megasupa

also which SAT II's should i take?

NOCCA Junior

Well, obviously your GPA is good...SAT's are low low for Stern. Your ACT, however, does the trick. You should take SAT II in Math II at least, since Stern values mathematical skills, and of course any other test that you feel you can do well on (you say you're Chinese, so if you learned the language at home, you can take Chinese with Listening). I'm not sure about the whole minority thing and its weighing with admissions, but being Asian might hurt a bit, since NYU has a bunch of them. On the other hand, you are first generation, so that's really good, and you're also from Alabama, another plus since it's a southern state. Just have a kick-a** essay (try to weave in being first-generation or some really personal aspect of your life that's unique to you, I always say), and I think you have a good shot of making it in RD.

And NYU does indeed take the ACT (with writing), although they tend not to really talk about it much on the site as you say.

PhoenixWright

How many Tisch applicants are admitted to GSP? Is it a lot?

NOCCA Junior

Well, the people admitted to GSP in Tisch, most of the time, are in film (maybe dramatic writing, but definitely film). And, of course, every department in Tisch is difficult to get into...the overall acceptance rate for this year was around 23%. And I know for CAS around 10% of the accepted class are offered GSP...and it's definitely about the same for Tisch. So, I can't tell you specifically how many people are accepted to Tisch GSP, but it's most definitely not a lot...and only if you're applying to a specific department in Tisch. It's not possible to do GSP with a drama major and I've never heard of anyone in dance being in GSP either...I really think it's only film majors. But GSP really has to do with academics...so, if your audition/portfolio doesn't make it past the auditors, it doesn't matter anyway.

megasupa

thanks so much for the reply!!!

rebelxt14

I doubt I can get into Tisch, but I'd love to go for photography. I'm a sophomore, so I don't really have any stats. My GPA is pretty average, 2.5 or so. Haven't taken SAT yet, but I anticipate a very high verbal score and very low math score. I plan on self studying AP Studio Art and submitting a photo portfolio. You can check out my work at Flickr: Photos from Josh McElwee Photography

NOCCA Junior

Well, Rebel, I have to say that that GPA is not average for Tisch, but not even Tisch worthy, I'm afraid. Even though Tisch places at least half of the acceptance on the audition/portfolio, it's definitely one of the toughest academically speaking as well BFA schools to get into. The very least GPA you should feel comfortable applying to Tisch to is a 3.0 (even though the average GPA is competent with NYU's other schools, SAT probably hovering around 1900s composite, if I had to guess), and you'd better have an AMAZING portfolio in the auditors' eyes, because otherwise you have nothing to bargain with against a person/people with higher academic stats and a portfolio (s) that's just as good. Regardless of what you may hear from people, most Tisch people are very academically competent as well. But! You're only a sophomore, so you have your most important year, junior year, to raise your grades. It's what makes the difference between BFA's like Tisch and schools like RISD, where, I think, the sole emphasis is on the portfolios. Good luck! And keep up those grades! You wouldn't want to be rejected from Tisch when a little extra studying would have made the difference.

rebelxt14

Thanks for your response. What have you heard about the photo program at Tisch? Do people seem to like it?

NOCCA Junior

The two people that I know in Photography love it and Tisch, and of course it's one of the top in the country. They've told me that they have such fascinating views of life by just experiencing the city and its diversity.

NOCCA Junior

Bump...still answering questions...

sihingjim

Hi im a hispanic male first gen to go to college...i have a question... i auditioned last year to tisch for musical theatre track ... i auditioned and it went great, the auditioner said i had a good chance of getting in but she made it seem like i was in...eventhough i applied to the musical theatre track , i think she more impressed with my acting so i think i would of gone to stella adler...well to make a short story short i got accpeted to the program but not to the school itself becuase of my low grades one of their counselors told me to go to a community college and bring up my gpa which was 2.8 and my sat 1 score is 1200 which wasent bad seeing that 1600 is the perfect score...so now i raised my gpa to 3.9 with the same sat score and i am involved in the music club, drama club, take martial arts and work a full time job since i live by myself and i've done some productions thru my college..do you think i have a chance this year... seeing that i applied last year and that i actually improved i know my audition will be fine i think im better now than i was last year...??? thank you..

NOCCA Junior

Sihingjim, how do you know that you got rejected because of your low grades? I've heard some people say that they made it in artistically but not academically, but Tisch doesn't tell you this...you either get an outright rejection or an acceptance, and you'll never know what it was (artistic rejection, academic rejection, or both) unless you have some high connections, lol.

It's really great that you've improved so much with your GPA though! The admissions officers this year will definitely take that into account. Your SAT score, though a bit low for NYU in general, should be fine for Tisch. Overall, I think now you just have to do your best at your audition. Not to scare you or anything, but it's even harder for transfers to get into Tisch Drama, so just be prepared for that. CAP 21, the musical theatre studio, is also a bit more competitive than the other studios, so definitely say a second or third choice if you're fine with an acting studio (Strasberg has great options for actors who do musical theatre, but be sure you'd like the technique as well). But ultimately, it's a toss up...you never know what Tisch is looking for at any time. Your grades seem just fine, so just do the best you can at your audition. You should also look into other BFA programs. They're very competitive in general, so you shouldn't put all your hopes into Tisch. It's a fabulous school, but there are others, and it helps if you spread yourself out and audition for a variety of schools.

sihingjim

hmm thank you well its been a while but i think it was a tisch counselor when i called becuase i couldn't understand why i didnt get accepted and she toldcme that it was my grades that killed me and since there are alot ppl with high grades applying i was out of luck and she told me to go to a community college to bring my grades up so its was my academics that killed me...im also auditioning for other schools but i really like what nyu has to offer i know its gonna be harder for transfers which sucks lol..but i think they;ll take into account that i auditioned last yr we'll see i dont know..how has your acting improved since being there? do you know about the industry showcases? if so how many ppl can you say get agents/ or hired?..thank you very much for answering my question...

chanelissy

what are the requirements for Tisch, the dramatic writing program specifically, but other courses like math, language?? thanks!

NOCCA Junior

Hey! Well, while what the counselor told you is true, unless the counselor said, "If it weren't for your grades, you definitely would have gotten in," you will never know if that audition would have gotten you in. I'm so sorry if I sound mean, I'm not trying to be...but just know that they won't tell you for sure. It's obvious that your grades at the time weren't quite good enough...so unless they told you in those words (which they might have, who I am to say haha), you'll never know about that audition.

I totally know what you mean about liking what NYU has to offer...only a few BFA programs have such a variety of scheduling options, and NYU I believe is the only one in the country with the unique and varied studio options. Maybe they'll take into account your past application, but, ultimately, know that you have to work about twice as hard as the freshmen do to get accepted...just rock your audition, and all you can do is hope for the best. There are many other GREAT schools out there though, just know that.

I think my awareness as an actor has improved greatly since I've been here, including the introduction of new works and playing roles that are not remotely connected to my outward personality. So, yes, Tisch is a wonderful place to grow as an actor, if you work. For instance, it's almost impossible to pull an A for studio in general...I managed to this semester, and I did work hard, but I think I was a bit lucky, because I wasn't expecting it at all.

There are various showcases. They're mostly for seniors, however. Most studios (like Adler, CAP 21, Strasberg) have industry showcases for the students that opted to stay in that studio until their senior year (you can officially switch studios after sophomore year, if you so choose). If I'm not mistaken, there is also a general senior showcase for the whole Department of Drama, but you must audition, and it's very competitive. I'm not sure how many people get agents, but it's definitely not that many...this is a hard profession, even for those who attend a top school like Tisch.

Hope that helps!