ACT Scores Needed for NYU Admission
New York University (NYU) is highly selective. For the Class of 2026, the middle 50% of admitted students scored:
| Percentile | ACT Composite |
|---|
| 25th | 32 |
| 50th (Median) | 33 |
| 75th | 35 |
What This Means
- 32+ puts you in the competitive range.
- 34–36 is strong; many admitted students cluster here.
- Below 31 is possible but requires exceptional other factors (GPA, essays, portfolio, context).
Additional Context
- Test-optional policy: NYU extended test-optional through 2024–25. Submitting a high score helps; omitting it isn't fatal.
- Superscoring: NYU considers your highest section scores across test dates.
- School/major variation: Stern (Business), Tandon (Engineering), Tisch (Arts) often see higher averages.
- Holistic review: Rigor of curriculum, GPA (avg ~3.7 unweighted), essays, recommendations, activities, diversity, demonstrated interest.
Strategy
- Target ≥33 composite.
- Take ACT 2–3 times (superscore advantage).
- If testing is a weakness, lean into test-optional: perfect essays, strong grades, distinctive activities.
- Check specific program requirements (some arts/performance require auditions/portfolios instead).
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