé or CV, send official test scores (SAT, SAT Subject Test scores, ACT and English language test scores – note that the essay portion of the ACT/SAT is not required), declare a major or intended area of study, describe your extracurricular activities and as with most highly selective colleges complete the essay questions on the Common App as well as answer additional essay questions specific to Columbia.
You must submit all your materials before the appropriate deadline. If you are sure that Columbia is your first choice, then you may want to apply for Early Decision, which may increase your chances for admission. Early Decision materials must be submitted by November 1st. The University stipulates that you must complete ACT/SAT/an English language test by November. Materials for Regular Decision must be submitted by January 1st. In this case, students may opt to take the ACT/SAT/an English language test (TOEFL, IELTS, DET) as late at February. SAT subject tests are not required by Columbia, however it is probably a good idea to take the tests that correspond to your interests and strengths. Finally, the University will accept your highest scores from each section of the ACT/SAT separately. This is known as “superscoring”.
The Application
Your application for a Bachelor’s at Columbia University must comprise the following elements :
- The”Coalition Application” or “Common Application”, which is composed of questions specific to Columbia :
- Lists and descriptions of all activities and accomplishments of the student (“achievements, activities, employment and summer activities”),
- “Personal essay”
- “Columbia-specific questions”
- Your school grades
- Official transcript of your school report card.
- Recommendation from a school counselor and school profile (“school profile”)
- A completed “Mid-Year Report”
- Standardized tests
- Score from SAT or ACT
- Score from a standardiZED English exam (IELTS, TOEFL, DET)
- 2 letters of recommendation from teachers
- these recommendations must come from teachers of academic subjects
- For candidates applying to engineering one of these recommendations must be from a teacher of mathematics or science
- Complementary documents for the application :
- Supplementary materials
- Optional interview with an alumnus/a
When do you have to start preparing for Columbia University
Taking into account the numerous specific requirements for American universities like taking exams; consistently participating in extra-curricular activities including clubs, music, sports, and side projects; and the numerous essays to write, we recommend that students begin start to think about their path to Stanford as soon as they begin high school. The application itself is typically completed during the fall semester of students’ last year in high school.
What is the profile of students at Columbia University
“The admissions process at Columbia is a “holistic” one, taking many factors into careful consideration. Columbia does not rely on standardized testing and grades alone and instead looks at all parts of every application to help inform its judgment. Admissions reads personal statements to try to understand each candidate and what motivates him or her. Admissions reads teacher recommendations carefully to understand a candidate’s contributions in the classroom and what that candidate might offer his or her Columbia classmates.”
It is worth noting that applying to Barnard College, is also open to female students. Out of 7,716 applicants, 15% – 603 students – were admitted to the class of 2011. That’s 10% more than at Columbia University overall.
Are you ready to study at Columbia?
We’re here to help you.
How can we support you in your application?
Study at Fordham University School of Law
An intellectual institution in vibrant New York
If you’re interested in studying law in America’s most famous city, then Fordham University’s LL.M. program could be the perfect fit for you. Students at Fordham choose from 8 possible degree specializations over their two semesters of study, gaining a unique mix of practical experience and in-depth subject mastery.
In addition to the learning students do in the classroom, Fordham offers robust externship opportunities at some of New York’s most prestigious law firms as well as close to 20 in-house clinics for LL.M. students to practice their lawyering skills even before they graduate.
Fordham’s LL.M. Degree in a Few Words
Over the course of 2 semesters (starting in either August or January), LL.M. students hone their legal skills in one of 8 different disciplines while also studying the core principles of the American legal system. Students come from all over the world—typically around 40 nationalities are represented in each LL.M. class of around 180 students—and complement their classroom learning with extensive experiential learning opportunities that prepare them for a successful legal career.
For international students, the program provides an orientation course—capped at just 15 students per section—on American legal writing and classroom methodology, as well as a series of seminars throughout each semester offering additional support. Furthermore, each of the 8 specializations prepares students (including international students) to sit the New York bar examination should they choose to practice law post-graduation.
Academics
The LL.M. degree is a full-time program over the course of 2 semesters. However, Fordham also allows students to complete the degree part-time over 2 years, a great choice for students who choose to pursue a professional career alongside their studies.
Students have a choice of 8 different degree specializations, ranging from Corporate Compliance Law to International Dispute Law and even a first-of-its-kind track in Fashion Law. It is also possible to complete a third semester in order to obtain a dual-concentration.
One of the most impressive parts of Fordham’s LL.M. program is its wide range of opportunities for students to gain first-hand legal experience. For example, each semester students may choose to volunteer at one of 18 different clinics run by the university. There, students will work side-by-side with practicing lawyers on clients’ real cases. There are clinics specializing in Criminal Defense, Entrepreneurial Law, Family Advocacy, Immigrant Rights, and many others. If that’s not enough, students can also pursue a for-credit externship at one of New York City’s many law firms, governmental organizations, nonprofit clinics, or other organizations.
In 2020, U.S. News & World Report ranked Fordham School of Law the #3 Best Part-Time Law School in the Country, as well as one of the Top 50 Law Schools overall! LL.M. Guide also named Fordham in its Top 10 list for Competition Law.
How Do I Apply?
New York City is without a doubt America’s most well-known city. It offers residents unparalleled cultural and professional opportunities, from seeing a play on Broadway to taking a stroll in Central Park to working at one of the country’s most powerful law firms.
LL.M. students take part in a wide range of student organizations. They may choose to write for one of the university’s law journals, such as the highly-regarded Fordham Law Review, or join a student organization such as the Student Bar Association or Fordham Law Women.
Each year, Fordham’s international students join their peers from other universities at the International Student Interview Program, a job fair featuring more than 150 of America’s top law firms seeking to recruit some of the most talented law students.
How Do I Apply?
Fordham’s LL.M. program uses the Law School Admission Council LL.M. Credential Assembly Service (LSAC LL.M. CAS) website for its applications. Prospective students are invited to apply on a rolling basis for the Fall Semester from September 15th until March 1st, and for the Spring Semester from June 1st until October 1st.
There are 5 required parts for Fordham’s LL.M. application. First, applicants need to submit transcripts from all of the universities they attended; note that international students must already hold a degree in law. They also must write a personal statement of 500 words or less describing their future plans and ambitions. Applicants will also submit 2 letters of recommendation, with at least one of the letters ideally coming from a law school professor. Students should also attach an up-to-date resumé or CV.
Finally, international applicants from a country in which English is not the primary language must also submit their TOEFL or IELTS scores. However, if their previous law education was entirely in English, applicants may instead opt to have an interview in order to demonstrate their English proficiency. Note that applicants who do not meet the minimum TOEFL or IELTS requirements may still be accepted to Fordham if they agree to enroll in its full-time Legal English Institute alongside their LL.M. studies.
The Application
- Transcripts
- Personal Statement
- 2 letters of recommendation
- Resumé or CV
- TOEFL or IELTS
Affording Fordham
The total cost of the LL.M. program, including tuition and health insurance, is $62,652. In addition to the cost of tuition, Fordham estimates that students will spend an additional $20,470 on room and board as well as just under $2,000 on books and other course materials. Although attending an LL.M. program like Fordham’s is a significant expense, the university does offer a variety of selective scholarships to its top students. There are 3 different merit-based scholarships that cover 100% of the program’s tuition (note that applying for these scholarships requires an additional 500-word essay), as well as several partial scholarships available to the university’s strongest applicants. Fordham’s financial aid office has also prepared a list of external scholarships that students may choose to apply for to help offset the cost of tuition.
Article Written by Ryan Buggy for Your Dream School, November 2019
Are you ready to study at Fordham University?
We’re here to help you.
Study at Cardozo Law School
An impressive Law School that is part of Yeshiva University
Yeshiva University’s Cardozo School of Law is one of America’s most well-known law schools, where students benefit from its ideal location in downtown Manhattan.
Students interested in pursuing an LL.M. degree have a choice of 3 different specialized degrees as well as an LL.M. in General Studies that offers its own range of optional concentrations. Particularly well known for its programs in Dispute Resolution and Intellectual Property, Cardozo provides its students a mix of in-class and experiential learning as well as significant administrative support as they navigate their career both as students and beyond.
Cardozo’s LL.M. Degree in a Few Words
Cardozo students have the option of completing the LL.M. degree either full-time over the course of 2 semesters or part-time over a period of up to 3 years. Its class of approximately 75 students represents over 2 dozen different countries, with graduates pursuing a range of careers from practicing attorneys to legal academics.
The school provides its students a combination of academic, professional, and social support to ensure that each one—particularly those coming from abroad—have the tools they need to succeed at an American law school. For international students, Cardozo offers both an introductory class on the American legal system as well as an intensive seminar on legal writing and research.
Academics
Cardozo has 4 different LL.M. programs: Comparative Legal Thought, Dispute Resolution and Advocacy, Intellectual Property, and General Studies. Furthermore, students in the General Studies program have the option to specialize in fields such as Corporate Law, Fashion, Arts, Media, and Entertainment (FAME) Law, Real Estate, and several other concentrations.
The LL.M. degree requires students to take a minimum of 24 credit-hours, which they complete through classes, clinics, externships, or even via writing a thesis. The program in Comparative Legal Thought prepares its students to pursue an academic legal career through a required thesis, and the degree in Dispute Resolution ensures its students complete an experiential component as part of their studies (though students in any program are welcome to pursue these opportunities as well!).
Students are invited to participate in the school’s many in-house and external clinics. These include in-house opportunities in fields such as Immigrant Justice and even a unique clinic in legal issues pertaining to Indie Film, as well as a variety of placements at public legal clinics and externships within the private sector.
One of the school’s greatest strengths is its extensive faculty advising. LL.M. students have access to a Dean who assists them with both course selection and the academic support they need throughout their time at Cardozo. Furthermore, counselors in its Career Services Office can help students navigate the countless professional opportunities that its location in New York City affords them.
In 2020, U.S. News & World Report ranked Cardozo School of Law the #6 Best Dispute Resolution Program in the Country (and #1 in New York), and LL.M. Guide includes Cardozo in its Top 10 lists for both Dispute Resolution and Intellectual Property Law.
Campus Life
Located in New York’s iconic Greenwich Village, Cardozo students have access to a wide range of cultural and professional opportunities. New York is home to some of America’s most famous artistic, theatrical, and musical venues, as well as unparalleled professional opportunities.
Cardozo students enjoy a vibrant on-campus community. One of its most valuable student organizations pairs new students with more advanced students (such as those in its J.D. program), helping newcomers navigate the different resources and communities available to them. The school also hosts a variety of networking events with both professionals in New York City as well as Cardozo alumni, including an association specifically for European alumni.
How Do I Apply?
Applicants to Cardozo’s LL.M. program are encouraged to use the Law School Admission Council LL.M. Credential Assembly Service (LSAC LL.M. CAS) website, but may also apply via a physical application mailed to its admissions office. Students seeking to begin during the Fall Semester may apply from September 1st until June 15th, and for the Spring Semester from June 1st until December 1st. Note that international applicants must either already hold a degree in law or be licensed to practice in their country with prior professional experience.
There are 5 parts to Cardozo’s LL.M. application. First, applicants must submit a current resumé or CV. They also must write a personal statement (maximum 2 double-spaced pages) detailing their motivations for enrolling in Cardozo’s LL.M. program. Applicants will also submit at least 1 letter of recommendation. Additionally, applicants must send official transcripts from their previous higher education experience, ideally having been verified by the LL.M. CAS International Transcript Authentication and Evaluation Service.
International applicants whose prior degree was not taught primarily in English must also submit their TOEFL or IELTS
The Application
- Resumé/CV
- Personal Statement
- Minimum 1 Letter of Recommendation
- Official Transcripts
- TOEFL or IELTS
When do you have to start preparing for Cardozo?
Cardozo makes application decisions on a rolling basis. Applicants should be sure to begin preparing their materials at least 1 month before they intend to submit their application. Be sure that your personal statement clearly describes why you are pursuing an LL.M. degree at Cardozo, and that the writer of your recommendation letter can speak to your academic and legal abilities!
Affording Cardozo
The cost of tuition and fees for the LL.M. program is $62,408. In addition to the cost of tuition, Cardozo estimates that students will spend a further $28,664 on room and board as well as transportation, health insurance, and other incidental costs.
Cardozo provides multiple competitive merit-based scholarships to its top LL.M. students. Applicants interested in these scholarships do not need to submit any additional application or essay to be considered for these awards. Unfortunately, Cardozo does not offer any other forms of financial aid for its students, but does provide them with resources for seeking outside aid.
Article written by Ryan Buggy, November 2019
Are you ready to study at Cardozo ?
We’re here to help you