Variable Credit Enrollment & Policies

When will I know if I’ve been accepted to a VIP Team?

Applications are processed by VIP Teams individually. Contact the advisor of the team(s) you applied to directly in order to learn about the status of your application(s). Typically, permission codes will be sent to accepted students before the Add/Drop Deadline of a given semester.

How many teams can I apply to/enroll in?

We encourage you to apply to as many teams as you are interested in, but you may only enroll in one VIP per semester.

I have recently transferred. Can I enroll in VIP while my GPA is 0?

Email us at vip@nyu.edu and we can waive the academic standing requirement for your enrollment.

I am enrolled in a 0-credit option this semester. Does this mean I am expected to complete 0 hours of work a week?

VIP students are expected to complete at least 4 hours of VIP coursework per week. Both VIP-UY 3000 and VIP-GY 5000 are graded Pass/Fail and are only available to students who cannot otherwise enroll in VIP due to a credit limit.

How do I enroll for more than one credit per semester? Can I change my number of credits after the semester has started? 

Student leaders within VIP Teams may self-enroll in 2 or 3 credits under the “Units” option on Albert. The leadership status of these students are verified by VIP Advisors after enrollment. You can not change the number of credits you are enrolled for after the add/drop deadline has passed. This is an NYU registrar policy & there are no exceptions. 

What should I do if I am at my credit maximum?

If you are enrolled at the maximum number of credits, part of a cross-school policy, or if enrollment in VIP will incur additional tuition costs, you may enroll in VIP-UY 3000 for undergraduates or VIP-GY 5000 for graduates.

Do I need to enroll in the course if I take the zero-credit option?

Yes, VIP strives for all students to earn credit for their involvement. Even if you earn 0 credits in a semester, VIP will appear on your transcript and be graded as a Pass/Fail course. You must be enrolled in VIP on Albert to participate in VIP. 

All undergraduate students are expected to enroll on the same VIP Team for at least 3 consecutive semesters. The level of VIP credit earned per semester is determined by the workload and leadership position of each student. 

**Credit Policy Criteria

0 Credit: This credit option is available to students for whom enrolling in a VIP for credit will incur extra tuition by exceeding NYU's credit limit for a semester (18 credits/semester) OR who have reached the VIP enrollment limit (6 credits)

1 Credit: All new students and most returning students enroll for 1 credit per semester, equivalent to approximately 4 hours per week. 

2+ Credits: Students who grow into positions of leadership, management, and specialization may enroll for more credit, commensurate with increased workload and responsibilities. Pre-approval is required from the VIP Advisor. 

Enrollment Restrictions: A student can only enroll in one VIP Team at a time. Students on academic probation cannot enroll in VIP. 

The VIP Program now has a graduate-level course option, VIP-GY 5001. Graduate students earn 1.5 VIP credits per semester and are expected to enroll on the same VIP Team for 2 consecutive semesters. If enrolling in a VIP team for credit will incur extra cost, students may enroll in VIP-UY 5000 for zero credits.
 

Graduate students are encouraged to contact their advisor to discuss joining a VIP Team before applying, and to reach out to vip@nyu.edu with any questions. 

Several NYU Tandon departments have a policy to approve VIP credit towards undergraduate degree requirements (see table below). Where marked, departments recognize 3 credits on the same VIP Team as credit towards your degree. 

If your school or department is not listed below, consult your departmental advisor to determine if you can apply VIP credit to your degree. Your advisor can approve on a provisional basis as your school or department determines its policy. 

*The CSE Department may allow up to three credits of VIP to fulfill CS electives or CS-UY 4523: Design Project with prior department approval. When taking VIP credits to fulfill the CS-UY 4523: Design Project requirement, students should take three credits of VIP in one semester.

The VIP Program strongly discourages student volunteers. All students participating on a VIP team should be receiving credit, either through VIP or through an affiliated course (e.g., senior design).