Planning Your Arrival

When Can I enter the United States?

Once you receive a visa you will be allowed to enter the United States no earlier than 30 days before the beginning date of your academic program as listed on your I-20 or DS-2019.

When should I arrive at NYU-Poly?

We recommend that students arrive at least several days before the required program start date as noted on the I-20/DS-2019. Upon arrival students are required to check in with the Office of International Students and Scholars and bring their passports, I-94s and I-20 or DS-2019 documents as well as two (2) copies of each document.

New undergraduate (freshmen and transfer) students are required to take placement exams which are usually scheduled a week to several days before the beginning of the academic semester. They are combined with other activities for all new undergraduate and graduate students. Detailed information about these exams and activities will be provided to students with their admission and enrollment information in advance of their arrival on campus.

Will I be receiving any registration or orientation materials?

Specific information about orientation and registration dates will be forwarded to you by the admissions office prior to your arrival. If you do not receive this information, prior to your arrival in the United States, please contact the Graduate Center if you are a graduate student and the Office of Undergraduate Admissions if you are an undergraduate student.

Will there be a New International Student Orientation?

Yes. All international students are required to attend the new student orientation which is held at the beginning of every semester. The information about orientation dates for the upcoming semester will be posted on this website.

Can I arrive after the program start date as listed on the I-20 or DS-2019?

Students must arrive on or before the start date of the program. In the event you are unable to arrive on campus by the start date of the program as indicated on your I-20 or DS- 2019 due to emergency, please get in touch with the Office of International Students and Scholars (international@poly.edu). We will advise you whether your request for a late arrival can be approved or whether you will have to postpone your entry until the following semester.

How do I get to NYU-Poly?

Our campus is conveniently in located in downtown Brooklyn within 1 hour travel time from 3 major airports: JFK, LaGuardia and Newark in the New York Metropolitan area. While students may take public transportation to reach Polytechnic, we suggest that upon arrival for the first time in New York, particularly with luggage, you travel by taxi. This may cost you $40 to $100 depending on the airport from which you will be traveling. Taxis are available at designated taxi stands outside the terminals, with uniformed dispatchers on hand. Follow the GROUND TRANSPORTATION or TAXI signs. There may be long lines, but they generally move quickly. Fares, whether fixed or metered, do not include bridge and tunnel tolls ($3.50-$7) or a tip for the cabbie (15%-20% is customary). They do include all passengers in the cab and luggage -- never pay more than the metered or flat rate, except for tolls and a tip.

Does NYU-Poly offer on-campus housing?

Yes, we offer undergraduate on-campus housing in the new, 18-story 400-bed Othmer Residence Hall. Campus housing is available for matriculated, full-time, undergraduate and graduate students. It is not appropriate for married students seeking housing for their families. This housing is on a “first-come, first-serve basis,” primarily including double-occupancy and a meal-plan. Students interested in living on campus should vist the Office of Residence Life online for information about prices, deposit requirements and check in dates.

NYU-Poly offers limited housing opportunities for graduate students at the Clark Residence in close proximity to campus. More information can be found here

Can I get temporary housing if I want to live off-campus?

You can, but you should do it before arriving in New York.

Are there apartments around NYU-Poly's Brooklyn campus?

There are apartments in Brooklyn Heights, which is a 5-minute walk from NYU-Poly but the prices are on the high side. Other close neighborhoods include Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Cobble Hill, Gowanus, Park Slope, and others, although prices may vary.

We strongly suggest that new students who want to live off-campus but cannot secure the housing on their own before they arrive, consider living in the Polytechnic residence hall during their first semester. This way they will have adequate time to acquaint themselves with the city, evaluate potential housing options, decide where they might want to live and then see if they want to share an apartment and find suitable housing and suitable roommates for the second semester. This way students will be able to focus on their studies, acclimating to the new environment and making the decision about off-campus housing in a thoughtful, careful and deliberate manner.

Where do commuting students tend to live?

Most commuting students stay either in Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan or New Jersey. These locations are 10 to 55 minutes by subway. Some of the common areas where the students stay are Jackson Heights (40 minutes), Ozone Park (20 minutes), Lefferts Blvd. (25 minutes), Kew Gardens (55 minutes) all in Queens, Bay Ridge (30 minutes) in Brooklyn, Journal Square (45 minutes) in New Jersey. Commuting from New Jersey requires that you to ride on 2 separate train systems each charging a fare, which will be an additional expense. All these locations are safe and inexpensive while Manhattan is closer but more expensive.

How far is the subway from the school?

There are 3 subway stations around NYU-Poly. They are Jay Street, Lawrence Street and Borough Hall. The Jay Street station is right outside the school and it is served by the “A” and “F” subway lines. Lawrence is 100 meters from school and Borough Hall is 200 meters from school. For a subway map just go to the MTA on the web.