From March 14 to 15, high school students from across China visited NYU Shanghai for the first Candidate Weekend of the year. They were among more than 1400 prospective students invited by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions to participate in six day-long admissions events scheduled over three weekends.
For many Chinese students who have been educated largely within China’s education system, the visit provides an early glimpse into NYU Shanghai’s interdisciplinary approach to learning. Experiencing the campus before taking the national gaokao exams helps candidates picture what life and study at NYU Shanghai could be like.
The students explored campus and participated in immersive activities while the admissions team evaluated each applicant’s potential. They went on campus tours led by Chinese and international student ambassadors, joined in icebreakers and team-based exercises, and completed writing assessments.
Candidate Weekends are a central part of the admissions process for Chinese applicants at NYU Shanghai, said the director of Undergraduate Admissions, Adam Ebnit. “It gives students a chance to experience our academic and campus community while allowing us to see how they think, engage, and contribute in a highly interactive, globally focused environment,” he said.
The students participated in one academic session designed to introduce them to different areas of study and connect them with faculty. Through these sessions, students encounter a range of teaching styles and disciplines, including Business and Finance, Computer Science, Data Science, Humanities, Interactive Media Arts, Interactive Media and Business, Mathematics, Natural Sciences, Neuroscience, and Social Sciences.
Assistant Professor of Interactive Media and Business Helena Rong, who taught one of the classes on Trust Experience Design, said the students were very attentive and eagerly raised their hands to participate in discussing how protocols shape everyday interactions, from crossing the street to delegating decisions to AI. “The course offers a window into what they might learn here and engage with frontier topics that can help them take initiative in shaping their future,” she said.
Right: Provost Bei Wu speaking
The students also heard from school leadership. Vice Chancellor Jeffrey S. Lehman encouraged candidates to “use the weekend as an opportunity to connect with one another and build friendships that could enrich their lives.” Provost Bei Wu reminded them that attending NYU Shanghai is about more than earning a college degree. “NYU Shanghai is a place where you learn how to learn,” she said.
A high school student from Suzhou who attended Candidate Weekend said NYU Shanghai’s interdisciplinary approach was exciting to see first hand. “I’m interested in two very different areas, and here I would have the opportunity to study both at the same time—or even discover where they intersect,” she said. “That’s how I hope to pursue my academic goals.”
This year’s Candidate Weekend also included programming for parents and family members of applicants. Parents joined campus tours, spoke with staff from the Center for Career Development, and learned more about the admissions process.
A parent from Beijing who accompanied his child said he found Candidate Weekend well organized and informative. “It was helpful to see the campus firsthand during the tour,” he said. “I gained a clearer understanding of how the university supports and guides students’ growth.”
Chancellor Tong Shijun, Vice Chancellor Lehman, and Provost Bei Wu will address admissions candidates at upcoming Candidate Weekends from March 21 to 22 and March 28 to 29. NYU Shanghai will welcome its admitted international applicants for Admitted Students Weekend from April 24 to 25.