General Admissions FAQS

How do I apply to LS?

Students cannot apply directly to LS. The NYU Undergraduate Admissions Committee selects a limited number of highly qualified students from the pool of applicants to NYU’s other undergraduate divisions to refer to LS for admission.

Why was I referred to LS?

NYU receives nearly 40,000 applications for its undergraduate divisions and rarely admits students from a waiting list. LS is another opportunity for highly qualified students to attend NYU by entering the University as freshmen with a guaranteed transfer to the NYU baccalaureate division to which they originally applied. In recent years only 7% of applicants to NYU were admitted to LS.

What do you mean by “guaranteed enrollment”?

All LS students have the opportunity to transfer to the NYU division to which they originally applied when they complete the LS curriculum. LS students who meet the minimum grade point average of 3.0 ("B") or better and who meet other program requirements enroll in the NYU school/college to which they originaly applied.  

If I attend LS will I graduate with my bachelor’s degree in four years?

Yes. All LS courses fulfill liberal arts requirements towards the bachelor’s degree at NYU’s seven undergraduate divisions. After two years, LS students transfer as juniors to one of NYU’s other divisions, with 64 credits— half of the 128 credits needed for the NYU bachelor’s degree.

Is LS’s tuition more than the other NYU undergraduate divisions?

Tuition is comparable at all of the full-time, day undergraduate divisions at NYU, including LS.

Are LS students eligible for financial aid?

Yes. LS students have the same opportunities to apply for need-based aid as other NYU undergraduates. 

Why is LS a two- year program?

All LS students enroll with a guaranteed enrollment to the NYU four-year baccalaureate degree programs. The LS program includes a core curriculum grounded in the great books with required courses in each of the first two years of study. LS students can expect to seamlessly transfer to the NYU division to which they originally applied.

What are the advantages to LS?

LS has a rigorous, structured core curriculum taught in small classes by a predominantly full-time faculty who specialize in teaching and who hold the highest degrees in their fields. Many LS classes are capped with enrollments of no more than fifteen students; most have no more than twenty-five. Students also work with faculty in a variety of non-classroom settings; for example, every student is assigned a full-time faculty member as an advisor. In addition, all of LS’s core courses meet the core curriculum requirements of all of NYU’s baccalaureate programs.

When was LS established?

LS was founded in 1972. Over 11,000 students have successfully completed the program and graduated from NYU with four-year degrees.

Is LS a full-time program?

LS is a full-time undergraduate program. LS does not offer part-time or evening programs. LS students are fully matriculated and attend classes during the day, often in class with students from other NYU undergraduate divisions.

How many students are in LS?

With about 1,000 entering students, LS is the second largest freshman class at NYU. Total enrollment is approximately 1800.

Where are LS classes held?

LS classes are held in NYU classroom facilities on the Washington Square Campus in Greenwich Village. Our classes are held in the same NYU buildings as the other undergraduate divisions at NYU.

What are the qualifications of LS faculty?

LS faculty hold the highest degrees in their fields (usually the doctorate). Several of our faculty have won NYU’s highest teaching award and many have published notable books and articles in their fields.

Residential and Student Life FAQS

Where do LS students live?

LS students live in NYU dorms shared by all undergraduate students in the seven undergraduate divisions. Freshmen normally are assigned to residence halls close to Washington Square. There are no division-specific dorms for undergraduates at NYU.

Do LS students participate in all NYU student activities?

Yes. LS has several student clubs for its own students. In addition, the NYU Office of Student Activities (OSA) has over two hundred and fifty All-University student clubs open to all NYU undergraduates. OSA and other student resources are located in a University-wide student center (The Kimmel Center for University Life). The NYU undergraduate dormitories also offer a rich array of student activities, programs and events.

Enrollment FAQS

For how many semesters am I enrolled in LS courses?

LS is a four-semester program. Typically, LS students enroll in other NYU divisions after the sophomore year. Some students with 16 or more advanced standing credits may be eligible to enroll in their NYU bachelor’s program after three semesters. LS’s skilled team of academic advisors will work with each student individually to determine the best academic plan.

Can I enroll in any NYU school after LS?

A student admitted to LS has a guaranteed opportunity to enroll in the NYU school to which they originally applied. In some limited instances, students may “switch” track, but the enrollment in the “new” school is not guaranteed and depends on space availability and other requirements. PLEASE NOTE that some programs will only admit students who applied to those programs on their original NYU Admissions Application.

Can I change majors after I leave LS?

Yes. You can change majors within the majors offered at the NYU division that you will enroll in. (This is true for all students at NYU. Students select their majors from the majors offered at the NYU division in which they are enrolled).

Can I take classes in other divisions of NYU? Can I take electives while in LS? Can I start my major while in LS?

The answer to all of these questions is yes. While in LS, students use their elective space to take classes (usually towards their major) in the baccalaureate division of NYU in which they will enroll after LS. In the second year, students have increased opportunities to take electives and major classes.

Academic Affairs FAQS

Will my LS grades be included on my transcript?

All courses and final grades will be noted on your NYU transcript.

Can I study abroad while in LS?

Yes. In the sophomore year, up to 160 LS sophomores have the unique opportunity to spend one semester studying at NYU’s study abroad sites in Florence, London and Paris. The same core courses, taught by LS faculty, are offered in Italy. Students with financial aid can keep their aid packages while studying abroad.

After LS, during their junior and senior years at NYU, students may also pursue study abroad opportunities at NYU’s several study abroad sites including London, Paris, Prague, Madrid, Florence, Accra, Buenos Aires, Berlin and Shanghai.

Are there academic honors in LS?

Yes.

• Dean’s List: Each semester, LS students with a GPA of 3.6 or better are placed in Dean’s List which is recorded on the NYU transcript.
• Dean’s Circle: At the end of freshman year, students who have completed the year with a GPA of 3.65 or better are invited to apply to the Dean’s Circle, a University Scholars program. Membership selection is based in scholarship, leadership, and community service.
• Goebetz Memorial Prize: Awarded annually to the LS sophomore with the highest GPA.
• Kuntz Memorial Writing Prize: Awarded for outstanding Prose Composition essay.
• Probst Scholarships: Awarded annually to sophomores who have outstanding academic records.

Will I get credit from LS for AP classes and college courses?

NYU accepts AP credit if you receive a 4 or 5 on the AP test and accepts credit from most colleges if you receive a grade of B or better. Although advanced standing credits may be useful towards the overall 128 credits needed for the NYU degree, they generally do not satisfy specific NYU and LS requirements. EXCEPTION: A 4 or 5 on the AP test for Calculus, Statistics, Biology, Physics, and Chemistry will meet the general math and science requirements. Students should also note that the several undergraduate schools of NYU have different policies on whether AP or Advanced Standing credit will be accepted in fulfillment of school and/or major requirements. 

Does the LS structured core curriculum mean I have fewer electives?

In the first year you may have less flexibility to take elective classes because you must take required set of core courses. However, these courses also fulfill NYU-wide core requirements necessary for all NYU bachelor’s degree. In addition, in the sophomore year, most of the courses you take are in the division to which you will enroll after LS. Remember, once you complete the LS Core Curriculum in your first two years, you will have more flexibility in your junior and senior years because, by then, you will have completed most, if not all, of your NYU core requirements.

How will LS affect my future academic endeavors?

LS alumni have graduated with honors-even as class valedictorian-from all the NYU undergraduate divisions; they have been graduates of leading law schools, medical schools, business and graduate schools; they have been members of phi beta kappa and other honor societies; they been recipients of prestigious national awards including being named Fulbright Scholars, Truman Scholars, NSEP (National Security Education Program) Scholars, as well as Rhodes and Marshall Finalists; and selected for competitive fellowships such as the Peace Corps, Teach for America, AmeriCorps and the NYC Teaching Fellows Program.

 Back to Top