Academic Advising

Frequently Asked Questions

Tuition and Financial Aid

Where can I find information regarding the cost of tuition and financial aid?
If I register for more than 18 credits in one semester will I have to pay additional fees?
If I decide to drop a class will I receive a refund?

How do I make an appointment to see an adviser?

To schedule an appointment with an academic adviser, you should use AdvisorTrac.stern.nyu.edu, call 212-998-4020 or stop by the Advising Office reception desk in Tisch 616. Advisers are available for 30-minute appointments Monday through Thursday. Please remember to come prepared for your appointment. Click here for more information about appointments.

How do I declare a major and/or minor?

To declare a major, you must submit a declaration form to a Stern academic adviser or declare your major online here. Forms are available at the reception desk in the Advising Office (Tisch 616) or online, click here. To declare a College of Arts and Science (CAS), Steinhardt, Wagner, or Tisch Producing minor, you must visit that school's department. The signed form should then be brought to the Advising Office (6th Floor, Tisch Hall) and given to the front desk and the form will then be processed.

How do I bring in my AP, A-Level, IB, or previously completed college credits?

The Advanced Placement Program (AP), the International Baccalaureate Program, and results of some foreign maturity ceritificate examinations may enable you to receive credit. Please meet with an adviser to assess your scores for which credit may be given. Students seeking to apply credit for previous college work must submit an official transcript and a syllabus or course description. Credits will be applicable only if the content of the course is similar to an equivalent NYU course. Please note, excluding transfer students, credit can not be transfered in for business core courses, required courses or math courses. The one exception to this is Natural Science; if you plan to apply credit for a Natural Science course, please speak with an academic adviser. Students who wish to bring in AP, A-level, or IB credit must complete the Advanced Standing Agreement form, which is available in the Advising Office.

Click here for an outline of Advanced Standing policies and equivalencies for the Class of 2013.

Can I receive credit for summer classes taken at another university?

If you are interested in taking a summer course at another university, you should submit a course description/syllabus to an adviser prior to registering for the course. Students taking summer classes at another university are advised to take elective courses (not including math courses). Once you have earned 64 credits, however, all coursework must be completed at NYU or through an NYU/Stern approved program according to our residency requirement.

What is a residency requirement?

Most universities have a minimum number of credits which must be earned in residence at that institution in order to receive a diploma from the institution. Students enrolled in the Stern School of Business must complete at least 64 consecutive credits in residence immediately preceding graduation in order to receive a diploma. In addition, you must complete a minimum 48 credits (of these 64) of undergraduate business courses for the degree (these courses are identified by the prefix “C”).

Is it possible to attend Stern on a part-time basis?

The only semester you may enroll part-time is your final semester preceding graduation. You should meet with a financial aid counselor to discuss possible financial aid implications. If you enroll part-time or drop/withdraw from a course and become part-time, prior to your final semester you, will be placed on probation.

Is it too late to bring in AP credit during my senior year?

You have four years to apply AP credit. You must apply your AP credit within the first six weeks of the fall semester for it to be reflected in time for registration in the spring semester.

Why is my class standing listed as a sophomore on Albert when I am in fact a junior?

The University Registrar determines class standing by the following standards: Freshman: 0-31 credits completed, Sophomore: 32-63 credits completed, Junior: 64-95 credits completed, Senior: 94-128 credits completed. For registration purposes, the Stern Academic Advising Office only requires that students have a minimum of 59 credits in order to register for junior standing courses. If you are interested in registering for a junior standing course, and you have earned between 59 and 63 credits, contact an adviser to obtain clearance.

What is the significance of receiving a “W” for a dropped class?

The significance of a “W” can vary depending on your particular circumstances. If you have a single “W” on your transcript, and you clearly have a legitimate and justifiable reason for having withdrawn from a class, then a “W” should not be a serious cause for concern. If, however, you have “W’s” in multiple courses or consecutive semesters, or if you have withdrawn from a particular class multiple times, this may be interpreted as a cause for concern by someone reviewing your transcript.

Is it possible to double major and minor?

Yes, the curriculum is structured to allow you to complete the requirements for up to one major (depending upon the requirements for that major) or up to two minors. Stern students can minor in CAS, Steinhardt, Wagner, or Tisch (Producing minor). Click here for more information about majors and minors.

Can I complete a major in the College of Arts & Science?

Yes, you may choose to fulfill a major in select subject areas in the College of Arts & Science. Stern students contemplating this option should discuss their plans with an academic adviser. Advance planning is a must to complete a double major in CAS, so please discuss with your adviser as early as possible.

At what point in my academic career should I declare my major?

You may officially declare your major as early as their freshman year; however, we recommend that you wait until the end of your second year or the start of your third year. This allows you the opportunity to complete most of the business core and sample the different academic disciplines. The insights gained and preferences discovered while completing foundation coursework will facilitate your decision. Students who plan to pursue the CPA preparatory track should meet with an adviser early. To declare a major, students must submit a major declaration form to a Stern academic advisor or complete the online declaration form. Declaration forms are available at the reception desk in the Office of Undergraduate Advising (Tisch 616) or online.

If I decide to double major at Stern, will I exceed the standard 128 credits for the Bachelor of Science degree?

This depends on the particular majors pursued (and other non-major elective credits earned). Since most majors entail only 12 credits, students can usually complete two majors and a minor within the standard 128 credits. There are a few majors, however, that require more than 12 credits. For example, any second major pursued in tandem with CPA Accounting would exceed 128 points. Students should consult the Stern Undergraduate Bulletin and an academic adviser for more information on each prospective major.

What are the financial aid implications if I double-major and exceed the standard 128 points?

If you receive financial aid, funds are only guaranteed for eight academic semesters or 128 accumulated points, whichever is attained first. As a result, there is a possibility that you could confront a loss of federal, state and institutional aid by exceeding 128 points. If the excess points derive from an academic program, such as an academic major and/or minor, you could request a financial aid extension through your academic advisor; however, extensions are only approved in the summer preceding senior year and are not guaranteed.

Must I declare a minor as well as a major?

Fulfilling a minor in the College of Arts and Science, Steinhardt, Wagner, or Tisch is optional, though highly recommended. You may choose any minor offered through the College of Arts & Science except economics, journalism and computer applications. Students may choose any minor in Steinhardt that Steinhardt will allow. You may also choose the Producing minor at Tisch or the Public Policy & Management or Social Entrepreneurship minors at Wagner. To have a minor approved, you must submit a signed declaration form from the department in which you are minoring to a Stern academic adviser. Declaration forms are available at the reception desk in the Office of Undergraduate Advising (Tisch 616) or online.

Can a single elective (if cross-listed across departments) count towards more than one major?

No. A Stern course that qualifies for more than one major can be used to fulfill the requirement for only one major.

Can I minor in Computer Science at the College of Arts & Science?

Please note that there are two minor tracks within the computer science department of the College of Arts & Sciences. Stern students may minor in computer science, but not computer applications due to the overlap of its coursework with that of Stern's own Information Systems dept. If interested in the computer science minor and, for further clarification, please meet with an academic adviser.

Can I take Stern MBA graduate-level classes?
Most Stern students are not permitted to take MBA-level course work to count towards their degree requirements. Exceptions are made for students majoring in Actuarial Science or Intensive Statistics or seeking a specialization in Operations Management. In addition, seniors who are in the Stern Honors Thesis Program are permitted to take up to two graduate-level courses throughout their senior year. To learn more about the Honors program click here. Stern undergraduate students are never permitted to take graduate level courses in the MBA program that are also offered in the undergraduate curriculum.

Can I take graduate-level classes at other schools within NYU?
Students wishing to take a graduate-level course in another school other than Stern will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Students must have permission from the school/department and instructor of the graduate-level course before bringing the petition to the advising office. Graduate-level courses that are registered for without express permission from the advising office will not be counted as part of a student’s degree progress nor GPA.

What are my study abroad options?
There are two study abroad programs available to Stern students: IBEX and NYU Study Abroad. The International Business Exchange Program (IBEX) is a Stern-only exchange program. You are eligible to participate in IBEX as early as the fall of their junior year. Please check the IBEX website for further details about the program including links to our exchange partners. The NYU Study Abroad program features NYU satellite campuses in Florence, Ghana, Berlin, London, Madrid, Paris, Prague and Shanghai. Students studying at a NYU Study Abroad locations take NYU classes with other NYU students. Please note: London, Prague, Florence and Shanghai are typically the locations which offer Stern courses. Students can participate in this program starting in the fall of their sophomore year. Please check the NYU Study Abroad website for further details about the program and the sites.

Is it too late to study abroad in my junior year?
Juniors may study abroad in either the fall or spring semesters of their junior year. Students who study abroad in the spring will be waived from the requirement of taking the International Study Project (ISP), but will be required to take C50.0100: Competitive & Corporate Strategy. Studying abroad is also an option during senior year, but students should consult with an adviser.

Aside from Stern business courses, what other classes can I take while studying abroad?
While studying abroad you may opt to enroll in any number of classes that fulfill Elective Credit. You can also take classes that may be used towards your minor of choice (CAS/V courses). If you have an International Business (IB) co-major, you would also have the option of taking classes that could be applied toward your co-major. These courses would primarily include history and /or politics courses that have a focus on social, cultural, or political issues in modern, non-North American societies. Additionally, you may also take language courses that could be applied toward the IB co-major. For information on specific IB courses that can be taken abroad, click here and/or check with a Stern academic adviser.

If I study abroad during the spring semester of my junior year, how do I register for the International Study Project (ISP) since it is not offered at any of the NYU Abroad sites?
If you opt to study abroad during the spring semester of your junior year, you will not need to register for ISP. Please note that students may not take ISP at any time other than in the spring of their junior year. Students who choose to study abroad during that semester will be unable to take ISP. Instead, you will be required to take C50.0100 Competitive & Corporate Strategy.

Does Stern provide any tutoring services?
Beta Alpha Psi (a national accounting, finance, and information systems honor society for students who have proven academic excellence in the study of business) provides volunteer tutoring for students. You can contact them via e-mail (bap@stern.nyu.edu) or visit them online at: http://www.bapmuchapter.org/tutoring/. Stern students can also take advantage of free tutoring services for select courses through the College Learning Center located in Weinstein Residence Hall, 5-11 University Place, 1^st Floor; 3rd North Residence Hall, 11th Street, 1^st Floor; and University Hall, 110 E. 14th St., 1st Floor. You can contact the CLC at 212.998.8085. For improvement in writing skills, students should instead contact the Expository Writing Program at 212.998.8866, or visit in person at 269 Mercer Street, Room 233.

Who is eligible for Independent Study?
Stern offers seniors the opportunity to take an Independent Study Course in a specified department or area of study. Independent Study is reserved for outstanding seniors who want to further their academic training in an area of business that is not already covered among the college’s course offerings. Please note, the Entertainment, Media & Technology department only offers Independent Studies for Honor’s students. Students who wish to apply for the Independent Study Course must satisfy the following prerequisites:

Senior Standing
Minimum Cumulative G.P.A. of 3.3 (Finance minimum is 3.5)
Maximum of 3 points awarded
Departmental Prerequisites (each department has its own course prerequisites - students must meet them in order to register for the Independent Study)
Have secured a faculty adviser for the independent study and have them write a letter confirming their supervision

*It is very important that the student apply to the appropriate department no later than the end of the previous semester with all of the above information.

What are the procedures for obtaining Independent Study approval?
Before the start of the semester students must follow the below guidelines to secure Independent Study Course approval:

Faculty Adviser: Students must meet with the appropriate departmental faculty adviser who must agree to sponsor their Independent Study Course. The faculty adviser for the department may not necessarily be the appropriate contact person for the Independent Study. Refer to the “Independent Study Contact List” for the appropriate names.
Proposal for Independent Study: Students should prepare a three-page typed proposal, which includes:
1. Student Information: Name, ID#, email address, address and phone number, photocopy of recent transcript
2. Topic: Introduction, Purpose, Hypothesis
3. Study Methodology: Data collection, list of intended readings
4. Justification for Independent Study: Why the topic studied cannot be learned in conjunction with any of the college’s course offerings
5. Credit Requested and Equivalent Hours: Number of credits requested, hours spent on this course (students should expect to spend the same amount of total time on this course as on any other course. For example, a three-credit course consists of 150 hours over the semester).
Final Project Report (25-75 Pages)

How do I know which faculty adviser to contact regarding my Independent Study Course?
Refer to the list below:

Accounting	Prof. Hipscher ahipsche@stern.nyu.edu
Economics	Prof. Wachtel pwachtel@stern.nyu.edu
Entertainment, Media & Technology	Prof. Lieberman alieberm@stern.nyu.edu
Finance	Prof. Levich rlevich@stern.nyu.edu Prof. Brown sbrown@stern.nyu.edu
International Business	Prof. Srivatsan vsrivats@stern.nyu.edu
Information Systems	Prof. White nwhite@stern.nyu.edu
Management	Prof. Dunbar rdunbar@stern.nyu.edu
Marketing	Prof. Douglas sdouglas@stern.nyu.edu
Statistics/Actuarial Science	Prof. Tenenbein atenenbe@stern.nyu.edu

Is it possible to receive academic credit for an internship?
Stern does not grant academic credit for internships and the administration cannot authorize liability waivers or hold harmless agreements pertaining to internships. As an alternative, it is recommended that students pursue paid internships with wage compensation, a meal stipend, and/or commuting stipend. Scheduling conflicts with internships are not an acceptable excuse for failing to meet one’s academic obligations. For further information regarding Stern’s internship policies, refer to the Stern Academic Bulletin.

Where can I get information about possible internships and overall job search support?
The NYU Wasserman Center for Career Development should be your first point of contact. The office is located at 133 E. 13th Street, 2nd Floor (Palladium Residence Hall)and can be reached at 212-998-4730. To better assist you in your internship or job search, The Wasserman Center provides some basic guidelines to follow.
1. Visit the Wasserman Center for Career Development to activate your NYU CareerNet account.
2. Set up an appointment with a career counselor to discuss future career plans, review your resume and identify internship search strategies. You should do this before the end of your junior year.
3. Make sure you join your class listserv by sending a blank e-mail from your Stern account to join-career-20xx@forums.nyu.edu (note: fill in your graduation year where the “xx” appears in the e-mail address). You will receive any and all communications, updates, additional “to-do’s” via this listserv.
4. Attend a Mandatory On-Campus Recruiting Seminar in the fall of your junior year to obtain access to NYU InterviewNet, the portion of the website that allows students to submit resumes for summer internships. Summer internship recruiting season runs from late January to the beginning of April during a student’s junior year. Mandatory orientations begin in November. Resume and interview deadlines start in January.
5. Attend an Interviewing Skills Seminar and schedule a follow-up Mock Interview with a career counselor during fall semester of your junior year. Visit the Wasserman website for seminar schedules.
6. Read e-mails from the Wasserman Center for Career Development listserv regarding recruitment information, including a schedule of employer presentations and interviews, and deadlines to submit resumes.

If I am studying abroad during the fall of my junior year, can I still participate in On-Campus Recruitment in the spring of the same year?
To participate in On-Campus Recruitment (OCR) for spring of your junior year you must be registered for InterviewNet. You will not be able to register for InterviewNet unless you have attended an OCR seminar in the fall. You are also required to join your Class listserv and attend an interviewing skills workshop. If you plan to study abroad in the fall, you may attend an OCR seminar prior to your semester abroad. If you would like to inquire about the possibility of receiving an exception or making substitute arrangements, contact the Wasserman Center for Career Development. Exceptions and/or substitutions are not guaranteed.

Where can I find information about applying to graduate school?
It is important to evaluate your options when considering post-baccalaureate study. There are many resources available at NYU to assist you in this decision-making process. The Wasserman Center for Career Development is a good place to begin your search. There are additional resources available when considering specialized degree programs. While most MBA programs prefer to see students with work experience, those interested in other types of graduate programs can begin preparations now. Students interested in applying to law school should contact the Stern Undergraduate pre-law adviser Professor Jeanne Calderon. Prof. Calderon holds pre-law information sessions for upper classmen interested in applying to law school and underclassmen who want to learn more about a pre-law track. Students interested in a business subject PhD should contact the appropriate Faculty Adviser to review appropriate course work. Students interested in undertaking pre-professional preparation for application to medical, dental, veterinary, osteopathic medical, optometry, or podiatry school are encouraged to consult NYU's Preprofessional Advisement Office, Silver Center, Room 901, (212) 998-8160. Please note that Stern students interested in pursuing one of the pre-health paths are encouraged to meet with an academic adviser early in their career to ensure proper curricular planning. Below are some other useful links.

AACSB International– The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
LSAC– Official site of the LSAT Law School Admissions Council
GRE.org– Information on the Graduate Record Examination
MBA.com- General information regarding the pursuit of an MBA degree
Peterson’s Career Center- General information on post-graduate studies

How do I know if I am on track for graduation?
Once you have declared a major, you should log into Albert and perform a degree audit. You can also fill out a Curriculum Worksheet to track your progress and schedule an appointment with an academic adviser to review any potential remaining requirements.

What steps do I need to take in order to participate in graduation?
Students may officially graduate in September, January or May, but the University Commencement ceremony for all schools as well as the entire University is held in May. Seniors must apply for graduation by logging onto your Albert account and clicking on the "Graduation Application" section from the "Registration" tab. Visit the Office of the University Registrar’s website for comprehensive graduation information.

Once I graduate, how can I stay connected to other Stern alumni?
The best way to stay connected to Stern and other alumni is through SWAP – the Stern Worldwide Alumni Platform. SWAP is an online directory of Stern Alumni and a place to network with other alumni of Stern. SWAP has a searchable alumni directory that allows you to locate other alumni by name, class year, company, industry and/or location. Students can sign on to SWAP beginning their senior year.

Where can I find information regarding the cost of tuition and financial aid?
For a list of current tuition and fees, visit the Office of the Bursar. For financial aid information, you can visit the Stern Tuition and Aid webpage and the NYU Financial Aid website.

If I register for more than 18 credits in one semester will I have to pay additional fees?
Yes. Your tuition fee covers a credit load of 12-18 credits. Anything over 18 credits is charged the per credit rate. Please click here for a list of current tuition and fees. Please note, it is your responsibility to contact the Financial Aid Office to find out how this increase may affect your financial aid. Also, this increase may impact your curricular planning and degree progress, therefore you should meet with an academic adviser.

If I decide to drop a class will I receive a refund?
You should refer to the University Tuition Refund Plan. It depends on how many credits you are enrolled in, how many credits you plan to drop and when you actually drop the credits. During the fall and spring semesters, you will pay full tuition as long as you are enrolled in 12-18 credits. If you start off with 18 credits and drop a 4 credit course, you will still be responsible for the full cost of tuition. If you decide to take a leave of absence and drop all of your classes, the following refund schedule will apply. If you are enrolled in 19 or more credits and drop down to 12-18 credits, the following refund schedule will apply to the per credit rate only (those credits above 18).
For refunds during the summer session, please visit the following website.

NYU Stern Undergraduate College

Current Students

Frequently Asked Questions

Advising Procedures

Academic Credit

Majors and Minors

International Programs and Study Abroad

Tutoring

Independent Study

Internships and Job Search

Post-Graduate Study

Graduation