NYU Shanghai’s Admissions Office recently completed its first-round review of applications from Chinese students for the 2025 undergraduate admissions cycle. The results will be announced on March 1.
This year, the total number of undergraduate applications worldwide has reached nearly 24,000, a record high for the University. Over the past three years, the number of undergraduate applications to NYU Shanghai has seen a cumulative increase of 47% for Chinese applicants and 18% for international applicants.
NYU Shanghai plans to enroll 251 Chinese students and 249 international students for the Class of 2029. The applicant pool reflects a broad geographic range, with Chinese applicants hailing from all 31 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions, as well as Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan. International applicants represent 157 countries worldwide, approximately 53% of whom are from the United States.
NYU Shanghai’s undergraduate admissions for Chinese nationals (including Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan) consists of a single application round. Students who pass the first-round review are invited to participate in one of the University’s three Candidate Weekends in March, which consist of several modules, including an introduction to the academic curriculum, classroom observation, English comprehensive writing assessment, campus tour, and team activities. The goal is to further assess the applicants’ academic potential, teamwork skills, leadership capabilities, and other qualities, as well as how good a fit they are with NYU Shanghai’s educational philosophy and culture.
Gaokao (college entrance exam) scores are not the decisive factor for Chinese applicant admissions at NYU Shanghai. Instead, the Admissions Office assesses applicants using a diversified evaluation system to make admission decisions, taking into account applicants’ performance at Candidate Weekend, gaokao results, high school academic level tests, and other metrics.
NYU Shanghai’s international admissions follows the standard American higher education application process. The results are expected to be announced in April.
Director of Undergraduate Admissions Adam Ebnit said the University has attracted a strong pool of applicants this year and in response to the growing number of applications, NYU Shanghai will continue refining its admissions process to ensure it accepts the most promising and well-suited students. “We value and respect the efforts and choices of every applicant, and encourage all students—regardless of the final admission outcome—to pursue their academic and professional aspirations to their fullest potential,” he said.