Does NYU do yield protection?

Hi all! I was just wondering if NYU practices yield protection—I've seen the term thrown around a lot and I'm not really sure if I should take it into consideration when applying. Anyone know for sure?

Yield protection, also known as "Tufts Syndrome," is when colleges may waitlist or reject well-qualified applicants because they believe those applicants are likely to be admitted to and attend higher-ranked schools. The idea is that by doing this, colleges can maintain a higher yield rate—the percentage of admitted students who actually enroll—which can be a factor in their overall rankings.

As for NYU, there's no definitive answer since colleges don't usually admit to practicing yield protection. However, it's generally believed that more selective schools, like Ivy League institutions, don't practice yield protection because they don't need to worry about their yield rates. While NYU is selective, its admission rate (around 16%) is higher than that of Ivy League institutions, so it's possible that yield protection could come into play at times.

Overall, it's best not to worry too much about yield protection, as it's an aspect of the admissions process that's ultimately out of your control. Instead, focus on crafting a strong application that demonstrates your genuine interest in attending NYU and showcases your fit with the school's culture and programs.

Remember that admission decisions often depend on factors both within and beyond an applicant's control, and applying Early Decision, if you're certain NYU is your first choice, could offer an advantage and demonstrate your commitment to the school.