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Writer's pictureStephen Turban

Everything You Need to Know About NYU's SONYC (Sounds of New York City)

If you're a student in NYC with an interest in STEM and learning about noise pollution in urban environments, NYU's Tandon School of Engineering offers a program you may want to explore.


The Sounds of New York City (SONYC) program at NYU will allow you to explore the field of acoustics and its effects on urban landscapes. Participating in extracurricular programs like this one can help you develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills while engaging with advanced subject matter. Additionally, such programs can enhance your academic profile by demonstrating a sustained interest in a particular field, something that college admissions committees look for.


If this program aligns with your interests, you might consider applying to SONYC. In this blog, we will review the program, covering its key features, fees, and important dates, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of participating.



What is NYU’s SONYC all about?


NYU Tandon School of Engineering's SONYC, or Sounds of New York City, is an intensive three-week summer program for NYC students centered around the study of noise pollution and its effects on public health in urban environments. 


Through SONYC, you'll gain hands-on experience in sound sampling, sound wave analysis, building sound-making and monitoring devices, and evaluating the impact of noise pollution on human well-being. The curriculum also incorporates coursework in engineering, physics, computer science, and the science of waves and sound. You’ll get to collaborate on projects, demonstrations, and final presentations, all within the NYU Tandon School of Engineering’s well-equipped facilities. 


A unique aspect of SONYC is the mandatory Irondale program, led by theater professionals who employ improvisation techniques to enhance communication and public speaking skills, adding another dimension to your learning experience.



How is SONYC structured?


SONYC offers an engaging learning experience to help you understand acoustics and its influence on urban health. SONYC is hosted at NYU Tandon School of Engineering’s Center for Urban Science and Progress (CUSP). Throughout the program, you'll gain practical experience in:

  • Sound sampling techniques

  • Analyzing sound waves

  • Constructing devices that generate and monitor sound

  • Assessing the influence of noise pollution on human well-being

The curriculum also encompasses coursework in fundamental engineering principles, advanced physics, the basics of computer science, and how all of these integrate with the science of waves and sound. You'll collaborate with peers on projects, demonstrations, and culminating presentations, all within a facility stocked with the necessary materials. A distinctive feature of SONYC is the mandatory Irondale program. Led by theater professionals, this program utilizes improvisation exercises to refine your communication and public speaking abilities, enriching your learning experience uniquely.



Is it prestigious?


NYU is recognized as one of the leading universities globally, holding the #43 position in the QS World University Rankings 2025. Its Tandon School of Engineering is ranked #41 in the United States. Being associated with NYU’s Tandon School of Engineering and being a free program make SONYC highly selective and prestigious. The program's selective nature adds weight to your application, showcasing your ability to stand out among a strong applicant pool. Furthermore, SONYC allows you to network with accomplished faculty members, researchers, and fellow students with similar interests. This exposure can prove invaluable as you navigate your academic journey. Overall, we rate this as a prestigious though niche program.



Who is eligible to apply?


To be eligible for SONYC, you must be an NYC resident and current middle school student aged 12–14 by the start of the program.



What are the important dates?


  • The 2024 program took place from July 8 to August 2. The 2025 dates are likely to be similar. 

  • The applications are currently closed but typically open in February and are due by late April. The 2024 program applications opened on February 1 and closed on April 29. 

  • Students are informed of their acceptance in the week of May 15.

  • Students must participate in a virtual 3-hour orientation conducted via Zoom, typically scheduled for the last week of June. The 2024 program’s orientation took place on June 28.

You can check out the updates for the 2025 program on the program website.



How much does the program cost?


  • The program is tuition-free for all accepted participants, it is a full scholarship program. 

  • As SONYC is a commuter program, housing and meals are not included.

  • Early drop-off is offered at $25 per week, with more information provided upon acceptance into the program.



Pros and cons to consider


Pros


  1. You will participate in an in-depth exploration of acoustics and noise pollution: SONYC provides a solid opportunity to deeply understand the science of sound and its impact on our cities.

  2. You’ll gain hands-on learning experience: The program emphasizes practical learning through sound sampling, device building, and project development.

  3. You do not have to pay for anything: The fully funded nature of the program makes it accessible to students of all backgrounds.

  4. You will develop valuable skills: The program will help you hone your communication, public speaking, and teamwork abilities through project collaboration and the Irondale program.

  5. You’ll get to network with professionals: SONYC will allow you to connect with accomplished faculty members and fellow students passionate about STEM fields.



Cons


  1. You will have to put in a lot of time and effort: The program takes place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., five days a week over three weeks. As a summer program lasting three weeks, SONYC demands a considerable time commitment.

  2. You can only apply if you live in NYC: Although the program is offered at no cost, only students residing in NYC are eligible to apply. This restriction reduces the pool of interested participants and limits the overall number of applicants.

  3. This is a competitive program: Acceptance into SONYC is quite selective due to its association with NYU Tandon School of Engineering, and the full scholarship.



Our review


If you're an NYC student with an interest in acoustics, SONYC is one of the best available opportunities to explore that specific niche. Even outside of its focus, the learning you can attain in STEM is significant. Being exposed to the pedagogy and prestige of NYU Tandon School of Engineering can also do a lot for your academic profile, and the program offers a full scholarship to boot. Additionally, it will allow you to gain hands-on experience and network with like-minded peers and professionals. All in all, if you’re an NYC resident and serious about STEM, you should consider applying to SONYC.



One more option - The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program


The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program is a program for middle school students to work one-on-one with a mentor to explore their academic interests and build a project they are passionate about. Our mentors are scholars from top research universities such as Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Yale, Duke, and LSE.


The program was founded by a Harvard & Oxford PhD who met as undergraduates at Harvard. The program is rigorous and fully virtual. We offer need-based financial aid for students who qualify. You can find the application in the brochure! 


To learn more, you can reach out to our Head of Partnerships, Maya, at maya.novak-herzog@lumiere.education or go to our website.


Multiple rolling deadlines for JEP cohorts across the year, you can apply using this application link! If you'd like to take a look at the cohorts + deadlines for 2024, you can refer to this page!


Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a Ph.D. student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.



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