. Forum

[jubee]

Thanks!

[NoodleyOne]

I believe general consensus is CCN doesn't really YP, so Why X essays are largely unnecessary. This is especially true of NYU, which is arguably the most predictable of the T14 with regards to GPA/LSAT and admissions. Still, if you have a convincing Why X, it couldn't hurt.

[WhiskeynCoke]

If Why NYU essays are sometimes written, who do they generally benefit- i.e. someone like that me who is slightly below one median, or for people with total long shots?

WHY X essays are typically to help allay an adcom's concern that you would be unlikely to attend the school, even if admitted. It has been my understanding that WHY X essays are more beneficial for people whose numbers but them ABOVE a schools range than below it. NYU knows why someone with a 3.6/172 wants to attend. It's likely the best school they'll get in to.

For example, if you have a 180/4.0, it might be helpful to write a WHY NYU because you'll probably get in to most of HYSCC, and they might wonder why you'd ever pick them over Harvard. In other words, it's to help you dodge yield protection. However, unlike UVA/Penn, NYU is not known for YP, which is why their WHY X statements are thought to have little value They'll either let you in based on your numbers, or ding you based on them.

Write one if you feel like it and have something truly genuine to say, as it probably couldn't hurt. However, it's unlikely to help you much either. The fact that admissions are down AGAIN this cycle makes me think that you're pretty close to a LOCK at NYU anyway. Their median likely dropped to 171 last cycle as Columbia cut their class by 10% to maintain their 172 and NYU INCREASED their class size.