Discover the big questions you’ll explore this year—and how innovation can supercharge your answers.

New York University.
The
upgraded way.

NYU Supplemental Essays
— The Class of 2026 Guide —

  • Start your Supplemental Essay Success below by previewing this guide’s three sections:

    Information ⋄ Inspiration ⋄ Innovation

    Discover strategies designed by an Ivy Alum and over three hundred success stories!

  • — New York University —

    Explore The Three Sections
    Inside This Upgraded Guide

    — Preview The Guide —

  • — Information —

    In this section, explore all of this college’s supplemental essay prompts for Class of 2026 applicants—along with Supplemental Styles to innovate your essay-building process!

    — 1 of 3 —

  • — Inspiration —

    In this section, read successful supplemental essays from our own Accepted Alumni! See the ideas, values, and missions that stand out to admissions at even the most selective colleges.

    — 2 of 3 —

  • — Innovation —

    In this section, learn success-proven methods to streamline your application and essay-building process. Discover methods designed by an Ivy alum with over 300 student success stories!

    — 3 of 3 —

  • — The NYU Guide —

    Find aligned inspiration,
    discover time-saving innovation,
    and build inspiring supplemental essays.
    Ready to start your success story?

    — Scroll Down To Explore —

  • — Supplemental Essay Prompts —

    Through Guide Section 1 of 3—Information—explore all of this college’s supplemental essay prompts for Class of 2026 applicants—along with Supplemental Styles to innovate your essay-building process!

Supplemental Length


250 Word Maximum

Supplemental Style


Unique & Uncommon

Supplemental Essay Prompt 1


— New York University —

  • — New York University Prompt 1 —

    NYU Optional Supplemental Essay:

    We are looking for students who want to be bridge builders—students who can connect people, groups, and ideas to span divides, foster understanding, and promote collaboration within a dynamic, interconnected, and vibrant global academic community. We are eager for you to tell us how your experiences have helped you understand what qualities and efforts are needed to bridge divides so that people can better learn and work together. Please consider one or more of the following questions in your essay (250 words):

    — Option 1 —

    Tell us about a time you encountered a perspective different from your own. What did you learn—about yourself, the other person, or the world? (250 words)

    — Option 2 —

    Tell us about an experience you’ve had working with others who have different backgrounds or perspectives. What challenges did your group face? Did you overcome them, and if so, how? What role did you try to play in helping people to work together, and what did you learn from your efforts? (250 words)

    — Option 3 —

    Tell us about someone you’ve observed who does a particularly good job helping people think or work together. How does this person set the stage for common exploration or work? How do they react when difficulties or dissensions arise? (250 words)

    — 250 Word Maximum —

Supplemental Length


250 Word Maximum

Supplemental Style


Unique & Uncommon

Scholars Supplemental Prompt


— New York University —

  • — NYU MLK Scholars Prompt —

    MLK Scholars: Incoming first-year applicants who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement, leadership, and commitment to civic engagement and social progress are invited to apply to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholars Program at NYU (Optional):

    Optional: In under 250 words, please share how you have demonstrated your commitment to the legacy of Dr. King's ideals of "Beloved Community" as evidenced through academic achievement, research or service.

    — 250 Word Maximum —

Supplemental Essay Information


— New York University —

Supplemental Strategy


Class of 2026 Applicants

Supplemental Essay


Insider Information

  • — Supplemental Essay Strategy —

    Streamline your supplemental essay process with our Supplemental Strategy—and bring NYU within your reach!

    Throughout our Supplemental Essay Guides, we provide clarity through our Supplemental Essay Styles. The Styles streamline the entire supplemental essay-building process—and create more success stories.

    Streamline your application process with the Supplemental Style Strategy—upgraded for Class of 2026 Students who dream of studying at New York University!

    — Upgraded Class of 2026 Essentials —

  • — Supplemental Essay Examples —

    Through Guide Section 2 of 3—Inspiration—read Successful Supplemental Essays from our Accepted Alumni! Discover ideas that stand out to admissions at NYU, and find inspiration for your own success story.

Accepted Alumni


Essay Example

Supplemental Style


Diversity & Difference

Supplemental Essay Example


— New York University —

  • Featured Supplemental Essay Prompt For New York University Applicants:

    NYU was founded on the belief that a student’s identity should not dictate the ability for them to access higher education. That sense of opportunity for all students, of all backgrounds, remains a part of who we are today and a critical part of what makes us a world class university. Our community embraces diversity, in all its forms, as a cornerstone of the NYU experience. We would like to better understand how your experiences would help us to shape and grow our diverse community. 250 Word Maximum.

    Successful Supplemental Essay Example From Our Accepted Alumni Student:

    Not only did my magnet school build my confidence—this community taught me diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and challenges. We unite not due to zip code, appearance, or culture; we unite over our passion for learning.

    At NYU, I can continue uniting with others who embrace difference—and challenge the status quo.

    With lessons from mentoring peers with diverse challenges, I’m determined to increase opportunities for all. At NYU, I would unpack drivers of inequity and channel leadership toward change. Discussing across disciplines, we can unite our intentions with purpose in The Meaning of Life. Through Stern’s Social Impact Consulting, I can work hands-on with NPOs to foster social mobility. I’m interested in promoting microfinance abroad, support for local businesses, and more.

    Through debate and MUN, I’ve embraced diverse perspectives and addressed global challenges. With NYU Debate, I’d join peers across disciplines, tackling international issues and envisioning solutions. Passionate about fair wages and international cooperation, I look forward to Stern’s Global Business & Human Rights and Power & Politics. Through global opportunities, I can even explore small-business-driven community development in Ghana, sustainable initiatives in Costa Rica, and more.

    Building significantly upon lessons from robotics business outreach, I look forward to channeling teamwork to uplift diverse groups. With hands-on collaboration in Social Innovation Practicum, I can learn to grow and sustain business that drives social change. I can also collaborate with peers and socially-impactful local NPOs with 180 Degrees Consulting. I’d love to assist initiatives supporting entrepreneurship for NYC youth, creating opportunities for future change-makers.

  • — Supplemental Essay Strategy —

    Through Guide Section 3 of 3—Innovation—learn success-proven methods to streamline your entire supplemental essay process. Our methods are designed by an Ivy Alum and 300+ student success stories!

New York University.
The
upgraded way.