Special Programs

January Term Study Abroad Application Requirements

Please read the following admissions information before starting your online application. You can find important dates in the Tisch Special Programs Admissions Calendar.

Applications are processed on a rolling basis; programs may fill before the deadline. Early applications are encouraged.

How do I apply?

  • Step 1 - Requirements and Eligibility
  • Step 2 - Online Application
  • Step 3 - Verification
  • Step 4 - Notification
  • Step 5 - Confirmation

STEP 1: REQUIREMENTS AND ELIGIBILITY

  • You must have completed at least one semester of your freshman year of study and be 18 or older prior to the beginning of the term abroad.
  • If you are a visiting student, you must currently be registered full-time in an undergraduate degree program at an accredited college or university.
  • You must have a 3.0 minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale.
  • Incomplete (I) grades on your transcript must be resolved before an admissions decision can be made.
  • You must not be on academic or disciplinary probation, nor currently on medical leave of absence.
  • You must have a valid passport (unless you are a United States citizen or permanent resident applying to a program within the United States).
  • If accepted, you must live in NYU-assigned housing.
  • You must meet the prerequisite coursework (if applicable).

STEP 2: ONLINE APPLICATION

You must submit the following items:

  • Online application form (remember to use your name exactly as it appears on your birth certificate/passport in your application and supporting documents)
  • Personal statement
  • Creative résumé
  • Passport (except U.S. citizens and permanent residents applying to a program in the U.S.)
  • English language proficiency test results (non-native English-speaking applicants)
  • Official university transcript (and high school transcript if applicable)
  • $75 non-refundable application fee (non-NYU applicants only)

PERSONAL STATEMENT

Type or copy and paste your statement in the Personal Statement section within the online application. 

 

Your complete personal statement should total 500-1500 words. You may not re-submit the same statement from another Tisch Special Programs application.

 

Personal Statement Prompt: Please explain your motivation for pursuing the program you are applying to. If you have selected a second or third choice program, please also explain your motivation for pursuing each of those programs.

CREATIVE RÉSUMÉ

In the Documents section of the online application, upload your creative résumé. Your creative résumé should highlight creative and artistic work accomplished, activities, and relevant employment. Your résumé should also include:

  • Your full name and contact information

  • Any extra-curricular activities or work in your community

  • Additional information such as awards, hobbies, and interests

PASSPORT

In the Documents section of the online application, upload a clear, fully legible copy of your photo and biographical information page from your passport.

  • If you have more than one passport, upload both.
  • Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months past the end of the program you are applying to.
  • Your passport should contain at least two adjacent blank pages.

Further information and application requirements may be found here.

Please note: if you are applying to a Study Abroad program in Havana, you must upload a valid passport at the time of your application. The passport must meet all of the above-listed parameters. There are no exceptions.

United States citizens and permanent residents applying to a program within the United States do not need to upload a passport.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY TEST RESULTS

In the Documents section of the online application, non-native English speaking applicants are required to upload copies of one of the following English language proficiency examinations:

  • TOEFL iBT (Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-Based Test)
  • IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)
  • PTE Academic (Pearsons Test of English Academic)
  • CAE or CPE (Cambridge English: Advanced or Proficiency)

 

Exemption from English language proficiency testing will be given:

  • If your native language is English.

  • You already completed (at the time of application submission) at least 3 or more consecutive, full academic years at a school/university where the primary language of instruction was English.

  • If you are currently matriculated in a full-time NYU degree program.

 

Exams should be completed before the application deadline, and results cannot be more than 2 years old. While we will consider scores received after the application deadline, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to wait for those scores to arrive before making an admissions decision.

 

We don’t have minimum score requirements, but competitive applicants will receive: 100 and above on the TOEFL iBT, 7.5 and above on the IELTS Academic, 70 and above on the PTE Academic, or 191 and above on the Cambridge English Scale.

TRANSCRIPTS

NYU Students: In the Documents section of the online application, upload a copy of your unofficial transcript from Albert. Don’t know how to access your unofficial transcript on Albert? Find out how to access your transcript here!

 

Non-NYU Students: We must receive your official transcripts sent from your college/university by the application deadline, via one of the following methods:

 

  • Email: This is our preferred delivery method.
    • Emailed transcripts must come from a school representative or an official transcript service on behalf of your school.
    • Our email address is tisch.special.admissions@nyu.edu.

 

  • Fax: Our fax number is 212-995-4578. The fax must include:
    • a cover page from the school
    • student’s name
    • student’s cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale

 

  • Mail: Mailed transcripts must be sealed and issued directly from your school to:
    • New York University
      Tisch Office of Special Programs Admissions
      721 Broadway, Rm 1248
      New York, NY 10003

 

Need to convert your GPA to a 4.0 scale? Try CollegeBoard’s GPA Calculator.

 

Non-US/Non-English transcripts: Please note that 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. Following these steps will ensure the validity of your transcript:

  • Secure an official transcript from your institution in a sealed envelope.

  • Submit your unopened official transcript to the translator.

  • Ask the translator to prepare an official English translation.

  • Ask the translator to provide you with one sealed envelope containing both your original transcript and its English translation. The back of the envelope must contain the translator's signature to reflect the unaltered, true contents.

STEP 3: VERIFICATION

Email is our primary method of communication; therefore, please make sure to allow emails from tisch.special.admissions@nyu.edu to be viewed.  

Enrollment in Tisch Study Abroad is limited and competitive. Initially, you will only be considered for your first choice program. If you are not accepted into your first choice program, you will then be considered for your second or third choice program on a space-available basis.

Acceptance is based on:

  • Your academic record
  • Satisfaction of the prerequisites, including a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA requirement
  • Personal statement
  • Readiness for living and studying abroad
  • How well your interests match the training we offer

STEP 4: NOTIFICATION

  • Final status notifications will be sent on the dates listed in the Tisch Special Programs Admissions Calendar.

  • Notifications are communicated only by email, and only to the primary email address given in the application.

STEP 5: CONFIRMATION

If accepted, you will be required to confirm your participation via the online confirmation form.  

  • Confirmation forms must be received by the confirmation deadline found in your acceptance email.  
  • Non-NYU students: A non-refundable and non-transferable deposit is required with confirmation for all programs.
    • International programs: a $1500 USD deposit is required.
    • U.S.-based programs : a $500 USD deposit is required.

It is important that you review and understand the Tisch Special Programs Cancellation Policy prior to submitting your confirmation form.  Details can be found on the Tisch Special Programs Cancellation Policy page.

Apply Now

If you are having difficulty with the online application, please contact us at (212) 998-1512.