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New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

A graph titled "Changes in N.Y.U. first-year demographics."

Opinion: The case for affirmative action and what comes next

The striking down of affirmative action has negatively affected rates of POC enrollment and threatens a fair admissions process. NYU should take measures to ensure diversity.
Leila Olukoga, Deputy Opinion Editor October 24, 2024

Last June, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down affirmative action programs in college admissions, triggering a sharp decline in diversity across college campuses nationwide. In...

An S.A.T. a practice pamphlet sits alongside a book featuring the words "S.A.T. Test Preparation" on it, and other study items on a desk.

Opinion: NYU needs to bring back mandatory standardized testing

Reinstating standardized test scores is, perhaps surprisingly, the equitable admissions policy NYU needs.
Noah Zaldivar, Deputy Opinion Editor April 17, 2024

Recently, NYU announced that it will reevaluate whether it should make standardized tests mandatory for future admissions cycles. The announcement raised some concerns — after...

Students sit and study at tables with lamps next to floor-to-ceiling windows.

Students now able to take free test prep courses with new NYU partnership

The university is partnering with Kaplan, Inc., an educational services company, to offer free courses to students for graduate school admissions tests.
Adrianna Nehme, News Editor February 15, 2024

NYU students now have access to free test preparation courses on the international educational services company Kaplan, Inc., university administration announced on Wednesday. Students...

An illustration of a sports podium with a generic college building on the first place spot.

Off-Third: A sincere apology to our readers. College rankings do matter.

In a response to a previous article, Liberal Studies’ own Alexandra Cohen admits that she was wrong and that college rankings do matter — when they’re good.
Alexandra Cohen, Opinion Editor September 14, 2022

Off-Third is WSN’s satire column. Last semester, I made a grave mistake out of my own insecurity of NYU’s placement in the top 30 rather than the top 25. I claimed that...

An illustration of a sports podium with a generic college building on the first place spot.

Opinion: From a student who used to worship them, college rankings are worthless

The recent allegations that Columbia University exaggerated statistics to improve its US News & World Report ranking demonstrate that it’s past time to retire the false prestige of college rankings.
Alexandra Cohen, Deputy Opinion Editor March 23, 2022

Leading up to my senior year of high school, my party trick was reciting the top 50 schools in US News & World Report’s rankings from memory. It’s embarrassing to admit...

Universities and colleges have loosened their standard testing requirement for incoming students considering the impact of the pandemic. Such a test-optional policy, in fact, successfully promotes diversity in schools. (Staff Illustration by Manasa Gudavalli)

Opinion: NYU should commit to test-optional applications

Batoul Saleh, Staff Writer September 14, 2021
NYU’s announcement that the 2021-22 admissions cycle will be test-optional is the perfect opportunity for NYU to fully commit to a more equitable practice.
NYU’s admissions statistics show that New York University is no exception when it comes to an elite university admitting disproportionately wealthy students each year, despite boasting itself on its record-setting levels of diversity. Netflix’s documentary about the 2019 college admissions scandal, “Operation Varsity Blues: The College Admissions Scandal,” portrays the scandal as a one-off incident in an otherwise just system rather than a symptom of a national issue. (Staff Photo by Ryan Walker)

Opinion: The story that Netflix’s ‘Operation Varsity Blues’ documentary doesn’t tell

Netflix’s recent documentary “Operation Varsity Blues: The College Admissions Scandal” isn’t the riveting expose it intended to create. The film misses the mark when it comes to making a thought-provoking documentary.
Batoul Saleh, Staff Writer April 27, 2021

Last March, a new documentary centering around the 2019 college admissions scandal came to Netflix. While the docudrama's lackluster quality and melodramatic reenactments leave...

NYU recently released regular admission decisions for the incoming Class of 2024. NYU’s acceptance rate among other statistics have changed once again this year. (Staff Photo by Chelsea Li)

NYU Acceptance Rate Drops to 15% for the Class of 2024

The Class of 2024 will be the most selective and diverse in the University’s history.
Mina Mohammadi, Deputy News Editor March 31, 2020

The acceptance rate for the Class of 2024 fell to 15% — the lowest in NYU history — as shown by admissions decisions released on Monday. NYU extended admission offers to...

(Photo by Justin Park)

What It Takes to Become an Admissions Ambassador

The Admissions Ambassador application is notorious for being lengthy and competitive — so is it even worth applying?
Anna de la Rosa, Staff Writer November 12, 2018
The Admissions Ambassador application is notorious for being lengthy and competitive — so is it even worth applying?
New Dean of Admissions Jonathan Williams.

New Admissions Dean Follows in Predecessor’s Footsteps

Britney Omene, Contributing Writer September 24, 2018
After a rare internal hire, a new dean of admissions was appointed by NYU.
NYU’s new Admissions Center.

College Early Admissions Practices Under Investigation

Sarah Jackson, Deputy News Editor April 30, 2018
In conversation with NYU students who applied Early Decision, a college admissions practice under federal investigation.
An NYU building. (Photo by Anna Letson)

Acceptance Rate Drops to 19 Percent for the Class of 2022

Sarah Jackson, Deputy News Editor March 30, 2018
The acceptance rate for the NYU Class of 2022 fell to a record low of 19 percent after admissions decisions were released this Thursday.