How to Apply
The Department of Journalism considers applicants holding a bachelor's degree in any field. A journalism background is not required. Along with the completed application, the applicant must provide one official transcript from each undergraduate or graduate institution attended, three letters of recommendation, and three writing samples. These samples should be indicative of the applicant's best overall work and need not have been published. A statement of purpose, which should adhere to the guidelines listed in the journalism application form, is also required.
Students who enroll in the graduate journalism program score, on average, above 600 on the verbal test of the Graduate Record Examinations (GREs) and at 5.0 on the GRE analytical writing test, and have an undergraduate grade point average of above 3.0. No specific GRE subject test is necessary. International applicants must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) unless English is their native language or they have completed their undergraduate education at an institution where English is the primary language of instruction. A minimum TOEFL score of 100 on the Internet-based test is required, or a score of 250 on the computer-based test or 600 on the paper-based test is required. For the computer- and paper-based tests, a minimum score of 5.0 on the Test of Written English (TWE) is required. (For the cultural reporting and criticism concentration, a score of 6.0 is required.) International applicants MUST have a fluent command of written English.
The GREs and TOEFL are given periodically throughout the year. Specific test dates can be obtained by calling the Educational Testing Service, 609-921-9000, or by visiting their Web site at www.ets.org.
Applications are accepted for fall admission only. Forms may be downloaded from the GSAS website. Please adhere to the deadline dates published in the GSAS Application Appendix. Applications submitted after the due date are considered on a rolling admission basis if seats remain, but many programs fill rapidly.
Prospective students are invited to visit the department during the fall and spring academic terms to learn more about the program. We can arrange for you to sit in on a class and suggest you check Course Listings for what might coincide with your visit. To schedule a visit, please contact graduate.journalism@nyu.edu. Please note that visits should be scheduled well in advance if you wish to meet with faculty.
For first consideration from a limited pool for merit aid, we recommend that applications arrive by Jan 15, but will continue to consider submissions on a rolling basis through August 2013.
How To Apply to Literary Reportage
Have a question about Literary Reportage? Please contact Professor Robert Boynton at robert.boynton@nyu.edu.
The online application is available from the Graduate School of Arts and Science (GSAS) admissions website.
Come visit us at our new state-of-the-art facility at 20 Cooper Square. Applicants are encouraged to attend classes and talk to current and past students.
Read the stories and books listed in the "Get up to Speed" section on our archived Portfolio.
Here are some questions to think about while applying:
- Describe your project. Do some research and reporting before you respond. Ideas are essential. And just as essential are specific stories-real names, real places-through which you can explore those ideas. Describe the portfolio of work you would like to complete during your studies at NYU. Which form — or combination of forms -- could you imagine your project taking? A series of reported pieces, profiles, a multi-part series, an investigation, a book proposal? Some combination of these? What might the title of your portfolio be? Think of a mock headline that captures the spirit and content of the prospective body of work. We expect your work to evolve as you rethink your original ideas, so your agenda is not set in stone.
- Describe your existing "body of work" as a journalist, blogger, critic or just someone who writes. What have been your major themes? Where do your strengths and weaknesses lie as a writer or journalist?
- What kinds of experiences inform your desire to become a journalist? What are your commitments, passions and interests? Tell us about yourself.