Frequently Asked Questions: McGhee

The undergraduate degrees within McGhee are open to all qualified candidates who are at least 19 years of age. Students who already have obtained a bachelor’s degree are not eligible to apply for enrollment in a degree program within the McGhee Division.

The Admissions Committee reviews each application individually, and the admission decision is the result of a collective evaluation of each application component. For additional details, please visit Admissions Criteria.

The following components are required for submission in order to complete a McGhee degree program application:

• A complete online or paper application
  
• A résumé
• Two letters of recommendation
• Official high school transcript(s) and college or university transcript(s) if applicable
• For international students, TOEFL scores and, if requested, an evaluation of foreign educational credentials to verify transcript equivalency to the U.S. educational system

For additional details, please visit Admissions Criteria.

The Admissions Committee begins issuing admission decisions for the fall term in March, for the spring term in August, and for the summer term in January. Fall applicants who submit a complete application by February 1 are guaranteed an admission decision by March 15. Admission decisions for fall applications received or completed after February 1 will be issued after April 15. Applications received thereafter for the fall term will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and decisions are typically rendered within two to three weeks of receipt of a complete application. Admission decisions for summer and spring applications are typically made within two to three weeks after the Admissions Committee has begun the review process for your intended term of entry.

The Office of Admissions provides written decisions only and will not release a decision over the telephone.

All applicants who apply online are able to view their admission status using our online system. The Office of Admissions sends an e-mail acknowledgment to all applicants upon receipt of an application. Instructions for checking your admission status are included in this acknowledgment e-mail.

The status check in the online application is not automatically updated when your application is submitted. If you have just submitted your application, the Office of Admissions has not yet been able to process it and match it to any credentials submitted with your online application or received separately. The status check will be updated as your application is processed and will clearly indicate if your application is still being processed. It also will indicate if any documents are missing.

Yes. In order to conduct a review of an application, the Office of Admissions needs to evaluate transcripts from all institutions previously attended.

Official transcripts must be submitted to the Office of Admissions at the address below in a sealed envelope. The envelope(s) may be mailed directly by the institution(s) at which you studied or they may be delivered by you to the Office of Admissions.

The Office of Admissions will review applications accompanied by unofficial copies of transcripts. You may submit unofficial copies to our office in the mail or by uploading them to your online application. If you are admitted, we must receive official transcripts within your first semester of study.

NYU-SCPS Office of Admissions
7 East 12th Street, Suite 921
New York, NY 10003

Official letters of recommendation can be mailed to the Office of Admissions at the address below in a sealed envelope. Additionally, if the applicant applies online, the recommendation provider has the option of uploading their recommendation using the online application system. We do not accept official letters of recommendation via e-mail or fax.

NYU-SCPS Office of Admissions
7 East 12th Street, Suite 921
New York, NY 10003

Applicants who did not complete an undergraduate degree in the United States or in a country where the only primary language is English, are required to submit TOEFL scores. IELTS are accepted in place of the TOEFL; the Office of Admissions will not accept any scores that are older than two years.

The Office of Admissions requires all applicants who have not earned their entire four-year undergraduate degree in the United States or in a country where English is the only primary language to submit TOEFL scores. If you would like exemption from this policy, please submit your request in writing, detailing why the waiver should be granted. Typically, the Admissions Committee must have all other components of your applications to make a determination on a TOEFL waiver.

No, the cost of attendance is the same for all students.

If you are eligible to file the FAFSA (U.S. citizens and permanent residents only) and you are registered for at least six credits each semester, then you are eligible for financial aid. If you drop below six credits, you are not eligible for federal aid or NYU-SCPS scholarships. Students planning to take less than six credits who require financial assistance should consider private or alternative loans.

Yes. The NYU Off-Campus Housing Office provides assistance to current and newly admitted NYU students, faculty and staff members who are not eligible for, or who are not interested in, NYU student housing, including those with families or nonstudent roommates who are seeking private off-campus apartment rentals. More information is available through the NYU Off-Campus Housing Guide. You must be an admitted student to log into the off-campus housing search portal.

The U.S. Embassy or Consulate in a foreign country issues a student (F-1) visa for the purpose of entering the United States for full-time study. Before you can apply for this visa, you must be admitted to a full-time program at NYU-SCPS. Once you have been admitted to a program, you will receive a document (I-20 Form) to present to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate to apply for your student (F-1) visa. Only the NYU Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) is authorized to issue the I-20 form.

Under the new regulations, visitors are not permitted to pursue a full course of study or to attend classes prior to receiving approval of the change of status request from the Bureau of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (BUSCIS). To facilitate the change of status process, the prospective student should notify the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (BCBP) upon arrival in the US, of their intent to begin a full course of study in the United States. Students who fail to inform the INS official at the port of entry will not receive approval of a change of status request and must return to their home country to apply for a student (F-1) visa before starting their program.

Since the change of status application may require a three-to-four month processing period, students are strongly encouraged to return to their home country to apply for a student visa. Visitors who enter the United States on a 90-day visa waiver cannot apply for a change of status in the US and must return to their home country to apply for a student visa.

Only full-time degree students who enter the U.S. on a student (F-1) visa have the opportunity to work part-time during the academic year and full-time for one year after the completion of a degree program. Part-time employment is limited to the NYU campus and must not exceed 20 hours per week. Prior to the commencement of any employment, F-1 students must obtain permission to work from the NYU Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS).

As a full-time or part-time NYU-SCPS student, you can use the NYU Student Health Center, located at 726 Broadway, 3rd and 4th Floors. Depending upon your insurance coverage, fee collection for the visit may vary. NYU requires all full-time students to enroll in a health insurance plan, either through the University or through another insurance company.

Full-time students who enter on a student (F-1) visa are eligible to enroll in the NYU Health Insurance Plan. If you are entering the United States as a tourist (B-2) or on another type of visa, you should purchase health insurance coverage before you travel to the United States.

An F-1 or J-1 international student on a personal leave of absence may not remain in the United States. When approving a leave of absence, the appropriate department or school official should notify the NYU Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) and the student must depart the United States immediately.

International students requiring a leave of absence or permission to take less than a full course load for medical reasons are eligible to stay in the United States, subject to conditions set forth by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in accordance with information provided by a physician.

Students out of attendance who did not apply for a leave and who wish to return to NYU-SCPS must apply for readmission.

The fall term typically begins in early September, the spring term in mid-January, and the summer term in mid-May. The official academic calendar is available through the NYU Office of the Registrar.

Because international students are not eligible to file the FAFSA and therefore are not eligible for federal aid, financial aid is very limited for international students, but resources do exist. Many international students find funding opportunities in their home countries. However, if that is not available other options include:

• Scholarships and fellowships
• Private loans
• NYU payment plans
  

For more information on the above options, please see:

• NYU-SCPS Financial Aid Options for International Students
• NYU Office of Financial Aid
  

 Yes. McGhee’s online programs provide students with access to the same expert faculty, student resources, and professionally focused courses available on-site. Online courses are an integral part of the McGhee educational experience, and, if you choose to pursue online study, our advisors can help you to develop an academic plan that balances your work and family obligations with the flexibility provided through online learning.

For information about McGhee online program offerings, please visit Online Learning.

McGhee students may pursue full-time or part-time study. International students on F-1 visas are required to study full-time.

Federal work-study opportunities may be awarded to domestic students who complete the FAFSA, but are generally reserved for students who demonstrate the greatest financial need. Additionally, NYU provides a wide range of traditional employment opportunities for students, and all students can take advantage of career management services offered through their academic department and through the NYU Wasserman Center for Career Development.

Yes. Contact the McGhee Advising Office for more information.

Students who are interested in taking courses to gain further knowledge in a specific area before applying to a degree program or who plan to transfer course credits to another college, may apply for nonmatriculant status. Also known as special student status, prospective nonmatriculant students should fill out the Special Student Application for Undergraduate Study and submit supporting materials found in the Admissions Criteria for Nonmatriculant Students.

Credits completed previously at an accredited college or university may be considered for transfer into McGhee. The NYU-SCPS Office of Admissions reviews the transcripts that you submit as part of the application process. If you are admitted, you will receive an initial transfer credit evaluation either with your admission package or when you meet with your academic advisor.

In order for credits to transfer, they must be from an accredited institution, you must have received a “C” or better in the course, and they must be relevant to your program of study at McGhee.

Yes! We would love for you to come experience the McGhee community for yourself. Simply contact the NYU-SCPS Office of Admissions to arrange a time.  We look forward to finding out more about you.

For information about our campus locations and directions, see Visit Us.

Yes. The College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) is a way for students to earn college credit through standardized exams. The computer-based tests typically cover the learning in introductory college courses in 26 subject areas. The McGhee Division offers college credit for most CLEP Subject Examinations. However, the McGhee Division does not accept every exam and it is important to discuss this option with your academic advisor prior to taking any exams after you are admitted.

Yes. Experiential learning is a great way to demonstrate how the college-level learning you have achieved through your life experience is equivalent to that of a specific course within your program of study. Students enroll in a two-credit Seminar in Experiential Learning to develop prior learning portfolios on a course-by-course basis. The seminar teaches you how to build a portfolio. You do not pay tuition for credits earned through the portfolio process.

At McGhee, you may earn up to half of your degree by demonstrating learning achieved through prior educational or life experience. There are four credit for prior learning pathways, and your academic advisor will work with you to determine which is right for you, once you are admitted.

Although the majority of McGhee undergraduates live off campus, some full-time students (including our international students) may seek to live in University housing. Residence halls located in Manhattan’s historic Greenwich Village and the surrounding neighborhoods are comfortable, safe, and secure. Students live, meet, and make friends with peers from across the country and around the world. Faculty fellows-in-residence set an intellectual tone in the residence halls, living among students to encourage meaningful dialogue and a sense of community.

Information on the housing application process is available via the NYU-SCPS Office of Admissions so please contact us with any general questions. To learn more about the residence hall facilities available to students, please visit the Office of Residential Life and Housing Services.

Yes, we encourage all eligible applicants to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for financial aid opportunities, including loans, grants, and need-based scholarships. At NYU-SCPS, we believe that you should choose the college that best fulfills your educational goals, and that completing your degree is an investment in your future. The majority of McGhee students receive a combination of federal and private loans, state and federal grants, and scholarships to help make their studies affordable. Additionally, McGhee academic advisors can help you to best achieve your academic goals while staying within your financial budget.

To reach a McGhee representative from the NYU-SCPS Office of Admissions, please call (212) 998-7100 or e-mail mcgheeadmissions@nyu.edu. Additionally, we can arrange a one-on-one meeting with an admissions counselor if requested. Walk-in visitors are welcome from Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

NYU-SCPS Office of Admissions
7 East 12th Street, Suite 921
New York, NY, 10003

For details about all the ways in which you can connect with us, see Request Information.

All financial aid is determined by information submitted by a student on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). All domestic students (U.S. citizens and permanent residents) are eligible to complete the FAFSA. Based upon the information provided, students will be considered for funds available through the federal government as well as for NYU-SCPS scholarships. The NYU school code is 002785. For deadlines and details, please see the FAFSA website. For more information on scholarships, loans, and payment plan options, visit Financing Your Education.

McGhee accepts a maximum of 50 percent (half) of the credits needed to earn a degree by evaluating prior learning, transferable credits, experiential learning, CLEP test scores, and scores of proficiency testing in foreign languages. For a bachelor’s degree, this is a maximum of 64 credits, and, for an associate’s degree, the maximum is 32 credits.

If you have questions for our students or you would like to be connected with McGhee alumni in your area, please e-mail mcgheeadmissions@nyu.edu. Please be as specific as possible about your interests and where you are located—if you do not live in the New York metropolitan area—so that we can do our best to connect you with the most appropriate individuals.

No, applicants who already have earned a bachelor’s degree are not eligible to apply for a second bachelor’s degree program, but our post-baccalaureate programs are an option.

Students who have previously attended an undergraduate program at NYU-SCPS and have been out of school for one academic year are required to reapply. Anyone enrolled less than a year ago must complete the readmission application form and Admissions will reactivate their term.

Students eligible for readmission are those who have:

• Previously attended the Paul McGhee Division
• Not been enrolled in McGhee for one or more academic years
• Maintained a minimum GPA of 2.0
• Completed at least 50 percent of the credits attempted at McGhee
• Meet all other stated requirements of the McGhee academic policies and guidelines
  

For more information including admissions criteria, please see Readmission to McGhee.

Because the Office of Admissions operates on a rolling admissions basis, applications are reviewed throughout the year, so you may apply at any time. However, we recommend adhering to the application submission dates listed below. This will allow you to begin your studies during the term in which you applied.

Recommended McGhee Application Submission Dates

Fall Semester
International Early Decision: Feb 1
International Final Date: May 15
Domestic Early Decision: Jul 1
Domestic Final Date: Aug 15

Spring Semester
International Early Decision: Aug 15
International Final Date: Oct 1
Domestic Early Decision: Nov 1
Domestic Final Date: Jan 15

Summer Semester
International Early Decision: Jan 15
International Final Date: Mar 1
Domestic Early Decision: Apr 1
Domestic Final Date: May 1

The Admissions Committee reviews each application holistically, as we acknowledge and respect that each individual demonstrates qualifications in a unique way. The admission process is selective, and McGhee applicants are evaluated on their ability to benefit from, and contribute to, the robust learning environment that the Division offers.

The Admissions Committee welcomes applicants who are at different stages in their personal lives and professional careers, and who demonstrate the following characteristics:

• Motivation to learn and to succeed in a university environment
• Self-direction in setting goals and meeting deadlines
• Maturity, responsibility, and focus
• Intellectual curiosity about the world in which we live
• Ability to communicate well both orally and in writing

For more information on the admissions process and application requirements, please visit the Apply to McGhee section of the website.

If the program already is filled for the term of your choice when your application is received, or if your application is incomplete, an admissions counselor will be in contact with you and will offer to either move your application to the next available term or to withdraw your application from review. An applicant is never denied admission if the application is received late or if the program has filled. If the individual qualifies for admission, he/she will be accommodated during the next semester the program runs.

The total cost of a McGhee associate’s or bachelor’s degree may vary, depending upon the number of credits required for that particular program and whether you are attending part-time or full-time in any given semester. For detailed information regarding our tuition structure, please see Tuition and Fees.

One of the eleven New York University undergraduate programs, the Paul McGhee Division is designed for adult and transfer students who are beginning or returning to college to complete an undergraduate degree. McGhee students come from many different professional and educational backgrounds. Our programs have been tailored to specifically meet the needs of adult students by combining flexible course schedules with an engaging curriculum, personalized academic and professional support, and access to faculty mentors. McGhee faculty members are committed to creating a learning environment that respects and builds upon the life experience of adult students, who are highly motivated, intellectually curious, and eager to fulfill their educational and professional goals.

For more details, please visit The McGhee Advantage.

Like on-site courses, online courses are led by faculty and taken by students during an established academic term. However, the primary means of communication is through an online learning platform, that provides many ways of sharing information, asking questions, and collaborating on projects through digital means. Most courses include opportunities to meet online in real time with your class for live video discussions through your computer. Online courses are just as demanding as on-site courses. The reading materials, projects, assignments, and discourse are equivalent to on-site courses.

For more information about McGhee online offerings, please visit Online Learning.

The majority of McGhee's on-site courses are offered in the evenings. The Division also offers daytime courses, some Saturday courses, and a number of intensive courses during the summer and winter sessions. This variety of options allows students to fit their studies into their busy personal and professional schedules.

For more information about McGhee class locations, please see Visit Us.

Most of our online courses are asynchronous and do not have specific meeting times. While courses have specific start dates, end dates, and assignments, there are no specific class meeting times. This asynchronous format allows you to learn at your own pace and on your own schedule. On a weekly basis, you will be expected to actively participate in class discussions; complete homework assignments and readings; and take part in team activities. To add richness to the learning experience, many course instructors provide you with opportunities to meet online, live via web conference, for group project meetings and instructor office hours.

For the fall term, housing applications must be submitted by June 1. After that date, applicants are placed on a housing waitlist. Admitted students for the spring term may apply for housing through the housing waitlist.

The NYU-SCPS Office of Admissions hosts a number of events throughout the year in conjunction with our academic departments that are designed to provide prospective students with up-to-date and detailed information about our programs, the admissions process, financial aid, and more.

These events are a great way to connect with faculty members, students, alumni, and admissions counselors and to get a feel for the McGhee student experience. Events are held in many different formats and in a variety of locations.

For an up-to-date event schedule, please visit Admissions Events.

The majority of McGhee classes are held around the Washington Square campus. Additionally, you may have classes located at the NYU-SCPS building at 7 East 12th Street, the Woolworth Building, or the NYU Midtown Center at 11 West 42nd Street. Their student lounge and computer labs in the NYU-SCPS building at 7 East 12th Street are fully accessible to McGhee students.

For more information about these locations, please see Visit Us.

Recommendations can come from academic or professional sources. The Office of Admissions does not accept recommendations from friends or family members. We encourage you to share some information with your recommendation providers about the McGhee experience, so that they can tailor their recommendation appropriately.

The McGhee faculty is comprised of both a large dedicated full-time faculty of scholars and accomplished professionals along with an adjunct faculty of leading practitioners who are also devoted teachers. They are outstanding and devoted teachers who make their areas of specialization come alive in traditional classroom setting and online. Chosen for their teaching ability and their expertise, McGhee faculty members enjoy stimulating the give-and-take dialogue that occurs between adult students on a variety of topics related to what is being taught in class and what is going on in their personal and professional lives.