General Admissions FAQS

How do I apply to GSP?

Students cannot apply directly to GSP. 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 GSP for admission.

Why was I referred to GSP?

NYU receives nearly 40,000 applications for its undergraduate divisions and rarely admits students from a waiting list. GSP 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 GSP.

What do you mean by “guaranteed enrollment”?

All GSP students have the opportunity to transfer to the NYU division to which they originally applied when they complete the GSP curriculum. GSP 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 GSP will I graduate with my bachelor’s degree in four years?

Yes. All GSP courses fulfill liberal arts requirements towards the bachelor’s degree at NYU’s seven undergraduate divisions. After two years, GSP 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 GSP’s tuition more than the other NYU undergraduate divisions?

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

Are GSP students eligible for financial aid?

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

Why is GSP a two- year program?

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

What are the advantages to GSP?

GSP 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 GSP 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 GSP’s core courses meet the core curriculum requirements of all of NYU’s baccalaureate programs.

When was GSP established?

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

Is GSP a full-time program?

GSP is a full-time undergraduate program. GSP does not offer part-time or evening programs. GSP 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 GSP?

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

Where are GSP classes held?

GSP 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 GSP faculty?

GSP 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 GSP students live?

GSP 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 GSP students participate in all NYU student activities?

Yes. GSP 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 GSP courses?

GSP is a four-semester program. Typically, GSP 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. GSP’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 GSP?

A student admitted to GSP has a guaranteed opprotunity 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 GSP?

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 GSP? Can I start my major while in GSP?

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

Academic Affairs FAQS

Will my GSP grades be included on my transcript?

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

Can I study abroad while in GSP?

Yes. In the sophomore year, up to 160 GSP 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 GSP faculty, are offered in Italy. Students with financial aid can keep their aid packages while studying abroad.

After GSP, 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 GSP?

Yes.

• Dean’s List: Each semester, GSP 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 GSP 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 GSP 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 GSP 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 GSP 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 GSP. Remember, once you complete the GSP 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 GSP affect my future academic endeavors?

GSP 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.

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