My daughters never applied to NYU, they had no interest in that university, my knowledge is not from my daughters.
The numerous kids I know who have been admitted to NYU Tisch fall into that subjective talent pool (as mentioned by Claire74) and their grades are below what anyone on this forum would think would be acceptable to NYU. I think it is important for those kids interested in NYU to apply and not to be scared off by less than stellar grades. It is not unrealistic and if you don’t apply then you definitely won’t be admitted.
And that is why I make this statement repeatedly even though I know it upsets some people.