Early decision applications up; 236 apply to Abu Dhabi

Correction appended

This year, NYU's office of Undergraduate Admissions will be combing through more than 3,000 movie titles and synopses when deciding who to admit to the freshman class entering in the fall of 2010.

Writing the synopsis of a movie about your life is just one part of this year's application. Prospective students were also asked to write a poem about themselves and create a fictitious day spent with a famous New Yorker.

The total number of early decision applicants this year (3,140) jumped by 5 percent from 2009, when 2,979 students applied. Each year, approximately 25 percent to 30 percent of the freshman class is made up of students who apply through the binding early decision process.

Randall Deike, vice president for enrollment management, said he was excited that even with the economic downturn, there was such great interest in the university.

"This enthusiasm for NYU is vital in achieving our primary admissions goal — enrolling an extremely talented class of students who are the best fit for NYU, and for whom NYU is also the best fit," Deike said in an e-mail. "All indicators point to another very gifted pool of early decision applicants this year."

NYU also began accepting applications to its new campus in Abu Dhabi. NYUAD uses a non-binding early decision process, and students must accept or reject an offer of admission by Jan. 10, 2010. Of all of NYU's early decision applicants, 236 applied directly into NYUAD.

"Needless to say, we are very excited about the significant interest in Abu Dhabi — clearly, students applying to this campus understand the amazing opportunity it provides," Deike said.

Morgan Urquia, an early decision applicant from Deep Run High School in Virginia, applied to the Tisch School of the Arts after participating in a drama program through NYU in Paris.

"After working with NYU teachers and living the conservatory lifestyle, I realized NYU was the only school I felt genuinely excited to apply to and possibly attend," she said.

But the next 27 days — decisions should be mailed Dec. 15 — will be tough for all applicants, including Urquia.

"I am more excited because the letter could bring fantastic news, but I am definitely still nervous!" she said. "I have a feeling November will be a very long month with this on my mind."

An earlier version of this article said Abu Dhabi uses a non-binding early action process for applications, thus allowing students to wait until the spring to decide if they will attend NYUAD. In fact, NYUAD will require early decision applicants to accept or decline Abu Dhabi's offer of admission by Jan.15, 2010.

Eric Platt is deputy managing editor.