Apart from noted strengths in mathematics, computer science, neuroscience, public administration, and the performing arts,
NYU's Stern School of Business ranks among the top
15 business schools in the country, while its School of Law
regularly ranks in the top five of US law schools in education and research. NYU's Tisch School of the Arts graduate film and acting departments are regarded as the best US
programs in their respective fields. NYU's Medical School also ranks among the best in the country. Due to its location in New
York City—a noted cultural center—NYU is considered to be a premier school for studies in the performing arts, such
as theatre, drama, and vocal studies. NYU also has one of the largest and most diverse international student populations of any
university in the United States, with over 5,000 students representing over 100 different countries.NYU has also grown more selective in its undergraduate admissions in recent years, in light of the growing popularity of an
"urban" education and the perceived decrease in crime in New York City. NYU has seen a continuing trend of increasingly greater
numbers of applicants, lower acceptance rates, and higher average SAT scores for freshmen. In 2000, applications to NYU increased
by more than 300 percent from 1991, while the acceptance rate declined from 65 percent to 29.3 percent. As of 2004, the
acceptance rate was 14 percent. Such a trend of increasing selectivity is expected to continue at NYU as it improves its
standards, its faculty, and its resources.The University is a very "national" school, with over 60% of its incoming freshmen coming from outside of the Tri-State Area. In addition, 15% of students come from one of New York City's
five boroughs, and 25% come from the surrounding 17 counties.
Nevertheless, NYU's main feeder schools reflect a strong New York City influence; the top five are Stuyvesant High School, Benjamin
Cardozo High School, Brooklyn Technical
High School, Townsend Harris High School, and the Bronx High School of Science.NYU's aggressive recruitment of renowned professors and Ivy League graduates
has been a large factor in the University's growing prestige. It has often been involved in bidding wars to lure top faculty in
an attempt to boost its academic reputation. This has led to NYU being called "The Ivy of the Neuvo Riche" since it hires
established talent and lacks the historical background and multi-generational legacy families that Ivy League schools have. This somewhat derogatory nickname also reflects NYU's high tuition costs. NYU is
remarkable in that it went from being a near-bankrupt commuter school to becoming one of the country's most prestigious research
universities, in large part due to the fact that, instead of building its endowment, the University spent its money on building
new facilities and hiring more faculty.NYU's "campus" is fractured and decentralized, with buildings spread over much of the neighborhood. However, there is often
tension between NYU and other neighborhood residents and businesses over real estate issues. In spite of this, NYU is the third
largest landowner in the city (the largest being the City itself, the second being the Catholic Church).